Tis the Season
It's a funny thing to say, I know, but in the last couple of weeks I've been listening a lot to The Decemberists. I can't take credit for discovering them on my own--my oh-so-informed brother (king of all things indie) sent me some of their stuff. Now I'll gush: it's just fantastic! I read on some blog or review site that their sound is like the real secret history of rock n roll, like they could have been doing this 200 years ago. The sea-shanty accordian, the Victorian imagery, the literary references, and that unique voice. I've got their two albums now and, after repeated listenings, I am still struck by how it feels like I've heard them before, like I used to listen to them years ago and have rediscovered why and how much I liked them, even though the records are from this year. I'd love to see them live. I wonder what they'd be like? Loud? Maybe not. I'd expect them to be wearing period costumes or something (like the pix on their site), but they probably just wear normal clothes. I like them as much as I like James. I like them for the same reasons. Their brand new music has a historicity to it and that appeals to the bookish scholar in me.
PS I'm also enjoying Love & Rockets, a band I really did listen to years ago and am just now rediscovering, in all their glammy, gothy glory.

Wife on Drugs
The doctor gave Lauran some high-powered drug, which shall remain nameless, to reduce the swelling in her head so she won't get more migraines for a while. The thing is, it made her crazy! She was talking a hundred miles an hour and did a week's worth of chores before lunch. She was so funny I made her talk to everyone in the office while she was still speeding. I laughed and laughed until I stopped.

Me, with a lot of lost artwork behind me, from a long time ago