Love In All Directions

I’ve been listening (and buying) a lot of new music lately, and I’ve been loving it. It’s a nice balance, because the books I’ve been reading have been a bit disappointing. I wonder whether I should return to my reluctant, but natural, path of stumbling through the classics. Accessible classics like Franzen are my sweet spot.

I’d really like to some day finish War and Peace. I liked it a lot when I started it, but I stopped, because it is enormous. But if I can finish that book, then I’d also like to read Anna Karenina, and finish it off with the upcoming bio of Leo Tolstoy that looks really good. He seems like an interesting character to read about.

It’s an ambitious plan, almost like announcing grand plans while drinking with friends. I’m going to learn the piano! Like that.

But first I’ll read what I’m reading. I don’t want to overwhelm myself with classics when I have NANOWRIMO in November. So I’m hoping to read something really engaging and exciting, like Jo Nesbo’s The Snowman. I like the opening chapter, so I’ve got high hopes.

Here are songs that I’ve been loving.

This track is like Bon Iver mixed with Yeasayer.

Active Child’s You Are All I See.

Next, the lead-off track of AA Bondy’s recent album. Now this is a menacing beast! It fits that mold of songs that I like to imagine myself having written, and then performing for people in my life that I wish would find me impressive.

AA Bondy’s Believers.

Lastly, some garage pop hip-shaking. This youngster’s debut is promising, one of my favorite albums of the year.

Mikal Cronin’s self-titled album.