This is Halloween! This is Halloween!

I made a lovely Halloween mix and was surprised to how many haunting songs I have. Enjoy!
Track List:1. Werewolf - CocoRosie2. Ghost! - Kid Cudi3. Skeletons - Tiny Masters of Today4. Rocky Racoon - The Beatles5. Cemeteries of London - Coldplay6. Shankill Butchers - The Decemberists7. She's Not There - The Zombies8. Maniac - Kid Cudi9. In The Mausoleum - Beirut10. My Manic and I - Laura Marling11. Separate and Ever Deadly - The Last Shadow Puppets12. The Afterlife - YACHT

Book Review: READ THESE BOOKS

   Here's some summer reading catch-up for you all.


1. Snuff- Chuck Palahniuk 
   This novel is about the porn industry. Specifically focused on Cassie Wright, a fictional aging porn star who hopes to break the world record with 600 men on screen in one day. (Palahniuk, people.) The story is told from the perspectives of Mr. 600, the man who got Cassie into the industry, Mr. 72, an adopted 20-something who claims to be Cassie's son, Mr. 137, a TV has-been who hopes to jump-start his fading career with Cassie as his publicity stunt, and Sheila, Cassie's assistant.
   It's a quick read, yet can be slow at times. I dug the narrative style and how information was delivered in snippets by each character. Definitely worth the read due to intrigue, a very strange premise, Palahniuk's writing style, and various surprising tidbits about Marilyn Monroe.


2. Fight Club- Chuck Palahniuk
   You all know what this one's about. You've seen the movie, think Brad Pitt as Tyler Durden is soosuperhot/badass, and think Marla is absolutely insane (but she's totally relate-able, READ IT). The film is great. The novel is great.
   If for nothing else, just read this for the writing style. The screenwriter (Jim Uhls) did a great job at infusing Chuck's style and the fast-paced, insomniac ridden vibe that runs throughout the book and film. 
   Not to mention that it's filled with useful quotes to help start your next office revolution and possible Project Mayhem chapter. 

Worker bees can leave
Even drones can fly away
The queen is their slave

Go on, forward that to everyone in the office/class.


3. The Average American Male- Chad Kultgen
   This book pisses me off and makes me want to barf. Is that what it's supposed to do? Is it a jab at angry feminists? Is it a jab at how women act towards men? Is it a jab at how men act towards women? Is it a jab at how men act in general?
   I want to smash the patriarchy, but at times, this book made me laugh out loud. It was candid, funny, and is the male version of my tongue-in-cheek diary. (Still pisses me off and makes me want to retch.) Also, you have to take a moment to look at the two women in the book and shake your head over how we let men influence us.

   RISE UP, LADIES! Read this book. This is the insider's handbook. 

Rockin' Down the Highway

    This weekend, I drove to Pittsburgh to visit some friends. I had a great weekend, and to commemorate, I have this roadtrippin' mix containing some new favorites and some classics I remember from childhood, driving through the desert with my parents. Enjoy! 

Beirut: The Rip Tide

 


   So. The Rip Tide. Released on August 30th of this year as the band's third LP. I'm completely head-over-heels for the album and I'm not planning on hiding it. Commencing with "A Candle's Fire" and closing with "Port of Call" the toe-tapping soul-searching ratio is ace.    "Santa Fe" and "East Harlem", as tracks numero dos y tres, continue to establish a sense of longing, love, and hope through the hard times. (Definitely something we can all relate to right now.)    Next comes "Goshen", "Payne's Bay", and "The Rip Tide". Beirut has graduated with honors. These tracks feature the great vocals, instrumentation (trumpet and drums), and Zach Condon's ever-improving songwriting we've all come to love in Beirut's music. "The Rip Tide" makes a perfect title song--it's filled with the aforementioned themes of hope, love, and determination.    Tracks seven and eight, "Vagabond" and "The Peacock", are, in my opinion, the two most well-written songs on the album. Go listen to them.   The album culminates in "Port of Call", my personal favorite. It's fantastic. The album's fantastic.       Like an episode of 2 Broke Girls (but on a totally different spectrum of art), clocking in at a smidge over 33 minutes, once The Rip Tide is over, you're at a loss, your heart is open, and your time was spent wisely.   Go serenade someone.

Shake It Out

Here's Florence + The Machine's new video for "Shake It Out" and as a bonus, "What the Water Gave Me."

Oh man. Who doesn't love Flo? I want to steal her 1970s vibe and never look back. 

Perfect for this blustery fall day! Enjoy!