This is fear.

The Cure - "Pornography"

Yes, for the uninitiated, the title of the album is dodgy. I assure you, however, that the album is not.

In fact, it is terrifying.

When I listen to music, I never give much thought to the words, especially when at work. I put the album on and type away. Listening to "Pornography" was no exception. It reeled me in. It scared me because it made what you fear, real. The album begins with "One Hundred Years," and as soon as the guitar begins to wail you KNOW what you are in for.

This is not happy "Friday, I'm In Love" Cure. This is fear. This is complete, unwavering, destructive despair.

It's a dark hole. It's a situation you cannot and will never get out of. It's terrifying and scary. I'm a Christian, and I yet this made me feel like I was going to Hell. Not because it's demonic or anything. The music paints a picture of a horrible situation that is impossible to escape. It's the soundtrack to your nightmare.

Although the mood is pretty much constant, the intensity pulls back a little the further the album goes, for me, at "A Strange Day." It's one brief reprieve, a feeling of hope, before falling into "Cold," or what I liken to the feeling that something isn't quite right.

The title track "Pornography" verifies that. Just when you think you're out of whatever danger or sense of despair, you are dragged right back into it.

This is an album that I would recommend to listen to in its entirety. It does have its standout tracks, but "Pornography" is much more striking from beginning to end. Any music fan interested in hearing an evolution of a band should get this. It's goth, it's thematic, it's great. It captures human emotion at its darkest and is a testament to Robert Smith and The Cure's ability to toggle between happy and sweet ("Friday, I'm In Love") to this and back.

Happy Songs and Coachella-wishing.

Oh, hello. I've been kicking myself with getting back to writing on this here blog. Since getting the new iPod, I've been getting new music and re-discovering other music. Been in a bit of a happy phase, sparked by the re-discovery of Belle & Sebastian's "Another Sunny Day." It came on while I had my iPod (name: Fawkes) on shuffle mode. Then I played it over and over.

It reminded me of another track that sounded similarly cheery, "Caught In The Rain" by Preston School of Industry. Then I thought of They Might Be Giants' "Birdhouse In Your Soul."

THEN I went on about The Cure. (happy Cure, not eerily depressed and in despair Cure...I have a post lined up about that. I was going to throw that in here, but it would severely mess the mood up on this theme)

Anyway, here is the happy On-The-Go p'list I fashioned up from those last few hours at work.

1. Another Sunny Day - Belle and Sebastian
2. Caught In The Rain - Preston School of Industry
3. Birdhouse In Your Soul - They Might Be Giants
4. Friday, I'm In Love - The Cure
5. Just Like Heaven - The Cure

Those two Cure songs make me want to be in love. So, I went to look for more Cure stuff. I did get the album that many recognize as their best. But that will be another post all in itself.

I'm also quite excited. STAR 101.9 is having a contest and the prize is for the winner and a friend to go to the COACHELLA festival. As mentioned on my LiveJournal (here) I want to go because INTERPOL is playing. as well as the Arcade Fire and number of other bands and artists I like. I mean, it's all well and good that Rage Against the Machine are re-forming and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are playing. But screw that. I want my Interpol.

When I first heard that Interpol were playing, I checked the prices out of curiousity. Seriously. The cost of going is out of my price range....until I heard STAR were sending people. My friend/co-worker Christina is going to go with me if either one of us succeeds in winning.

It makes me very happy. I should really try to listen in though, goshdangit.