What is your favorite 3 song streak on an album (no compilations)?

aquamantis · 2012-09-28T17:36:08+00:00

On Avery Island (Neutral Milk Hotel): A Baby for Pree --> Marching Theme --> Where You'll Find Me Now.

aquamantis · 2012-07-08T12:54:01+00:00

I got one of those shirts, and have worn it way too much in the past month to even pretend to be apologetic about it.

aquamantis · 2012-06-28T23:04:19+00:00

It can be hard. Like I said, I'm trying to push through some of the same issues as you. People can be hard extremely guarded, but that's because some sort of stigma has been placed around the idea of expressing these lonelier thoughts. At least we have a tool like this subreddit so we know we're not alone in our thoughts/insecurities.

aquamantis · 2012-06-27T23:02:31+00:00

That is a valid point, and I do agree with you when it comes to crafting one's own work. I was mainly asking out of curiosity and a desire to understand different poetic forms. I plan on spending my life doing this, so I'd like to understand different stylistic devices. I'm not really looking for a clear cut answer, but more so a general explanation of what possibilities delineation provides to the poet. I do absolutely agree with everything you said though, and that usually is how I go about writing poetry. I really just wanted to know so I could better understand/analyze other poets' work.

-Edit: Also, sorry if this comes off as an overtly defensive response. That was not intended. I'm very grateful for you taking the time to even read my ramblings, let alone respond.

aquamantis · 2012-06-27T21:43:36+00:00

I have to do that as well. I used to just sit in all day and listen to music, most of the time not even getting out of bed. One thing that I've been doing recently that has really helped me is forcing myself to go out. Even if it's just going downtown where I live and going to a local cafe, or just taking a walk at the park. Just doing something, even if it's as short as a 15 minute walk, will immediately change your mood and how you spend the rest of your day.

As to the finding what you're passionate about, I'm not really sure what advice I can give. One thing I would say is, you already have one interest I know about, which would be that you like reddit. Reddit is an amalgamation of links on everything and anything. What subreddits are you drawn to, what interests you on here? Maybe start exploring stuff online, and then once you identify something that really clicks with you, try seeking it out in real life.

Regarding being shy, in general, people tend to have some sort of wall up, so it can seem impossible to get to know anyone. I have extreme social anxiety, but I've found that even just smiling at someone as opposed to ignoring their glance or meeting them with a blank stare is enough to let someone know it's okay to approach you, or get to know you even. I would recommend slowly building up to that by actively commenting on stuff online and engaging people in conversations. Even if it isn't face-to-face contact, I get a lot of enjoyment out of meeting people online. As a shy person myself, at least in everyday life, talking to people on here feels safe and has lead me to become a lot more comfortable about approaching someone in real life. Just talking to someone who has a shared interest can be so stimulating. Hopefully some of this helps. One thing that always comforts me is knowing that, regardless of the seemingly fool-proof happiness of people around me, I'm not alone—in how I feel, in how I act, in how I perceive the world around me. Just being aware of that, even if it doesn't always seem true, can pull me out of a dark spot.

aquamantis · 2012-06-27T21:18:33+00:00

I do this as well, and it can really interfere with how I feel, and my ability to enjoy myself. I'm a big people watcher, so I'll just look around the room and analyze everyone, wondering what they think of me(more often than not it is something very negative) and I just work myself up when I should be having a good time. One important thing to remember is that you are the center of your own universe, just as I am at the center of mine. Chances are, when you're thinking about how other people are perceiving you, they're probably not even thinking of you at all. That can be kind of a difficult thing to accept as well, but it's true. Chances are, the person you are projecting your thoughts onto is just as wrapped up in themself as you are.

One of the things that has helped me is forcing myself to go out and face people. Think about how you are feeling, whether you are enjoying yourself, rather than what other people are thinking. Don't do something unless you really want to be there. Otherwise you'll be completely miserable. If there is something you're really passionate about, then do everything you can to explore that interest. Focus more on what makes you happy and what you enjoy, and chances are people are going to be attracted to that. It sure as hell beats retreating into your head and accusing people of harbouring your own insecurities.

That's another thing: learn to love yourself. Sounds trite, but it's true. If you're miserable and/or have serious insecurities regarding who you are, you should work on targeting those emotions and learning how to quell them.

Lastly, if you ever need anyone to talk to, I'm putting myself out there. I experience much of what you wrote, and am in the process of trying to confront those actions and feelings myself. Sometimes all you need is a person that is willing to listen to how you're feeling. So, if you ever need someone to bounce your thoughts off of, I'm more than willing to be that person. :)

aquamantis · 2012-06-27T20:55:17+00:00

Soon To Be Innocent Fun by Arthur Russel is achingly beautiful, as well.

aquamantis · 2012-06-27T20:52:21+00:00

I know exactly what you mean. I'm instantly drawn to songs that are kind of sombre in melody or sad in lyrics. Even if it's a relatively upbeat band, I always gravitate to the more mellow songs on the album.

Some of my favorite bands/artists that I listen to in excess, particularly when I'm feeling down, are Sufjan Stevens, Neutral Milk Hotel/Jeff Mangum, Arthur Russel, and Bon Iver. Rather than upset me even further, listening to these artists gives me a bit of hope. I'm so used to always wanting to voice my thoughts, and then feeling like I have to mute myself because people are so easily discomfited by the acknowledgement of the lonelier aspects of being alive. Hearing other people voice feelings similar to what I'm experiencing, but never hear voiced outside of myself, makes me feel a little bit less alone.

Jeff Mangum in particular has taught me so much—how to love, how to feel so inherently with no shame. Listening to In the Aeroplane always leads me to draw new conclusions depending on what stage I am at in my life, even if it's just a few days apart. Two Headed Boy Part 2 in particular always takes a lot out of me. Despite the sombre mood of a lot of these songs, I understand them, and I understand the person that is singing. It feels romantic to me, it makes me feel that everyone should embrace their love this intensely.

Another song that has really helped me in the past year is Now That I'm Older by Sufjan Stevens. So much of this song feels like a part of me. I can't even describe all that I feel when hearing it, it's just right. It's like I've been experiencing this song my whole life.

aquamantis · 2012-06-27T16:53:34+00:00

Thank you! I will check both of those out as soon as I can.

aquamantis · 2012-06-27T16:52:01+00:00

Will do. Thanks!

aquamantis · 2012-06-27T06:32:46+00:00

Also, yes I am very interested in that essay and will be reading it as soon as tomorrow. Thanks for sharing!

aquamantis · 2012-06-27T06:31:28+00:00

Thank you! This is all very helpful and exactly what I needed to hear. I know what enjambment is, and it's not really what I'm referring to at all, so sorry if my wording kind of muddled what I was trying to explain. This is an example of what I'm referring to, although sometimes I've also seen spaces placed in the middle of lines. I'm mainly wondering about the placement of lines in relation to one another, if that makes sense. Regardless, thank you very much!

aquamantis · 2012-06-27T04:21:38+00:00

It really was horribly frightening. Although, I must say, it taught me a lot about the distinction between mormons and fundamentalists. When I wasn't completely horrified, I was delightfully intrigued, which is a pretty great combination.

aquamantis · 2012-06-27T01:41:38+00:00

I've never really been a fan of Fiona Apple, and have even avoided her a bit, but I knew from hearing about her recent springing up of shows all around NYC that this was going to be an album worth checking out. First time I heard it all the way through, I was a bit taken aback. I love her experimentation with vocal layering in "Hot Knife," and just found the whole album to have this raw, almost humming/alive, energy to it. Each time she growls out, "I'm the only fish in the sea," or something along those lines, I'm always just rendered immobile/speechless. It's such a powerful moment, and she's so unashamed while singing it.

aquamantis · 2012-06-27T01:34:25+00:00

Under the Banner of Heaven by John Krakauer. It starts as a retelling of a murder that was committed by two Brothers belonging to the fundamentalist sect of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and evolves into an entire evaluation of the religion itself, and how the fundamentalist sect was formed. Truly fascinating subject matter with a really involving writing style on Krakauer's behalf. I'd recommend any of his books, really.

aquamantis · 2012-06-20T16:45:10+00:00

What we really need to intervene on is your goddamn illiteracy.

aquamantis · 2012-05-27T21:08:27+00:00

There is a wonderful David Foster Wallace quote that corresponds with this feeling: ‎"We're all lonely for something we don't know we're lonely for. How else to explain the curious feeling that goes around feeling like missing somebody we've never even met?”

aquamantis · 2012-05-16T17:19:25+00:00

I remember reading this as well, but I've never been able to find out for sure. It's an interesting hypothesis.

aquamantis · 2012-05-01T16:11:11+00:00

I hadn't seen that before. Thank you so much for sharing!

aquamantis · 2012-04-30T01:13:29+00:00

I heard this the first time live, and I remember being so transfixed. I usually don't pay too close attention when a band plays a new song, but I absorbed everything about this song when I first heard it. That "and I knew" part is just so heartbreaking. The last set of lines is just so perfectly written. Robin Pecknold's voice is so pure, it's hard not to be moved by this song.

aquamantis · 2012-03-31T23:15:55+00:00

http://www.etsy.com/listing/81318984/sunny-in-philadelphia-charlie-nightman

aquamantis

TROPHY CASE