All Consuming : rimesparse

Why I recommend "Someone to Drive You Home"

nobody@allconsuming.net (rimesparse) — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:05:21 GMT

by The Long Blondes

Essential for fans of Sleeper and the like, yet not derivative or entirely like those bands. On some songs, the LBs guitar riffing even gets a little Sleater-Kinney-ish.

Why I recommend "Tba"

nobody@allconsuming.net (rimesparse) — Sun, 27 May 2007 17:22:57 GMT

Tba

Not exactly essential (and it’s overpriced), but it IS Joanna Newsom and thus still very cool.

Impressive, but... (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (rimesparse) — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 16:03:55 GMT

The Fortress of Solitude

by Jonathan Lethem

I don’t know, I just didn’t enjoy this a lot. I picked it up because I loved the essays and stories I’d read by Lethem in various magazines. I admire its scope/ambition, but ultimately I found the writing style somewhat exhausting. I found myself caring a little about the characters but not a lot.

As a side note, I thought that when the main character (Dylan Ebdus) was narrating, it was actually the voice of Lethem rather than the character. Cuz we hadn’t been presented with any information indicating that the character would know some of the historical and pop-culture references he supposedly thinks. Just my opinion, of course!

Why I recommend "The Blunderer"

nobody@allconsuming.net (rimesparse) — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 19:40:49 GMT

The Blunderer

by Patricia Highsmith

Highsmith at her near-best. “Unputdownable,” as one of the quotes on the back cover says.

Supposedly Graham Greene’s favorite among all her novels.

Why I recommend "Better Days Will Haunt You"

nobody@allconsuming.net (rimesparse) — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 18:28:35 GMT

Better Days Will Haunt You

by Chavez

Sort of a heavier and sharper version of Pavement. Not that they should have to be compared to anyone else. I say that only to give a reference point for those who might be interested in these guys.

Absolutely outstanding.

Why I recommend "Ys"

nobody@allconsuming.net (rimesparse) — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 20:26:00 GMT

by Joanna Newsom

Odd and beautiful! Poetry set to harp, with orchestration by Van Dyke Parks.

Much better than Whiskey Tango Ghosts (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (rimesparse) — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 16:01:07 GMT

This Hungry Life

by Tanya Donelly

A little more oomph than Whiskey Tango Ghosts, which was super-mellow and maybe even (gasp) boring. This Hungry Life isn’t as lively as some of the upbeat songs in Tanya’s Belly days, but it’s worth hearing. Her voice is as gorgeous as ever, if nothing else.

Why I recommend "A Dog's Ransom"

nobody@allconsuming.net (rimesparse) — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 15:57:43 GMT

A Dog's Ransom

by Patricia Highsmith

Wow. Chilling. If you’ve heard about the book, that plot synopsis you heard is only about 1/10 of what actually happens. Yes, a guy kidnaps a dog from a rich Manhattan couple and holds it for ransom. But that setup is resolved in the first 75 pages or so. It’s what happens afterwards with the guy, the couple, and the policeman involved that makes up the bulk of the book. Amazingly suspenseful and psychologically scary. As with all of Highsmith’s work, the twists and turns are unpredictable yet completely believable. I don’t know how she does it.

Why I recommend "The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories"

nobody@allconsuming.net (rimesparse) — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 15:58:31 GMT

The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories

by Susanna Clarke

ESSENTIAL for anyone who read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. And for those who didn’t, it’s a much lighter and easier entry into both Clarke’s writing style and her fictional world.

Why I recommend "Edith's Diary"

nobody@allconsuming.net (rimesparse) — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 15:55:48 GMT

Edith's Diary

by Patricia Highsmith

Outstanding. As the fancy shmancy New Yorker quote on the book’s back cover says, “Her strongest, her most imaginative, and by far her most substantial novel.”

I find many of her other novels equally substantial, but this is certainly among Highsmith’s best.

Makes Tool's peers seem amateurish

nobody@allconsuming.net (rimesparse) — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 16:29:48 GMT

10,000 Days

by Tool

Tool works in a different realm than bands considered in the same genre. They’re arty, weird, and (yes) even humorous sometimes.

It’s hard to say what gets to me about this album where their previous one didn’t, but something does.

Dirty Part 2? No... (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (rimesparse) — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 16:25:39 GMT

Rather Ripped

by Sonic Youth

Those who compare this album to Dirty due to it being the band’s most accessible album in a while are stretching. It is accessible, but doesn’t have nearly the strong songwriting of Dirty. Rather Ripped is SY essentially in cruise control. Which is too bad, since Sonic Nurse was excellent.

Placebo's best album yet (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (rimesparse) — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 16:23:09 GMT

Meds

by Placebo

They should really retire, b/c they can’t top this! Songs are alternately and/or simultaneously haunting and menacing.

One of the best of 2006 (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (rimesparse) — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 16:20:40 GMT

Springtime Can Kill You

by Jolie Holland

The last song, “Mexican Blue,” is my favorite song of 2006. Sorta Beat-esque in its meandering and evocative lyrics, with gorgeous music and heart-wrenching singing.

A fitting farewell (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (rimesparse) — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 16:18:06 GMT

Just Like the Fambly Cat

by Grandaddy

Excellent. Not as immediately likable as Sumday, but is ultimately more satisfying the more ya listen.

Not his best, but still good... (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (rimesparse) — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 16:08:50 GMT

Love Travels at Illegal Speeds

by Graham Coxon

Happiness in Magazines is much better overall, with more dynamics and such. And fans of earlier Graham solo classics like “Jamie Thomas” will find this WAY too light for their taste. All in all, though, it’s a nice album if not real quirky or groundbreaking.

A story about "The Complete Sherlock Holmes"

nobody@allconsuming.net (rimesparse) — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 15:42:31 GMT

The Complete Sherlock Holmes

by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

I love it! And it gets better and better as you work your way through it. Not surprisingly, Doyle got better and better at his craft. Even when the mysteries aren’t as tricky and shocking in the later stories, they’re better to read because the writing is better.