New Music, New Books

The other morning, while getting the kids ready for school, I had on Morning Edition, per usual. I heard part of a segment about holiday stories to read as a family. We do a fair bit of reading as a family, though I admit it’s been mostly Harry Potter books. At a chapter a day, it takes a while. Though we had already read all seven books, in preparation for the new movie, we’ve been re-reading the final two.

I’m a sucker for the image of us all curled up reading holiday books in the living room, maybe by the fire. So, I’m looking forward to selecting a few titles from this list on NPR.org. I intend to get Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, at least.

I also have been checking out some new music from this list of the top 25 listeners’ picks. I downloaded Fleet Foxes (eponymous); Oracular Spectacular by MGMT; Consolers of the Lonely by The Raconteurs; Modern Guilt by Beck; Only by the Night by Kings of Leon; Acid Tongue by Jenny Lewis; For Emma, Forever Ago by Bon Iver, Narrow Stairs by Death Cab for Cutie; Furr by Blitzen Trapper; and Flight of the Conchords (eponymous). There are few things better than unexpectedly good new music, and what I’ve heard so far is quite good.

Flight of the Conchords is just hilarious. These guys–who call themselves “New Zealand’s fourth most popular digi -folk paradists”–make convincing nods to various musical styles, backing up lyrics you’d never expect, all delivered with a wink. For example:

Looking at the room, I can tell that you.
Are the most beautiful girl in the…room.
(In the whole wide room).
And when you’re on the street, depending on the street.
I bet you are definitely in the top three.
Good lookin’ girls on the street.
(Depending on the streets).
And when I saw you at my mate’s place.
I thought…what, is she, doing…at my mate’s place.
How did he get a hottie like that to a party like this?
Good one, Dave.
(Ooh, you’re a legend, Dave).

I highly encourage you to check out the song “Business Time” . . .

I’m completely intrigued with the band The Raconteurs (listen to “Carolina Drama”, below) and am looking forward to hearing more. I liked The White Stripes but needed more texture–here it is. Also looking forward to hearing more Bon Iver, Blitzen Trapper, and Fleet Foxes.

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