mcshanahan

Earworms generally, and mine in particular, ft. Belle and Sebastian’s “Blues Are Still Blue”

Walking down an unfamiliar street last week, I turned a corner and saw a sign announcing in a 70s art deco font on a rich burnt orange background: LAUNDERETTE. Squinting against the midday sun, I smiled and thought of this great song from Belle and Sebastians’ 2006 The Life Pursuit. Catchy country-rock hooks bring you in and subtle changes in each repeat of the chorus keep you there. There’s even a great sustained organ chord at the beginning that lends a momentary but endearing Hall and Oates vibe, not unlike the sign at my particular launderette. (This is not even to mention to video, which I love.) Needless to say, walking the rest of the way down the street humming this gem was no hardship. Continue reading “Earworms generally, and mine in particular, ft. Belle and Sebastian’s “Blues Are Still Blue””

Moms are awesome, both in science and in song

Early Christmas morning 1985, I quietly crept out bed. There was something that I really wanted, and I had to see if it was there. Tip-toeing down the long hallway, careful to avoid the floorboards that I knew would creak, I held my breath. Continue reading “Moms are awesome, both in science and in song”

Remembering with the Beastie Boys’ “Pow”

Like lots of people my age, I spent the weekend listening to the Beastie Boys: considering the huge impact they’ve had on music, remembering them as the soundtrack for much of my youth, and thinking with sadness and regret that it won’t be the same after Adam Yauch’s death on Friday. Continue reading “Remembering with the Beastie Boys’ “Pow””

Plants and Animals’ Lightshow and our fascination with visualizing sound

“Plants and Animals rock so hard, they end up overloading all the scientists’ fancy equipment”

That’s a pretty accurate description of the video for Plants and Animals‘ satisfying, pared-down anthem Lightshow. The Montreal-based trio go about rocking under controlled conditions while they are observed by two researchers. Every sound creates a digital graphic output while the lab-coated scientists struggle to tune a classic cathode-ray tube oscilloscope in the control room. In the end the solo is too much (it is really great), and they’re left shaking their heads. Continue reading “Plants and Animals’ Lightshow and our fascination with visualizing sound”