I have been obsessively listening to the new album by St. Vincent. To be honest, I wasn't totally blown away by her debut album. I know everyone adored her last release, but I admit, I just didn't get it.
However, I received the album Actor as part of my new freelance writing gig. I reluctantly listened to it. I'm so happy I did! It is a breathtaking album — one that has been in constant rotation at my house. It is sophisticated and ambitious and altogether beautiful. It's one of those situations where I'm not sure if it's me who has changed musically or her? I am maturing a bit in what I'm listening to. I used to be a straight-up, indie rock chick who would shudder at the thought of anything reeking of maturity. But I think something happens to you when you get into your 30s — it's like you automatically graduate into the "Tom Waits years" of your life and leave your "Steve Albini days" behind you. My tastes have changed so much in the past few years. I can barely listen to bands I once LOVED. This may seem like a natural progression for most of you, but for me it was downright confusing. Especially since I spent most of my adult life making a living, thinking and writing about music. I hardly ever listen to bands like Pavement, Mars Volta, Dinosaur Jr. anymore. I couldn't stand mature, concept albums with quirky effects, weird artistic bents, overly emotive melodies or, gulp, alt country. Now my iPod is full of bands like Okkervil River, St. Vincent, Bjork, Wilco even! I even deleted Slanted and Enchanted from my iPod to make room for the Paris, Texas soundtrack.
I think I'm settling comfortably into early middle-age and the soundtrack of my life has become mellower and a little, can I say, more refined? Might explain why I've been listening to so much Lou Reed lately or the fact that my once beloved Ted Leo now gives me a headache. It's quite shocking actually. I mean, I spent most of my life writing reviews about bands I adored and now it's like my palette has changed completely. Strangely enough, so have my taste buds. Just the other day, Chris noticed that things I used to find delicious now make me gag. Olive oil (I prefer grape seed), sour lemons (I used to eat them like oranges), vinegar, milk chocolate, meat. Do you think these things could be related?
St. Vincent + mostly vegetarian diet - snarky music writing attitude = me now
Steak + indie rock (too much time in front of the computer - sense of humour) = me then
Could it really be as simple as a+b=c?
Whatever it is, you should definitely listen to St. Vincent's new album. It's amazing. Sound even better when you're making a pesto and asparagus pasta salad and grilling bell peppers on the barbecue. Oh, gosh... it's official. I am mature.
2 comments:
Dude, I can no longer stand indie rock. It's crazy, I know. But I still like meat. Mind you, I was a vegetarian at the height of my indie rock snob career, so there you go.
Whew, thanks for that Elizabeth. What a relief. So happy to know it's not just me. You know, I had an adverse physical reaction the other day to the new Dinosaur Jr. album? Almost veered off the road trying to take it out of my car stereo. That genre of music just isn't relevant to me anymore. It's been over 20 years. I'm Just not that person anymore. Thank god — I don't think anyone wants to see me in combat boots and a babydoll dress anytime soon ;)
Give me a glass of red wine and a Bjork boxset!
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