American Water

This is what you’re drinking. Yuck. Come back.

I know, I know, I’ve been completely slack and slack cannot be spelled without ‘lack’, so that’s my excuse. I lack motivation, I lack time, I lack brain capacity. ..

Apparently pregnancy doesn’t just result in a baby. Oh no, that would be too easy. Along the way there will be many instances in which you would very much like to die. Your ribs will feel like they’re breaking, your lungs don’t wanna work, your brain hurts, you back hurts and anything else that possibly could, will hurt.

I suppose another lack I have is the lack of my midnight chat pal. He’s gone to Austin, which means the time difference is ridiculous and my late nights are somewhat lazier and less productive. Yeah, that’s right, blaming you. But not really.

I’ve got two albums to write about today. Make up for lost time. See, even though I haven’t been writing, I have still been playing the tunes etc.

First up, we have an album that reminds me of the time that I was living with a best friend. During this time, a dear friend came to visit, but failed to tell us. I was startled at about half ten at night when a hairy man appeared on my veranda outside my bedroom crooning the blues with his acoustic guitar. Oh Jordan.

Welcome to the sounds of The Silver Jews. A beautiful rocky, bluesy outfit from the big smoke of New York. Since forming in 1989 (year I was born, here’s your queue to feel old if you remember that), The Silver Jews released 6 LP albums and 2 EP’s. Throughout this time, David Berman remained the only constant.

My choice of album was the 1998 release of ‘American Water’.

American Water

I find Berman’s voice very soothing, like a storyteller, lulling you to sleep. I wanted to play this album to my baby because it makes me feel at home and calm, both feelings I’d love for little miss to be familiar with and seeing as we both had a very peaceful night sleep, I think it may have had some affect (the little monster loves to keep me awake).

Another thing I’d like to mention about the Silver Jews is their comical appearance in Paste Magazine’s “An Indie Rock Alphabet Book”.

Oh yes, this is a definite future addition to little darling’s book collection. Right next to “Oh! The Places You’ll Go!”

The next selection for my tiny dancer’s delicate ears was a selection of chance. Half asleep and not bothered in the slightest, I grasped for my iPhone and played a mix of the first band my finger landed on. I wasn’t too disappointed, however, as my choice was a band that has been a sentimental part of myself and my friends lives. Say hello to “As Cities Burn”.

Son, I Loved You at Your Darkest

Come Now Sleep

Hell or High Water

Some really great albums here. I particularly love ‘Come Now Sleep’, a good mixture of thought provoking lyrics/discussions and catchy guitar riffs.

“As Cities Burn” have provided quite the soundtrack for my teenage years. Many a sad night spent crying to “Son I loved you at your darkest”, many a happy car ride singing along to “This is it, this is it”. I hope my feelings of love and nostalgia for this Louisiana bred four piece have been conveyed to the small female in my womb. Their tales of family heartache, questions and proclamations to the greatness of God and their sudden progression to a softer indie rock while keeping their trademark confronting lyrical content have made them a legendary act in my eyes and the eyes of many. They have since disbanded (as of 2009), with an exiting statement with words to the effect of :

“As Cities Burn has broken up. We are happily moving on after 6 good years. Our lives and our wives have called us in different directions. Thanks to anyone who has come out to a show, had words to say, or bought a CD to help us fill the tank”

Their music will continue, in our hearts and over our speakers.

CHEESY RIGHT?

Next up on Time Life, how you can become the proud owner of the entirety of Dolly Parton’s music career. The first thirty callers from Alabama with the same first name who can recite the NRA’s pledge of allegiance will receive a bonus novelty apron!

Anyway, it is now lunchtime and pumpkin wont let me forget it. She’s a hungry lass. I have to say, at this point, I am really starting to like pregnancy. Sure sure, the concluding paragraph of this entry may be as contradictory to the first as Peanut Butter is to Jam (that’s right people, they do not compliment each, nor will they ever!), but it’s the small things that remind you that it will all be worth it in just over 3 months. You’ll smile every time she kicks, freak out if you can’t feel her moving for over an hour, look at your huge belly in the mirror and love it and always get away with wearing daggy, comfortable clothes wherever you go because, hey, you’re pregnant. Yep. It’s something I’ll never regret.

By the way, there really is an NRA pledge of allegiance. I can’t find the exact one, it’s probably something you learn after paying a ridiculous fee. But some have revisited it, however:

“I pledge allegiance to Samuel Colt - the man who made all men equal - and to the Second Amendment behind which I stand, one nation under guns, with ammo and assault rifles for all.”

Lunchtime!