Um Waiter? New Brain Please?
---I wanna write a song with this guy. His voice reminds me of figs. Like grainy and smooth. And his melodies are always masterfully simplistic. The full album doesn't blow my mind like Cerulean did, but still a much needed addition, thank you Ken. Whoever is doing marketing though needs to lock in.
---I appreciate these lyrics for speaking to the experience of hitting a wall in regards to the limits of self knowledge. And how the self is really just theory and story and keeps you disconnected from direct experience (let's talk about the dharma of Ken Yates). But also how this supposed noble pursuit can really be a mask for fear and avoidance. But discovering where that line is, although painful in its insidious heaviness, can be a valuable lesson. Oh the ironyyyy. But I also recognize that this is a culturally specific dilemma. Anyways, I don't actually know what this song is about. This is just my interpretation with hardly any textual basis leave me alone. (Aside: never step to me talking about some Jungian archetypes, I will immediately assume you are the enemy).
---This is not my favorite of his work. This album feels to me like maybe he didn't have that much to say (relatable).
---I give dis track 3 sets of concentric circles. If I were to pick a favorite off of this album, I'd say dis one .
My Life Source Right Now
---Cameron, what's the copay because this song is healing meeeeeee. Please don't make me feel thingsss. You're lifting up the people, Cameron.
---I don't have too much to say about this song besides the fact I've had it on repeat as of late and it's got that bitter-sweet sorrow-joy. I've found a few of his songs, along with some of his full band songs, to genuinely provide relief like damn. I am so inspired by everyday people. I try to keep these reviews from becoming journal entries so I'll refrain from doing too much negative comparison, but I am amazed by how hard-working, talented, creative, and caring people can be and this song and video reminds me that it's all around. I love a hope song.
---I'm a fan of the way his songs are arranged? Produced? They have a tinkered-with feel to them. The way he layers his background vocals in some songs gives them an accordian-like sound and the way some of the drum/bass come in sound like someone accidentally dropped the needle on a record. All of this just creates the most refreshing and cozy texture I swearrrr .
---This song & video get 5 out of 5 sets of concentric circles from me. Also, this video makes me feel more Appalachian.
Annoying A$$ Straight People
---Okay, I did not read this book in its entirety, but oh my god this couple made me want to scream. The author does a great job of making the reader's skin crawl from not just the graphic descriptions of rather vile situations, but also just from the characters being so unbelievably obnoxious. This lends itself to the book's humor as well. It's meant to make you cringe, but oh my goddd. The main character and her mother make me rage. They each possess this incredible gift of misreading social situations and just being generally b!tchy. Granted, I also equally can't stand her boyfriend for being so recklessly nonchalant. I only got about 3/4ths of the way through this, but I know how it ends thanks to a really good video summary . I say all that to say that I know he eventually gives her a taste of her own medicine, but like... c'mon man. Two wrongs don't make a right, but they do make a good story.
---On that note too, I'm curious what exactly Gross was trying to achieve in this novel. I get that it's just a story blah blah and the artist's job isnt to answer questions blah blah blah it's just to pose them blah and let the reader do the blahhhhhhhh but I guess I just find it difficult to make light of abuse. But at the same time I think the book does a great job of illuminating some of the less obvious intrusions in unhealthy relationships . And making light of it lets you take some distance from it. So actually I take back what I just said, I think making light of the issue of pathologically poor boundaries is actually a really good way to treat the novel like a memorable caustionary tale and diffuse the volitility of this otherwise catastophic couple.
---Stylistically, I found it to be a little boring at times as it's a rather conversational/casual read (look who's talking) but the main plot points successfully feel like a punch in the gut due to the author's very deliberate use of pacing. Character wise, I still have trouble putting a face to Olive, but I wonder if that's intentional. Like because she lacks an identity for real. But the author does an amazing job characterizing the relationships between the characters. Like you see more of Olive's identity not when she's alone, but when she's over-deliberating internally how to navigate her relationships. That's when you see her more authentic vulnerability which just expresses itself in a rather dysfunctional way... Or something.
---This book filled me with anxiety. Overall, I thought this was a very funny/disgusting and worthwhile read. Something like this kinda sorta happened in my personal life and it is hurting my brain. Just the psychic penetration part (ew), not all the other craziness. Just infinitely confused. And that is all I will say about that.
---Bonus points: stunning & evocative cover design.