Vehicle For Dissertation

Books I read, music I hear...My imperious opinion on both.

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Little Star - Girlyman

I can't remember now where I first heard the song This Is Me. It was on the radio but I tried and I can't remember whether it was online or on the folk hour of a local station. I do know that I first found the group Girlyman while looking around on CDBaby.com. That was before their latest CD, titled Little Star, came out. I checked out the audio clips and their website and though they seemed interesting but a little weird also. I still think a couple things are a little weird...But I like their sound. Evidently nothing really caught me when listening to the clips from Remember Who I Am. With Little Star its different (I need to check out RWIA again also).

My whole impression with Little Star is based on the 2 minute audio clips you can hear on CDBaby and on reading the lyrics on their website. And like I said I did hear This Is Me in its entirety once. I think they do an excellent job. Vocally and instrumentally. Lyrically there is a clarity combined with a certain vagueness that mirrors the feelings I often find myself experiencing.

Girlyman.com


Listen on CDBaby...

Thursday, September 15, 2005

Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte

The name Wuthering Heights sounded appealing...Besides I'd read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. To be upfront with how I felt on finishing the book: I felt rather disappointed. It was an interesting read. The problem I had is that I didn't really have any characters to like. You know how some books or movies have these adorable, brave, beautiful or otherwise worthy characters for whom you as the reader develop a regard. This was not like that. The history of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange covered some three generations causing some confusion since names were similiar or identical at some points. Mainly though when I was getting on a likely basis with the young Cathy Linton she goes through her transformation on becoming Mrs. Heathcliff and then further when her relationship with Hareton Earnshaw changed so drastically...

It is certainly a classic book and a good read, I just don't find it one to become particularly attached to. I bought it to take on a trip (for airport reading) and it will join Jane Eyre on my book shelf but not exactly the same place in my reading heart...