#1 was an easy decision. I haven't been able to put down Beach House's Teen Dream since hearing the single "Norway" last year. every track is some masterwork in subtle, melodic pop — simple enough to love on first listen, but with the depth to reward months of obsession (every time I listen I find a beautiful new lyric/synth line/melody to dwell on). Victoria Legrand's voice carries the album; it's sublime.
it'd be a crime not to play Teen Dream straight through (click the album art to download), but I'll mention my four favorites anyway: "Walk in the Park", "Lover of Mine", "10 Mile Stereo", "Take Care" (is heartbreaking)
Beach House is playing seven more shows on this album, all in the US and all in February. in the name of all things holy: go to one.
yeah yeah, five days until Christmas is stupidly late for a gift guide. so maybe you'll just buy some of this cool shit for yourself, or get expedited shipping, or find it in a store. in any case:
Amana nordic scarves | $17 — attractive, well-made scarves for $17. a scarf is the quintessential xmas gift, and you can't go wrong here. check out the tartans too.
J. Press knit tie | $60 — this is just a wardrobe essential, for dressing up a jacket or dressing down a suit. see also: this alternative to a regular tie pin
you are beautiful pencils | $10 — I dunno, could be a cute little gift for your girl who is a student/likes to draw?
a 2 finger ring | $55 — speaking of: if I had a girlfriend this xmas, I'd definitely be buying her a 2 finger ring.
Netflix | $10/month — my brother got me a netflix subscription last xmas, and it ended up being one of the best gifts I've ever received. the on-demand selection is getting pretty amazing (I recommend In the Mood for Love, The Great Happiness Space, and britcom Coupling, for starters), and I went through all of both Mad Men and The Wire on netflix DVDs (just starting Deadwood — is this show any good?)
Take Ivy, photos by T. Hayashida | $14 — half style guide, half cultural phenomenon. when this book hit Tokyo in 1965 it caused a sea change in young Japanese fashion; now it's finally been reprinted in the US. inside: great photography, classic prep style, and comically idyllic descriptions of American college life. a good gift for someone looking to dress better, or any college student really.
Fox River four layer glove | $30 — just a very warm, very good-looking glove at a very good price. if your giftee uses an iphone, try these $20 UO gloves (I've a pair and girls comment on them without fail, no idea why)
all-black playing cards | $17 — just boss. (warning: no shipping to Australia. sorry Scaramanga)
this 2011 agenda | 19 euro — every week is accompanied by a connect-the-dots of some iconic art! and: attractive typesetting.
Barrett Alley disciple wallet | $95 — Barrett Alley makes leather goods (check out all his stuff) that are mad expensive because they're distinctive and will wear beautifully (last forever). this is a nice wallet made out of pretty thin leather — a fresh alternative to your typically massive tri-fold
subscription to GQ | $12 — something that you don't have to worry about getting shipped before xmas day, and probably the best American style magazine.
one of the watches I mentioned here (accompany it with some bands). or, for someone who needs a more formal watch (and is worth spending several hundred (!) on), one of these gorgeous uniform wares watches
TeamLiquid Gossip Girl was a petty, flash-in-the-pan blog devoted to TL gossip. It hasn't been updated in about a year, and only has a handful of entries total. But some of them are interesting (including this rundown of rpf's famous facebook thread). Blog has too much of an agenda to take seriously, but for TL nerds it's really fun reading. (Does everybody already know about this?)
watched this video while in a stupor from studying corporations 12 hours straight. cried laughing.
http://woodgears.ca/eyeball/index.html is this supposed to be fun? it's totally maddening. I averaged 2.69 error on my first runthrough, and gave up there
merry xmas TL! here's my favorite christmas album. it's the only xmas music you'll ever need. put it on, grab a hot drink, and enjoy hanging with your friends/family this holiday.
That math doodling video is absolutely brilliant... However, if I took the time to learn them, I don't think I'd be all that great in the class itself.
Summer Holiday was playing in a coffee shop I was at back in...September? I absolutely loved the song and asked the barista what was playing. First time I've ever done that
As always, ♥ :D
n.DieJokes United States. December 21 2010 10:25. Posts 3260
[Song Jieun best in show] miss A, Orange Caramel, Younha, (GNA’s spot if she decides to eat), IU ♀| |♂Epik High, Verbal Jint, Phantom, Jaybum, Wheesung
emperorchampion Canada. December 21 2010 10:44. Posts 4122
Beachcomber's Windowsill is amazing, best album in recent memory. Thanks for all the blogs this year, lots of great music to listen to, and always interesting stuff!
Merry Christmas/Happy New Year!
TRUEESPORTS || your days as a respected member of team liquid are over
Man, just looked at everything that you had on your list, some of them I've seen before, but most of them I've never even heard of. I want to talk about all of it but that's going to be way too long lol. I'm just going to thank you for all the amazing blogs :D.
IUFam Golf Wang~ NrGsteve
`Zapdos United States. December 21 2010 11:07. Posts 934
<3 Beach House. Zebra's my favorite song on the album, I took the time to learn to play it on guitar and it's just so soothing to play it now and then. I had a chance to see them live, but didn't take it. Stupid college student budget. I intend to put up a blog regarding the bands I did get to see (one of the best years I've had for concert-going) at some point, so look forward to that.
Seriously, though, so much great music this year. It was a year of solid and established bands putting out really really solid albums. Not a very surprising year, but a damn good one. I won't disagree with your list outright, but I will say that I've been listening to Avi Buffalo's debut LP and Sufjan Steven's newest an awful lot lately.
Also, in honor of blog #XIV, I'm doing my damndest to get the peacoat you linked for christmas.
whole lies with a half smile
jon arbuckle Canada. December 21 2010 11:19. Posts 443
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SubtleArt December 21 2010 10:12. Posts 2710
Empyrean December 21 2010 10:23. Posts 16299
Stupid college student budget. I intend to put up a blog regarding the bands I did get to see (one of the best years I've had for concert-going) at some point, so look forward to that.
