Day: December 8, 2014

Over the weekend C. brought home a story she had written in class with instructions for the weekend. We were supposed to read it with her, then rewrite it to take out grammatical errors so she could record it in class on Monday.

Which is a good thing.

Her story, which was based on the Nutcracker, featured one very concerning spelling error. After Princess C.’s brother broke the Nutcracker she received for Christmas, C. took it and “…raped him with cloth.”

When S. read it, she covered her mouth and handed it to me with wide eyes.

When I read it I said, “Hmmm. On top of just being wrong, I bet that would be uncomfortable.”

C. went back to class today with an edited story that featured a Nutcracker that had been “…wrapped with cloth.”

Much better.

“I Got Knocked Down (But I’ll Get Up)” – School Of Seven Bells covering Joey Ramone

Normally I disqualify covers from my year end lists. But occasionally I make an exception.

And no, it’s not a cover of THAT song.

Rather, this is a wonderful cover of a song that Joey Ramone wrote while he was battling lymphoma, a disease that would eventually kill him. School of Seven Bells founding member Benjamin Curtis was diagnosed with the same disease in 2013. He recorded this song while hospitalized for treatment, connecting with vocalist Alejandra Deheza via FaceTime. Curtis played in his hospital room, she sang in the studio, and he directed her on how to adjust the recording equipment to get the sound he wanted.

Curtis died last December 29. This was released last June, a powerful and emotional last single by a band that made beautiful music.

Sitting in a hospital bed
Frustration going through my head
Turn off the TV set
Take some drugs so I can forget
I, I want life

Previously:
20 – “Black And White” – Parquet Courts

I know many of you have been waiting all year for this, and it is finally here. Yes, time to unveil my 20 favorite songs of the past year. Rather than share the entire list up front and then post videos/audio files and comments for each one, I’m going Casey Kasem on you and unveiling them one at a time.

Many of these were featured as Friday Vids over the past year, so some should be familiar. But others, like our first song, will be new to the blog.

So let’s kick things off with song #20 for 2014.

“Black And White” – Parquet Courts

The sound of New York in the summer time. Tense, on edge, your personality crushed by the weight of the city.

Do I bother to define myself beyond what they allow?
Have I already forgotten how?