I’ve been enjoying autumn a lot these past few days. It finally has that colour and air I love so much about it. And the company of nice new people. And that’s always good, right?

I won’t blab too much tonight. I will try, however, not to let the dust set here like I did these past 2 months. And here’s an awesome song that’s been constantly in my playlists during this time. It’s not a new one, but it’s totally awesome, and one of the best autumn songs there is. Hell, the whole album – I am talking about Yo La Tengo‘s I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One - screams autumn. So nice and sweet and pure and innocent (and yes, all these things make me think of a lovely coloured autumn, just like the one happening outside). Just try it and see for yourselves. And if you like the 90s, that’s one more reason to give this album a try

Oh, don’t over analyse the title, I just love love love those lyrics. And the weather makes them appropriate. That’s about it.

(Stockholm Syndrome by Yo La Tengo)

Today is  my 3rd day starting with Mastodon‘s new album, The Hunter, and I’m liking it more and more with each listening. I’m not much into heavy riffs and metal in general these past few years (I used to listen to quite a lot of this music when I was in high school) but from time to time I come across an album which I grow to love. And The Hunter has this incredible energy and balance that allows me not to find it too much (and it not to segue into annoying and loud)

I don’t know which is which in terms of the vocals, the boys share their duties, but they sure complete each other.

Without any more blabbing, you can stream the album here. Watch some wicked visuals, too.

Favourite track so far, Thinckening, the 9th [32:00 in the vid above]

It was this beautiful sunny day, with a little bit of wind. I actually felt chilly a few times, even though I had this striped sweater I really love on. And with all the noise and commotion on the streets, everything seemed so peaceful and just really ok.

(Fashion Coat by The National)

The only thing I was capable of listening to without pressing ‘next’ in the middle of the song was The National. So I did. On and on, to these two albums only (they were the only ones I had in my player cause I felt like I was ignoring them previously). They are these little gems that pass a lot of people by. Many of the ones I know got into this band when they released Boxer  so they are more into it and High Violet. I’m not denying, these are really awesome albums, but seriously, the rest of their music deserves so much more attention.

Besides just reminiscing I wanna just say it: don’t be afraid to go alone somewhere, especially if it’s just for a day or two. Chances are you’ll have a great time with yourself and awesome memories that you can totally be selfish about. They will be just yours. Like a great view or a particular moment or sensation. Or maybe just a smile you spotted on a stranger. Or that balcony grid with little iron flowers.

(Daughters of the Soho Riots by The National)

1. Name a band or an artist you can’t believe you liked when you were younger.
I used to listen to a lot of Pasarea Colibri when I was in my early teens. It’s this Romanian folk band that I grew to dislike more and more with the passing of time.

2. Name a band or an artist you hated when you were younger and you now love.
Oh, I used to totally dislike Björk. I thought she was creepy and incredibly weird. And at 17 a certain person played me Pagan Poetry and my big love for her started to form.

(Pagan Poetry by Björk)

3. Name a band or a singer who stood the test of time (you liked from the first time you listened to it/him/her).
First that comes to my mind is Deftones (just because I just saw them live). I liked them for 10 years, since I was in my first year of high school and a class mate of mine showed up with White Pony in his hands. But there are more such examples (Radiohead, Pink Floyd, Metallica, Massive Attack), some of them I don’t listen to that often anymore, but I still love them.

4. Name a song you can’t resist to dance/tap to.
When I hear The Knife‘s Pass This On I start moving, no matter where I am. I do silly head moves if I’m sitting, funny walk if I’m on the street, tap the handlebars if on my bicycle. And of course I love love love dancing to it.

(Pass This On by The Knife)

5. Name an album you like each and every song from.
First ones that come to mind: Radiohead‘s Hail To The Thief, Björk‘s Homogenic, The National‘s High Violet, Jeff Buckley‘s Grace, Arms and Sleepers‘ Matador, Ulver‘s Perdition City. And some more

6. Name a band or an artist you’re so fed up with you never want to hear about anymore.
I don’t really interact with other music than my own playlists or my friends’ So I don’t think there are bands I’m that fed up with.

7. Name a band or an album that your partner or friends love and you can’t stand. AC/DC. Never really liked them and grew to totally dislike them.

8. Your favourite cover.
Can’t have just one. To name a few, from the top of my mind: Jeff Buckley‘s Hallelujah, Thom Yorke‘s All For The Best, José González‘s Heartbeats, The Gathering‘s When The Sun Hits.

(All For The Best by Thom Yorke)

9. Your favourite song or band right now.
Favourite? I can tell you my most listened to lately: Phantogram‘s When I’m Small. On the band part, I’m going through a Deftones craze right now, because I just saw them live .

(When I’m Small by Phantogram)

Ioana [*], Andu, Dan, Victor [*] and Nicolae, if you please [Octavian did it in Romanian, you can copy-paste his questions ]

Later edit: Weebzam and Bogdan also have some interesting answers

Imagine the darks from the skull
In a night without sleep, vibration comes, first suit I had in months without feet
Spouting hymns and all’s in them
And forever target, when it ain’t so kind

(For 12 by Other Lives)

And the video, oh it really does justice to the wonderful song.

And maybe I just don’t see the reason
But in the corner of my heart your ignorance is treason.
And there’s always another point of view
A better way to do the things we do

(You Don’t Understand Me by The Raconteurs)

(Fragile by God Is an Astronaut)

photo by Richard Heeks

I write down good reasons to freeze to death
In my spiral ring notebook
But in the long tresses of your hair
I am a babbling brook

(Broom People by The Mountain Goats)

Storm.. in the morning light
I feel
No more can I say
Frozen to myself
I got nobody on my side
And surely that ain’t right

(Roads by Portishead)

photo by Aleksandra

I, I blame you, I blame you
For all of those things I’ve been through
Don’t feel bad, not a pang
It’s my neck around which you hang
Like a chain or a tag
I flinch and you fall through the cracks
To the sea and all it bears
The secrets that I should’ve shared
Drowned then and there

(Albatross by Wild Beasts)