There's a richness to it that I think requires a few more listens, but if it isn't for you, it isn't for you. There's a moodiness to it that I have heard on any of their other albums, at least not to this extent, which is a big reason why I adore it.

I saw her in London during the '20 Years Queer' tour (one of my favorite concerts) and holy shit, not only is she unbelievably gorgeous, she's such a great, energetic stage presence. Funny as hell, too. She remarked that one of the former heads from Almo Sounds was there and she said,

Couldn't agree more.

'The Trick is to Keep Breathing' and 'Deadwood.'

Version 2.0 is my favorite album of theirs (at the risk of heresy, I still wish it had won Album of the Year, or at the very least, Best Rock Album), and Strange Little Birds is their best work since then. It has it's catchiness and its hooks, but they aren't as readily apparent, IMO.

Angelfish, FTW!

I would say 'Empty' is one of the weaker songs (I still really like it). I would have gone with 'Magnetized' as their lead single for the album.

Strange Little Birds is a fantastic album and in many ways it feels like their 'proper' fourth album.

Bleed Like Me is my choice for their weakest album, but given how the band was coming apart at the seams at the time, it is an interesting, albeit rather perverse catalogue of their unhappiness.

And with that, you just made my evening all the brighter. Thank you so much!

That's great to hear he is approachable.

It's great to hear from you and I wish you had a new Discworld review, but alas, so it goes.

A mix of good (more work projects, which will look great on my CV; dates; drinking and other fun things) and less good (some visa anxiety; lit review crap).

Thank you! I love Highsmith, Jackson, and Waters.

I meant 'escapism' more in the sense of 'it's transporting me to a different place and it's so well written, it feels like a great journey.' Not 'it's frothy, silly junk.'

I absolutely loved Money. I think it's a masterpiece in bruise black tragicomedy.

They said they are open to a threeway, so fingers crossed!

You mean 'That's not nothing new.'

This whole nightmare campaign does. It makes me feel horrifically embarrassed to be an American abroad.

And saying Obama was the worst president in US history because he said that 'ignorance should not be treated as a virtue.'