AOTY
School kicked my ass for the past 2 months, but I have emerged victorious with a badass GPA and some free time.
I have thought long and hard about what I would choose to be my album of the year. There were some awesome, awesome things put out this year and I spent a great deal of time obsessed with many of them. But overall, the one that kept me most interested and most amazed, was Amanda Fucking Palmer.
Amanda Palmer released Who Killed Amanda Palmer? in September and since its release, it has been the most-played album on both my iPod and iTunes. I’m listening to it now, actually. It’s lush, dark, vibrant, cheeky, bare, personal and brilliant. “Astronaut” kicks off the album and features the stunning Zoe Keating. The strings are beautiful. I spent a lot of time this fall walking around the city with this song playing at volumes that have probably caused some hearing damage. “Astronaut” leads into “Runs In The Family” which is hands down my favourite song and video of the year. I wish I could be 1/10000000th the songwriter Amanda is. Again, the strings add a layer of beauty that’s indescribable. And the lyrics? Genius. “well, I’m well well I mean I’m in hell well I still have my health at least that’s what they tell me. If wellness is this what in hell’s name is sickness? But business is business and business runs in the family.” That is my favourite bit of the song. “Ampersand” is beautiful and makes me cry, “Leeds United” is raw and passionate and fun and has a terrific video. “Guitar Hero” is so awesome. She leaves nothing to the imagination, letting us know just what she thinks of the game/idea of a Guitar Hero. Annie Clark (otherwise known as St Vincent) is a guest vocalist on “What’s the Use of Wond’rin” and it’s a duet that gives me chills still. I love “Oasis”. The cheery, upbeat pop sound with the subject matter is an amazing juxtaposition and I can’t help but wonder how many other artists could pull it off with the skills of Amanda.
WKAP is certainly one of my Top Ten Favourite CD’s Ever. Were I still living in Calgary I would’ve flown to Vancouver to see her there, but alas I was unable to catch her on tour this time ’round. I’m desperately hoping there is a tour in the future and many more CD’s to come. The world needs more music from Amanda.
I would also like to point this out: The Rebellyon A bunch of Amanda’s fans got all up in arms when her record label told her she looked fat in the Leeds video. I love love love this. Love it to pieces. I sent in a picture. Here’s the video
She. looks. hot.
Here’s “Runs In The Family”
And “Oasis”, which was dedicated to Sarah Palin.
And “Guitar Hero”
Watch all the videos. She’s amazing.
I’d like to just thank her for writing the best album I’ve heard in years, and being all-around fabulous.
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