#I literally love all the music they've ever put out he's just... so cool

[mitchell-nihil]

I need more aritsts who name their songs like Jhariah. Not enough weird and long song titles

[genderfluid-strawberry-of-doom]

i reread hammer of thor and i decided to list out some stuff i feel has been overlooked by the fandom

and stuff that hasn't been overlooked (at all) but i HAVE to mention it anyway. because reasons

also it's not THAT long of a post but it's pretty long so i put a cut there

nobody ever mentions the 'thinking cup' like whyyy

alex fierro the cheetah and weasel :)

"the gender thing wasn't what surprised me. what surprised me was the way my impression of alex had slingshot and the emotions that had stirred up"

magnus mentioning that he had been stuck in one gender his whole life and that it didn't bother him except the way it was worded made it seem like he was unsure about it jsfjfisfidgkgd

i don't think it's overlooked but the scene in which magnus is watching alex eat and halfborn goes "there's no shame in being attracted magnus" and he CHOKES

(not overlooked at all but) HEARTH'S POSESSIVENESS OVER BLITZ <333

(DEFINITELY not overlooked but) "buddy" *proceeds to take hearth's hands in his own*, "what is wrong with my elf" 😭😭

inge being fucking abused by alderman?? she was beaten??? and the iron on the door locks is harmful and extremely painful to hulder??? THAT ASSHOLE ALDERMAN

(in context to inge explaining that alderman kept a patch of wilderness in his backyard bc hulder need wilderness to live and so that he can 'hire' more help) "she said hire. i heard catch" BITCH-

the fucking wergild. i have a lot of thoughts about that and all of them involve alderman dying

also hearth's mom doesn't really seem like much of a good person either? she didn't stop alderman from being abusive towards hearth or the house staff AND she literally just cared about her reputation. maybe she wasn't as bad as her husband but she was still pretty bad (parallels there between hearth and alex)

also parallels between hearth trying to stop alderman from taking andvari's ring and trying to "pull his dad out from a hole deeper than andvari's" and magnus trying to save randolph from falling into the hole in the ground that led to helheim-

hearth and samirah's dynamic?? they've already had a fight and patched up AND were stuck together during the utgard lanes chapters. soooo a lot

also hearth and alex's brief interactions lol

"just, you know, a little respect" "for the girl with the sharp wire? no problem" "there was nothing confusing abt the smile she gave me. it warmed up the office by about five degrees" I LOVE THEM A TOTALLY NORMAL AMOUNT

amir fadlan. AMIR FADLAN EVERYBODY <333

samirah being a girlboss. samirah handling all the stress. samirah trying to show her true self to amir. samirah braving everything put in her way with courage. just samirah <3 <3 (everybody in the whole universe should be in awe of her btw)

the scene in which they're sitting on stanley (the eight-legged horse) and magnus is nervous to hold on to alex but she just takes his hands and puts them around her waist <3

for some reason i had assumed alex had cut magnus's hair for the first time in the woods but no. it was blitz? hm

magnus's casual mention about utgard loki being attractive ajsfjfsi

taylor swift being dwarf music and prince being giant music?? (and that giant named tiny being obsessed with elvis)

an alex speech pattern which isn't much of a pattern but it repeated twice in the book: once she said (in response to hearth signing something she didn't understand. this was around the time when she and samirah revealed that alex would be taking samirah's place) "yes alex. thank you alex for being so brave and heroic." and then the other time (in the end when magnus is visiting her in her room and picks up one of her pottery projects) "no you can't touch it magnus. thanks for asking magnus" idk i just think it's cool

the trophy wife thing. sif deserves better tbh

"a girl who was rocking that wedding dress"

alex straightening magnus's tie or smth and magnus's inner monologue going "she still smells like wood smoke. why does she still smell like a campfire?"

samirah's wedding outfit?? (sounds gorgeous tbh. except for the hood which) also i have a related question. is the hood in place of hijab thing disrespectful? /gen

sif and alex dynamic <3

sif's gifts to hearth (pouch of rowan runes) and alex (golden garrote)

alex and most other shapeshifters make random animal noises and shapeshift to random animals when they're nervous

halfborn's "death and glory," mallory's "kill everyone," and tj's "charge" aksfkfiovdm. and the way magnus just becomes so much stronger when he sees his friends-

the scene at the end of the marriage battle thing when alex is all concerned because she thinks magnus doesn't believe that she was just pretending to be under loki's control and sHE'S TRYING TO CONVINCE HIM AND HE SQUEEZES HER HAND JDFJSFKFK THIS SCENE IS NOT TALKED ABOUT ENOUGH

alex canonically calling magnus "sunshiny" and RESPECTING AND ADMIRING HIM AND HIS HEALING POWERS. they make me weak

samirah and magnus's dynamic is not given enough love. they are figuratively SIBLINGS and that level of closeness is not recognized by the fandom enough

(also not really about the book but. the UK cover of 'hammer of thor' depicts samirah with half of her hair falling out of her hijab. which. who tf designed these covers?? like somebody needs to give them a good throttling)

there's probably more that i don't remember but okay here have this for now :)

[kindestofkings]

in a world of boys, he's a gentleman

ryan mcmahon x reader

authors note: this is so sweet and fluffy you'll probs need to visit the dentist, but its for all you ryan girlies out there xx

yourusername

location: italy!

liked by bobbyskeetz and others

yourusername italy you have our hearts, lush few days away before pretty boy goes back on tour <33

view 20 comments

ryanmcmahon_15 you could come with me...

yourusername loveee I've got school :(

yourmum photos look fab darlings!

yourusername thanks mam💗💗

elijahhewson about time you give that handsome fella back to me !

yourusername posted on their story:

-yourusername harrys house ready!!!

ryanmcmahon_15

location: harry's house

liked by bobbyskeetz and others

view all 200 comments

yourusername I adore you almost as much as I adore Harry Styles.

bobbyskeetz wow mate thats saying something

yourusername SO proud of you boys!! have come along way since workmans x

(liked by elijahhewson,bobbyskeetz, ryanmcmahon_15 and joshjenkinson_)

ryanmcmahon_15 my number one supporter the whole time inhalerfan1 who is this girl? inhalerfan2 shes ryans girlfriend! pretty sure they've been dating since they were like 17ish

inhalerfan2 incredible 🔥🔥🔥

inhalerfan3 you made harry’s house a harry home

yourusername

liked by joshjenkinson_ and others

yourusername corporate needs you to find the differences between this picture and this picture...

view all 50 comments

joshjenkinson_ THEY'RE THE SAME PICTURE

bobbyskeetz how hard is it being a sidepiece even tho you've been been dating ryan for 8 years?

yourusername i've become desensitised at this point elijahhewson better to be a side piece over a no piece xx joshjenkinson_ no piece hahah yourusername how are you the same man that wrote if you're gonna break my heart??

inhalerfan1 you get it

ryanmcmahon_15 its not what it looks like....

yourusername

liked by ryanmcmahon_15 and others

yourusername FACT Ireland is beautiful this time of year. FACT my boyfriend is the cutest and I miss him terribly. FACT my brain hurts from school.

view all 15 comments

ryanmcmahon_15 all the hard work is gonna pay off !!

(liked my yourusername)

yourmam forget about that tour business, shes miserable here! ryanmcmahon_15

yourusername mammmmm making me look uncoolllll ryanmcmahon_15 😂😂

inhalerfan1 I just found out about her a week ago but these two are my parents

inhalerfan2 do you mind me asking what are you studying?

yourusername no of course not! i'm doing a phd at the moment in human rights law, in dublin <3 inhalerfan2 no way thats so cool! bobbyskeetz our brainbox !

yourusername

location: holibobs!

liked by ryanmcmahon_15 and others

yourusername love a travel moment we do x

view 10 comments

ryanmcmahon_15 you feelin moody with your b&w theme?

yourusername trying to channel my inner lewevans ! hows it working ? lewevans a little too good, please dont put me out of a job !!

elijahhewson hes travelled to more places with me, just saying :))

yourusername yeah but does he kiss you in a photobooth? yourusername ACTUALLY DONT ANSWER THAT I DONT WANT TO KNOW GUGGI joshjenkinson_ you defo dont want to know.. yourusername ahhhhh JOSH

yourusername posted on their story:

yourusername my favourite person dressed up as my favourite singer and I have to watch it through blurry insta lives 😭😭

replies

ryanmcmahon_15 lovieee thought you'd enjoy it, now i feel cruel yourusername dont its literally the best thing you've ever done, never looked hotter!

bobbyskeetz

liked by joshjenkinson_ and others

bobbyskeetz the ryan fella is a scrubbed up even though tour is over? confusion

view all 400 comments

joshjenkinson_ looking good for the big day 🔥

inhalerfan2 explain yourselves please!!!!

elijahhewson officaily lost him 💔

inhalerfan1 oh my god what is happening!!!!

inhalerdublin

liked by bobbyskeetz and others

inhalerdublin it may not be music related news but we have a NEWLY WED in the band, our lovely drummer finally tied the knot with an even lovelier cailín <33

view all 450 comments

joshjenkinson_ crackin day!

elijahhewson still emotional, OUR PARENTS

 bobbyskeetz hangover of hell today but it was worth it 🤘🏼🤘🏼

evehewson what a stunning bride, congrats !!

lewevans the best just got better! thanks for including me in the big day

yourusername are you kidding me? THANK YOU for your amazing photos! (liked by ryanmcmahon_15)

inhalerfan1 you are joking me this is so beautiful

inhalerfan2 why am I crying over two strangers getting married?!?!

yourusername

liked by ryanmcmahon_15 and others

yourusername just had a dream weekend and married my bestfriend.

never imagined getting married so young but when you know you know, and you certainly do not let a man like ryan pass you by.

my husband <3

view all 100 comments

ryanmcmahon_15 the love of my life, my wife <3

inhalerfan1 literally the most beautiful wedding ever!

inhalerfan2 awhhhh congrats!

yourmam such a beautiful day celebrating you two!! my favourites xx

inhalerdublin our parents 💗💗💗

(liked by elijahhewson,bobbyskeetz, ryanmcmahon_15 and joshjenkinson_)

--finito--

lol dont even know where that marriage came from Im still undecided if i believe in the concept, but its cute lol!

hope you enjoyed <3

[choochooboss]

Introducing your station master & Magma event host!

Since there's already a lot of passengers visiting this station and I haven't spared much time to get to know my fellow submas fans over Tumbrl yet, an introduction would be in place!

I'm Jun, nice to meet you! *offers a hand for for a shake* I am a devoted submas artist & a monthly Magma event host! I go by ChooChooBoss everywhere (Twitter/Bsky/Twitch/Ko-Fi)!

This will be a long post! I will write a short intro as well which you can just skim through but here is a more in depth view how I got into submas, my other interests and life in general, in case you'd wish to know more about your conductor on this silly train!

How did I get into submas in the first place?

PLA. I met this certain mysterious & cool fellow time traveler and got curious! After the cave scene I went to read his Wiki, found out about Emmet, and... yeah. The emotional impact blasted me right out of a miserable cycle I was going through back then and set my soul on fire!! A month later I set up my first art account on Twitter, and the rest is history. They've become my greatest source of strength and inspiration and I enjoy drawing them every single day!

I love both twins very much! I tend to vibe with Ingo a little more than Emmet, but I draw Emmet more. People say I remind of butler Ingo the most, hehe. I certainly don't mind because I'm a big fan of butlermas!! In fact I got into submas & started playing Pokémon Masters EX in April 2022, a week before butler Ingo banner rolled in, so they truly got a special place in my heart ahah! (pssst draw more butlermas for me pls pls pls-)

However I don't draw warden Ingo as much as I would like to. I still get pretty emotional over his fate ahah, I can't draw him without a single tear! This sweet & kind man leading a good life and being an inspiration to others has been torn from literally everything he had for seemingly no reason apart from his name, clothes and the muscle memory and even those are barely intact. It seems like a miracle he's still standing and breathing after put through everything judging by the wear and tear on his uniform and body. Despite all that he carries a positive attitude, assists everyone in need, and does his best to help people and pokémon understand each other, unconditionally... Oh, my face is wet again...

My other interests besides submas?

Monster Hunter! Zelda! Genshin Impact! Super Mario! Trine! Crash Team Racing! And many many more! My favourite genres are platformers, kart racers, and action games, with a side of rhythm games. I'm a big fan of co-op games! I also watch my sis play JRPGs!

Monster Hunter is the dearest to me out of all. I've been hunting for well over a decade starting from MHFU. The games have charmed me with their incredibly satisfying combat system, world building, creature design, great attention to detail, character customisation and the games being nearly fully co-op!!

Other things I do:

Pokémon is practically the only turn-based game I enjoy, mainly because of the characters and collection aspect. However!! I adore Pokémon Colosseum (the first pkmn game I ever played!) and it's double battle focus, so The Indigo Disc has been a delight after the long starvation for double battles, coming up with different combinations makes the battles much more fun to me!!... I sound like Emmet here do I ahahah! We also share the fact we are both left-handed!

Shuffle dancing, daily pull-ups, and expanding my ever growing VGM collection! I also enjoy traveling and taking photos to keep as a diary! I've played piano in a music school for 9 years, and I can also play kalimba. I've done casual boxing, gymnastics, horse riding and medieval swordfighting. I used to read comics/manga and watch movies and anime but nowadays I barely do that, I just rather use that time for drawing instead of just sitting and watching, unless I have company!

I share the apartment with my anxious brother and our two sweet female cats, Laku (11, stubborn and cuddly) and Kalevi (21, demanding and full of love) in a city center. My parents are both entrepreneurs and run a farm in the countryside & I have 4 siblings with me as the middle kid!

Where can you meet me?

I am a game artist by profession, with 4 yrs of studies and roughly 7 years of EXP in the field doing game art, UI design, character/prop design, in mobile games as well as PC titles, 2D and 3D. At the moment I am looking for work; I keep up the motivation and learn new skills by running my art accounts while looking for new opportunities.

I hail from the land of darkness, snow, salmiakki, metalheads and renownly reserved people, Finland! (UTC+2)

Despite having my roots here I am pretty much the opposite of a typical Finn in almost every sense ahah! I'm a small guy who's not afraid talking to strangers and laughs a lot. And I dislike coffee for the contrary, it's very popular amongst finns.

With the inspiration from submas I've finally stepped into the world of cosplay so you can usually meet this small and excitable Ingo in the biggest local conventions, Desucon and Tracon! Come say hi!

About my social battery:

I'm both social and socially anxious ahah! I love making new friends and talking to all sorts of people and writing comments, and gathering together with my mutuals to do cool stuff together! However my social battery is very small... I often struggle with my AD(H)D and anxiety issues, so my replies can be extremely slow. I'm easily overwhelmed when life gets busy and I deal with it by withdrawing to minimise the the stimuli and then sorting my stuff out one by one. This is a frustrating shortcoming, but I'm working hard to find a balance I can maintain without getting exhausted. Please be patient with me! If you don't hear from me in a while, please don't take it personally! In fact, it makes me really happy if you contact me, for any purpose!

Which pronouns do I go with?

I go by they/them! I am also aroace, so if I appear to show any sort of romantic interest, it's definitely not that. I love meeting new people and am quite interested in people in general so I'm excited to get to know you better, but the thing is... I have been confusing people on several occassions for saying things that could be taken as flirting. I am terribly sorry for that, that's just the way I show how I care!

I don't really identify myself by any specific gender either, but rather by my roles or interests (Magma host, submas fan, game artist etc.). Submas encouraged me to enjoy dressing formally even if I'm just sitting at home, because I love formal clothing in general and wearing them makes me feel confident and stand taller! I usually wear collar shirts and black or white slacks.

More about my AD(H)D:

I don't have an official diagnosis but deal with the same problems as AD(H)D people do; poor work memory, dissociation, hyperfocus (drawing and people), sleep deprivation, impulsiveness (juggling too many things and going with the wind), getting sensory/information overloads, and feeling like I don't fit in. I figured it out after I finished school & lost my job for that I am unable to handle big tasks without anyone giving me directions. It has taken a while but I've figured out things that help me manage my daily life as well as have a medication that mainly boosts my capability to get things started which is another great struggle ahah.

How do I manage to keep myself on track?

I use a Pomodoro timer to keep up a good flow and remember to take breaks! This is what I use the most:

I should set it up on my tablet as well. I think it's really cool to see how many hours I have actually put into drawing! Last year I clocked in well over 3k hours, ahaha!

How to catch me?

Right now I have great difficulty managing replies, but usually you can reach me by DMs! I check Discord and Twitter the most often! However I must ask you to respect my current DNI status. It means I am really overwhelmed so I wish nobody comes asking for my attention until it has been lifted, unless it's really necessary. I really love talking to you all but I also have to accept and deal with my own limits strictly like this or it won't work out.

What am I working on at the moment?

Besides the holiday set I have several short comics under works as well as one big comic (100+ pages!). That one is my personal greatest goal! I started working on it in June 2022 and I have currently 40+ pages sketched and 60+ thumbnailed.

I was afraid of starting any comic projects before submas, but the sheer excitement over them carried me over that personal wall ahah!

The story's beginning and end are looking good and somewhat functional but there's still a lot to work to do and holes to fill in the middle before I dare to start fleshing out the pages. I have little experience in writing or comic making so I hope you forgive if some things don't make sense or the dialogue is a little on the nose so to say ahah!

The story will be packed with action with the overall tone being on the darker side, but it sure won't be lacking in humor! The project's main goal is to make it a celebration of all things submas & to prove to myself I can handle a big scale project despite my shortcomings!

This train has reached the terminal!

Thank you for riding my silly submas train!! I adore reading all your tags and comments! They brighten up my day & fuel my passion even more!! I hope to bring many more fun things for you to look forward to!! See you again soon!

ALL ABOARD!!

[toomuchracket]

Flatmate! / Dad! Matty universe. The band accepting an award. Matty doing the speech. After he has done all of the formalities, he says (and IMAGINE this in his voice)

“and lastly, but most importantly to me, I want to thank my family. Everything I do is for you. Thank you. I love you so so much, my darlings’.

And you’re wiping a tear away, sat at the band’s table in the venue. Your children are at home, watching with Denise, cheering because ‘daddy is on telly’.

oh my god... ok, your little one is three and your eldest is five or six, and denise is over at yours watching them while you and matty are at the brits. obsessed with the idea that the two of them were proper curious while mummy and daddy were getting ready, and that they've put their own party clothes on to celebrate the evening too, despite not actually going to the ceremony :')) matty's like to you "honestly, if you didn't look so stunning tonight i'd literally suggest we just skip the whole thing and stay here to have a party with the girls", and you're like "if i didn't look so good? what about the prestigious 'outstanding contribution to music' award you and the boys are being presented with tonight?". and matty's like "no yeah of course that's great, but the real important thing for tonight is me getting to show off how hot my wife is on national tv" and he calls the girls over like "isn't mummy extra beautiful tonight?", and they're like mesmerised by your sparkly dress giving it "you look like a princess, mummy!" which sets them off on a "let's go and watch the little mermaid" moment lol. and matty's like "can't believe they'd rather watch the little mermaid than their own parents and uncles on tv smh", and you laugh when denise responds "you've got some cheek saying that, matthew, you were exactly the same when you were their age" - while matty cringes, she promises you that she'll make sure they see the boys get their award and then kicks you out of the house like "you're going to be late, go on!"

anyway, the ceremony is all chill - the boys do their red carpet pics, the significant others join them for a couple, then each pair gets a little individual shot, and then i think charli corrals the girls into a professional red carpet pic together too so you four can "break the internet" lol. you have some drinks and watch various artists you like (and some you don't, let's be real here) perform, cuddling into matty's side and just enjoying being close to him, you giggle at your friends ducking under the table to smoke cigs... just fun vibes, really, as you wait for the boys to be presented with their award. speaking of, i think it would be someone really cool that they got in to present it - in my ideal world, because she knows them already, it would be stevie nicks (which frankly you're freaking the fuck out about). and she introduces the boys, who go up onstage to rapturous applause and each do a little thank-you speech and talk about different parts of their career - idk who goes first and whatnot, but matty definitely goes last and discusses their more recent stuff. after thanking the people he has to, he'd definitely say something like "my incredible, gorgeous wife, my favourite person in the world, has inspired songs from every album and EP that the 1975 have ever released; i want to thank you, sweetheart, for loving me as much as you do - it's reciprocated, believe me - and for giving me not just inspiration, but our two beautiful daughters as well. this most recent album is a result of being around my three girls, my family, my whole world and reason for being, and it's all for them, as is everything i do. my wife is here, and i think our daughters are watching from home with nana, so i just want to say - my darlings, i love you so so much. thank you for everything you do for me. this award is yours, really". and you're just fucking SOBBING at the table, clinging onto carly (also sobbing. actually, all the girls are, and so are the boys), and when matty gets back to his seat the two of you have a big hug and a(n arguably damp) kiss. then your phone buzzes with a text from denise - a video of the girls standing in front of the tv in your living room, your eldest like "look! daddy's on the telly" and jumping up and down excitedly, and your little one going "mummy and auntie carly too!" when it cuts to a shot of the two of you during matty's speech, and the two of them getting even more hyped when they realise daddy is talking about them lol. and you show matty, giggling like "well, your mum's never getting them to bed on time tonight with them that hyper; he tears up a bit again when he sees them, but laughs too and says "fuck it. let's go home and party with them tonight, instead of staying out", and you're like "honestly great idea". and you do - you and matty skip the afterparties and go home to your babas instead, staying up drinking tea and eating cookies with them until they conk out on the sofa, then carry them to their beds and fall sleepily into your own, content with the lovely night you had <3

[blistering-typhoons]

BBC SHERLOCK REWATCH - A STUDY IN PINK (REAL TIME NOTES)

From the perspective of someone who watched this show when they were thirteen, made it their whole personality and then stopped being a massive prat.

I thought about organizing this into a cohesive review, and maybe as I go on I'll delve deeper into some of my observations but for now I thought it would be funny to present my findings in raw, mostly unaltered form:

- loud ass opening, my god

- only bit of acting Martin freeman ever does lmao

- dances along to theme against my will

- god the effects and transitions are so shit

- all the shots of the pills are so ugly

- oh yay molly - whoo - yayyy

- the potential withe these two goddamn

- also this sherlock does not drink his respect women juice by god

- fucksake the deduction about john's sister- not only is it translated awfully into this modern setting, it's explicitly a deduction Sherlock is supposed to make once they know eachother a bit better

- THE POTENTIAL

- also sherlock displaying one insecurity when john accidentally insults his stuff- well done moftiss, characterization

- How far away is the crime scene, why it dark

- pls the transitions

- PIPE BOMB, WHOO Phone deductionnnn

- oh my god it's so shit

- uuuuuuuugggghhhh the potential I hate this shooooow

- fuckin deduction as a way for witty one liners and sexism, i hate this place

- 'you were thinking it's annoying' i'm going to send myself off a cliff, CRINGE

- RACHE- moffat, come here a sec- literally putting ACD on par with the police, who are always wrong the sheer audacity- also just a bad change

- these lens flare white lights are so goofy please, you will never be a whole scene of silence with jeremy brett

- benedict cumberbatch is very pretty i will grant

- terrorized by the fact i used to quote this show unironically

- from a writing point of view I understand that John gushing over Sherlock is to show off and emphasize their specialest boy- but, some sincerity is infused into it from an acting standpoint

- 30:02 GIRLIE WHAT IS THAT SOUND EFFECT

- OOH YAY THE PSYCHOPATH/SOCIOPATH STUFF WHOO YEAAAAH

- All the phones calling as john walks past is kinda cool but mostly stupid

- oh anthea, what a rich character lmao

- how long was mycroft posed like that

- First johnlock queerbait whooo

- Where does he fuck off to???

- he just vanishes lmaoooo

- Three patch problem. Bruh.

- I am bored as shit, help

- This music- girl

- Bloated is a very good word to describe some of these scenes

- HERE SHE IS- THE BIG DADDY OF QUEERBAITING

- this scene is insane fucKING INSANE I HATE THIS SHOW

- god how much episode is left fucksake

- the stop/go signs- pick a tone girl

- this episode is so almost good and it's anytime Sherlock makes a mistake lmao

- not the drugs bust :/

- ooh sociopath line- whoo

- "I don't have to [imagine]." OOOH OKAY, WELL, YOU GUYS GET *ONE* POINT FOR THAT SHEESH

- this is so ridiculous- COME WITH ME- girl shut up

- I wanna be done I wanna be doooone.

- lamenting the confrontation we had in the unaired pilot

- The 'Frwhoomp' noise as the light goes out, girl

- 20 Minutes left my christ

- BRO- I forgot that bit of ADR wooooof

- and thus begins the scree of Moriarty

- five years, why is Scotland Yard still doubtful of Sherlock's skills? I know he might have been deep in his addiction during some of that, but they evidently kept him around for crime solving.

- Great man/good man quote has me fumin babes, my god, what a fundamental misunderstanding of Sherlock Holmes

- boring ass back and forth

- this piano is giving me war flashbacks

- is it a five orange pips reference?

- also the pills look like that speckled gum that burns your throat

- when is it oveeer

- falling asleep

- bomb under the table but the table is made of glass and hates gay people

- she tooks the kidssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

- 13 min

- love, or rage, dude, come on Sherlock

- i hate this 'enjoying crime too much' theme they've written

- like watching a stupid play

- once more, the potential

- moriarty he said calmly

- also, so out of character for Sherlock do I even need to say

- peaks of what could have been- FUCK

- this mycroft fake out- lord

- also, mummy, fucksake

- cheesy ending BUT IT'S OVER

[guardian-rocket]

Who are your top 10 favorite muns to write with and why? If a mun is a multimuse also tell which are your favorite characters to write with and why?

(The order in which you list the people doesn't matter unless you want to assign them specific places.)

Question Master

Top 10, here we go... @antvnger Puppy-Mun is the first I am putting on this list first because of all the threads and ideas I've ever had on here the thread I've been doing with them (Space Heist) is the largest single run I've had so far. We actually had an entire 4 part mission and went to Knowhere. I feel like Rocket and Scott made some real progress in becoming friends and I love that. Every post they make is gold. They're nice to their anons and I generally enjoy interacting with them OOC and hijacking their random posts. They're also genuinely funny, which I feel is very important for someone portraying Scott. I already loved Ant-Man but Puppy-Mun makes me adore him even more! They also often tag me and I love that 💕

@byondtheveil Rei-Mun (Birb-Queen) is #1 OC in Rocket's world and my Rocket muse simply adores her. I always look forward to reading her replies and she's a great person to talk to and shoot the breeze OOC. We both love thrifting IRL so it's fun to just spam her DMs about my latest finds. Her character Rei is literally one of the most endearing original characters I've ever come across. She's well thought out and has connected with Rocket in a way most muses can't do. With her I have been able to explore Rocket's comfortability just popping on and off Earth and get some much deserved down time. @papetoonfox Papetoonfox was a RP partner I had many years ago. We haven't interacted much on tumblr but we got a RP going on Discord that I am fully engrossed in. Our conversations OOC often puts me in stitches and we have so much common interest it's so easy to just get lost in our own little nostalgic world of Y2K aesthetics and retrowave vibes. They're also very encouraging with me about my art and they produce some of the coolest music I've heard from anyone I know. I love their portrayal of Fox and so does my muse.

@stripesofbrooklyn They were one of the first to interact with me OOC when I started getting more active again and I feel we check in on eachother both ways pretty regularly I am confident to call them a friend. Our muses have great chemistry together and Rocket always loves hearing from them no matter what strange shenanigan they might be getting into. Rocket fully admires and trusts their Steve and is someone Rocket would go out of his way for.

@spidermanxnoir / @jeff-the-gnome-king First they get super points just for playing my favorite version of Spider-Man (Noir) and our thread which started off without any plotting has turned into one of the most epic adventures my Rocket has ever had. I think Rocket's gotten pretty attached to him as they've gone along and genuinely think he's cool. Looking forward to them retaining an ongoing friendship. Being able to tie or franchises together has been a ton of fun and I think we write beautifully together. Also they're super chill OOC and I love bugging them with my latest ideas. @the-mjolnir-owner This Thor is one of my best friends on Tumblr. They are often sending me posts in my DMs to see about Rocket and Thor and I just love their characterization. We also have a lot of fun discussions about Thor and the Guardians and I feel they capture Thor very well in their writing. Just in general they're an absolute joy.

@butwithmoreme I know our thread is fairly new/short but I literally hear Tony's voice in their writing, it's so damn good. As Rocket's mun I will hold a special place in my heart for anyone who doesn't just write him off for being a little shit. The fact they're being science bros together makes me so happy. @spideymn A big stand-out as a great writer. Sounding repetitive here, but I hear Tom Holland in their dialog and they feel very in character. A shining standout, and my muse likes him because he's a helpful kiddo. Happy to see them interacting together. @beatfreesmysoul They're my #1 music buddy right now, and I enjoy dropping into their DMs to be annoying lol. It's so great to have someone here to talk tunes with because I genuinely am a big music nerd. I love that they send me memes/tag me for that stuff too. As a Rocket RPer I often feel a bit sidelined so they make me feel included on things which I super appreciate. Our thread taking place earlier in the storyline is great too, kinda fun to undo all my muse's character development and let him have 'issues' he needs to work through and I love that we can explore or character's developing friendship.

@gctbusydying I am pretty sure they're my first Kitty Pryde and honestly, worth the wait. Interacting with them feels like we're jumping right out of the comics. I think that Kitty is canonly one of Rocket's favorite ladies and their friendship is important to me. I know I MOSTLY adhere to MCU canon but I've read the comics too (albeit a long time ago) but when it comes to Kitty I'm like -slams fist on desk- FRIENDS. I know we haven't had a TON of interaction but I hope it keeps going.

[m34gs]

List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last 10 people who reblogged something from you! get to know your mutuals and followers ♡

Usually I don't do a lot of chain asks like this but today I feel like it 💜 Thanks for the ask, @synobun 💜💜💜

5 things that make me happy:

Spud. Of course my baby is number one on this list. He's been my angel for the past five years and I adore him so much. He's the best kitty ever and I would do anything for him. He's (very literally) the reason I am still alive today. His floof is healing.

My friends/family. I love my friends, and I'm so happy to finally be living within a half-hour of two of my best friends. They're amazing people and I absolutely love them. My siblings mean the world to me and I am so proud of them. They're both younger than me, and seeing all their accomplishments feels me with so much happiness to see how much they've grown. I love them and I want only the best for them. Jumping off of that, I have a set of cousins older than me who act like older sisters and it makes me feel so loved and wanted every time they invite me over or send me messages. I love them so so so much. I even have many online friends who fill me with joy every day! 💜💜💜💜

Writing. I will never stop writing. Maybe one day I'll publish some of my original works, and then maybe one day I'll publish enough that I can work more casual at my current job, because I love my job and the sense of happiness it can give me, but it is so hard some days and I'm still recovering from a fullblown burnout 2 years ago (they say it takes 3-5 years to fully recover, and I'm doing my best to give myself time but it's hard some days). Anyway; I have stories to tell, thoughts and ideas to share, and a whole lotta world-building that I've been dying to get down on paper. I will be writing until I die, guaranteed.

Singing. I sing all the time. I sing in the car, I sing while I cook, I sing while I clean, I sing along to music while I write, and sometimes I just sing while I'm not doing anything. Music makes me happy, and I need to express myself through music. Even if I'm singing a sad song, the catharsis it gives me makes me feel satisfied and content after.

Horror movies. Is anyone surprised at this point? I watch them on my own, with friends, at home, in theatres...I just love them. They're so fun! And deal with such interesting topics. I love the discussion some of them can bring up. (I do not love the discussion of what "should be" allowed in horror. Horror is subjective. Also, if it makes you highly disgusted and/or disturbs you, then it likely *does* belong in horror. Like, name a better genre for that? smh, some people...) I love love love learning about my favourite horror movies too. Like, everything I know that is "extra" or "behind the scenes" on Hellraiser fills me with such joy. I adore the Saw movies. Human Centipede, my beloved. Crimson Peak. Terrifier. Misery. There's just so many I find interesting and enjoy watching! The special effects are so cool; especially the practical effects and makeup. Like, ok ok, sidetrack, but DID YOU KNOW in Misery, the famous hobbling scene? Kathy Bates used a real sledgehammer and swung hard. The legs on the bed? Those were prosthetic legs built to look like James Caan's legs, made out of gelatin, PVC pipe, and a hinge in the ankles. The camera zoomed in completely focused on the hammer and legs, which made the iconic scene. Anyway, I love that tidbit and if you didn't know it before, well now you do :D (source 1; source 2)

[twilightknight17]

All right, I said I was going to do the DLC, but I realized I should probably like, learn to play the game first.

Goro would be very disappointed in me if I didn't do well.

So, we're starting off with the proper story mode. Let's see how they've justified both this madness, and the inevitable lack of Satanael. XD

I will say, it's neat that Goro and Sumi get their own title screen, with cool music.

Also, shoutout to Atlus for actually having enough space for the canon name this time! They’re learning from past mistakes~ “Akira Kurusu” fits no problem, but “Amamiya” fits with like, 2 spaces to spare.

Anyway, we start off with two mysterious figures in a government office, listening to a report about a politician who has disappeared and talking about how “he” would have to defy them in order to stop them, and “he” won’t do that. Good thing that “he” is probably going to meet my gaggle of children, who defy people as a job. XDDDD

Speaking of my gaggle of children, they’re hanging out and watching the same news report. Apparently this missing dude is a solid candidate for Prime Minister, and an election is coming up. Is this an emergency election because of what happened to Shido? Futaba mentions that it’s cold, and no one has graduated yet, so I’d put this somewhere at the end of February. I guess we won’t know for sure, because goodness, we couldn’t possibly discuss Shido or any prior events with any specifics. No, instead, we just get Futaba being mildly self-aware, after Makoto says that she hopes nothing weird is going on.

Yes, Futaba, we do, because that’s where they’re hiding Goro.

The TV goes weird and they get yoinked into the Kingdom, which is some kind of distortion in meta-space. Literally as soon as they go exploring, they immediately run into soldiers and the “ruler” of the Kingdom, and everything goes to hell.

This is Lady Marie (which they pronounce "Mar-ee-ay"), and she's very Ojou-sama. And she’s kind of terrible. But I like the style. And the spike-tread tank.

Anyway, this lady has the strongest brainwash spells I've ever seen?? Like, Yaldabaoth hit people with that brainwashing Lust attack and I don't even think it ever did anything while I was fighting him?? But she gets hold of every single Phantom Thief except Joker and Mona, and it's bad.

And then, because she can’t get those two, she just… attempts to torture them into submission. To be honest, like, I know they’re in the metaverse and can take more damage, but this is pretty close to the interrogation in terms of brutality. I think the cartoony artstyle (which I do love), is the only reason it doesn’t seem as bad. Because she catches them by their necks and drags them behind her tank. And that’s savage.

Yeah. Violence!

Fortunately Erina comes to save them, and I like Erina so far. She’s pretty cool, and she lives in cogntive Leblanc, much to Akira and Morgana’s surprise.

Erina makes a deal that she'll help them save the brainwashed Thieves if Akira and Morgana join the rebels and help her get rid of Marie. Which, yeah, I want to beat this bitch senseless now, so... Let's do it. Leblanc is the rebels' hideout, so all the menus are there. We have skill trees for each person now that let you upgrade your personas and passive skills (and Erina's... magic? She can do light magic, but it's not kouha). Lavenza is there, and appears to be having a good time in the new Velvet Armory, though she does mention that she made some kind of "mistake" that caused her to get dragged in with you. So that's a little concerning.

I'm glad Morgana gets to come with you, because that's just proof that the third semester actually happened.

Yes, sweetheart, you're doing great. <3

She also offers to make you weapons with the forge, with one caveat:

I love her so much. XDDDD

So, we get some intel from the other rebels that there are new prisoners being held at the prison on the edge of the city. So we head over to rescue our friends! We do not find our friends. Instead, we find up-and-coming young Diet member Toshiro Kasukabe, who has been missing from the real world and was clearly tossed in here by… someone. He’s taking this rather well, though. Hasn’t screamed at us like a certain other adult. :3

...sir, I’m the only one here who’s NOT a magician.

We end up having to fight brainwashed Panther and Oracle to escape, which was a hell of a fight. I learned that Joker getting womped doesn’t end the battle, which is good, but also, people who get KO’d get removed from the field, and there doesn’t seem to be revival skills in the skill tree, so I’m assuming once they’re out, they’re out.

Marie tried to bait me into attacking my own damn sister, which is not helping my desire to kick her face in. Did I mention she’s doing all of this to obtain the “perfect wedding”? Like, ma’am, calm the fuck down. Fortunately, Erina learns a new skill and we’re going to take this bitch out and undo her brainwashing with extreme capture-the-flag.

Or… replace-the-flag. Whatever.

We make it back to Leblanc with the unbrainwashed Panther and Oracle in tow, and Toshiro is taking things really well! And by taking things really well, I mean complaining about us breaking the laws of physics, admitting that he doesn’t remember much of anything other than his name and being a Diet member, and being disapproving of the Phantom Thieves directly to their faces. Which goes over great!

He still wants us to help him get out, tho. But doesn't want to actually fight, so like... eh. Right now he's a bit of a wet blanket. But I do have my suspicions already, because he kind of almost recognized Erina. So depending on how old she is (since I can't really tell), I'm guessing either daughter or wife. Especially because, completely independently of each other:

That’s where I stopped, so, some final few random thoughts:

You can re-bind some of the control buttons, but you cannot invert the camera controls, so I am constantly spinning the camera the wrong way. Thanks, Atlus.

I find it interesting that the first boss is once again some kind of Lust/Love-obsessed person.

There’s a memo function that keeps track of people, concepts, and locations, and apparently it’s okay to mention Yaldabaoth in the notes, but we cannot acknowledge anything out loud in the actual story. X’D I bet we’re never going to allude to Maruki at all even though this is after Royal.

It’s a little annoying that we’re once again knocked down to initial personas. Like, for Scramble, you could have left the ultimates alone and just made the flimsy excuse that it’s been six months and they forgot all their spells. But they didn’t lose all of their character development, and this time around, it’s just silly. This kid killed a god two months ago. He punched another god three weeks ago. He should not have just Arsene who knows only eiha.

(Eiha inflicts despair now, which would be cool if I knew what despair did in this battle system. At least it makes sense for that to be a side effect of the curse element.)

The game tries to justify it with there being some sort of “force of negation” on both the Velvet Room and the Kingdom as a whole, making it so they aren’t at full strength, but that feels even flimsier an excuse than mine for Scramble. X’D Time to break into Atlus HQ and follow the sage advice of Lavenza’s sister:

…...I just finished Mario Odyssey why are there MORE hats???

Every sprite of Morgana is adorable.

And finally, I can’t stop laughing at VROOM. :D

I like it so far! I’m excited to see where things are going. ^_^

[pftones3482]

I would love to hear all about Cass and Bailey

Hello welcome to my OCs who I never talk about, prepare to be info dumped on.

Okay so to tell you about Cass and Bailey I have to tell you briefly about Press Play in Case of Zombies, which is the story I've been off and on working at for the last couple years.

My basic thought process was, "I want a zombie story that isn't blood and guts and sex and constant fighting - I want a boring zombie story. A bunch of college kids, just existing during the literal apocalypse. And also every chapter is titled after a song that I think would sound cool if it played during a zombie fight scene." So that's what that turned into (the playlist was fun to put together lol)

It's set at a college in the mid-west United States (I truly am going for as boring a setting as possible here), a few months after the start of a "zombie virus." (lmao at me starting this before Covid) The main cast of characters decides to remain on their campus for safety, and they end up commandeering one of the dorms and turning it into a safe haven for any other students at the school. And by the end, they accidentally end up figuring out the cure to the zombie virus, but the story isn't about that lol. It's about literally just vibing during the end of the world in the middle of nowhere

Bailey and Cassidy (she really only goes by Cass in very soft or intense moments) are two of the main characters. The whole cast are juniors/seniors in college, around 21-22 years old, and Cassidy and Baily have been dating for the last two years of school. Cassidy is bisexual, and Bailey is the friend group's token straight (though they all tease him that eventually they'll get him on their side)

Cassidy double majors in theater and English. She is a black trans woman with very supportive parents and an even more supportive little sister. She actually figured out she was trans after a middle school theater teacher had to cast her in a female role due to a lack of participating students, and she realized that she much preferred being a woman. Her parents got her on puberty blockers as soon as they could, and they've been wonderful ever since. She's a very outspoken and vibrant person (you have to be, to be in theater), and is a very logical individual. She's super forgiving of mistakes, but she's also very untrustworthy of strangers at times, which gets even worse after the apocalypse fully crashes down around them. She is SEVERELY arachnophobic, which she hates because she knows that logically there is nothing to fear, but every other animal in the world is fair game for her to pick up and coo over. She has a concerning amount of lipstick, and even after the apocalypse starts she continues to wear it, because she figures that if the world is going to end, she might as well look fun when it does. Her favorite colors are reds, golds, and oranges.

Bailey is a graphic design major, with a music education minor. He grew up in rural Texas and has a rocky relationship with his family, save his grandmother and brother (the majority of his family is not great about the fact that he's dating a woman of color, and Bailey and Cassidy both agreed when they started dating that there is no need for his family to know she's trans. His grandmother and brother are the only ones aware, and they're both supportive). He's very extroverted and cheerful, and it takes a lot to get him truly pissed off. He has a prosthetic leg - he lost his as a kid in a nasty car accident. He's had it for so long that he barely notices it anymore, it's just a part of his normal life, but the apocalypse forces him to be more cautious with it, since he can't just replace parts or pieces anymore if something happens. Because he's spent so long missing part of his leg, however, he has a great sense of balance, so in the safety of the refurbished dorm, he tends to keep the prosthetic away so that it stays in as good a condition for as long as possible. He speaks French as a second language and is trying to get Akio and Alex (two other MCs) to teach him Japanese and Spanish. He absolutely SUCKS at percussion instruments, but put him in front of a piano and he can play for hours. His favorite colors are pinks and dark blues (like, navy dark)

I kind of imagine their relationship dynamic to be similar to that of Frank and Hazel from the Heroes of Olympus series. They're both very gentle and kind people, but they will absolutely ruin anyone who threatens their loved ones. They're both also, because of their interests and majors, two of the best people in the group for morale building exercises.

I don't draw, but I do create all my characters in the Sims so that I can figure out what I want them to look like, so:

Bailey's leg is CC, so it's not a perfect representation of what I'd want it to look like (still waiting on the Sims to include prosthetics I stg), but overall I'm pleased with how they came out!

And here's a snippet from one of my chapters that focuses specifically on them for you:

~~

“Go through the woods, I said,” Bailey grumbled, back pressed firm against Cassidy’s and hands so tight around his baseball bat that he couldn’t feel them. “It’ll be quicker, I said. I’m such a fucking idiot.”

Behind him, Cassidy grunted. Her hair was tied down hastily under an old scarf, and the ends tickled Bailey’s neck. “I’m the one who listened,” she retorted. She recoiled as the gun in her hands went off, unintentionally shoving Bailey about two steps forwards towards the zombie hoards. “And I’m the one who said we should check this place out. So it’s both our faults.”

Bailey huffed, risking a glance back at the gas station they had stopped at on the off chance they might find gas, supplies, or weapons. They had been successful on the gas, amazingly, able to completely fill up the motorcycle for the first time in weeks, and the stock room had yielded several untampered boxes of granola bars, tampons, and fruit snacks, which had been unceremoniously dumped into the backpack that was now sitting at the base of the motorcycle.

Of course, just as Cassidy had finished filling the tank, they’d been ambushed by about two dozen zombies that must have heard them from within the woods.

“I’m out.”

Bailey swung again, the metal bat sinking into the zombie in front of him with a crunch that kind of reminded him of the cheese flavored grasshopper he’d eaten as a dare last Halloween. “What?”

Cassidy groaned and, from his peripheral, Bailey saw her shove the gun in her homemade side holster. “I’m out. Knife is on the bike. Plus you know-”

“You’re no good with it, I know,” Bailey muttered, swinging the bat again and taking out another zombie, this one much smaller than the first. It was too deteriorated to see who it had been. He was glad for it. “Here.”

He swung the bat around, taking down the last zombie in front of him, and pressed it into Cassidy’s hands. She yelped, immediately using it to swing into the two zombies on her right – thank god those suckers were slow – and Bailey looked to the bike.

Twenty feet.

He could do that.

“On my mark, go,” he said, turning so that he and Cassidy were side by side. The zombies on his side were gone, reduced to piles of ashes, and all that remained were the seven in front of them.

“Excuse me? Are you pulling some bullshit damsel in distress shit right now?”

Bailey glanced at the zombies, back at the bike, which was slowly being approached by more zombies, and leaned down just enough to give Cassidy a fast kiss. “Bitch, I can’t drive a motorcycle.”

Cassidy pursed her lips, the purple lipstick on them now smudged. “Good point. Cover me.”

~~

Anyway. That got long. Thank you for asking! Been wanting to pop back into that universe and play with my blorbos a bit, so this was a fun push to do so.

[depressedraisin]

song diaries: damon albarn edition

i thought i'd wait until the end of this week to do this weekly library entry for the music i've been checking out, but you know what? fuck it let's to it today, i've just got too much to say.

so this week i've been on a damon albarn discography expedition. listening to the ballad of darren over and over for like a month and consuming hours worth of concert and interview content has clearly broken something in my brain and this old geezer's music is my new hyperfixation. not complaining though cause there's just SO MUCH. there's like five lifetime's worth of music he's put out in 40 years give or take, and i can't think of one genre he hasn't dipped his toes into. also he's worked with so many SO MANY amazing musicians and artists!!!!! which is always so cool so many new people to discover and get obsessed with <3

now blur and gorillaz on their own are pretty much lifetime achievements but albarn also has such rich body of work outside them as well. i've kinda been familiar with those two for years, my recent forage has mainly been into his non-blur, non-gorillaz music.

here are some highlights i need y'all to be obsessed with just as much as i am:

The Moon Exalted (from the opera Dr Dee, 2011)

did u know damon albarn is an composer of operas as well?! i had no idea! a couple days back i heard him mention working on orchestrating one of goethe's unfinished librettos and i, of course had a very Normal reaction to that. (my obsession with classical music might be sleeping but never dead) so i went checking and learnt he already has 3 opera compositions under his belt. woah.

anyway this piece/song is from the 2011 production dr. dee: based on the life story of some elizabethan magic dude. there's a bunch of traditional elizabethan folk instruments- viola de gamba, lute, shawm, recorder etc etc, the wonderful kora (malian instrument, a blend of lute and harp), the harmonium (literally never saw harmonium being used in any music from the west lol im bengali so i get terribly excited abt this) and the iconic, the legendary tony fucking allen featured on this. the vibes are more folksy, earthy than renaissance-lite which i find pretty cool.

the moon exalted is such a lovely, lovely song though. one of the prettiest things albarn's ever written probably. the kora interlude makes me sob like a baby every single time.

check out this live from his solo concert at the globe theatre:

Go Back (feature on Tony Allen's album Film of Life)

legendary drummer tony allen (i've been listening to afrobeat a bit as well, that's for another day) and albarn has had a long working relationship and friendship. they've worked together on gorillaz, they were in two supergroups together, they worked extensively to champion western african music.

this track is a personal favourite already. wonderful afrobeat elements and tony's distinctive style coupled with some solid jazz keyboard-ing from albarn.

this performance tribute to tony allen makes my heart especially ache (he sadly passed away in 2020). albarn's talked a lot about how much allen meant to him, as a collaborator, mentor and friend, and it's all quite emotional.

This Is A Low (live from Shakespeare's Globe)

listen listen listen i said no blur- but. you gotta listen to this version of this is a low (from Parklife, 1994). he plays quite a bit of blur on the piano for his solo shows but they are kinda a hit or miss tbh. but this one works. for this 2021 solo concert albarn introduced a discordant piano solo in place of graham coxon's rather iconic guitar solo. and omfg it came outta nowhere and hit me straight in the face i love it so much

(don't tell anyone but ipreferthepianosolo)

The Nearer The Fountain More Pure The Stream Flows (from The Nearer The Fountain More Pure The Stream Flows, 2021)

damon albarn has two Solo ™ albums and the second, and lastest, one of these is the nearer the fountain more pure the stream flows released in 2021. initially starting out some sort of an orchestral piece inspired by the changing scenery outside the window of his home in albarn, it eventually ended up becoming this set of very melancholic and intimate set of songs. about so many things: loneliness and our changing relationship with nature and anxiety over life etc etc. post-pandemic feels basically.

it's a deeply emotional listening experience, with sweeping strings at places and gentle piano in others. quite a good showcase of albarn's pianowork imho (u see a pattern here right?). my fav out of them is the title track. the name comes from a john clare poem and it's absolutely stunning.

Mr. Tembo and The Selfish Giant (from Everyday Robots, 2014)

albarn's first solo record, everyday robots of 2014, is up there are one of his best works in my books. it's a set of autobiographical songs inspired by various moments in his life, with elements of triphop, folk and electronica and general themes of isolation and nature/technology etc: which are such quintessentially damon albarn, y'know?

mr. tembo is a adorable lil folksy song about this orphaned baby element he met in tanzania. aaaaannnnd, it features a gospel choir because mr. tembo grew up take care of by forest rangers who listened to a lot of gospel radio. cute.

speaking of the selfish giant........oooffff. big ooooffff. such a gut punching song, goodness. like when i heard the line "it's hard to be a lover when the tv's on" it knocked me out of service for a while.

Waterloo Sunset (The Kinks cover with Ray Charles, somewhere in the late 90s)

this one's quite a legendary performance. in the early blur days, damon albarn was often talked of as like a successor to sir ray davies, he of the kinks fame and witty observational character studies of english life.

this performance of them duetting the iconic the kinks song waterloo sunset was a passing of the baton moment of sorts. and when davies breaks into parklife in the end- all the feels, man, all the feels.

Mali Music (2002 album)

written in collaboration with afel bocoum, toumani diabaté & friends featuring ko kan ko sata, this album explores- you guessed it- music from mali. now i know next to nothing about mali or west african music really so i'm gonna be using this album as a reference point to learn and research more.

Poison Tree (from the 2018 The Good The Bad And The Queen album, Merrie Land)

the good the bad and the queen is 100% for sure one of the most underrated supergroups ever. i mean paul simonon (the clash), simon tong (the verve), tony allen and albarn- can you imagine the sheer level of awesomeness?!

they have two albums, and it's unlikely they'll ever have another. poison tree from their second album is perhaps my fav tgtb&tq song. merrie land was written about and as a reaction to brexit, and there's feelings of farewell and isolation and desolation prominent throughout. but poison tree also reminds me strongly of blur songs like battery in your leg and sweet song and no distance left to run. so yeah, emo hours.

(*for those uninitiated in blur lore the first two songs albarn wrote for/about graham coxon when he left the band in 2003, and the latter was written about his breakup with justine frischmann in 1998)

On Melancholy Hill (live from Matera, 2019)

blur got a cheat entry, so to balance things out, gorillaz gets one as well. on melancholy hill is a heartbreakingly tender song as it is but solo piano version makes it heartbreaking-lier and tender-er *sniffles*

[hyperfixation-or-death]

I also love this show!!!!!!!! What is your favorite scene?

Hi, thanks for the ask! My favorite scene would have to be in episode 6, from the moment Romane freezes time to walk towards Victor, to the moment the kids leave for the bunker. Which might be kinda long to count as one scene, but it flows so easily that I'll count it as one.

That scene has everything for me:

Romane using her powers - automatic win for me, the time-freezing power was such a cool idea and I love how the show carried it out, especially in the aftermath of the most high-stakes moment of the show.

Victor being at the lowest point we've ever seen him. The previous scene was all the built-up tension snapping; this scene is the quiet devastation afterwards. We don't know how they're going to fix this.

Romane hugging Victor with no hesitation once she reaches him.

The way Romane and Victor look at each other after Victor turns around…I literally can't handle it. The emotion makes me sick. It's the way Romane looks like she's possibly about to cry, it's the way Victor looks like he's still processing that she's still here after what just happened. And for a few seconds, the look on Romane's face is just so soft, and Victor's looking back at her, and there's a silent communication there, there's an understanding.

Do not get me started on the little flashback montage. Romane and Victor realizing their friends are gone. The reassuring shoulder grab, Romane's quick smile. Victor kissing her head after they successfully time traveled, Romane smiling, and they both keep walking without missing a beat? Absolutely perfect, no notes, they're besties and they've been through it and they love each other.

The way Romane is smiling when it cuts back to the present moment. It just communicates: Yeah. We've always had each other, and I know you remember that. I know I just got through to you, and I'm so glad I did.

The second hug. The look on Romane's face at this point? Let me just add a screenshot:

Look at her!! She's so happy! Victor is hugging her back, and she's beaming, and you really don't see how the scene could possibly get any better.

Just kidding, of course it gets even better, because then Sam and Bilal show up for the group hug that mirrors the episode one group hug and I'm losing my mind!

The overhead shot during the group hug where Victor slowly puts his head on Sam's shoulder…they're family and they love each other.

The camera angles? The music? The way it cuts between the past group hug and the present one? I'm obsessed with this show.

Romane ruffling Victor's hair, and the camera cutting back to her doing the same thing in episode one. It's the same affectionate gesture years-lifetimes-dimensions-days apart emphasizing how everything has changed but nothing has changed. I love them so much.

The whole scene is just overflowing with the love the characters have for each other, and it's kind of like the thesis of the show. So, yeah, that one's my favorite scene.

Thanks again for the ask; I love talking about Parallels! Hope you have a great day!

[paperlovesadness]

In regards to Wet Leg, I think the TikTok aspect of it is really kicking. They're ~cool and edgy and sexual and out there and just so fucking *trendy* that it seems almost fake to me. Kinda like Måneskin (who used to be cooler I must admit but now is just another act in the back of the line...)

The very ~edgy cool quotable sexual innuendo easy to memorize~ lyrics do a lot of work too, I think (which, to me, seem so fucking cringe and immature and like, uninspired???)

And the fact that POP-DEITY and all around easy to digest and ~relevant and queer and catering to the right audiences Harry Styles endorsed them so heavily? And the continuous repeated mention of other celebs who love them like Elton John, Dave Grohl and Florence Welch, it's like they're just being pushed super hard in the industry. It seems so rehearsed and put-on. Like a spiel someone has been paid off to say every fucking time.

The Brits themselves must have been eager to have someone young, female and trendy to push forward to stay woke and up to date after the controversy.

Also, the fact that they copied Alex's speech at the Brits, but she hadn't even memorized it? She needed to look at her phone and it seemed so odd? Like why??? And then she stopped? Why begin and not follow through and commit to the bit? Like what was the point? She was trying to say how its amazing to have more women in rock and she chose to quote a speech made by a man dripping with sarcasm who doesn't care about being there?? And then she proclaimed how much it meant to them? Like?? Just, go with either one... She clearly had no fucking clue what he meant with that speech.

Ooh, you've made some really good & interesting points! (Thank you for joining the conversation!)

The more I think about it the more I agree that the 'tiktok potential' aspect may be a huge factor in this.

I saw someone on Twitter use the phrase "fast fashion but in music" - and I think that kind of nails it? There's always been musical trends but now like with everything they're coming and going so much faster than ever before. And with tiktok being able to make a song trend and bring the artist millions of views & streams it's no wonder the industry will gear towards that to get some easy income in. Especially when the songs that do best are literally the most basic easy-to-compose tunes one can think of.

I'm not even very up to date with these things. But I can see some patterns. Like make up a song that's simple, relatable - and like you're saying edgy and (*gasp!*) sexual + very rhythmic (good for edits and jump cuts/transitions) & you've got a potential hit.

"ABCDE-FU" type of shit. Or yeah- some of the new Måneskin songs too. Like BLA BLA BLA and Kool Kids (which were the only two actually unbearable songs on the album to me - but then in shock I found out that they're up in the top of their young fans' favorites)

(I do also agree - I was very much a fan of Måneskin and their previous two albums. They kind of lost that originality though with most ot the tracks on this one. Very much going the fast-fashion-music direction unfortunately)

Harry Styles' support being a big reason also just came to me yesterday as an idea - glad to see someone also thinks this could be a factor. His music isn't my thing - but I can respect it and even say some of the songs I have heard are good. But he's got a crazily dedicated fan base to the point that I believe they'd love and support anything he ever said he liked.

It's exactly the fact that next to them suddenly getting all these awards they've also been getting so much acknowledgement from fellow musicians who make completely different music that made me want to understand. I just feel like I'm missing something here!

Because I can understand getting the little songs stuck in your head or enjoying bopping around to them. But how does that type of song get you "best new discovery" awards & recognition from people like Elton/Dave/Florence???

The point you made about Brits possibly clinging to them as their hip-trendy and female representation is am interesting one too! Quite possible with the scandal they had.

And yeah... That speech... honestly didn't know what to think about it at first. Except how it was almost physically painful watching the awkwardness. It could've been a good idea to do if it had literally and thought and aim behind it. Like is they felt the same way about award shows and the way the industry works as Alex/AM does. They obviously don't though.

If it was meant to be a cheeky little joke-reference then it should've just been that first line (I'd appreciate it that way!). When she continued with it I stopped in my tracks and thought she'll do the full thing as maybe some deeper commentary/statement. But then she cut it off randomly... Strange.

And you're right it did also actually kind of contradict some of the things they added later?

Overall - I've got some ideas but still don't feel much closer to solving this mystery.

But very grateful for what you added! I think we've got a similar view on these things.

Have a great day anon! 🤍

[what-if-nct]

hiiii ok double reminder today because there's two whole songs to talk about lucky meeee

one: wayv!!! is back!!!! there is a new wayv song!!!!!!!! holy shit they're actually having a comeback!!!!!!!!! i love the song, i love how they managed to make the video look so glamorous even without the fifteen outfits and sets that I've come to expect from k pop mvs. but what's throwing me a bit is that the word "only" is a way of adding emphasis in indian english (side note: I've recently learned that india has the highest number of english speakers in the world, so it's surprising to me that indian english isn't more widely understood). like for example you could say "127 dream and wayv are all only nct only", where the "only" is just a way to emphasise the word nct. kinda like the word "just" in british/american english. so the title diamonds only makes me feel like I'm at a wedding and watching two aunties trying to one-up each other about their fancy jewelry and i find the idea of the wayv boys being at all involved in that scenario the funniest thing ever

two: Vernon released a solo song!! it's angsty and pop punk-y and he said he was inspired by Avril Lavigne and he's just so right for all of it. although my one critique is they beeped the fuck. let. idols. swear. please. i really like the song, but god imagine the absolute power of it if they let Vernon say fuck

Hiii! Yes! They've finally put out a song in fifty years and I love it. The video was very pleasing to my eyes. And that's cool I didn't know that, but it makes sense since I think correct me if I'm wrong India is one of the most populated countries? But oh my gosh I can specifically see Xiaojun and Ten in that kind of scenario. I watch a few Indian YouTubers and I recognize exactly what you're talking about. But I never really noticed it just understood it. I do that with a lot of English dialects and accents even if I'm not use to it I can understand it Like when Chan and Felix were talking about Aussie slang on the Zach Sang show. Even before they explained it I figured out what they meant.But I also watch a ton of Australian YouTubers.

And okay Vernon's song okay first of all for whatever reason Vernon is the only Seventeen member I keep up with and follow. I think I wasnt ready to commit to the full group but I adored Vernon predebut and stuck with him. Anyway watching Vernon's music video was the first time in my history as a kpop fan that I literally fangirled, screamed and almost cried. Like you don't even understand. Vernon brought me so much joy and took me back to middle school and love the song so much. He mastered that genuine pop punk sound and it spoke to me soul. And I agree let Vernon say the fuck word! Like i was literally squealing oh my gosh. And it would be Vernon of all people to do it. You have no idea how happy the song made me. I always isolate kpop from me like it's not exactly a genre I deemed that saved my life but pop punk post hardcore and metalcore are and I just never thought a genre that I like but never connected connected with would meld with the genre that means so much to me. Like to explain what different genres mean to me. It's post hardcore\metalcore\pop punk are who I am like that's me as a person. Country is my heart, pop is my bedroom, kpop is a wall in bedroom, and hip hop is my best friend's house I don't go there often but when I do its a vibe, fun and nothing but women. And Lana Del Rey and Taylor Swift are my best friend. They're their own genre of music. Anyway I love the song, I love Vernon. It does Lowkey have Lil Huddy vibes but I love lil Huddy so it's chill.

[autistic-crypt1d]

Season 1 SG-1 Live Blogging:

It's been a while since I've watched this but I've also seen it over 20 times at this point so I doubt there will be any surprises. Who knows! Plus I finally have refreshed context with the movie.

Updates:

- Children of the Gods pt 1&2

- ahh the black side bars

- I still dont know why the tarp would be moving before the gate even starts dialing, once it starts and everything starts shaking and the tarp goes flying yeah

- AHHHH THE FIRST LOCK OF THE SHOW

- AHHH THE CLASSIC GOA'ULD MUSIC

- the suits are so silly and top heavy I love it

- TEAL'C

- how are these trained military personnel only managing to hit the center base playe of their armour lmao, some real stormtrooper shooting right there

- god damn the acting of the dude who was screaming and shooting was very bad and the effects were so off

- THE BLOOD PFFFFT

- I'm sorry but the gold lipstick they put on Apophis is so goofy

- I forgot how agonizingly slow and boring the original intro is compared to the music

- JACK!!!!

- PFFFFT. THE TELESCOPE SHOT

- I know I've done pretty much nothing but make fun of the show so far but that's because the first season is rough ok, I do love it though

- ah General Hammond, little does he know he's about to recruit one of the 4 biggest pains in the ass of his life

- if the gate was buried, how does Daniel get the tissue box?

- I wonder what they've been doing at the SGC this whole time anyway, I mean until this stuff happens they'd believed the gate only went one place and theh believed it to be destroyed soooo

- also I literally just watched the movie, but I don't remember seeing a DHD over there so I'm assuming that also just wasn't figured out yet

- ah fug Carter's cringy intro. I love her so much but this is awful and the actress herself said so too (thank god she did and fought for her to not do that shit again)

- you can see him fall head over heels for her like right there and then though

- I do find it pretty interesting how the gate travel sequence animation changes eventuallly

- also, what's with the fact they still get all frosty and shit initially but soon it becomes a thing they do no problem, step through the other side skipping and shit

- DANIEL!!!

- the entrance is in like a crater now, funky

- "Captain Doctor you're gonna love this" PFFFFT

- see I know everyone loves Sam & Jack, but everytime I see Sam and Daniel nerding out together they look like they're about to literally makeout

- oop here come the snake lads

- BRO GET YOUR FINGERS OUT OF HER MOUTH YOU THIEVING ASSHAT

- why is her name spelled Sha're here but Sha'uri in the movie?

- everyone huddling up hugging Daniel makes me wanna cry 😭

- it's just occurring to me how weird it is that the Apophis has set up shop in what looks to be a European style castle of all places

- this whole thing with the women being chosen as Apophis's bride is horrifying and I hate it and the nudity was entirely unnecessary. We did not need to be shown women being assaulted and violated and exposed to understand how horrible he is. We really didn't

- pffft you tell him Kawalski

- ugh I fucking hate the scene where Sha'uri is chosen

- wait did they cut out her being fully exposed? Thank god dude, nothing against her I'm just really uncomfortable with nudity

- poor Daniel, he just wants to tell people about the cool stuff

- aaaaaand now everything is greek?

- Apophis is just copying everyone's shit

- PFFFT that was the most ungrateful exit ever

- oop, one of the snake helmets lights are out

- y'all Jack having to lose Skaara after already losing Charlie is just so OUCHYYYYY

- they really just let that helmet be lights out

- "you are the first I believe can do it" AHHHHHHHHHH

- pffft Daniel and his crooked ass glasses

- "I have nowhere to go" "for this, you can stay at my place" god I love them so much I wanna scream

- it's so weird hearing Sam call him "Dr. Jackson" and him call her Captain

- Y'ALL THE MUZZLE FLARE IS SO BADDDD

- after watching the movie, the look Daniel gives Jack after he tells him to go is so much more intense

- ah hell Kawalsky getting infected is a big ouchy

- Daniel and Sam in sync AHHHHH

- Teal'c handing over his weapon to Sam no questions asked 😭

- HELL YEAH JACK, YOU FIGHT FOR YOUR BOO

- The Enemy Within

- pfffft the little exchange of looks between Jack and Kawalsky in the control room

- if matter can't reintegrate, what's the slamming sound? always wondered about that

- Jack's turtleneck shirt thing is so cute

- YOU STAND UP FOR OUR BOY JACK, YOU TELL EM

- this episode hurts my heart so much

- Daniel is so pretty in the og outfit tho, so baby girl

- Teal'c finding out that he's found the Tau'ri is so emotional y'all

- "then you are their greatest hope, and mine." I'M NOT TEARING UP YOU ARE

- everyone is such babies here it makes me wanna cry

- I'm sorry but the way he just tosses Carter is hilarious

- Charlie's in this show are cursed, first Jack's kid, then Kawalsky

- YOU TELL HIM GENERAL

- Teal'c is such a trooper man, he's just letting them use his symbiote (the thing that keeps him alive) to test anesthetics to save Kawalsky

- the way Jack is so soft with his men arms my heart, this military man without hesitation holds Kawalsky's hand and I love him for it

- they've really got zero lights in half these sugery shots

- ah hell, the false hope here HURTSSSS

- I hate Kennedy so much, LEAVE

- poor Teal'c, he thinks he's made a friends and gets attacked instead :(

- Walter buddy, you tried and I'm proud of you

- YES TEAL'C, YOU STAND YOUR GROUND YOU WONDERFUL BADASS

- "I need two ranking officers to override" never gets old

- Jack having to give the order that kills his friend is AHHHHHHH

- "he was your friend." "My friend died on the table." HELP

- I'm gonna cry, the team together on the ramp for the first time ahhhhhhhhhh

- Emancipation

- I HATE this episode

- poor Carter y'all, she's put through the damn wringer in this

- Daniel I adore you but shut tf up you're not the one being asked to shut up and cover up under penalty of violence or death

- DANIEL, SHUSH

- Jack you aren't helping

- JACK. DANIEL SHUT UP. PLEASE.

- the fact that this is the first mission they go on as a team is ASS. Yes they do good shit at the end but still.

- you know what, no one is making me watch this and I don't want to soooo SKIP

- The Broca Divide

- this is episode 4???? Damn I remembered this beingf a bit later for some reason, but I feel like that with most episodes tbh

- it gets a bonus for introducing Dr. Frasier

- Daniel is the only one with self preservation rn, who tf goes through to an alien planet that is so dark the malp couldn't see a damn thing

- good point, why tf doesn't the malp have a night vision mode

- pfffft Daniel's little wave of submission

- ugh god I love the intro music so much, 10 seasons over a dozen times and I still love it

- DANIEL, SHUT IT. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THAT'S HOW STUFF USED TO GO, IT'S NOT HAPPENING NOW

- pfffft Daniel's stuttering

- Teal'c catching that punch like a BADASS "general I would prefer to not hurt this man" AHHHH

- DANIEL AND THE TURTLENECK SHIRT THING

- SG-1 is just so pretty

- uh oh locker room scene

- "why? I mean no"

- Dr. Frasier!!!!!

- poor Daniel :(

- Janet calling Teal'c "Mr. Teal'c" is so cute

- ahhhh Daniel is so sassy I love it

- I'm sorry but Daniel helping to restrain Jack is hilarious considering how easily Jack absolutely MANHANDLES him in this show

- "I am not Lucy" XD

- ah yes, one of the many episodes where Daniel is carried around like he weighs 2 lbs

- the first person he calls for is Jack 😭

- The First Commandment

- this episode is pretty wild honestly, plus like, Sam lore???

- Connor immediately collapsing once he knew he was safe with SG-1 is just so AHHHH

- "this tastes like chicken" "what's wrong with it?" "It's macaroni and cheese"

- "I guess I've always had a soft spot for the lunatic fringe"

- I love how Daniel and Sam are always yappin together

- "we should have stopped her" "we would have failed" pfffft

- YEAH SAM GET HIS ASS

- just shoot him in the leg Sam!!!!

- every single time they try and show people that Teal'c is friendly is cracks me tf up

- Teal'c reaction to his drawing being complimented is so cute help

- wooo! Revolting against false gods!!

- Cold Lazarus

- first planet we've seen that looks different than Earth which is cool

- the blue of the sky with the yellow ass sand hurts my eyes

- Pffft Daniel not knowing if he's using the radio right cracks me up

- I wonder why Jack keeps all that stuff in his locker, like having some photos at work yeah, but the wedding ring and notes? Why not at home?

- I'm sorry Jack/Sam shippers, but every time I see Sam and Daniel working together being all nerdy and completely ignoring the concept of personal space, AHHHH

- oof this episode is so awkward and painful

- pffft the random side plot of Teal'c learning about Earth through the tv is so funny to me

- SAM AND DANIEL ARE SO CUTE HELP, the way they sprint into Teal'c room together all excited, AHHH

- Sara's dad is so sweet about what he thinks is Jack and what he's going through

- y'all, entity Jack holding Charlie's things and rocking, OUCHIE

- god Sam and Daniel are so chaotic together, such mutual enablers

- PFFFT everyone's faces when the real Jack comes through the gate XD

- the fact that literally none of this is ever brought up again is really annoying

- The Nox

- I love the Nox

- Daniel trying to get information from the Nox and failing terribly is so funny

- Apophis sucks

- the costume design for the Nox is so good

- I can't tell if the green in the fire is a chemical thing they did or a greenscreen being behind it

- Daniel covering Sam up 😭

- PFFFT TEAL'C WITH A DAMN LOG

- Brief Candle

- I hate this episode honestly

- the fact is O'Neill gets drugged and raped and no one talks about it

- skipping

- Thor's Hammer

- Jack diving to try and save Teal'c 😭 I love those two so much

- I love Gairwyn, she's fantastic

- the fake thor looks so goofy 😭

- ahhhh I love the Unas lore so much

- I love Jack and Teal'c so much y'all, the way that they stand side by side through anything, the ultimate duo

- The Torment of Tantalus

- ahhhh this episode is so good!!!!

- them realizing that they weren't the first to go through and someone actually got stranded out there??? CHILLS

- CARSON!!!!

- I've always wondered wtf this man ate while he was there all this time

- y'all that conversation between Earnest and Catharine, AHHH

- BRO, THE WAY SAM AND DANIEL ARE SITTING??? No personal space with each other

- "this is a true universal language!" Ahhhh!!! I love Daniel nerding out

- Sam with rolled up sleeves AH!!

- Bloodlines

- where tf did they get the priest gear??

- ahhhh Bra-tac, love that guy

- Alison fron Eurekaaaaa

- Fire and Water

- this episode makes me so sad noooo 😭

- Sam crying over Daniel AHHH

- I NEVER REALIZED TEAL'C WAS IN SHORTS

- seeing Teal'c participate in this human ritual of mourning makes me so emotional ahhhhhhh

- ah yes the first of many times Daniel gets kidnapped and tries to communicate with a captor he cannot understand

- General Hammond is the best for letting it slide that Jack obliterates his car window

- I wish we saw more alien races like this fish guy, things that are further from human

- frustrated Daniel is so funny

- Teal'c's expression XD

- I wonder why Nem never went to Earth to search for his mate, or why he didn't go with her

- Hathor

- ugh this episode. Hathor irks me so bad

- "sex, drugs, and rock and roll?" "In a manner of speaking yeah" pffffft

- why tf does Jack do air quotes like that

- see now Daniel is literally getting raped in this episode too and no one comments on this. This is what I hate about this show. Just because it's not violent doesn't mean it's not.

- man the reverse shot is so bad

- the Goa'uld larvae look like ground beef in that tub

- wtf even set the tub on fire

- why tf is the only response to Daniel's trauma "ew" :(

- Singularity

- oh god the Cassie episode 😭

- the way Sam and Jack are with kids in this show is so wholesome

- AHHHHH this Sam and Daniel moment is so good

- the way he looks at her and talks to her BROOO

- if they're so platonic why does Daniel always stand a centimeter from her hm???

- "who said that?" THE WAY HE'S LOOKING AT HER????

- Jack running in that damn hazmat suit is so funny

- the way Janet and Sam cover Cassie AHHH best moms ever

- SHE STILL HAS HER TAG ON BROOOO

- Daniel's little happy slaps XD

- Cor-ai

- ouchy episode

- everyone trying to gently tell Jack they don't believe he's a good choice to be the voice is so funny

- Teal’c’s trembling lip AHHHH

- Daniel’s speech, Y’ALLLLL

- the relationship and dynamic Teal’c and Daniel even after what happened to Sha’re is something else

- “What’re they doing?” “Preparing me for my death.” “Oh”

- Enigma

- oh wow the set and effects on this one is ROUGH

- I just remembered that the Tollen dude, Narim that has a thing for Sam is the same actor who plays Simon, Elizabeth Weir's husband

- Shrodinger!!!

- ugh Mayborne

- YOU TELL HIM GENERAL!!!

- "whoops"

- ah yes, the first of many iconic times they use Daniel as a way to avoid court marshaling XD

- Lya!!! Yay!!!

- the Nox are so cool, I wish we got more of them

- Solitudes

- oh boy this episode

- I feel like this had to be the beginning of the Sam/Jack ship right?

- "why didn't you say something?" "I was afraid you'd try to put a splint on it" I love his sass so much

- AHHHHH I LOVE DANIEL SAVING THE DAY BY BEING A NERD

- I don't understand why she wouldn't think "maybe there's something wrong with the Earth gate after what happened, let me try another world"

- LET'S GO DANIEL!!!

- "what happens when you try to dial your own phone number? Wrong person to ask." PFFFFT

- I think it's kinda hilarious she just assumes it's an ice planet because that's all she can see XD

- the fact that she goes back to him so they can be together at the end AHHHHH

- Tin Man

- I hate this episode, it irritates me and I'm skipping it

- There But for the Grace of God

- ahhhh this episode stresses me outtttt

- why must you always touch everything Daniel

- "oh I hate it when this happens" how many times has Daniel been left behind on a planet????

- his face when he comes through and people are aiming guns at him XD

- Politics

- god I hate Kinsey

- honestly, not a fan of flashback episodes

- "Because what is right is not measured by strength" DAMN RIGHT TEAL'C!!!

- god I still can't get over that scene of Teal'c standing on the gate ramp, blocking Kowalski's path

- Within the Serpent's Grasp

- something I'm just now really thinking about is, why is Apophis the only Goa'uld that did the whole wife and kid thing? No other Goa'uld that we've seen does that

- bro the way Daniel is looking at Sam when they're discussing the C-4 timer and rescuing Jack and Teal'c???

Season 2

[allthemusic]

Week ending: 9th May

Oooh, two number ones. Not only that, but two number ones that I don't actually know at all - these could literally be anything, I've not even heard of them. Exciting times!

Rock-A-Billy - Guy Mitchell (peaked at Number 1)

Well, I do know Guy Mitchell. I think of all the pre-rock and roll artists, he's possibly adapted the best to the new style of music, and this song's title suggests to me that he's making another bid to stay relevant. How successful will he be? I guess we'll see...

We start with some moderately energetic guitars and hand clapping, which is then spoiled by some of the world's laziest lyrics, as Guy sings rock-a-billy, rock-a-billy, rock-a-billy, rock, rock-a-billy, rock-a-billy, rock, rock. Seriously, that's the whole chorus. It's like somebody at the record company said gee, this rock and roll thing's hot, and I hear there's a genre called rockabilly, let's just repeat that a whole lot, the kids will love it!

It's not horrible, that said. First we get a verse about rockabilly's history, and how some people think it came from Tennessee / Then spread on out to the lone prairie. And then we also get a verse that's basically Guy giving us instructions for dancing, telling us to grab yourself a partner, lose the blues / Wear your store-bought clothes and your stompin' shoes, and later to wiggle like a trout. Which are both charming enough, if a bit odd. But I guess that's the point - if rock and roll are for the young, cool city folks, rockabilly's its weird hillbilly mirror version, less glam, but no less energetic and wild. At least in theory, it is - I'm not convinced that Guy Mitchell has any actual authentic country-boy cred, for all that he repeats the word "rockabilly" a tonne in the chorus, and so the song's kind of lacking in the grit you get in a lot of "real" rockabilly songs.

I do enjoy the fact that they've included not one but two gear-shift key changes. We've had a severe lack of cheesy key changes so far, more's the pity. Two feels a little excessive, but I'm not complaining at all. This song's a cheese-fest anyway, what's there to lose?

Actually, the more I listen, the more I'm thankful for the key changes, because without them, the song would get very monotonous. There's not a huge amount of variation between the verses and the chorus, and there's not much in the way of instrumental breaks or solos to break up the track, either. If you didn't have the key changes, it would just be a straight-up brutally boring gallop towards the finish line.

I have to be honest, this song is leaving me a little cold. I think it's the cynicism of it all. It definitely feels like an attempt to cash in on a trend, and while Guy's voice and general vibe are good for it, it doesn't feel like the most natural thing ever, or like much actual passion's been put into it. Compare this to Little Richard's yowling and bawling - the emotional whammy isn't even comparable.

Butterfly - Andy Williams (1)

Okay, we're starting out with the same sort of strummy guitar/banjo, clicks, claps and vocal aaaah backing that we got at the start of Singing the Blues. And overall, this has a similar vibe to that song, with some bluesy piano and some backing singers going doo-doo-wah throughout. It sets us up in a sort of blue, mopey mood that continues throughout the song.

Andy's got a voice that works for it, too - he croons in a way that's not a million miles from Elvis, with a lot of emphasis on some notes, and less on others, and a pretty emotional delivery, overall, with these little uh sounds on the end of lines. It's cool, legitimately.

But the musical elements are the least memorable aspects of this song, because... yikes, those lyrics. I kind of like them, but they're definitely of their era. First we learn how Andy's girl is a bit of a floozy, as he sings about how You tell me you love me, you say you'll be true / Then you fly around with somebody new. He's still crazy about her, but she flits around like a butterfly, so he decides to break up, telling us about how You treat me mean, you're makin' me cry / I've made up my mind to tell you goodbye. But to no avail, she's simply the troublin' kind, and so, in the creepiest line of the lot, we learn that I love you so much I know what I'll do / I'm clippin' your wings, your flyin' is through.

Ugh. It's so gross and creepy, a real predatory, serial killer line. Its only redeeming feature is that I could imagine it being used to brilliant ironic effect in a horror movie. I don't even know what "clippin' your wings" would mean, in this context - I think that's what makes it so awful! It could be so many different terrible things, and Andy sings it in this mild-mannered, sweet way that just makes the dissonance worse - urgh!

I do enjoy the metaphor of it all. And when I divorce the lyrics from the possible creepiness behind them, I do kind of like the song. Heck, I even like it as an ironic serial killer ballad. But boy, is Andy pushing it here!

It's at this point that I also need to shout out the backing singer in the back half who just does a solitary bom periodically. That, and the quote on the cover of the version I'm listening to, which describes Andy as "one of those he-males who slays the females". Which isn't doing much for the serial killer accusations, honestly.

I did weirdly enjoy both of those songs, but I'm under no illusions that they were the best songs ever to reach Number 1. Still, one felt a bit more genuine, even if that genuineness was creepy, and that has to earn it the top spot this week, as opposed to Guy's blatant attempt to cash in on a trend.

Favourite song of the bunch: Butterfly