#but it’s nice to hear more of that rockin sound

[cmipalaeo]

New (old) U2 music!!

[paigehughes28]

I don’t need you~Dawson Mercer

Request? No

Pairings: Dawson Mercer x reader, Hughes brothers x sister!reader, platonic!Trevor Zegras x platonic!reader

Summary: Dawson realizes that you don’t need him as much as he thought

A/n: This is based off good graces by Sabrina Carpenter!

Requests are open!

Warnings: arguing, suspecting cheating(neither actually cheat)

°.✩┈┈∘*┈˃̶୨୧˂̶┈*∘┈┈✩.°

When I love you, I’m sweet like an angel. Drawin’ hearts ‘round our names. And dreamin’ of writing vows, rockin’ cradles. Don’t mistake my nice for naive.

You were in yours and Dawsons shared apartment just doodling on a notepad waiting for him to get home from practice.

You had written both yours and Dawsons names down drawing hearts around them. “You having fun there?” You heard the voice of your boyfriend coming up hugging you from behind wrapping his arms around your waist.

He pressed a light kiss to your neck then rested his chin on your shoulder, head leaning against yours.

“Yeah.” You chuckled loving the affection he was showing.

Sometimes even the smallest bit of affection could get you wondering about your future and what it would be like together. You wanted one with Dawson but you absolutely didn’t need it.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Dawson asked moving to the seat beside you.

“Thinking about our future together.” You admitted tucking the strand of hair in front of your face behind your ear.

“About marriage and kids possibly.” You said quietly thinking about it. A little you or Dawson would be cute to have around.

“One day.” Dawson said with a smile causing you to return it.

°.✩┈┈∘*┈˃̶୨୧˂̶┈*∘┈┈✩.°

I don’t waste a second, I know lots of guys. You do somethin’ suspect, this cute ass bye-bye. Like, ooh. Baby you say you really like being mine? So let me give you some advice.

You woke up one morning to Dawson’s phone going off but he was still asleep so you decided to check it. Not actually going through his phone but just looking at what it was on the lockscreen.

Looking over you saw it was a text from someone named Olivia? You didn’t know Dawson knew someone with that name. ‘That’s going to be fun! Bet you can’t wait.’ The text read.

You layed back down in your spot in the bed not bothering to wake up Dawson to confront him. You were more so disappointed in him than anything but you’d live.

You then got up going to the kitchen grabbing your phone while you were at it. Dawson would end up sleeping in today due to him having an off day.

You sighed as you got to the kitchen deciding to call you and your brother Jack’s mutual best friend Trevor Zegras. It rang about three times before he finally answered.

“What’s up Y/n?” He asked you in his usually cheerful voice.

“I think Dawson is cheating on me.” You told him in a monotone voice. “Well that was instant. Why do you think that?” He asked sounding slightly confused and surprised.

“He got some text from some Olivia girl saying ‘That’s going to be so fun! I bet you can’t wait.’” You told him as you started to cook yourself some breakfast.

“Well that does seem suspicious. Are you okay?” He asked now fully sounding concerned. “Trevor you should know by now that I’ll be fine. He might have cheated but I don’t need him.” You said not knowing that Dawson had woken up and was standing in the hallway hearing only the last bit of what you told Trevor.

Dawson was shocked you’d think he would cheat on him but a little hurt when you said you didn’t need him.

Eventually you hung up with Trevor so you could eat your food.

°.✩┈┈∘*┈˃̶୨୧˂̶┈*∘┈┈✩.°

Want you every second, don't need other guys. You do somethin' sus, kiss my cute ass bye.

About a day after seeing that text you had finally confronted Dawson with the encouragement of your three brothers Jack, Luke, and Quinn.

You and Dawson were currently arguing over it. “For the millionth time I did not cheat on you!” Dawson told throwing his arms up in the air out of frustration.

“Then why did I see that text from that Olivia girl?” You asked calmly sitting on the couch in the living room. Dawson seemed to freeze up when you asked that.

“It’s not like that.” He said quickly. “Really?” I asked not believing him.

“Well then why did you call Trevor saying you didn’t need me?” Dawson asked you sitting down in the couch beside you hurt flashing across his eyes.

“Dawson I love you with all my heart but I infact do not need you to live.” You say to him now feeling like he thinks you need him to live your life.

You could get on with your life pretty fine without him. You had before you met him so it wouldn’t be that hard.

“Why won’t you tell me what that was about and who that is?” You countered still trying to get the answer out of him but he wouldn’t budge.

“Okay then.” You said getting up and walking to your shared room while packing an overnight bag.

You’d end up going to Jack and Luke’s until Dawson decided to fess up.

°.✩┈┈∘*┈˃̶୨୧˂̶┈*∘┈┈✩.°

Boy, it's not that complicated. You should stay in my good graces. Or I'll switch it up like that so fast. 'Cause no one's more amazin'. At turnin' lovin' into hatred.

You had been at your brothers for a few days since Dawson continued to refuse to tell you who that Olivia girl was.

“He’s been a mess at practice you know. He misses you.” Luke told you getting his gear bag for practice. Jack had already left. He was concerned for you as your younger brother but also concerned for Dawson as his teammate.

“Well if he wants me to come back he can start explaining that Olivia girl.” You told him not breaking from your decision.

“I’ll give the message.” Luke said walking out the door to get to practice.

Finally when they weren’t surrounded by all of the other guys in the locker room with only Jack in there with them after practice ended Luke finally decided to tell Dawson what you told him.

“She said that if you want her to come back you can start explaining that Olivia girl.” Luke told him not making eye contact with him.

Luke was more concerned than anything and Jack was mad that his sister could’ve possibly gotten cheated on. Dawson better of been glad Quinn wasn’t here because he was the most mad of all the brothers.

“I can’t tell her.” Dawson said to him causing Jacks head to shoot up from untying his laces on his skates.

“Why is that?” Jack asked trying to not get mad.

“Because, it was about a surprise for her.” Dawson admitted finally. “I had a promise ring custom made for her.” He admitted finally pulling out the ring.

“You better tell her or you’ll lose her.” Luke said to him. “No one is better than our sister at turning loving into hatred.” Jack told him then sighed.

“She will love that ring though.” He said to Dawson.

All three of the guys went back to Jack and Luke’s apartment so Dawson could apologize to you and admit everything.

You hummed quietly doing your work on your computer when the door opened then closed. You looked up to see your brothers and Dawson.

“Good luck bud.” Jack said as he and Luke walked to their bedrooms.

“Baby, I’m sorry.” Dawson said instantly sitting down next to you.

You closed your computer putting it off to the side to listen to him explain himself.

“I wasn’t cheating on you I swear. I had gotten a custom promise ring made for you and didn’t want to tell you because I wanted it to be a surprise on your birthday.” Dawson rambled on and your expression went soft with guilt.

You hugged him now feeling a bit bad. “I’m sorry.” You said to him.

“No, no. You had every right to think I was cheating on you and I know you don’t need me to live but I want you in my life forever.” Dawson admitted hugging you back then pulling back from the hug taking the promise ring out and putting it on your finger.

“I love it.” You admitted yourself. You gave him a short kiss on the lips and smiled. You’d both be okay in the end.

[jmdbjk]

Golden

Kookie had a runny nose. He said when he's just hanging out with nothing to do he's fine but as soon as things start ramping up and getting hectic, the cold that won't go away comes back. Jimin was on to something when he said he was concerned about Jungkook staying healthy with such a busy schedule.

As usual he has stayed true to himself and I admire that a person of his age can be so honest about himself.

He was trying to keep it real and said things to lower everyone's expectations: About writing songs, he said he can't really write songs. He said he just doesn't have it in him. He said when he tries it always ends up being about Army.

He wondered if it was because he was so simple. This is what makes me love him as just a human being: he says things about himself that WE might not agree with but that he feels about himself. He's just so honest and unpretentious, and he doesn't even try to be that, he just is himself.

He said he thinks he doesn't have the intellect and that he doesn't have anything to write about, and if he HAD things to write about, he couldn't say them prettily and that there are so many other talented creators that he would just fall short. He mentioned RM, Yoongi, Hobi... they are so talented.

It is understandable that Kookie, being last, he saw what the other members did, and truly, it had to be intimidating. He may never feel confident enough but I bet if he gives it a try he’ll do great.

All of what he said adds another nuance as to why he said “something amazing" is coming when he did that live back in March and Set Me Free Pt 2 was about to drop. He saw how hard Jimin worked through that process and the end result WAS amazing. Intimidating indeed.

Perhaps he still needs to live some life before he can have enough emotional baggage to pour out some lyrics (lol). Give it time, Kookie, life will throw some shit at you. Or maybe expressing whatever is inside of him will never come out in words to a song. And its ok. Not everyone is a songwriter or poet.

I can accept this album as "this is where he is in his life right now". He said they worked fast. That's a lot to accomplish in the amount of time from start to finish.

My thoughts on the songs...

The lyrics to several of these songs are a little ... meh..., sort of disconnected. THAT BEING SAID... I can see some lyrics that probably did resonate with him.

But I am not going to focus so much on the lyrics but more on JK's vocal work and think about how he was trying to sing and pronounce well. THAT is what he was trying to do. He said lyrics are lyrics and images are images... they are not meant to be autobiographical so the lyrics will be secondary to the vocal production for me.

Jungkook explained that the pronunciation was a challenge. The producers each had their own idea of how the lyrics should be delivered to achieve the color of the song. English not being JK's first language, he was coached on what to do in the studio. He said especially pronouncing the "EEE" sound was a challenge.

I recognize some sounds that seem trendy. Some of the songs remind me of other songs I've heard in the past by other artists.

Closer has that flute and Afro beat that reminds me of another song but I just can't remember it right now.

Standing Next to You is giving me Michael Jackson Rock With You from his Off the Wall album or Remember the Time off his Dangerous album. A rockin' groove... "... when it's deep like DNA..." and "leave your body golden like the sun and the moon..." yes, those lyrics definitely resonate.

Yes or No, I can definitely hear the Ed Sheeran throughout that song. A nice song about that first thrill of love. Ed Sheeran is a great song writer. I've always liked his work.

Please Don't Change would probably be the song that comes closest to expressing how Jungkook feels about his fans. Though his life has been spent on camera, things might change and if he's no longer on camera, he'll still be the same but he hopes we please don't change. This song also has the same little flute sound as Closer.

Hate You. This is the Shawn Mendes song. It is one of those angsty relationship songs that are popular now like what Olivia Rodrigo and her ilk does. If Jungkook had not gotten this song, I could see it easily going to a female artist. It's quite painful. Kookie does a great job expressing the tragic drama of it all with his vocals.

Somebody is where he really lets loose with his range. Its a sad song. Like many, his opening lines had me doing a double take. I don't think we've ever heard Jungkook sing in this tone before? Very nice.

Too Sad To Dance. This is the kind of song I think Jungkook could write. It is simple and straightforward. The song is cute and poignant at the same time. He was able to keep his tone simple to match the vibe, he didn’t try to make it over the top… I love this song especially the very last line: "...you don't need no one to dance..." Stand on your own and be yourself, just like Kookie is doing.

Shot Glass Full of Tears is the best song on the album. There, I said it. He really reached down and brought JUST enough edge into his voice to pull it off. I could actually get emotional over this song. I will repeat, this is the best song on the album.

Well done, Jungkook.

Overall, Kookie is relieved the pressure is off. Now he can get out there and do what he’s knows he can do and that’s performing

And then he said it again: BTS is the most important thing to him.

Kookie knew he had to do this album. And now he's done it and ready to move forward.

When he finally realized Tae had commented:

The panic over his house not being clean hahahahahah!

Because he wasn't sure what kind of chaos they were going to bring to his house, Kookie ended the live in a stress-clean panic.

My, what a turn of events... not long ago he was laying in bed naked causing mayhem trying to convince Jimin to let him come over and take a shower and now here they come to his house bringing trouble LMAO!

I hope they had a great evening together. I loved seeing Tae and Jimin out and about, it really hits a spot in my heart.

A little while ago, I picked up a copy of Golden at Target, I don't know which photo card is the Target exclusive but this is what I got:

It's a nice package with a hard cover photo book and a case it slides into. The stickers are nice. Jungkook was wearing an earring with the that motif so I suppose it will show up as merch on the Weverse shop soon.

Anyway, that's my review of Golden.

[j2spntranscripts]

☆ 2008 Fangoria (Jared solo)

Official name: Creation Entertainment present’s FANGORIA Weekend of Horrors Location: Renaissance Austin Hotel, Austin, Texas Time: Saturday January 19, 2008, 12:00 PM (GMT-5) Panelists: Jared Padalecki Last episode: 3x08 "A Very Supernatural Christmas"- 12/13/2007 Next episode: 3x09 "Malleus Maleficarum"- 1/31/2008

Question Index: 1- Hair Products 2- Sandra McCoy returning (*Questions with estimated chronological order:) a1- fav SPN music a2- Texas vs. Vancouver a3- Height a4- Sam’s biggest motivation; Gilmore Girls a5- Writer strike impact; On set culture a6- SPN Dirty Secret a7- Acting opposite to Evil!Dean; 2x14 a8a- fan appreciation; Jared a8b-Sam’s theme song a8c- Sam’s music a9- Characters affect on brother dynamic; Bella, Ruby, Bobby, John a10- s3 airing schedule; 3x11, 3x12 a11a- Jared on working with Sandy McCoy; Don’t kiss Jensen in public bit a11b- Adlib; Creative Control; 3x06 a11c- appreciation; J2 brother chemistry a12- Fan Interactions; Surprising/Overwhelming a13- SPN Appeal; McG, David Nutter a14- Jared on horror roles a15- When are Sam’s powers coming back? b- Future projects c- fan appreciation; 3x08 d+ Supernatural Movie* d1- Writer’s strike impact; s3 d2- 3x08; Act Five: Int. Motel- Night, Unsaid dialogue e+ Jared on producers/directors; Kim Manners; Phil Sgirccia; Pranks; On set culture* e1- unknown f1a- fan appreciation; hair; 2x14; Evil!Sam f1b- fan appreciation; 3x03; comedic timing f2- Emotionally draining episodes; 2x17, 2x09; 2x14 f3- Impala 67; Driving off the clock f4a- Fanfiction f4b- Supernatural Novels f5- s3 Dean’s deal outcome f6- fav s3 villain; 3x01, 3x02, 3x03; Gordon, Sterling Brown g+ Jared’s dogs*

(video playlist/links and transcript below the cut)

(*if you notice any mistakes in the video transcripts or found more video coverage of the con please point them out thanks*👍) (*tumblr doesn't like dailymotion vids so I can only hyperlink them*)

[click here] - Jared Fangoria 2008 1_0001 by psychoactivtoad [click here] - Jared Fangoria 2008 1_0002 by psychoactivtoad

◘Jared at Fangoria in Austin (1) by LauraTX1◘

Jared walks on stage patting his mic. The mic doesn’t pick up sound and the audience laughs. A member of creation staff walks across the stage and hands him a new mic.

Jared: (holds up working mic) Hello? (holds up malfunctioning mic) Hello? (switches) Hello? (audience chuckles)

Jared hands the staff the malfunctioning mic. The staff member then walks off the stage.

Jared: Can I sit, (?probably right?)? (?I’d get?) to see you all coming from the same angle?

Audience member: You can sit right here! (audience laughs)

•(0:12 L) - Introduction

Staff member drags a chair upstage for Jared then leaves off the stage.

Jared: Hi, guys! (?I’ve heard-?) I’ve heard from Jensen, he had to do some stuff in Los Angeles. So, he couldn’t make it out. But, he was very sorry, but he has to do some stuff involving the show. So, (?I’m going to go up?) produce that and prepare that. (audience woo) (pats leg) I actually just did, um, ADR on our next three episodes and they’re rockin’.

◘Jared at Fangoria Austin: Jared has nice hair by BabyBlueSteel◘

So, I don’t know when they start airing, but strike or no strike we get four new episodes until next season. So.. I hope you guys will be excited. (audience cheers)

I wonder if anybody has questions? I’d love to- I mean, y’all let me talk and give me a microphone and stay in here too, I might talk for, like, six hours. (audience chuckles) So, before I get on that tangent I would love to hear if anybody has anything that they were wondering and think I could help. (points to the audience) I- I saw you first.

•(0:54 L, 0:29 BBS)- Fangoria08;Q1- Hair Products

Fan: Um, (Jared holds his mic up in the air for the fan) you have nice hair. (audience laughs) Sam has nice hair.

Jared: (laughs) Thank you.

Fan: I just wanted to know what, like, products do you use? (audience and Jared laugh)

Jared: Um, you know what’s funny is that, um.. Thank you very much. (audience laughs) Um, I- this is so funny. I- I usually do- I usually just get out of the shower and, um- I blow dry it. I probably shouldn’t admit that in Texas. (audience giggles) I’m gonna get my ass kicked. (audience laughs) But, um, I-I was told a long time ago that if you towel off your head, you go bald. (audience laughs) That’s like a whole (gestures) wear a hat, go bald.

(points into the audience) Is that what you did? You toweled off your hair? (audience laughs) (points again) (?He really toweled better than I could do. Holy-?) Thank you.

Um, and, so I started blow drying my hair. And now it naturally sort of does this. And so, I’ll just spray it with hair spray. But I’ve been- For the last month or so, I’ve been waking up and not having my hair professionally done or my make up put on. So I look at myself in the mirror going like, (grimaces and sways) “Uuuh” (audience giggles) So.

(?Audience member: that’s the episode?)

Fan: Yeah, okay. (audience laughs)

Jared: Thank you so much.

◘Jared at Fangoria Austin: Will Sandy return to SPN by BabyBlueSteel◘

Jared: And then.. (points into the crowd) I saw you next

•(0:29 BBS)- Fangoria08;Q2- Sandra McCoy returning

Fan: Is Sandra going to come on the show again any time?

Jared: That’s a fantastic question.. (nodding) She did a great job. Thank you so much. She did. That was, uh- that was, uh- uh, a really interesting-

We started shooting that scene at midnight. And it was freezing cold and she had on.. (smiles) I liked it, but (audience laughs) a very thin dress. And it’s windy and it’s cold. And.. it was- and she was, you know? She’s not going to snitch. But, it was like, (scrunches up and shivers) “Ehvuvuh.” She was (?key tagged?) and they’re like action. So, she’s having to break in. (audience aw) And I felt so bad for her. And here I’m with my coat and everybody is running up to me and, like, bringing hand warmers or jackets. And I’m like, “Thank you. Thank you.” (audience laughs)

Um, but, right now we’re still wondering if I’m gonna come back on to the show, you know? Or if the show is gonna come back. So, unfortunately we’re at a standstill. I’d love to have her back though.

And, (points to the crowd) then I saw you in the back.

(missing coverage *which may mean content isn’t listed in the correct chronological order)

◘JARED PADALECKI on his favorite song on SN by Yeya◘

Jared: (?I say I went for the breath walkers and things?) (points to the crowd)

•(0:29 BBS)- Fangoria08;Qa1- fav SPN music; 1x12, 1x17

Fan: Hi. (?Jane Boleyn) Uh, we know that (?per?) the music on the show is a really important part. (Jared starts to take off his jacket) And I know that you come in and talk about how you go back and watch (?the after?). Is there- Is there-

◘Jared Fangoria 2008 1_0001 by psychoactivtoad◘

Jared dramatically strips off his jacket off his arm. The audience laughs and then catcalls. Jared then fans his shirt. The audience giggles.

Fan: Is there a (?musical?) that you thought was really outstanding in the show?

Jared: Yes. Yes. My favorite, um, was actually the, uh, episode “Faith.” My favorite was the- duh,.. The reaper song. That musical in that whole- Was that the episode where the spoon in the mouth thing and he’s singing “Fire of Unknown Origin.” (audience laughs) I thought that was funny.

Audience member: That was “Hell House.”

Jared: (points at audience member) That was “Hell House,” okay. So, I like that.

But the same band, Blue Öyster Cult. Um so, but the “Don’t Fear The Reaper” montage with, um, the girl running through the woods and being chased.. by the reaper, I thought it was really well used. And, obviously, I- I knew the song, but I really knew it from Saturday Night Live with (?Will Ferrell hitting that cowbell?) (mimics hitting a cowbell). (audience laughs) (laughs) And so, um, it was exciting to- to.. associate that with something else.

(points to the crowd) I will getchu, but I think (points to another person in the crowd) I saw a hand.. over here did I? (swipes his hand) I was just kidding. (points again) Yes.

•(0:59 P)- Fangoria08;Qa2- Texas vs. Vancouver

Fan: Do you like Texas better or Vancouver?

Jared: I like Texas better. (audience woo’s) I’m from Texas. (pumps fist) I was born and bred, so I- I do like Texas better. Um, I think it’s just more my speed? But maybe I’m more it’s speed since I was raised here.

But, Vancouver has also been tough because, as you know, Jensen and I are pretty much in every scene. Or, if we’re not in every scene- The way they shoot television shows, f-for those of you that don’t know, um, if-if you watch some, it’s shot out of sequence. But, they shoot it with locations. So if we’re doing a scene in a hospital then we’ll do every scene that’s in the hospital that day. So even if we’re not in this scene in.. this in the hospital or that scene in a hospital, we’re probably in the others. So, we’re there all day anyways.

And so, I’ve seen a lot of Vancouver. Unfortunately, it’s been, you know, during work hours. Which is great but, you know, you’re busy, you’re doing your thing. And on the way to, uh, work, Jensen and I are head down in our script running our lines and memorizing our lines. And so, we don’t get to do (?that kinds of stuff.?) But I like the people here. I like the people here.

(turns a little to his left and points into the crowd) Let me go over way over- I think- Yes. (laughs) Yes. That was fun.

•(2:04 P)- Fangoria08;Qa3- Height

Fan: (laughs) Um, I have a quick question. I was just wondering- I’ve been a fan for a long time and I was wondering if you could tell us how tall you (Jared smiles) are since just in case you don’t know (?it throws papers?). (audience laughs)

Jared: (shocked face) How tall I am? (laughs) Um, at the- You know, what I- I have to say, my answer changes depending on where I am. If I’m at an audition I’m like, “How tall is the leading lady?” (audience laughs) “5’1”?” (shrugs) I’m like, “5’11”, 5’10 ½”.”  (audience laughs) But I think, I think I’m actually, um, 6’4” (nods). So- And in Texas I would say, like, 6’7” (audience laughs) or 11”. So, it depends on where I am.

Like, if I want to go to.. (?) I’ll say, you know, 6’2” or 6’3.” (?But I’m certain y’all are 6’2”?).

Audience member: No, you’re not 6’2”.

Jared: (nods) Yeah, how tall are you?

Audience member: (?6’5?)

Jared: (points to audience member) Yeah, you know. (audience laughs) Yeah, he knows. He stood right there next to me.

(points towards his right) Yes.

•(2:52 P)- Fangoria08;Qa4- Sam’s biggest motivation; Gilmore Girls

Fan: I want to know what Sam’s biggest motivation in (?)

Jared: Sam’s biggest motivation’s changed, which has been a really, uh, exciting thing to do because unfortunately on television shows, um… You can kind of just do one thing for a really long time and it gets so mundane doing the same thing over and over and over again.

And I don’t want to bad mouth the show or my character, because I-I loved it and I did a, uh- I did a lot of years on it. But on “Gilmore Girls,” my character gradually became more one note. Like it sort of started out exciting, but then as I started doing other things I couldn’t do as many episodes. And so I sort of became this character and there was less exciting things to play.

But, obviously Sam’s motivation has changed from, um, you know, after adventures because of Jess’ death to being (?aspired by his?) father- trying to look for his father. Now obviously he’s, um- he loves his brother and, uh, he wants to get his brother out of the deal.

It’s so weird talking about it. I haven’t filmed in such a long time.

Um, but his main motivation has been his love for his brother and his family. And a little bit.. half that and half just refusal to accept that he is, you know, not the same as the other evil children just running around. (audience laughs) (?That he’s?) (finger quotes) special.

(points) I’m going to go back to my (?cowgirl?)

•(4:06 P)- Fangoria08;Qa5- Writer’s strike impact; On set culture

Fan: Has- has the, uh, writer’s strike been hard on you and, uh, the people you work with? I mean, is it trying to cause strain and tension like you’re not coming to work?

Jared: You know what? The writer’s strike has been.. awful.. awful, awful, awful. Um.. There are- Supernatural has been really lucky. Um, and half- (head tilt) uh, half the time, I think, you know, we’ve been pitching over the (?barrel?). I mean, we’re just stuck in our own little microcosm and we don’t know the world around us. But, on the flip side of the coin, we’ve all been so close. Because we’ve now done 56 episodes together.

And literally, um, it’s funny because I-I hear every- every guest star that comes by, every guest director.. looks at Jensen and I and Kim Manners and they’re like, “Y’all guys have the closest-knit crew.. I’ve ever known.” And it’s funny because our crew members will tell us, “I’ve never done more than one year on a show, because after one year I wanted to get the hell out of there.” (audience laughs) “Because I’m tired of this person, or I hate that person, or I’m tired of this person.”

But the strike, I don’t.. I don’t know just yet because obviously the strike’s not over. But, I know that some of the, uh, some of the grips, some of the gaffs, some of the, um, you know, some of the- We have a 125 crew members. Some of the office workers.. um, have sort of.. explained to us- Because we left on December 26th, because s- we were done shooting “Mystery Spot.” And, um, people were saying, “You know what? I hope the strike ends,” because there was going to be a talk by next the Tuesday. And they’re like, “If the strikes, we’re totally back.” And they’re like, “Listen guys, I’m so sorry, but if the strike goes till January, I got kids. I’ve got a mortgage. And I have to go get work elsewhere,” because obviously there’s still (?) shooting.

Unknown: (speaking into another mic) Check. Check. Check.

Jared: (looks around) (audience laughs) Um… (to audience) it’s all good. (laughs) (audience laughs) (swipes hand) I throw my voice sometimes. It’s- I’m practicing. With the strike going on I-

Unknown: Check. Check. Check. (audience laughs and Jared pumps his eyebrows.)

Jared: I’m- I’m trying to practice my ventriloquism. (audience laughs) So, uh, I’m trying to get some extra gigs here and there.

But, anyways, point being, we’ve had some c- a tight knit family and now some crew members had to go and, uh, (shrugs) you know, put food on the table. So, we’re gonna- we’re gonna lose a lot of people that we became real close to. Because they just- (shrugs) I mean, it’s understandable. They have to feed their family.

(points over to his right)

•(6:17 P)- Fangoria08;Qa6- SPN Dirty Secret

Fan: Tell us a dirty secret on Supernatural. Okay, something that’s not going to make you (?confrontatious?) of all your (?experience?) (audience and Jared laughs) Bro, I want to hear something (?). Show me that.

Jared: Uh, thank you so much. (audience laughs) A nerdy secret.

Fan: Dirty! A Dirty secret.

Jared: Oh! A dirty secret. (audience laughs) (smirks) Um, a dirty secret. I was scared enough by nerdy secret. (audience laughs) Now a dirty secret.

◘Jared at Fangoria Austin: Dirty secret and acting evil by BabyBlueSteel◘

◘JARED PADALECKI on Supernatural's dirty secrets by Yeya◘

I’ll have to think about that. I think- I, uh- probably my.. publicist kills me, but I probably have a big enough mouth already. So, I dish all the dirty secrets out. Everybody already knows. Like, everybody has already seen me farting on the gag reels (audience laughs) and stuff like that. So, I don’t want- I don’t wanna pretend I’m not, you know… prone to.. normal human problems. (audience chuckles) (holds a hand up) I’m just kidding. See? There I go. Um.. cotton mouth.

Uh, (nods) but I’ll think about that and I’ll think of a good answer while I’m answering you (points to his left in the crowd)

•(7:11 P, 0:38 BBS)- Fangoria08;Qa7- Acting opposite to Evil!Dean; 2x14

Fan: Uh.. In the- In the show- the-

Jared: It’s written down that’s scary. (audience laughs) (Fan: I have to) (points back to last fan) I’m going to go back to dirty secret. Uh, (laughs).

Fan: I’m sorry I get nervous, so. (Jared: No, no. You’re good.) Uh, in the show the writing staff has, uh, made a lot of references to Cain and Abel this season. Okay? (Jared nods) And in the past, when that’s happened.. it’s eventually come to be their subtle way of telling the fans this is going to happen. (Jared: [nods]Right.)

So, my question is, um, I- everybody is expecting- everybody is expecting Sam to go evil. (Jared: [nods] mhmm) Personally, I don’t think that’s going to happen. I think it’s going to be Dean that turns because of his deal. (Jared makes a silent oh) But, how- how would that, I mean, how would that make it, uh- How- how much more difficult would that make it for your acting? For you- character? Well I- (laughs)

Jared: Umm, well obviously going back to sort of- (points at fan) That’s a very interesting. I-I’m- I’m glad that people were thinking about that because that is certainly something that the writers have alluded to both in Sam’s character and Dean’s character. So, it’s exciting to know that it’s coming across and that people are on to it.

Uhm, but, obviously Jensen and I have established a sort of rapport with the sort of brother banter, back and forth. And um, there’s a lot of, ah- I wish I could talk about this because I just saw three episodes that y’all haven’t seen yet. So, I’m going to know right now. But there is some funny, funny scenes that I was really proud and really happy with. Um, and I wish I could talk about them with you.

But, you become so.. used to.. that rapport that it will be very- very tough to all of a sudden.. go crazy. However, we’ve both have, in past episodes, both in, um, “Born Under a Bad Sign,” when I was demonic, to- (audience claps and woo’s) Thank you. To- (audience woo’s) thank you. Thank you. (mimics slicking back his hair) No. to, um- thank you. But, to “Skin” you know when-when Jensen was a shapeshifter and, um, sort of (?things all inbetween?). And actually, um, we see in the next four episodes- we see a bit more of both Jensen’s sort of crazy, um, dark side come out and Sam’s crazy dark side come out.

So, it would make it much more tough, but I think it’s an exciting thing. And, I certainly hope the show gets a chance to go there. (nods) That would be really awesome. So-

◘Jared at Fangoria Austin: What would Sam’s theme song be by BabyBlueSteel◘

(points to his right in the audience) I just saw three hands. (audience laughs)

Audience member: I can go last!

Jared: Alright. (points to another in the crowd) I’ll go with you first.

•(9:24 P, 0:05 BBS)- Fangoria08;Qa8a- fan appreciation; Jared

Fan: Um, first of all I want to tell you I think your work has always been really good but (Jared: Thank you) this seems to be really- I-I don’t know what you did. You seem to have stepped it up a lot. I just think-

Jared: A lot of drugs. (audience laughs) (shakes head) I’m just kidding. (waves hand) No drugs. But, thank you. Thank you very much.

Audience member: that’s a dirty secret!

Jared: That’s- (points in the crowd) dirty secret! (audience laughs) Th- (laughs)

•(9:38 P, 0:20 BBS)- Fangoria08;Qa8b- Sam’s theme song

Fan: Um, and I wanted to know, back to music, the car has a theme song, does Sam have a theme song? Or what would Sam’s theme song be if he had one?

◘Jared Padalecki at Fangoria by shadowfax220◘

Jared: What would Sam’s theme song be.

Audience member: “Bow Chicka Wow Wow.” (audience laughs)

Jared: (nods) Yeah, “Bow Chicka Wow Wow.” That commercial with “Bow Chicka Wow Wow” in it.

That’s gonna have to be another one that I think about. Because there’s just so many, you know- I mean, I have songs that I love. I’d have to think about.. what’s Sam’s. I think- I think everybody’s theme song sort of changes, you know, depending on the episode or the mood. So, I think it’d have a few. One would certainly be, um, “You Sexy Thing” (audience laughs) So- (laughs and then shakes his head) I’m just kidding. (?I don’t know this?)

•(10:16 P, 0:57 BBS, 0:33 S)- Fangoria08;Qa8c- Sam’s music

Fan: What makes- Does Sam even like the same music as Dean does? It-

Jared: Maybe “Give It To Me Baby,” Rick James? (audience laughs) (?That would embarrass him.?) (to fan) Does Sam- Does Sam which?

Fan: But- Well, he- It’s always like, the classic rock is always represented as- as Dean’s music. Wha- what is Sam’s music?

Jared: Sam hasn’t had any music. Sam was just in college- probably the classic college like-

Audience member: Morrissey

Jared: Yeah, Morrissey. Morrissey would work. Some ABBA. (audience laughs) What’s the- What’s the- (?Ace of Base.?) (audience laughs) (?Remember??) A little ole school ha-ha. (audience laughs) (laughs)

That’s a- that’s a very good question. (gestures to fan) I never thought about that. But, obviously, the car and music have been more given to Dean. Um, which is sort of going in tune with who’s character it was at first and sort of still is and sort of like, “Hey,” you know, um, Han solo type character, so.

Fan: Sam (?strikes me more?) like Coldplay and Radiohead.

Jared: Yeah, yeah. I think he’s probably like Coldplay and Radiohead.. type guy. Pensive. (fan laughs) (points to next fan)

◘Jared at Fangoria Austin: How characters affect the dynamic by BabyBlueSteel◘

•(0:00 BBS)- Fangoria08;Qa9- Characters affect on brother dynamic; Bella, Ruby, Bobby, John

Fan: Back to the dynamic and how your character changes each season, with the addition of Ruby and Bella, has that change the brother dynamic more so that you’re not actually working together so much as you’re relying on other outside factors?

◘Jared Fangoria 2008 1_0002 by psychoactivtoad◘

Jared: It.. It has, um, changed the dynamic- the dynamic a little bit. Um, but I think the- the brother connection is so strong.. that- I mean, because we’ve had- Even though Bella and Ruby are so now, uh, I guess, (finger quote) technically called series regulars, which means they’re.. for a whole year? But we’ve had cast members like Jim Beaver (Fan: Right.) (audience woos) or Jeffery Dean Morgan, (audience woos) (fist pumps) who we love that have done a lot of episodes and a lot of really tough scenes with us.

Um, at the end of season one, we’d just had all those scenes with Jeffery. Obviously that was more- I-I’d say those scenes with Jeffery… more changing of their dynamic. Because just by the nature of (gestures) here’s Daddy, you know, with two brothers that changed that dynamic. And, um, the child of Dean came out and the.. you know, rebel, um, in Sam came out.

But, with Bella and Ruby it’s still been- We’ve only did twelve episodes. And I think they weren’t in three of them. And so, we haven’t had a lot of time to explore that relationship. (nods) But it will change the br- the brother dynamic. And I-I know that because I talked to Kripke. So, we just have to get the chance to do it. (smiles)

Fan: Great. (?Well, Heck yeah?)

◘Jared at Fangoria Austin: The schedule before the haitus by BabyBlueSteel◘

Jared: (points in the audience) You were-you were the last you said. So I have to go back to you.

•(1:20 P, 0:04 BBS)- Fangoria08;Qa10- s3 airing schedule; 3x11, 3x12

Fan: Yeah. Well, I watch the show religiously and I don’t know half the stuff people here know when- (Jared and audience laughs)

Jared: I’m in the show and I don’t know half the stuff people.

Fan: And all I wanted to know is when I get a new episode. I know the 31st i-

Jared: (nods) The 31st we have a new one-

Fan: Is like it’s the start of.. more episodes (Jared: We have four-) than the new one and then we have to wait another month and a half or two.

Jared: Well it’s tough. I wish- I mean, the first thing I heard for a while- the- the general consensus was that the 31st we come back and then we’re gonna run four straight. Um, only three episodes are done right now. Um, the episode 12 will be shot- which is actually gonna air.. in the spot before 11. We-We switch- Or, they switched the airing order of episode 11 which is called, “Jus In Bello,” and episode 12 which is called, “Mystery Spot.” Because “Jus In Bello” has more of a cliffhanger ending, in case we have to.. cliffhanger the end? Just- (shrugs) (audience giggles) Without any more episodes.

But, they’re not done with all of them yet. Um, and so they’re gonna have to do some (nods) post-production and some ADR. But, from what I know, it’s gonna be the 31st straight- straight through February. That’s (?speed’s?) month. So they (?don’t?) want to do something else.

◘Jared at Fangoria Austin: Working with Sandy by BabyBlueSteel◘

(points to his right) I see a couple guys over there.

•(2:22 P, 0:02 BBS)- Fangoria08;Qa11a- Jared on working with Sandy McCoy; Don’t kiss Jensen in public bit

Fan: Um, S-

Jared: Or a girl and a guy. (holds hand up) Sorry. That’s a Texas thing. (holds mic out to fan)

Fan: Um, I just wanted to know, um, how was it-

Jared: Louder. (holds mic out higher towards the fan)

Fan: How was it to get to film with your girlfriend?

Jared: Louder. (holds mic out to fan. Then shakes head and  laughs while lowering his mic) I’m just kidding (audience laughs) I could totally hear, “How was it to work-

Fan: Can you hear me?

Jared: “With my girlfriend?”

Fan: Yeah. How was it?

Jared: It was- It was great. And it was absolutely bizarre. Because you- you ac- you get so close to somebody- I mean, Jensen and I are obviously so very close now too. But, I don’t.. (tilts head and smiles) kiss Jensen (audience laughs and catcalls) ..In public. (audience laughs and woahs) (holds up hand) I’m just kidding. I’m totally.. (audience laughs) (laughs then briefly looks to his left) (?I’ll trying to get?) some dirty secrets right here. (shakes head) (audience laughs and squeals) I’m just kidding.

Um, and it was- it was great, but also it’s-it’s really tough to get past the dynamic of someone who you’re in love with. You know, that you.. sort of want to call in between takes and be like, “Baby, I was sucking.” (audience giggles) You know? It’s like, you can’t really call them. But it was great.

◘Jared Padalecki at Fangoria #3 by shadowfax220◘

I’d love to do it again. And we met working together, so, um- so there was that saving grace. Um, probably but other than that, it was- it was really exciting (smiles).

•(3:24 P, 0:13 S)- Fangoria08;Qa11b- Adlib; Creative Control; 3x06

◘Jared at Fangoria Austin: Ad-Libbing by BabyBlueSteel◘

Fan: Do you and Dean ever adlib on- while you-

Jared: Yeah. Yeah. We will. Nothing big, you know. Not like, “Man I’m tired of you.” But we’ll- we’ll.. They don’t make us stick strictly to- Gilmore Girls was very- It was like Shakespeare. It’s like, you have to pause where it says pause. And if it’s.. “When or- When.. are you guys going to the store,” you can’t say like, “Hey, when are you going to the store?” Like, “Uh there’s a guys in there.” “Really?” Like it’s-  And it’s so fast paced that it just becomes.. about the language you know?

But, Jensen and I, we’ll kind of.. (“sort of” gesture) go off here and there. And we’ll add some things. Like, did y’all see the episode where, um, where it was called.. “Red Sky at Dawn”? “At Morning”? (audience yells out affirmatives) “Red Sky”- And- and I come out and I’m with Geer kind of (mimics dancing) dancing with, um- (Audience Member: Yes, tell us about that.) Well, the whole.. Jensen going, “You smell like sex,” (audience laughs) (shakes head and hand swipes) was totally out of- That was Jensen. So, certain things. Well cer- We’ll throw (finger quote) buttons on the scene. They’re called buttons because there’s something to break out on to. And I don’t have to like do the soap opera stare or something like that.

So, we’ll add stuff at the end of certain scenes.

•(4:27 P, 1:16 S, 1:03 BBS)- Fangoria08;Qa11c- appreciation; J2 brother chemistry

Fan: Do you guys- I mean, you can actually believe your brothers. You have great chemistry together. (Jared: Thank you.) It-It what makes the show, you know, one of the things that makes the show so worth, um-

Jared: Well, thank you so much. And It was really exciting working with him because he and I hit it off right off the bat. I mean, he’s from Texas. He’s an- he’s a Dallas boy. (Fan: Yeah) So, we just got along really well from the git-go. And it made it really easy to work together (nods). (Fan: Yeah)

◘Jared at Fangoria Austin: OverWhelmed by the fans? by BabyBlueSteel◘

Um, (points to his right) I’m gonna go with you.

•(4:50 P, 0:03 BBS)- Fangoria08;Qa12- Fan Interactions; Surprising/Overwhelming

Fan: Um, obviously you’ve done a couple of these conventions, and, you know, there have been different fan campaigns, like the postcard campaign (Jared: Yeah.) and stuff like that. Has there ever just been one of those moments when... the fan reaction is just kind of surprising and overwhelming?

Jared: Um, absolutely. There was definitely that moment in Chicago. I mean, there’s that moment here. It’s-it’s weird because, um- I mean, Jensen and I have obviously been very lucky. Um, we’ve both pretty much working right off the bat. We both kept working and we’re around people that even if they do like us, they are sort of working for us? And so- what’s the term? Like, they’re not brown nosers, like, everything we say is perfect. But, they’re nice to us. They let us kind of get away with murder? Um. (audience laughs) Dirty secret. (audience laughs) No.

But, we’re around people who… even though they don’t need to be scared of their jobs, or scared of what they’re jobs, they’re kind of still scared (finger quote) for their jobs when they’re around us. Like, they won’t really.. um, they’re there because they’re making a living.

But when you’re here, (gestures to the audience) around people who are here, not because they’re making a living off of you, or they want to make sure, you know, you don’t get beat up because then they’re going to lose their job or something, which they’re not. But I’m just around people right now who are coming because they just like the show, and (shrugs) hopefully the work, it’s really- it’s-it’s really, really humbling and amazing to see a big crowd of people who came.

And so anytime, thank y’all guys. (nods)

Fan: (?Thank you.?)

Jared: (to fan) thank you. (points to his far left) I’m gonna go that way because I see some- I see a couple hands (?fighting?) for it. Sure.

•(6:18 P)- Fangoria08;Qa13- SPN Appeal; McG, David Nutter

Fan: Um, what made you first, like, interested in doing “Supernatural?” Like, want to be in it.

Jared: Um, you know what? When I- when I first heard about “Supernatural,” um, I was working on Gilmore Girls obviously, and I heard about this, um, show called, “Supernatural” that was going to be the WB’s new, um, (finger quote) supernatural type show? (audience chuckles) But, I would go- I was a fan of-of Buffy and Angel and stuff like that. I didn’t want (audience clap) to be another Charm. (turns to clapper) Yeah. I didn’t feel like I was kind of right for that kind of genre.

Um, like, I love the campy horror, like I love camp horror films and- and stuff like that. But, I didn’t feel it was right for me at that point in time? But they were like, “No, listen. It’s totally real. It’s totally raw.” And I knew McG because I tested for Superman with him and he was a producer. And I knew David Nutter because I worked with him before in like “ER,” um, and I knew his work obviously because he’s a legend in the pilot business. He’s the only director ever to get ever single pilot he’s directed to get picked up.

And so, I was like, “Okay, I’ll read it.” And I read it and I was like, “Woah, this is super cool.” And I-I studied, you know, Joesph Campbell mythology and stuff like that in high school. And I was very familiar with the whole reluctant hero aspect like “Star Wars,” like, you know, the Luke Skywalker. And it was my chance to play Luke Skywalker. Um, so I (?took a try on it?). And here I am.

Uhh, (points forward) I’m gonna go with you.

•(7:36 P)- Fangoria08;Qa14- Jared on horror roles

Fan: Well, obviously- (?Well, I’ll just say?) horror (Jared nods) is why you’re here. (audience woo) (?Because we love?) horror ourselves (Jared: Yeah) (?we’ll have?) a lot more fun doing horror scenes. (Jared: Right.) And we’ve noticed you’ve done a lot of horror and camp (Jared: I have) in “Supernatural” (?and probably “Cry Wolf” scenes.?) Did you have more fun playing the more scary roles?

Jared: Um, absolutely. It’s sort of a mixture of, um, you know, I’m certainly not at the point in my career, nor was I a couple of years ago where I could just go, like, (sits up, waves hand, and says with a fancy accent) “Find me a copy.” (audience laughs) (?Nor could I go like,?) “Find me a.. Shakespeare piece.” So- so it’s half what you’re excited about doing and half what sort of just happens. What- what turn the industry takes.

Um, and so for a while the horror movies were the ones that were… in comparison basis easier to shoot because it’s cheaper, uh, (shrugs) or less expensive, (holds up hands) not cheaper (audience chuckles) (holds up hands again then smiles) Uh, and- and they- they have, uh- It’s easy to get a following, or easier if it’s good if it- if it strikes a cord. There’s something so fun about going to the movie and (mimics flinching) kind of getting scared and then realize everything’s okay.

And so, that happened to be what came my way. Though I’m very interested in the genre and I’ve always have been. But, um, I think after.. (?Superna-?) I did a movie last year. A Christmas movie. And it was so weird. It was like, “So, I don’t scream ever?” (audience chuckles) And then I was like, “I don’t like ever get killed in the movie? What’s going on?” It’s been so weird, you know? I’m so used to getting killed or then seeing scary things. So it’s weird to go back to it, doing a non-horror. But, um.. But I do love the genre.

(points to his left) I’m gonna go back over this way.. (nods) Sure.

•(9:07 P)- Fangoria08;Qa15- Sam’s powers

Fan: When are Sam’s powers coming back? (audience chuckles)

Jared: Um, Sam’s powers.. were.. actually gonna come back, um, pretty seriously, um, in the last half of the second season. It was- it was actually just about to go full horror.. with it when we had to stop, um, because of the writers strike. Which sucks, um, because I really wanted to do that. I was really excited about.. being a badass. Like, Jensen’s had the ability to play badass for 56 episodes. It was my turn (audience laughs) to (?do good stuff?) and save him or not save him. Um, so, soon. (nods) Whenever we come back it’s gonna be- it’s gonna, you know. It’s been two and half years now. We’re not gonna waste anymore time. (?We’re-We’re?) going full speed ahead.

(points to his right) I’m going-

(missing coverage *which may mean content isn’t listed in the correct chronological order)

◘Jared at Fangoria Austin: Jared looking for other projects? by BabyBlueSteel◘

•(0:00 BBS)- Fangoria08;Qb- Future projects

Fan: (?) are there new projects that you’re looking at or what’s going on?

Jared: There are new projects that I’m looking at. For a while, I wasn’t sure- we weren’t sure how the, uh, strike was gonna affect us, and when it’s going to end. And so, you couldn’t really go out for projects. And pretty much the show- the-the engine shutdown, um, early December. Because we already knew about the strike. And it was like, you know, “Let’s just take an extended holiday.” So I (?fumbled an extended holiday?) And I just started taking meetings. This week we’re going to have the director’s guild settle with the producers (fist pumps) which we’re all very, very happy about because that hopefully means that the writers will.. just accept that, you know? Or actually- (holds hand up) I don’t want to just say, “accept it.” But, um, they’ll find some grounds now with the producers.

But it looks like, fingers crossed, (cross fingers) uh, the writer’s strike will end soon. We’ll still be able to salvage out this season. So, yeah.

Fan: Yeah-

(missing coverage*)

◘Jared at Fangoria Austin: A Very Supernatural Christmas by BabyBlueSteel◘

Jared: (points to his right) Yes.

•(0:01 BBS)- Fangoria08;Qc- fan appreciation; 3x08

Fan: Um, the Christmas episode this season was wonderful.

Jared: Good, thank you.

Fan: So, good. Um-

Jared: I spent a lot of fun doing that.

Fan: And I remember hearing before it being aired there was like, “Oh it’s gonna be a Christmas (?for some reason in?) Supernatural.” (Jared: Yeah) (?Lies?) and it’s perfect. And I really like how you, um, (snaps) the things up there that- that you (laughs) (?cry out?) And they were the first time that it really seemed like Dean was actually gonna die, you know? Like, you all have come to this.. realization that’s unbelievable (?to deny?) (laughs) (?)

Jared: Right. Exactly, exactly. (?Think that’s one of the-?) But-

Fan: But, you all really sold it despite that- You know, despite knowing he’s not going anywhere in some way, (Jared: Yeah.) however y’all that figure that out. (Jared: Yeah.) And it’s just really.. (?)

Jared: I like playing (?without that.?) I give that straight to our writers for figuring out a way to, um, make a (?code?) for us and.. and, um- That was actually another- (points to his right) kick back to the (?book?) It was a very, very great episode to sho-, uh, Supernatural episode to watch really. It was like, October and (?) than you, but you’re, like, in your Christmas stuff and you’re going, “Yay, it’s Christmas time.” But then it’s like October 2nd? (audience chuckles)

(missing coverage*)

◘Jared Padalecki at Fangoria #1 by shadowfax220◘

•(0:00 S)- Fangoria08;Qd+- Supernatural Movie* (missing question, might be mislabeled)

Jared: (audience laughs) that- they wouldn’t cast me. Um, but thanks for the reinforcement. (audience laughs) And I think Supernatural absolutely can make full feature length. And we’re actually hoping for that, um, and trying for that. So, uh- I mean, they’re making the second X-Files right now and we kick their butts. (audience yeahs and claps)

(points towards the center right) I’m going to go you. You. (nods) Yes.

•(0:22 S)- Fangoria08;Qd1- Writer’s strike impact; s3

Fan: I was wondering, you talked about trying to salvage the third season if the writer’s strike came to an end. If it did come to an end, would you actually be able to finish out to be where you want it to be.. if you had the third season?

Jared: Um, either way we’ve lost episodes, because the way it’s going to work out is because we wouldn’t shoot the show beyond April because, um, I think when we go back to our 3rd or 4th season you have to have a two month hiatus or something? It’s SAG rules. Um, and so..

What I meant by salvage this season is that we sort of came to an abrupt halt. ‘Cause no one knew if the strike was actually going to happen. So, it was almost like, “Ah, alright. You know, whatever. It’s not going to happen.” And so when we stopped it was like, “Oh man, like, it really is over.” But if came- If the strike ended then we would know we have five episodes left now and then the season’s over. And so, they’d have to cut some stuff. They’d probably have to cut some of the, um, Creature of the Week episodes. One- Like, some of the ones that don’t have to do with the mythology of the show where we can get back and sort of, um, continue Sam and Dean’s, um, descent into.. wherever their decent leads. (audience chuckles)

(points center left) Uh, I’m going to go to you. I-I faked you out, sorry.

•(1:22 S)- Fangoria08;Qd2- 3x08; Act Five: Int. Motel- Night, Unsaid dialogue

Fan: (?Oh, I’ve got a salt piece. Probably should know this it’s there.?) (Jared: [laughs] thank you.) Okay, no. Actually, I’m going back to the Christmas Episode. My question for you is at the very final scene, (Jared laughs) Sam- Sam started to say something and then he just said, “Do you want to watch the game?” (Jared: Oh okay, I thought you were gonna ask about the eggnog.) What do you think Sam was going to- (audience laughs) (?Probably a keg or two?) I- I vote for keep you here longer telling him that Sammy won here. (Jared: thank you.) But, what do you think Sam was gonna say? Do you have any idea what.. where you stand?

Jared: Umm, I think he was going to apologize and say, you know, “I love you. I’m sorry I missed yah.” And-and Dean kicks back into high gear with, you know.. We leave it unspoken. Um.. it was going to be- Yeah, it was basically gonna be, you know, “Sorry I doubted you. I’m sorry I’ve been such a prick.” Because the whole- the whole season- the first few eight episodes- the first seven episodes Sam’s been like, yelling at Dean, “Why don’t you care about your life?” You know? “Here I’m trying to save you.” (fakes cries) “And you don’t even care.” (audience giggles) Um, and so finally he- he was saying, you know, “I’m sorry. You know, my- my anger at you has been.. driven from I love you and, you know, I don’t want you to leave.” And Dean- It didn’t need to be said. You know?

Fan: Well, actually it was perfectly m-unsaid, but I just wondered.

Jared: Thank you. (points to center left) I’m gonna go here.

(missing coverage*)

◘Jared Padalecki at Fangoria #2 by shadowfax220◘

•(0:00 S)- Fangoria08;Qe+- Jared on producers/directors; Kim Manners; Phil Sgirccia; Pranks; On set culture* (missing question,  might be mislabeled)

Jared: -love all of our producer, directors. We love it when Kim Manners shows up, because we.. just.. f’ around the whole time. (audience chuckles) (laughs) I don’t thi- W- It’s constantly making fun of him. We’re constantly standing up and, like, (stands up) Kim is right here (holds his hand up below his chest) or something (audience chuckles) (?in his direction?). We’re going (turns around without looking down), “Where’s Kim? We’ve been hearing (?).” (audience laughs) He’s sitting there and he’s just pissed off. (sits down)

And so, we have a great time with Kim. Um, because we just love to make fun of him. And obviously, he lives up there because he’s of- he’s are on set producer most of the time. And so, we’ve got this constant relationship with him. And we have a lot of fun. Yeah, we always have.. a beer after work, which is nice.

Um, and then, on the flip side, another.. director producer who I love, who I know it’s going to be draining is, um, Phil Sgirccia, who makes amazing episodes. He does a brilliant, brilliant job. But, um, he- he’s a very, very.. artistic director. He likes to shoot a lot. And so, you don’t know how many times you’re going to do something necessarily, but you’re like, “Oh, I’m so tired. I’m gonna suck.” And then you see the episode and it’s awesome.

So, um- like if everybody just has their different way, you know? They both make great episodes. But they go about it different ways. Sometimes Kim will do a shot. It’s literally a shot where you only say two lines, and then he’s like, “Okay, moving on to after that.” And you’re like, “You don’t want us to do it again from the top?” He’s like, “No. We already did that.” Like, (shrug), “Okay. Crazy, but alright.” (audience giggles)

And, um, Phil does a lot of different- But he also makes cool.. like montages and stuff like that. And his next episode rocks. So, we already really excited with it. It’s going to be the last episode with (?)

(points up high and to his center right) Go way in the back.

•(1:34 S)- Fangoria08;Qe1- unknown

Fan: Um, have you ever taken a role you re-

(missing coverage*)

◘Jared at Fangoria Austin: His comic timing in BDABR by BabyBlueSteel◘

Jared: Um, (pointing up high and to his center left) I’m gonna go way in the back.

•(0:02 BBS)- Fangoria08;Qf1a- fan appreciation; hair; 2x14; Evil!Sam

Fan: (?Sam’s hot?) (audience laughs) (?) longer hair? (?I did it.?)

Jared: Thank you. (?I just had it cut?) because- (?It depends on the set?) And so I was like, uh, (?)

Fan: (?) about. Um, I just wanted to say (?) “Born Under a Bad Sign”? (?But my friend says?) Evil Sam hot enough to (?get?) himself. (audience laughs)

•(0:02 BBS)- Fangoria08;Qf1b- fan appreciation; 3x03; comedic timing

Fan: And I just want to say, “Bad Day at Black Rock,” I was so impressed with your-

Jared: Which one?

Fan: “Bad Day at Black Rock,” your comic timing in that episode. (audience claps) (Jared: Oh.) I want to know how much fun (?) you. There was so much fun stuff in that episode and I was- I just know that’s the (?community claim?) but I was very impressed with your comedic timing in that episode.

◘Jared Padalecki at Fangoria #4 by shadowfax220◘

Jared: Well, thank you. And I- Anybody who knows me, knows that I’m.. I think I suck at comedy. (audience chuckles) Like, I- It’s like I steer clear of it. I like, (holds hand up) “ I don’t have comic timing.” Like, “Get me away from it. Make me cry or something.” (audience giggles) “Because, I can’t- I’m not the funny guy.” But it was very exciting to do that. And that was, um- I’ll chuck that up to Bob Singer, who’s our producer, who is also, obviously, directed a whole bunch of episodes. Um, and- and I guess he just knew how to prod me into doing the right things. And that was just a funny episode. I mean, he could’ve.. stuck.. (shrugs) anybody in that and it’d been funny. (Audience members: No.)

But I’m glad that- But, I’m very glad you liked it. (nods) And, um, uh, and I’m very glad you liked Evil Sam also. (audience laughs) I want to see it come back.

◘Jared at Fangoria Austin: Emotionally Draining scenes by BabyBlueSteel◘

(points to his right) I’m going to go this way. (points) Sure.

•(0:52 S, 0:03 BBS)- Fangoria08;Qf2- Emotionally draining episodes; 2x17, 2x09; 2x14

Fan: Okay, um, which- I’ve heard Jensen several times saying you had trouble episodes that have emotionally drained you all. (Jared: (?ten?)) Has there been, like, any, like, one particular episode that, I mean, kind of.. I don’t know, that you had to walk away from and just-

Jared: Yes, absolutely..

Audience member: What? (chuckle)

Jared: Um, she was saying that they’re, uh- Jensen was talking about certain episodes that emotionally drained him and she was wondering if- if the same happened for me.

Um, a lot of episodes, um… I mean, my mind, I-I guess, goes.. to… My mind immediately goes to.. “Heart”? Because the last scene in “Heart” really- We shot at the very beginning of the day, and so I was really fresh. But, um, (throws up hand and shakes head) it just did me in, for whatever reason. Sometimes- And sometimes it’s too much. 

Croatoan was another one where Sam.. thinks he’s going to die and he’s saying, “You’re an idiot. Get out of here,” like, “Stop that.” (shrugs) It just becomes- Every now and then it just becomes very, very real. And- and you’re done. And- and like, you can’t even.. (shrugs) stand up, um, because it takes it out of you in a bunch of different levels.

So, um, “Bad Day at Black Rock” I’m not- (holds up hand) Sorry, sorry. “Born Under a Bad Sign,” was very exhausting because there was Latin and then I was getting sprayed with water, and (audience laughs) I mean, just physically tiring. But, I’d say emotionally tiring, I’d have to think first about “Croatoan” and “Heart.” (nods)

◘Jared at Fangoria Austin: Driving the Impala by BabyBlueSteel◘

(points high up to his right) Go way in the back.

Fan: Me? No.

Jared: (points and nods) Yeah.

•(0:04 BBS)- Fangoria08;Qf3- Impala 67; Driving off the clock; Donut story

Fan: Oh, I was gonna ask do ever get to drive the Impala when y’all aren’t filming?

Jared: I do. (laughs) Um, (audience laughs) (finger quote) Do I get to? Or, (finger quote) Do I? (audience laughs) Uh, I don’t know if I necessarily get to, but I-I certainly get in the drivers seat and take her around every now and again.

◘Jared Padalecki at Fangoria #6 by shadowfax220◘

And a lot times we’ll be doing a scene in the Impala right before lunch and so, um, instead of leaving the Impala on set and get driven back, we’re just like, uh, you know, on the walkie going, (mimics talking on radio) “We’re taking the Impala back to the base camp.” (audience laughs) So, you know, we tear ass out of there. But, uh, I don’t think it’s- I don’t think it’s (shrugs) road insured or something? (audience laughs) And so (?it stays off the street?) But, we still do.

We actually got in trouble one time because we were shooting, uhhhhh, maybe “Salvation” with Jeffery Dean Morgan? Um, at the end of season 1 we were shooting in base camp. Trailer park was in, um, this pebble, gravel, uh, parking lot. And so we went back (chuckles), and we started doing donuts, (audience laughs) um, in the gravel parking lot. And, uh, there are no mud flaps on the Impala and so.. we didn’t realize at the time because we were just going, “Wooo!” (audience laughs) But we were just shooting these pebbles and people were, like, getting punched (mimics a flailing protective pose) (audience laughs)

And they were, like, terrified and the guy who, um- who (chuckles)- I feel like an idiot. The guy who, um, was watching the- who was our location guy, who’s in charge of making sure it was okay? Like came to get us to stop. And was, like, (mimics covering his face and slowly inching forward) was trying to come towards us (audience laughs) and not get run over by the car and not get shot by the pebbles. So, we definitely had fun, um, (audience laughs) in the Impala.

◘Jared at Fangoria Austin: Does Jared read fan fiction? by BabyBlueSteel◘

(points center left) I’m gonna go right there.

•(0:01 BBS)- Fangoria08;Qf4a- Fanfiction

Fan: You mean her? (Jared: Okay. Yes.) (laughs) been waiting for forever. I was just wondering- I just recently saw something online called fanfiction for Supernatural. Do you guys ever read that? What do you think about that?

◘Jared Padalecki at Fangoria #8 by shadowfax220◘

Jared: Um, I-I know of it. And I think I’ve- I’ve- I’ve read a little bit of it but.. I haven’t read a lot of it. I’ve- I’ve heard- I’ve heard funny stories. I’ve heard some of it’s fantastic. I’ve heard some of it’s bizarre. (audience giggles) Um-

Fan: Really bizarre. In a lot of them you’re a girl. (audience laughs)

Jared: (?A lot of them I’m a?) what?

Fan: In a lot- In a lot of them you’re a girl.

Jared: That’s very bizarre (gauffaws). (audience laughs) Um, you know what? It’s- It’s weird because usually when I’m, like- like, Supernatural mode or when l’m looking at stuff and I’m reading something it’s like I- I rarely get to read books when I’m shooting during the year. Because I feel like if I’m sitting down reading, I should be reading my script, you know, like, really reading or working on the character?

And so, it’s hard for me to convince myself to sit down in front of a computer or in front of a book, which is terrible, because I’m going, “I should be working on the script right now. I’ve got a monologue tomorrow. I’ve got to learn it.” And so I haven’t had a whole lot of chance to read that.

That sounds funny though.

•(0:59 BBS, 0:50 S)- Fangoria08;Qf4b- Supernatural Novels

Fan: What- What about the novels? Did you read- (Jared: The novels?) Yeah.

Jared: Um, I actually (throws up hand), um, have not read that either. I have a copy of it now, but I’d love to read it. I just haven’t yet. I know there’s a comic book that Peter Johnson does.

I’m gonna go to someone (points to his far left) over that way. (points higher) I’m gonna go with- with my buddy with the Longhorns cap. (a few audience woos and aws)

◘Jared at Fangoria Austin: Will Dean die this season by BabyBlueSteel◘

•(0:05 BBS)- Fangoria08;Qf5- s3 Dean’s deal outcome

Fan: I wanted to know, does Dean ever die in a year?

Jared: In- In a year?

Fan: In a year, (?the first time?).

Jared: Oh, well we haven’t got that far yet, uh, because we got the stop by the writer’s strike, you know? But as of right now, it seems like he’s on certain course- certain death course. And I’ve spoken with.. Eric Kripke, who’s our show creator, and he- I don’t know if he was just.. playing with me, but he’s like, “I don’t know if Dean gets to die.” (laughs) (audience laughs) I think he was sort of hoping- We were sort of hoping for, if it hit him. I don’t know if it has yet. And so as of right now it looks like- it looks like he’s going to. But obviously we get nine episodes left and that’s- that’s forever. But I’ll get back to him (?once we resume?).

◘Jared at Fangoria Austin: Favorite Season 3 Villian by BabyBlueSteel◘

(points to his center left)

•(0:01 BBS)- Fangoria08;Qf6- fav s3 villain; 3x01, 3x02, 3x03; Gordon, Sterling Brown

Fan: Yay! (Jared woos) Um, so far into season 3 of the episodes that have aired, what is your favorite bad guy?

Jared: My favorite bad guy in season 3? What were they? First episode of season 3 was?

Audience + Fan: The seven deadly sins.

Jared: Seven deadly sins. Ew, I love Josh Daugherty who played, I guess, as Ego? Who’s got (?)- (Audience + Fan: Pride.) Right! No, no. (points) (Audience member: He was actually Envy.) Pride was awesome. (nods) (Audience member: Pride could have had his own episode.) Pride was a lot of fun.

◘Jared Padalecki at Fangoria #5 by shadowfax220◘

And you know what? Um, before- before.. Or the take that you saw was actually toned down. And he was doing this sort of crazy Independence Day, Vincent (?Crawford?). I think at first (audience giggles) it was brilliant. It was perfect. But they decided to tone it down a little bit in the next take. And they ended up using the tone down version.

But it must have been Ego, who was sitting in the chair? (Audience: Envy) Envy! (audience chuckles) Um, yeah, it was, uh, he was.

And then the second episode was, those little dudes scared me. (audience laughs) Yeah, that was actually my favorite episode of the year was “The Kids Are Alright.” It was a lot of fun for me to watch. Half because I- it was a smaller episode for me? And so, I was really watching it as an audience member as opposed to like, “I suck there. Sucked there.” (audience laughs) “That was passable. Sucked there.” Um, so I got to watch it and enjoy it, because, um, it had been a while since we shot it and I wasn’t in a lot of it. So I try to kind of watch.

And, I was really proud of Jensen. I thought he did a great job. I thought it was funny. I thought it was scary.

Um, and then “Bad Day at Black Rock” that was the… (Audience member: Rabbit’s foot) Rabbit’s foot. No real villain, I guess. Just sort of.. (Audience member: Yeah.) Then what was four?..

Audience member: What about Gordon?

Jared: (?Ah, oh?) God. I forgot about that. (briefly looks up and throws up hand) (audience laughs) Gordon- Gordon I love to death.

Audience member: That was a great episode.

Jared: Gordon’s awesome. Sterling Brown.

Audience member: Literally? (giggles)

Jared: (side eyes with a smirk and nods) Literally. (?That’s funny?) I wish I could claim that I meant to do that, but, uh.. (audience laughs) (sits up and pushes bangs behind his ear) Yes, I meant to do that.

Um, no. I-I love Gordon. (looks towards fan) Probably Gordon. You know, it was good to have him back. He’s a great actor. A great dude. Um, so, I’d have to say, yeah, (nods) Gordon. In fact I was (holds leveled hand up above his head) (?tinier?) than him.. (audience giggles) logically. Yeah.

(missing coverage*)

◘Jared Padalecki at Fangoria #7 by shadowfax220◘

•(0:00 S)- Fangoria08;Qg+- Jared’s Dogs* (missing question, might be mislabeled)

Jared: (?Don’t have problems in?), um- I’m a- I’m a big believer, um, of that. But, um, I-I guess Digo refers to sort of- I (?read of something?) in Los Angeles and so it just refers to sort of a wild dog and (?queer?) dog, with the big ears and sort of a body that’s meant to run all day long.

Um, and then yeah, Harley. They actually came from the same rescue shelter so.. Yeah. Go rescue shelter. (audience giggles)

(looks to his left) All right guys, I think-

(missing closing)

[messenger-of-stupidity]

NAH NAH NAH

Okay. Let's go through the thoughts of this latest update. There's a lot so buckle up buttercup.

1. Kravitas is literally so based. He's willing to spare Albus the suffering of long travel just because he's bored when typically he would enjoy Albus suffering.

2. Only Albus would risk insanity to spite a demon. Ever heard of cutting off your nose to spite your face, Albus? Seriously, these dude shot himself out of a fucking canon to stop Devlin from touching this hella cursed sword, but in typical Albus fashion when it's his safety and emotional welfare at stake common sense flies out the gods be damned window.

4. Is Kravitas really a demon or was his statement last episode about being more than that the truth that Albus just chose to call bullshit on?

5. Kerano, sweetie, if you don't like the sweater you don't gotta be nice to me and lie. Tis okay

6. Dad is back with his video of a casual demon attack. A normal Thursday. You'd think violence could slow enough for Faithful to get some groceries but I guess not.

7. AN ADULT TALK? EXCUSE ME? also yes now shoo child.

8. Guess I'll just go in a bunker and braid some hair or some shit. Whatever.

9. Don't you love it when the father figure of your child is so obsessed with transformers that he turns into a robot? (Yes I know he didn't turn into a robot. It just sounded kind of robotic in my head and it was funny.

10. What's the song called? It was kind of a vibe.

11. Oh my God we're raising a menace, thief, AND a liar. Where did we go wrong? 😭 Also can Faithful read minds? She was able to hear Kerano's mind about a key or something before Kerano had it, and was able to read the thoughts after that.

12. Move aside, Faithful is coming through like a badass. Hold the child

13. Oh neat. Both Albus and I have yelling voices in our head. 🥲

14. "I AM THE GREATEST GOOD YOURE EVER GONNA GET" - Faithful 2023

15. IS HE CUTTING OFF HIS HAND?! KERANO LOOK AWAY

16. Are... Are you seriously gonna make me choose between my two husbands right now? WHERES MY POLY OPTION? (Albus and Devlin in strictly familial relationship with each other. No condoning incest here)

-Branch-

Albus Route:

- yeah u tell him Devlin! How dare he try to reject us after saying it was our choice. Bitch

- UH I UH UHM ER

- daddy? Sorry. Daddy? Sorry. Daddy? Sorry

- HOW MANY ROUNDS? Albus let her BREATHE before you fuck her to death omg

- I thought we became a bio mom to half demon children. But nah turns out we became a slutty saint

- YOOOO another thing in common with Albus! We both don't like kids. For different reasons but the point still remains

- Awww. He misses Devlin.

- Kerano is wholesome but I ain't forgiving her for snatching that key

- wait does anyone remember when he said he wouldnt tap faithful with a ten foot pole? Does that mean he tapped her with an eleven foot pole to stay true to his word?

- Devlin Route -

- that's what your brother said to me in an alternate reality when I chose him too.

- Albus back with the orgies. My angsty brain McThinks it's some copium since that's his whole "nothing hurts me!" Mask

- "HES A ROCKIN SPACE AGE BACHELOR MAN" I hope he gets his dream of being a monsterfucker

- Faithful got that holy rizz sheeeeeeesh

- astrology 🥰

- wait nevermind. Just some brotherly love

- you can call me darling any day of the week baby. I am living for it.

- Awww starry kiss. 🥹

Update: I keep forgetting there's a high chance that GBA will see this... BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?! I STAND BY WHAT I SAID (/lh) 😤😤😤

Update #2: for those asking about the third route thoughts, that's a secret that I'm saving for a fic.

[lovesongbracket]

Reminder: Vote based on the song, not the artist or specific recording! The tracks referenced are the original artist, aside from a few rare cases where a cover is the most widely known.

Lyrics, videos, info, and notable covers under the cut. (Spotify playlist available in pinned post)

Like a Prayer

Written By: Patrick Leonard & Madonna

Artist: Madonna

Released: 1989

Madonna recorded “Like a Prayer” for her 1989 studio album of the same name, which was released as the lead single. “Like a Prayer” signaled a more artistic and personal approach to songwriting from Madonna, who felt she needed to cater more to her adult audience. The video for the song was quite controversial, primarily for its portrayal of Madonna kissing a black saint and other supposedly sacrilegious religious imagery.

[Intro] Life is a mystery Everyone must stand alone I hear you call my name And it feels like home [Chorus] When you call my name It's like a little prayer I'm down on my knees I want to take you there In the midnight hour I can feel your power Just like a prayer You know I'll take you there [Verse 1] I hear your voice It's like an angel sighing I have no choice I hear your voice Feels like flying I close my eyes Oh God, I think I'm falling Out of the sky I close my eyes Heaven, help me [Chorus] When you call my name It's like a little prayer I'm down on my knees I want to take you there In the midnight hour I can feel your power Just like a prayer You know I'll take you there [Verse 2] Like a child You whisper softly to me You're in control Just like a child Now I'm dancing It's like a dream No end and no beginning You're here with me It's like a dream Let the choir sing [Chorus] When you call my name It's like a little prayer I'm down on my knees I wanna take you there In the midnight hour I can feel your power Just like a prayer You know I'll take you there When you call my name It's like a little prayer I'm down on my knees I wanna take you there In the midnight hour I can feel your power Just like a prayer You know I'll take you there [Reprise] Life is a mystery Everyone must stand alone I hear you call my name And it feels like home [Chorus] Just like a prayer Your voice can take me there Just like a muse to me You are a mystery Just like a dream You are not what you seem Just like a prayer, no choice Your voice can take me there [Bridge] Just like a prayer, I'll take you there It's like a dream to me (Mmmm…) Just like a prayer, I'll take you there (I'll take you there) It's like a dream to me (Oh, oh-oh-oh yeah) Just like a prayer, I'll take you there (I'll take you there) It's like a dream to me (Oh yeah, yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah) Just like a prayer, I'll take you there (Oh, yeah) It's like a dream to me (Oh, oh) [Chorus] Just like a prayer Your voice can take me there Just like a muse to me You are a mystery Just like a dream You are not what you seem Just like a prayer, no choice Your voice can take me there Just like a prayer Your voice can take me there Just like a muse to me You are a mystery Just like a dream You are not what you seem Just like a prayer, no choice Your voice can take me there Your voice can take me there Like a prayer [Outro] It's like a prayer, your voice can take me there It's like a prayer It's like a prayer, your voice can take me there It's like a prayer It's like a prayer, your voice can take me there It's like a prayer It's like a prayer, your voice can take me there It's like a prayer

Wouldn't It Be Nice

Written By: Tony Asher, Mike Love & Brian Wilson

Artist: The Beach Boys

Released: 1966

Cover included: Trousdale, 2020

The opening track of Pet Sounds was later released as the albums' third single with “God Only Knows” as its B-Side. The song was written with young people in mind and expresses the “never grow old” mentality. Quotes from Brian Wilson: “Listen for the rockin' accordions and the ethereal guitars in the introduction. Tony and I had visualized a scene. We had a feeling in our hearts, like a vibration. We put it into music, and it found its way onto tape. We really felt good about that record.” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice' was not a real long song, but it’s a very ‘up’ song. It expresses the frustrations of youth, what you can’t have, what you really want and you have to wait for it. The need to have the freedom to live with somebody. The idea is, the more we talk about it, the more we want it, but let’s talk about it anyway.”

[Verse 1: Brian Wilson] Wouldn't it be nice if we were older? Then we wouldn't have to wait so long And wouldn't it be nice to live together In the kind of world where we belong? [Chorus: Brian Wilson] You know it's gonna make it that much better When we can say goodnight and stay together [Verse 2: Brian Wilson] Wouldn't it be nice if we could wake up In the morning when the day is new? After having spent the day together Hold each other close the whole night through [Chorus: Brian Wilson] But happy times together we've been spending I wish that every kiss was never-ending Oh, wouldn't it be nice? [Bridge: Mike Love, Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson] Maybe if we think and wish and hope and pray, it might come true Oh, baby, then there wouldn't be a single thing we couldn't do Oh, we could be married (Oh, we could be married) And then we'd be happy (And then we'd be happy) Oh, wouldn't it be nice? [Chorus: Brian Wilson] You know it seems the more we talk about it It only makes it worse to live without it But let's talk about it But wouldn't it be nice? [Outro: Mike Love] Goodnight, my baby Sleep tight, my baby Goodnight, my baby Sleep tight, my baby Goodnight, my baby Sleep tight, my baby

[wyomingparmesan]

And I Lost You (The One I Was Dancin’ With in New York)

Chapter 1: Good Girl, Sad Boy

This is the first part of my submission for @theerasfestlovesquareversion! I was assigned the album Midnights and this fic is inspired by three songs from that album. Hope y’all enjoy!

Read on AO3

——————————————————————————-

Marinette straightened the hem on her pink miniskirt as she stood in front of the elevator. Her fingers trembled as she applied a fresh coat of lip gloss to her already stained lips. As the bell chimed and the door opened, she quickly stepped inside. Her hand quivered as she pressed the button for her designated floor.

She stood with her back straight against the wall, taking in deep breaths as to mentally prepare herself. Her eyes followed the numbers as they flashed on the screen. Finally, the elevator stopped and the doors opened.

As she stepped out into the narrow hallway, that was when the nerves really started to hit. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead and her stomach did a few somersaults. She stopped to lean against the wall for a moment as a feeling of uneasiness built up within her chest.

Taking a deep breath, she swallowed hard and closed her eyes. “I can do this, it’ll be okay,” she said to herself in a low voice. As the feeling began to pass, she continued walking towards her destination.

This was the first time she would be visiting Alya in her new apartment. Her older sister was away at university and her parents had taken the twins out for the weekend, which gave her the perfect opportunity to throw a small housewarming party.

It didn’t take long for Marinette to find the apartment as the sound of loud music seeped out through the walls. She reached a hand up to knock on the door, then retracted it. Alya had actually sent her a text message a few hours earlier saying to just come inside.

After taking just a few more calming breaths, Marinette turned the doorknob and let herself slip inside. She was greeted by a nicely lit room filled with the aroma of snacks and wine.

To her surprise, quite a few people had already arrived. Juleka, Rose, Mylène and Alix sat on the couch, glasses of red wine already filling the coffee table. Nathaniel and Marc had made a spot on the floor, where they sat with Kim and Max.

The aforementioned groups waved happily at her as she walked past. Her eyes landed on Alya, who stood near the snack table. Their eyes met and her best friend smiled widely as Marinette began walking towards her.

“There you are!” Alya said as she pulled her into a hug. “You haven’t answered my texts since this morning, I really thought something had happened to you.”

Marinette felt her face turn cold as a wave of guilt washed over her. “Oh, um, yeah…” she looked down at her feet. “Sorry about that.”

“Are you okay?” Alya asked, her voice filled with concern. Her eyes widened as it finally hit her. “Oh…right, yeah, I should’ve known.”

Marinette looked up at her. “No, no, it’s not your fault,” she shook her head, her loose bun flopping around. “I’m okay, I promise.”

Alya looked at her with a sad expression. “Okay, well, I’ll take your word for it,” then her smile returned. “After all, you are my honored guest tonight.”

Marinette chuckled. “I would be lying if I said that I’m not nervous, but I’m trying my best,” she admitted.

“That’s good enough for me,” Alya patted her on the shoulder. “I’m just happy that you decided to come anyway.”

“Hey, Babe,” Nino slipped in behind her and kissed her cheek. “This party is totally rockin’! You did such a wonderful job.” His eyes landed on Marinette and he smiled widely. “Oh, hey, Marinette! I’m so happy to see you!”

She smiled shyly. “I’m happy to see you, too,” her voice came out sounding so small. “Everything looks really nice, so far.”

“Glad to hear it, dude!” He grabbed a glass of wine and twirled it around. “Hey, I’ll be over at the DJ booth if there’s any song you’d like me to play.”

She nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Then, she froze.

“Hey, Nino, you left these over there,” Adrien came up beside him, a pair of red headphones in his hands. “I think you’re going to need them.”

“Thanks, buddy!” Nino said, excitedly as he grabbed them from his hands. “I’ll be over there if y’all need me!” He then took off towards the DJ booth.

Adrien. Adrien Agreste. The same Adrien who broke up with her nearly a year ago. Her ex-boyfriend, Adrien, whom she had been avoiding for the past year.

Yet, somehow, she was unable to take her eyes off of him.

The urge to run away built up within her, but it was as if her feet had been glued to the floor. She stood there, her body cemented in its current position. No matter how hard she tried, she was forced to stand there and face the boy whom she once loved so much.

He immediately noticed her staring at him and looked away, nervously rubbing the back of his neck. “Um, hey, Marinette,” he said without even taking one single glance at her. “Glad to see you here.”

The awkward nervousness in his voice did little to soothe her aching nerves. Her heart pounded in her chest as his voice rang in her ears. “H-Hi, Adrien…” her muscles finally allowed her to move and she managed to look away from him. “Yeah, I, uh, wanted to be here to support my best friend.”

His eyes shifted towards her and he smiled a little. “Of course, I figured you would,” then he looked over at Alya, who was still awkwardly standing there. “Nice party, by the way, I’m having a lot of fun.”

Alya looked between her two friends and shook her head. “I’m glad to hear that, Adrien!” She said, smiling. “I should probably go get some of the games ready.”

As she turned to leave, Marinette reached out a hand to her. “Wait, no! Don’t leave me here…” she then noticed the sad expression on Adrien’s face and caught what she was saying. “You…you probably need some help with the games, right? I’d love to help!”

Alya cocked an eyebrow at her, then immediately realized. “Oh, yeah, sure, of course,” she grabbed her by the hand, but not before smiling widely at Adrien. “Maybe Nino would like some help at his booth, too?”

Adrien perked up and looked back towards where his best friend was. “Maybe so, I guess I can go check,” he began to turn around. “I’ll see you two around then.”

He then walked off and Marinette felt herself breathe a sigh of relief. “Oh my god! That was awful!” She exclaimed as Alya dragged her down the hall. “I-I was just frozen, Alya, that’s what he does to me! And I hate it!”

As Alya opened the door to a nearby closet, she asked, “Do you actually hate it, though?”

Marinette could feel herself becoming irritated, the anger bubbling up inside of her. “Of course I do and you know exactly why,” she said, accepting a box that Alya handed to her.

“Because he broke your heart, I know,” Alya turned around to face her as she closed the door with her foot. “But exactly how long did you think you’d be able to avoid him, Marinette? I mean, you already refuse to even look at him in school.”

“And I planned on keeping it that way,” her voice became soft, trailing off as she looked down at her feet. “But…”

“But?” Alya looked at her, her eyebrow raised.

“Recently, I’ve started realizing that I can’t keep avoiding him forever,” she admitted. “But it’s just…I dunno.”

“Well, so long as you two aren’t at each other’s throats,” Alya began as they started walking back towards the party. “Then I’ll take the awkward, minimalist conversations.”

Marinette sighed. “I don’t hate him, ya know,” she said. “Things are just…weird between us.”

“That thought never even crossed my mind,” Alya said, smiling. “Just give it some time and maybe things will be better between you two eventually.”

As they made it back into the living room, they sat their boxes down in the middle of the floor.

“Maybe, but I’m not holding my breath,” Marinette said, taking a glance at the boxes that they had been carrying. “What is this, by the way?”

Her best friend looked at her with a cheeky grin that made her entire stomach do a flip. “Just a little party game, that’s all,” she responded, leaning down to open the boxes. “Go on and talk to everybody, I can set it up.”

Marinette stuck her shaky hands into the pockets of her skirt and shifted on her feet. “Okay, I will,” she said, her eyes glancing around the room.

A few more of their friends had arrived while she was busy helping Alya. Zoé happily strolled in with her girlfriend and Luka and Kagami trailed behind her. Despite being in a room surrounded by some of her closest friends…

Her eyes still couldn’t stop landing on the blond boy in the corner. He stood up against the wall, a glass of wine in his hand as he laughed. His body shook as a wide grin spread across his lips. He always smiled so brightly whenever he laughed.

A sudden fluttering feeling made its way into her stomach. A hint of queasiness came along with it and her legs shook. She swallowed hard, grabbing a nearby glass of wine and taking a few sips. She forced her eyes to look away from Adrien before her entire body collapsed.

“Hey, Marinette, you okay?” A small voice came from behind her and she turned around to see Zoé standing there. “You look a little sick.”

“Zoé! Hey! O-Oh, yeah, I’m okay,” she took another sip before sharing a quick hug with her friend. “Just really anxious to be here, that’s all.”

“I’m happy to hear it,” she took a sip of her water. “It’s really nice to hang out with everyone again, but especially you!”

Zoé’s bright smile alleviated some of the pressure that had been building within her. “Same to you as well,” Marinette said. “It’s been long overdue.”

“You said it!” Zoé said, laughing a little. “And I know that things have been really awkward between you and a certain someone, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying this party, okay?”

Marinette sighed and slapped her free hand to her face. “Is it really that obvious?”

Zoé nodded as she flashed her a small smile. “You’re a bit of an open book, Marinette,” she said. “But it’s okay, you’ll get through it.”

Marinette let herself breathe a sigh of relief. “I’m trying, I promise,” she said. “Alya wanted me here and I knew he would be here because we literally share all of the same mutual friends so…yeah.”

“I know the feeling,” Zoé gave her a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. “You psych yourself up for something, but then when it comes time to do it, you just…” she took another swig of water. “You get it.”

“I sure do…” she let herself take another sip of wine as Alya’s voice piped up.

“Alright, everyone!” Alya began as she turned down the music enough for everyone to hear her. “I hope everyone is enjoying themselves so far!”

The entire room became filled with various responses of “yes”, “yeah” and “hell yeah.”

“Glad to hear it,” she clasped her hands in front of herself. “I hope y’all are ready because I’ve got a super fun, yet very classic party game for us to play.” She walked over to a small setup in the middle of the living room. A circle of pillows had been laid down and an empty bottle of wine lay right in the middle.

“Oh no…she didn’t…” Marinette whispered to herself, a shiver making its way down her spine.

“It’s a little game called…” Alya knelt down and spun the bottle, watching as it pointed towards one of the pillows on the floor. “Spin the Bottle!”

And just like that, Marinette had gained a new fear.

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #1227: The ReBirth of a Rockin' Icon!~

3:15 p.m. Secret Future Foundation Headquarters: Capsule Pods Room...........

Hajime: (Walks into the Room with Fuyuhiko as he Writes Something on his Mini Notepad) Alright. We've finally managed set the defensive up and ready, with the help of our resident powerhouses.

Akane/Nekomaru: (Happily Walking by, Chanting) Power-Houses Power-Houses Power-Houses POWER-HOUSES YEEEEEAAAAAAH!~

Gundham: (Follows Behind the Duo Along with Sonia) Let the raise of the Three Powerhouses of Pandemonium COMMENCE! FUWAHAHAHAHAAAA!

Sonia: (Happily Applauds her Prince of Darkness) Very remarkable group name indeed, my dear~

Fuyuhiko: (Rolls his Eyes a Bit) The noisist powerhouses is more fitting........

Hajime: (Softly Glares at Fuyu) Be nice. ('Yawn') You missed Gundham and Nekomaru just as much as the rest of us here, no used in denying it......

Fuyuhiko: (Raises an Eyebrow at Hajime) Just like how you should be missing your bed by now. Did you get any sleep last night?

Hajime: I have. (Rubs the Back of of his Head Back and Forth While Turning his Head Away a Bit) Two....to three hours of it......

Fuyuhiko: That's not nearly enough sleep time.

Hajime: ('Sighs in Defeat') I know.......Work and preparation kept getting in the way of that. I'll get an actual, proper one as soon as we get everything situated in here.

Fuyuhiko: I'll believe it when I take you back to your room and see it.

Hajime: ('Sigh') Come on, man, you really don't think I can take of myself?

Fuyuhiko: I know you can. Just want to making sure you don't end up passing out on the cold, metal floor. 'Less you want Sonia to take you instead.

Hajime: (Grimaces at the Thought) No thanks. I really don't want my ear to be pulled again today.....

Fuyuhiko: (Simply Nodded in Agreement) You and me both.

The duo then turn their attention towards the capsule pods right in front.

After the long, emotional driven trial against Junko has reached it's conclusion, our five remaining survivors ventured through acient ruins of Jabberwalk Island and discovered a room where the rest of their classmates placed inside their individual pods, in comatose states.

So far, the awakening process has been going along rather smoothly, with Gundham and Nekomaru, who is now a full fledged human again, being the first ones to leave out of their pods, with no signs of despair within either of their psyches. The gang can only hope it would be he same for everyone else, Mikan and Nagito especially.

Hajime: (Starts Nodding at the Pods in Fronyt of Him) Everything seems to be going smoothly so far, that's nice. (Suddenly Notices Something) Oh, look! (Points Fuyuhiko to Ibuki's Capsule) Ibuki's about to wake up soon.

Fuyuhiko: (Looks Down at the Percentage Number of her Capsule that reads 95%) Looks like it. (Rolls his Eyes Again) Sure can't wait to hear some of her obviously loud music again.....

Hajime: (Chuckles Lightly) Yeah. We might actually be able to blow the roof off the venue this time around.

Fuyuhiko: Probab- Wait. (Turns to Hajime With a Raised Eyebrow in Confusion) We?

Hajime: Ibuki and me. We formed a band together in the past. I'm the drummer.

Fuyuhiko: You can play drum?

Hajime: Ehhh... Kinda? She really hasn't taught me much besides hitting them really hard with the sticks. (Chuckles Lightly) I remember all the band practices she would always beg me to joined. We sounded terrible in every session, but hardly bothered any of us considering all the fun we had. (Smiles Softly at Ibuki Sleeping inside her Pod) I always had a good time when I'm with her.

Fuyuhiko: (Forms a Teasing Smirk) Well, look at you being all happy and shit~ You're having feelings for her already?~

Hajime: Ye- (Eyes Widened Before Blushing) What? (Quickly Turns Back to Fuyuhiko) N-No, of course not! I was just....Reminiscing on the times we had is all. Besides, there's a lot of things to do right now before I could get into any of that romance stuff.

Fuyuhiko: (Simply Nodded in Agreement) Fair. But it wouldn't hurt to give it a shot afterwards. You deserve a little happiness in your life after all the fucked up shit you've been through.

Hajime: WE deserve every bit of happiness we can get, you especially. I know how much you've missed her these days.........

Fuyuhiko looks over to Peko's pod with it's percentage reads 69. Even in her comatose state, she looks truly at peace, even more so than she ever was her whole life. As happy and relief for him to see his childhood friend and love interest safe and sound this entire, the Ultimate Baby Gangster still couldn't help but feel terrible and guilty for everything that led up to her original demise.

Fuyuhiko: ('Sigh') There never been a time or day where I haven't think about her. But she can wake up whenever she's ready- (Turns Back to Hajime with a More Genuine Look on his Face) I'll be right here by her side, to greet her when she does.

Hajime: (Gives his Friend a Soft Smile) And we'll by your side as well. Just in case you need us.

Fuyuhiko: Thanks, man.

Pod: Loading Process Complete For Ibuki Mioda's Pod

Fuyuhiko: (Turns Back to Ibuki's Capsule) About time.

Hajime: (Quickly Stops Fuyuhiko From Taking Another Step Closer to the Pod) Hang on a sec, Fuyu. Let's be cautious about this. Despair can still be at large. There's no telling what will happen when she wakes up.

Fuyuhiko: (Sighs While Giving Hajime a Single Nod of Agreement) Right. In that case- (Takes his Phone Out From his Pants Pocket) I'll put everyone else on speed dial if anything insane does happen here.

Hajime: (Simply Nodded as Well) Good. Now, let's step back a bit.

As ordered, Fuyuhiko takes a few steps back along with Hajime as the door of Ibuki's pod begins to automatically opens in it's own pace. As it's widened upwards, the Ultimate Musician finally begins to rise and awake from her slumber, right on cue.

The duo position themselves a little as they watch Ibuki slowly gets herself up from the capsule seat she's been laying on, takes a very, very deep breath and..........

Ibuki: GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD OM NOM NOM NOM MORNIIIIIIIIIIINGGGG!!!!!!~

Hajime: (Taken Aback and a Tad bit Flabbergasted by Ibuki's Sudden, Loud Yelling) ........uh......

Ibuki: (Does a Little Dance as She Starts to Sing) I-Buki Mio-Da!~ Put it all together and what do you get?~ Ibukiiiii Mioda!~ (Puts on a Cutesy Looking Smile on her Face While Making a Peace Sign in Front of her)

Fuyuhiko: (Makes a Deadpinned Look on his Face While Putting his Phone Back in his Pocket) Yep. That's Ibuki alright.

Hajime: ('Sighs in Relief') That's a relief........

Ibuki: (Let's Out a Loud Gasps as She Set her Eyes on.....) HAJI!~ (Happily Runs Over to Hajime and Hugs Him Very Lovingly) It's been so long since I've seen that cool face of yours! Hiii!~

Hajime: (Chuckles Lightly While Blushing) Good to see you too, Ibuki.

Fuyuhiko: (Smirls at Hajime) Nice to see you happy there, Haji~

Hajime: (Gives Fuyuhiko a Deadpinned Look) Shut up, man.

Ibuki: (Looks Down at Fuyuhiko) Hiya, Short Stuff!~ Long time, no see~

Fuyuhiko: Likewise. Also, don't ever call me that- (Suddenly Felt Ibuki's Hand Patting his Head) Hey!

Ibuki: So, I see you've grown a few inches these days. Have you been drinking your milk?~

Fuyuhiko: (Angrily Swipes Ibuki's Hand Off of His Head) Will you quit that!? (Crosses his Arms While Turning Away) ........... I ocassionally drink low fat milk a d-Ah!

Ibuki: (Happily Hugs and Picks Fuyuhiko Up While Twirling Him Around a Bit) You drink your milk!~

Fuyuhiko: (Comically Glares at Ibuki) Get the fuck off me!!

Hajime: (Smirks at Fuyuhiko) Come now, Short Stuff. No need to make a huge fuss about it.

Fuyuhiko: (Flips Hajime Off) Piss off.

Ibuki: Now, now, boys. (Finally Puts Fuyuhiko Down) There's no need to fight now that Ibuki's backl to rock n' roll!~

Ibuki inhale her breath to ready herself to sing only for Hajime to quickly cover her mouth with his hand, in the neck of time.

Hajime: H-How about we do that some other time? We got to get you situated and up to speed first. How are you feeling right now- YEOUCH! (Suddenly Felt Ibuki's Teeth Bitting his Palm Before Quickly Removing his Hand From her Lips) Ibuki!

Ibuki: (Giggles Apologetic) Sorry, Haji. Ibuki couldn't resist. Buuut to answer your undying question: Ibuki is a-okay!~ A little light headed at the moment, it's nothing she can't handle. (Uses her Finger to Tap on her Cheek While Thinking) Althoooough, there are a couple of memories circling around Ibuki's inner noggin right now.

Fuyuhiko: How much do you remember exactly?

Ibuki: (Smiles Brightly) A bunch of cool stuff! (Points at Fuyuhiko) Like how you became a pirate, my rockin' performance at the Titty Typhoon, the Despair Di-

Her sentence was cut off abruptly as Ibuki's eyes begins to widens in silence at the ongoing memory. The Despair Disease.........She remembers she was one of the few that had it at one point, it completely changed her into something not even she could recognize.

She then remembers the night when she was taken in the hospital room, only to then, mysteriously walk out, one night, and walked all the way back to the Titty Typhoon .......and meeting her unfortunate demise in the process.

Two of her more closer friends, Hiyoko and Mikan, were also in the memories as well, but it was too blurry for the rockstar to mentally see clearly due to overwhelming thoughts going through her mind right now

What had gotten over me that night?

How could I let someone or....someTHING bring me to my final curtain call?......

...........And why........

......uki...........buki..........Hey.......Ibuki!

Ibuki: (Gets Startled as She Finally Comes Back to Reality) Ah!- Uh...Yeah?

Hajime: (Frowns Worryingly at Ibuki) Are you okay?

Ibuki: Oh! Uhh...(Puts on a Bit of an Awkward Smile on her Face) Yeah, yeah. I'm cool, I'm hip. Just thinking about those......Gosh darn memories! From the hospital, all the way to.....(Slowly Starts to Frown).....the......Titty.....Typhoon........

Fuyuhiko: They're hitting you like a truck, isn't it?

Ibuki: ('Sighs Heavily in Defeat') More like speeding bullet train......That was so weird and scary.........I hate it.

Hajime: ('Sigh') So do we. (Looks Down at the Ground, a bit Somberly) To tis day, I regretted not being quick enough to save you that night. We're really sorry.....

Ibuki: (Gently Places her Hands onto Hajime's Face and Have it Facing Hers) Hajime, no. Don't apologize. You guys did everything you could to do so, right? None of you have anything to apologize for at all.

Fuyuhiko: You really think so?

Ibuki: (Nodded at Fuyuhiko) I know so. Besides, if anyone who should be apologizing it's me for worrying you and causing you all this trouble to begin with.

Fuyuhiko: Hey, come on, you weren't yourself that night. You know now, right?

Ibuki: Yeah, but.....(Turns Away) I still feel bad about it.

Hajime: (Places his Hands on Top of Ibuki's) Don't be. That's all in the past, you have a second chance at life now. (Gently Grabs her Hands and Slowly Lowers it Down in the Middle) And we promise to keep you and everyone else in our class safe from here on out and if there's anything that's been bothering you, please don't hesitate to come to me for help.

Fuyuhiko: Or me and the others either. (Gives Ibuki a Reassuring Smirk on his Face) We got your back this time, Mioda.

Ibuki: (Heart Begins to Melt in Pure Happiness as Tears Starts to Build Up in her Eyes) You guuuuuys....('Sniff') (Pulls Both Hajime and Fuyuhiko into a Tight, Loving Hug) THANK YOOOOOOOOOOOOU!~

Hajime: (Winces a Bit in Pain Along with Fuyuhiko) No....problem, Ibuki......

Fuyuhiko: How the hell are you this strong!?

Ibuki: Hm. I dunno. I guess Ibuki's determination to see her friends again has boosted up my strength somehow. Plus, I reallllly do miss you guys and-

Fuyuhiko: (Rolls his Eyes) Yeah, yeah. Feeling's mutual or what have you. But you know- (Forms a Teasing Smirk on his Face) Your drummer boy here been missing you like crazy these days.

Hajime: (Glares at Fuyuhiko) Dude!

Ibuki: ('GASPS') Hajii~ I miss you like crazy too!~ (Starts Kissing on Hajime Cheek)

Hajime: (Starts Blushing Up from his Bandmate's Affections) ..........C-Cool.

Ibuki: (Looks Back at the Pod She Was In) So that's where half of our classmates been sleeping at that whole time, huh?

Hajime: Yep, just like we found you. The speed of the percentages may vary at time- ('YAWN') So, it's gonna take a while for any of them to fully wake up in there.

Ibuki: (Gently Rubs Hajime's Head) Haji, are you getting sleepy on Ibuki?~

Hajime: (SIghs Before Rubbing one of His Eyes) Kinda? Been working all day that I haven't really gotten the chance to sleep today honestly.

Fuyuhiko: (Whispers into Ibuki's Ear) And when he does sleep, it only lasted about 2-3 hours.

Hajime: Fuyu!

Ibuki: (Let's Out Another Gasp Before Pouting at her Precious Drummer) Well, that won't do at all! Everyone deserves a longer sleep schedule, especially cool, smart guys like you, Hajime! (Wraps Hajime's Arm Around Her's) Is there's a bedroom in this joint, Short Stuff?

Fuyuhiko: (Points at the Doorway) It's a in a few rooms back. I'll show you guys around. (Walks Out of the Room)

Ibuki: (Somply Nodded to her Fellow Classmate) Thank you. (Follows Behind Fuyuhiko Along with her Drummer Next to her) Come, Haji. Our bed awaits us.

Hajime: But what about everyone else? Don't you wanna see them first?

Ibuki: We'll see them in due time. Right now it's urgent that Ibuki gives her precious the sleep and cuddles he oh so deserves!~

Hajime: You're not gonna take "no" for an answer no matter what I say, aren't you?

Ibuki: Yeppity Yep-Yep!~

Hajime: ('Sighs in Defeat') Thought so. Good to have you back, partner.

Ibuki: (Lays the Side of her Head Next to Hajime's Shoulder) Likewise~

@on-2

[daggerzine]

Hanemoon- Rain Or Shine (Jigsaw)

Hans Forster (Man Behind Tree, Seaside Stars) is back with his third Hanemoon release. He did drop an amazing song last year (see link below), “They Bring The War,” but this is his first album in three years. It’s released on Portland’s Jigsaw Records, so you know it’s quality. The album leads off with the first single, “My Circle Line.” It’s got a driving rhythm section that starts the record off with a bang, and a guitar punch that could easily fit on any Matthew Sweet album. Here’s the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2RAOlj9hxo (Don’t be fooled by Desmond Garcia on drums in the video, Hans plays all the instruments on this album!) The 2nd single, “Why Don’t You Walk Away,” is a bit slower, but still filled with chiming guitar work. I especially like the bass line; it really stands out here. And I love those soaring harmonies. Check out Hans’s record collection in the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PiDvWcYsYI Track 3, “You Got The Right Way, ” is my favorite so far with its amazing guitar work. It’s got a really cool, throttling guitar riff. “Go hiding from the world until the old phone rings. Hear the blackbird calling through the window screen. I won't do anything at all until the weather ends. Till you're home again. I'd like to see you later. There you go again. You got the right way.” Next up is “When I Look Around” with more great guitar work here filled with some snarling guitar solos. The 5th track, “Deeper Than Down,” slows things down a bit, but it’s still a beautiful song, especially the chorus. “Say everything's turning out fine. Say everyone's doing all right. Say everything's turning out just fine.” Next, “Old From New, ” is another slower track, but with gorgeous, intricate guitar work. Track 7, “ Let’s Do The Magic Thing Again,” is another favorite. It’s back to upbeat, swirling jangle with a killer guitar solo. “Turn on the plastic sun, click an “A,” and start the rain. The times are wrong. I knew it all along. Let's do the magic thing again.” “Down The Rabbit Hole” is another foot-tapping number that really gets moving. Track 9 is ”Got A Date Tomorrow.” It’s a song about the struggles of a relationship in this anxious fast-paced number. Up next, “Is it Summer” is another favorite. It really starts off slowly at first, but then it really kicks in. Nice touch with keyboards this time around. Cool backing vocals as well. “Cold as your soul, a beach all snow, the odd step waltzing in. Clouds gathering the waves crashing in, some birds hit the wind. Is it summer? Make it summer. Weather change now not in a year. Let there be summer” After a cold winter this is a welcome song. Track 11, “Let The Sun Come In,” is another mix of jangle guitar, vocal melody, and an amazing guitar solo that I love. The album ends with “Comets.” It’s another rockin’ blast of jangle pop guitars. Then, there’s a beautiful slower part in the middle. And then the song kicks back in. It’s a perfect song that summarizes all of the types of sounds you’ll find on this album. Rain Or Shine features twelve new songs in a little over 36 minutes that blast the jangle pop we love. Not one bad track on here. Thanks, Hans, it was well worth the wait. ERIC EGGLESON

(Hans (center) with Andi and Greg)

[onett64]

my long awaited what matters most review that i wrote a week before the album actually came out

But wait there's more:

I like this one, I love how the sound of the exhausting lover bridge transcends the entire album. I love the lyric “did we really think we’d go back to normal” . It's like this album is a post covid more deep way to normal. It's a great song that questions our morals and their changes over the past years. I LOOVE the brass. I'm so happy he's using it more in this album.

Clouds with ellipses:

Idk man this one just reminds me of a church hymn but they all sound the same, it's kinda like this album's version of gone from rockin the suburbs. The emphasis on his voice in this one is really nice. He has a very good voice but I'm neutral about this one, I'm sure it'll grow on me cuz right now I think it's kinda silly. Oh wait it kinda reminds me of Gracie but not as good  lol!

Exhausting lover:

Probably my least favorite single but damn it's still so good. I like the keyboard and the big band sound that comes in, the bridge OH MY GOD THE BRIDGE is so fucking good. Anyway the weird lyrics and story is fun but i already had my autism moment  over it. Also the music video is a 10/10 so it has that going for it.

Fragile:

Sounds like me learning scales on the piano at 5 years old. I REALLY like this one its so good lyrically

Kristine from the 7th grade:

So this one has already been played live quite a few times so it's not my first time hearing. But damn this one is good. I fucking love it. The lyrics are so true and relatable fr. the strings. This one sounds like it's out of a musical or something so ben i wouldn't mind if you quit writing pop and made a musical i'll eat that shit up. I just realized this basically sounds like erase me but about ur conspiracy theory facebook aunt. PROBABLY ONE OF MY FAVES just you know what song is my fave. You know what this sounds like? The cover of creep in the book of life. Don't question me idk what im saying either

Back to anonymous (ben folds fucked my wife 4chan thread):

Best song on the album. Maybe tied with winslow gardens. It's basically everything I love from silverman songs and it's better. The harmonica?? Also whatevers at the end sounds so good too. God. best song ever made.

Winslow gardens:

Also the best song on the album. It makes me so happy honestly, it's just a really sweet song with a nice story and I like the time signature because it's the one I can never play. I have a few ben songs that just put me in a good mood and are a blessing to my ears regardless of what they are about (fair, kate, break up at a food court, fired, phone in a pool, hiro's song, bruised, etc) and this is def one of them 

Paddleboard breakup:

Boats are cool ngl. I really like this one! Wonder what gf this is about

What matters most:

I have high expectations for this being a title track. Tbh it sounds like long way to go from so there lol. It's good. I don't KNOW Ben, why don't you tell me what do YOU think matters most??

Moments:

Does every song on this freakin album sound like jesusland in a way or am i crazy??/ anyway the violin viola whatever at the end is pretty, Ben whens the drum n bass song coming out

Happy clapper (bonus track:

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSs hollie said this was straight out of 2009 AND I LIKE THAT! Meowmeowmeowmeowmeowmeowmeowmeow I LOVE THIS ONEEEE WHY IS THIS A BONUS TRACK IT'S EXACTLY WHAT I NEED AND LOVE ABOUT BEN :-D THIS MIGHT BE MY FAVE SONG AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Kinda reminds me of michael praytor (or maybe the word bumming is just forever tied to “bumming out on the the ninety FIVE”)

Why did you tell me everything:

Eh. it'll grow on me

A million years or so :

Basically this albums the luckiest. It's cute :-)

THOUGHTS AFTER 1st LISTEN:

This is definitely one of the ben albums that grows on you and then you can fully appreciate it, like silverman or reinhold. I think it's good! There are some great songs and I love the inclusion of more brass and string instruments, a nice change from his usual piano bass and drums. 

He said this was an album that he couldn't have made at any other time in his career and i agree, it's a nice mix of elements from silverman, so there, and a newish sound that i can't really describe. I feel bad because I'm like 3 months deep in the hardcore ben folds obsession (thanks neurodivergent brain) and i'm not like, losing my shit over every song on the album unlike his other albums like bf5 self titled, whatever and ever amen, and rockin the suburbs. But i know i'll grow to appreciate it and this is a pretty good closure to ben's career as a pop song writer, who knows maybe he will write the next hamilton and take the world by storm after this.

[anosci]

(181-196 albums etc that I’ve listened to this year, copied from twitter) (now with art. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14])

names and thoughts below cut

181/ (all mono211/monotonik releases, 1999) saddened that "End of an Era LP" (source of the album art im using) is primarily colored by dnb, even if its high quality. otherwise, a million singles. standouts mostly mp3: "gobblad" feeling that turn of the century chill style "702" fascinatingly rephlex "benedict" ok some dnb is fun actually "Shadowfighter" what rebelious energy! standout!!

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182/ (all Tokyo Dawn Records releases, 2000) mixed bag etc etc. best at hip hop. "killer of the zodiac" dnb yes, but. this guy is weaponizing his mp3 encoder. love it "reckoning" brandishing lofi "limits" as central assets? ace. "surnaturel forme" ace trip hop turntable timbre

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183/ VA - supermariountwirled ep (2000) get dunked on ocr emix we're sampling the chiptunes for our technos in the y of 2k!!! …oh. it's not great :( yeah sadly this is filled with poor execution, even when the ideas are fun. only "flying mario (xllv remix)" is worth keeping imo

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184/ (all mono211 non-albums, 2000) mono y2k KICKING ASS. herein lies the good stuff! ex: "we're like air.." EXACTLY the made at home optimistic post-y2k electronica i adore holy shit "Timecrunch EP" gorgeous!! cant get over how good this is!!!!!!!! "woozy dog" homemade y2k! homemade y2k! homemade y2k!

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185/ (all mute releases i found on an ftp, mostly y2k) a very bedroom idm romp. sadly i didnt particularly vibe with this selection. it feels very focused, but on smth not quite for me. favs? hmm. proswell had a nice little EP. the unsearchable "insta" by sin is a standout too

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186/ subi - The Rave-O-Lution Has Been Terrorised (2000) it's a throwback to the sounds of 10 years ago… from 23 years ago. kinda mixed bag of "resonating with me" but still pretty fun. prodigal rave stuff. favs? "var 4rom earf" ez

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187/ binary - binatone (2000) a little meandery. a little idk. not particularly "bright" but it feels right somehow. lazy afternoon vibes i guess? standout: "ivor commodore part 3" i think. also enjoying "formel 2" and "ballad of pam and tommy part 5" for quite different reasons

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188/ Andy Stott - Faith In Strangers (2014) slowly unfolds into heavy soundscapes. less "fog" or "smoke" and more like humid air that's too hot to breathe. and then sometimes its just slappy beats. highlights? "Violence" perhaps. "How It Was" is also massive

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189/ Kink - For The People (2023) 3 nonstop slappers but i PARTICULARLY vibe with "Kazan". sadly, 1 slap stopper at the end (i do not vibe with that vocal sample in "Vacation")

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190/ L.A.M. - Balance of Terror (1992) I heard "Nuclear Facelift" was a common track in early AFX sets and yeah i hear why. i love the synthwork overall, really fun stuff, and its ontop of a very early sounding drum soundscape. really cool era encapsulation going on.

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191/ Cylob - Lobster Tunes (1999) I guess i missed this rephlex release somehow? nonstop DELIGHTFUL sound design grooving in 99 "Wanking Off On Other People's Misery" srsly the groove! "Smash Up The Pram" !!! that weird meter in "Stomping FM"!!!!!

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192/ KNOWER - KNOWER FOREVER (2023) listening to this like "its ok" then the piano kicks in and im rockin "Real Nice Moment" real into it. "Nightmare" grooooove "It Will Get Real" finally showing its real in the second half. not my fav knower romp but overall ok.

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193/ Mr. Carmack - Drugs (2014) me saying "kinda bangs actually" repeatedly. it kinda feels like a collection of sketches, which is how it's presented tbf. standouts "insanity and this music industry" holy shit "Dark Hadou (Remix)" retrofuturebanger "lonelyfuckingsamurai"!!!!

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194/ (Tokyo Dawn Records & Sparks, 2001) plesantly suprised at the shift from dnb to chill br8ks. very ninjatune esque. a few highlights: "buenas" the exact oldschool timbre i crave "night light" oh hell yeah!!! tight! also, much love for michael victory's deep style

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195a/ VA - FF8: SeeDs of Pandora (disc 1) (2023) a very pretty, artisanal opening. feels like stunningly beautiful arrangements of music that im not too familiar with, except for "Longing for the Horizon" which is a standout to me. oh, and "The Jellyfish" for similar reasons.

195b/ VA - FF8: SeeDs of Pandora (disc 2) (2023) two of five. driving up that nrg. im surprised at the super good psytrance chops here! "Downtown Run" is super good i was suspicious of the vocals in "Filthy Lies / Wasted Virtue" but they work so so nicely!

195c/ VA - FF8: SeeDs of Pandora (disc 3) (2023) three of five. imediately opening with the WILD vibes of "Even Ill Omens Need a Break" "Swagger de Chocobo"!!! koan influence!! making making me love chocobo again! "Willing Sacrifice" rly fun spooky turned beat beats. MkVaff! "A Scar to Match" this brings an absurd energy that i cant help but appreciate "OH!! DEKA-DE-JAZZ-DE-CHOCOBO ~ Dirty Contacts Mix" yooooooooo this is a fun experimental piece that's also just. fun! "Into the Singularity" oh hell that's MASSIVE "A Wounded Spy" everything falls into place. i rly didnt expect to like this but yet. i do

195d/ VA - FF8: SeeDs of Pandora (disc 4) (2023) four of five. insanely massive opening with "Voces Maledictionis et Spei: Children Fated to Lead" very very happy to see the "massive collab to cover a FF boss theme" resulting in ABSURDLY BANGER tunes trend continue. "Heavy Residents" laughing that ppl are citing random songs that i specifically adore and saying "im referencing that" and then they all rock. "SeeDs of Pandora" title track? it packs the heat.

195e/ VA - FF8: SeeDs of Pandora (disc 5) (2023) five of five. not at all what I expected, in that I thought it was going to be literally goofy throwaway nonsense and it's far from that lol "Song of the Desperado" is a TREAT. "As One Closes, Another Opens" chipper thing that ends up as somehow nostalgic "The Definition of Insanity" is 100% THE standout tho! absolutely wild fun!

195/ VA - FF8: SeeDs of Pandora (2023) i ended up dividing my thoughts into one tweet per disc (see above) but overall: i have no attachement to this game. that doesn't stop me from being in awe at the BANGERS here. FF collabs seem to bring out the beast in ppl. also: the shocking quantity of beautiful live stuff!!

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next page

[concrete-the-cat]

The Evolution of Music in a Game the Majority of the Internet thinks is Cringe

okay so, tumblr friends, i know what you're thinking -

"this is going to be an essay? with a title like that?"

NO

It's not going to be

It could be but I don't have the willpower to go all out on Where We Lore Droppin' Boys

So for now I'm just marking down weirdly good songs that were made for/by Epic Games and Fortnite that I've found. Because??? For some reason??? They went from making the Silly Clappy Dance (DU DU DU DOO DU) to music that sounds like it belongs in an AMV/PMV?? And yes that's because they got enough money to hire capable musicians but STILL

And I needed the internet to hear this because i KNOW tumblr is the one place that wouldn't hear fortnite and turn away because you guys are COOL and would probably actually dare to listen to music from an FFA BR Game

OKAY LET'S NOT WASTE ANYMORE TIME

(i am ranking these by order they come to mind and how good they are not by release, there's only 5 best ones but there ARE even more good ones than this i just have other stuff to do rn)

Brace for Chaos - seriously this is amv/pmv materiel here i mean there's specific things but "storm" can be interpreted in so many different ways and yes some notes are painfully off but I mean HOW is that so GOOD for FORTNITE???? Really went from Rock-Pop-EDM-Rap seamlessly in like 2 minutes

Butter Barn Hoedown - Funny as hell, literally on par with most modern country music I've heard with the same comedic energy as your average American Applebee's advertisement, this one's less because it's good and more because the singer sounds like he's having the time of his life singing 'GOT THE BEST DANG SLURP ON THE WHOLE DANG MAP' in the best generic Texan Twang ever

Vital - Egotistical and not honestly my favorite but still sounds like it'd fit into some PMV somewhere... also had to look it up to make sure that wasn't Derivakat singing, which it wasn't, but I mean-- it's CLOSE, okay?? The song's not bad and plus on Epic's part it was literally the same thing as an average fic writer making a character and deciding to write them a song before explaining their lore since the character the song is for (Highwire) doesn't even have a story or character on the map, but still manages to get this not-half-bad tune

Subterfuge - I never said they had to be with lyrics right? Anyways this sounds like James Bond x Block Rockin' Beats, and honestly it's one of my favorites regardless

Redline Cruise - Okay if you forgive the initial cheesy forced laughter and the repetitive chorus, the bass and melody is honestly pretty good and could hold it's own with a fair few independently released EDM artists, I think. It lines up pretty good with ZHU, at least.

Honorable Mentions!! No explanations for these, I just think they're good but not top tier - Crashed In (instrumental is an option), Falling Stars, The Syndicate, Thunder Roll, High Stakes Club (regrettably, I don't speak Japanese - I think that's what it's in, anyways, judging by the language on the cover - but the melodies are nice), Merry Mix, Pop It

What do you all think??? Are they good?? Are there better songs from FN I could've put here??

[allthemusic]

Week ending: 11th December

And that's it for 1958, it seems, no new chart entries after the 11th December. Which leaves me wondering, will we end the year with a ballad, a bang, or a whimper? (The answer, of course, is simply "yes").

Tom Dooley - The Kingston Trio (peaked at Number 5)

It's the same song as last week, but my goodness does this version feel different - compared to Lonnie's insane hillbilly chaos, this is a laid-back chill-out song. Which is just as inappropriate for the grim subject material, but still. It's nice. Even from the get-go, you've got this gentle, quiet picked guitar, and a calm, low voice explaining in a brief spoken-word intro the history of it all, the eternal triangle between the titular Tom Dooley, Laura Foster and one Mr. Grayson (who was almost certainly not actually involved, but he's in the intro nonetheless).

And then the song starts in earnest, and it's lovely. The Kingston Trio are these folksy crooners, early key players in the folk revival going on in the US, and I can honestly really see the appeal. They've got this acoustic backing from what sounds like a guitar, a ukulele and perhaps a banjo, combined with these beautiful soft harmonies, and a delivery that's intense where it needs to be, but dies down again afterwards, fading away to nothing at the end. There's something very simple and appealing about it, and a warmth that's kind of soothing. I like it a lot.

Interestingly, for a cover of an Appalachian folk ballad, it's not a super country-souding song, and there's maybe a reason for that. Because it turns out that the Kingston Trio were named after Kingston in Jamaica, a name picked because they were a calypso band. Add to that the fact that two of the trio members grew up together in Hawaii, where they learnt to play ukulele and admired Hawaiian "slack-key" guitar players like Gabby Pahinui, and you've got a track that's got a whole lot of influences from outside the continental US, despite its hypothetical North Carolina origins. And honestly, when you know that, you can absolutely hear it! It's a different folk vibe to what we've heard before, in a good way.

Not that we've heard a whole tonne of folk music. This is credited as a song that paved the way for folk music to see real chart success, though, so I'm looking forward to seeing a bit more as the 1960s approach. Especially if this is the sort of quality we've got to look forward to!

High Class Baby - Cliff Richard and the Drifters (7)

And just when we were relaxing, here comes Cliff, ready to party! Fresh off the energy and verve of Move It, he's not slowed down for a minute, hitting us with this song about a girl who's simply too snobbish for Cliff: This pink champagne and caviar are all very grand / But I prefer just rockin' to a rock 'n' roll band.

In some ways this is very typical rock and roll, the complete rejection of the established order in favour of just going out and having a party. The pace and the attitude is right. And you honestly don't get more rock and roll than the line about how you find a join that's hoppin' and a cat that's a boppin'. But at the same time, there's also something a bit more to it - something distinctly British, perhaps? Certainly, Cliff sounds less like he's trying to do an Elvis impression here. And there's the whisper of social commentary here, too, a sort of satirical look at the way that "high class" society snubs and spurns folks like Cliff, and the superficiality of Cliff's girl, a sarky suggestion to go and find a rich man, put your arms around him / Tell him that you love him then go out and drown him / Maybe with your riches, you'll find true happiness. She's got furs and a Cadillac (a reference that got the song banned from BBC airplay for breaching advertising rules!) but she's not going to find love or happiness that way. It's not the first song ever to take this up as a theme, and it certainly won't be the last, but it's interesting to see it from a British artist. We're still a very class-obsessed country, and so the connotations of her being a "high-class baby" feel different, at least to me, to what you'd have if this were Elvis singing, in the notionally more egalitarian United States.

Lyrically, then, I like the song. And musically, there's a lot to like here, too, from the start, as the song suddenly and dramatically ups the pace, to the stabby guitar backing, to the machine-gun, speeding-train precision of the drumming, which just doesn't let up, setting a punishing pace that Cliff sounds like he can barely keep up with, but in a good way. He's been given some real tongue twisters, and he does well with them, throwing himself at them with a slightly manic energy, before fading away at the end into these little don't be mean baby improvisations that are also good fun.

And throughout you also get that sense of a sort of nonchalant, slightly mean-spirited swagger from Cliff. He might have been snubbed by his girl, but he's almost rubbing it in her face how much fun he's having without her. Certainly, by the time you get the repeated bye, bye, my baby line, you get the sense that he's not even really angry. She was no fun anyway, Cliff's done with her. If I were the lady this song were written about - and there is a documented real-life lady who it was apparently inspired by - I'd feel properly called-out.

I have very little else to say about the song, except to note that while researching it, I also learnt that Cliff was born Harry Webb, and he chose the name Cliff for the hilariously straightforward reason that he played "rock" music, and a "cliff" is, in fact, made of "rock". Which is so dumb it almost circles round to being genius again, a sort of marketing masterstroke.

Someday - Ricky Nelson (9)

This is a very forgettable song. It's not a bad song, but there's not much making it memorable, at least for me. It's an old country number, dating back to 1944, when a recording was made by the rather obscure Elton Britt, followed five years later by a Vaughn Monroe version and a Mills Brothers version. So this was well on its way to becoming a standard at this point, and it would definitely have been a song people knew - it's just kind of bland?

I don't think it helps that the sentiment expressed in it is petulant at best, and incel-ish at worst, with Ricky spending the whole song singing about how I know that someday you'll want me to want you / When I'm in love with somebody new / Although you don't want me now / I'll get along somehow / And then I won't want you. Blech. Gross. Red flags all over the place. Have you considered, Ricky, that the reason she doesn't want you is because you're going around singing songs like this? There's just a real egotism to the assumption that the girl in the song cares at all whether or not Ricky wants her, that she's just bound to come to her senses and realise she wants him. When she might just not be interested. That's a thing that can, in fact, happen, I've heard. Except instead of accepting it and moving on, Ricky's throwing a tantrum in song form, singing about how much she's going to regret it.

It's annoying, because with a few tweaks to the phrasing, we could be looking at a ballad in the same league as Who's Crying Now, which is a song I actually really like. This, despite being written a full decade earlier and originally interpreted by "proper" adult country singers, fits really well into the vein of "teenage drama" songs that Connie Francis and the Everlys and the Chordettes have been putting out. Unfortunately, with its "told you so" smugness, this encapsulates some of the worst elements of teenage drama. Not a fan.

Additionally, it's also just kind of boring. Not terminally tedious, but it's not a tune that really goes anywhere, and combined with lyrics that also don't really develop beyond "you're gonna want me someday", and a solo that just repeats the tune of the verse, you've got a recipe for something pretty lame. Heck, the more I listen, the more I'm convinced that both Ricky and his backing singers are bored with the song, too. Certainly, there's not much emotional heft to it - by the end, I was mostly just surprised that it had only been three minutes of my life, the song felt much longer.

I went into this week knowing one of the songs - the Kingston Trio's version of Tom Dooley's had a place in my liked songs for several years. As such, I really thought I knew what my favourite song would be. But it's Christmas, and something about that put me in a party mood that the Kingston Trio, with all their pretty, Hawaiian guitar work, didn't quite fit. So Cliff's my final favourite of 1958. Something about the social commentary of it, the speed, the way he almost tripped over his lyrics - more of that, please!

Favourite song of the bunch: High Class Baby

[all-the-fun-of-the-cirkus]

next album, neil young's trans. and on behalf of everyone i'd like to say how proud we are of her for finding herself

this album... hoo. for a long time, this might have actually been my most hated album of all time. my dad played it in the car when i was very young, and to me it was one decent-ish song followed by a nightmarish sludge of synths and weird dizzying vocals and endless jamming, and it honestly made me kind of ill. i did my best to blot it out then, and every other time my dad played it i tried to avoid it, and now i'm giving it a proper go

trans has a, uh, fairly mixed reception in general, from what i can tell. some people think it's an unmitigated disaster, an embarrassing failure of lame experimentation. others think it's a tuneful, brave and quietly visionary gamble that didn't quite pay off. what do i think? as usual, something in between

the eighties were a weird time for neil, and i have some Opinions on it, but i'll be saving them for whenever i get to everybody's rockin' (i have a feeling i'll be struggling for stuff to talk about there). suffice to say that he was doing a lot of Weird Shit and this is where it begins

so if you know neil young you'll know there's two relevant details behind this album. the first is that it's two albums spliced together, one lightweight and tropical-tinged, the other weird and electronic. the second we'll get to later, but the islands tracks are actually the weak links. little thing called love is a fun, energetic throwaway, but like an inca is utterly interminable. neil can get away with repeating the same thing for ten minutes when he has a good riff, a decent level of energy and some cool melodies/soloing (see about half of ragged glory); other than a nice chorus and a decent solo about eight minutes in (which sounds to me more like nils than neil) this has none of that, and it clearly should have been less than half the length

as for the electronic tracks, are they embarrassing? eh... we r in control is, i think, very cheesy pulp sci-fi, without the decent melody to carry it through, and i don't think much of the mr. soul remake either. beyond that? nah, these are decent songs. actually this album makes me want to get my guitar out, bc i think i'd have a lot of fun rearranging these into a more crazy horse style. which i appreciate is sort of besides the point of this album, but i can very easily hear how it could be done. also the unplugged version of transformer man is gorgeous, so, y'know. he did it first. i think the vocoder's what bothers people most tbh, it does sort of drown out the feeling, and goodness knows neil's voice is high enough already. i... kind of like it? there's this nice ethereality to it. i think it's a bit omnipresent though

but i'm not trying to say "good songs, shame about all the electronic bullshit," bc obviously the second important fact about this album is that it's inspired by his son ben, who has cerebral palsy, and the therapy they underwent together to communicate with one another. i must admit. i don't know a huge amount about neil's personal life. tbh by-and-large the more i know about rock musicians the less i like them, so. as far as i know neil's not an abuser or anything, which is nice, but i admit i was surprised to learn the efforts he went to to talk with his son. i shouldn't be, it should be the bare minimum for a parent, but it really isn't far too often. i don't know how far neil and ben got together, and if it did all go well i don't know if they still talk. i hope they do

i don't know how much i'd appreciate this album without the context, but i found sample and hold in particular had a surprising impact on me. neil's shtick of pairing ambiguous lyrics with dark music to set a mood works on me a lot, but here the words about (i think) robot, uh, "companions" become really effective. the lyrics about getting the perfect partner, "not the lonely/angry/jealous one" could be a snide and vaguely misogynistic statement (goodness knows you see people on twitter say shit like that), but the icy music gets across the intended emptiness and hollowness. there's a glorious moment at the end where there's a snippet of lead guitar, and it's like just an outburst of emotion finally breaking through the repression and coldness, and it's wonderful

and i can't help but think about the railing against sterile perfection. about how someone might be messy, imperfect, but that's what makes you love them. and in the context of the album it just becomes a lovely sentiment to me. i'm not disabled, but i've had my share of mental health issues that've seen me clash with my parents a lot. and (i don't think i've explicitly said this on tumblr yet so) i'm a trans woman, and i'm yet to tell them. and frankly i hope they're as willing to try and understand me as this song conveys

anyway, enough personal stuff. computer age is a real good song, except for the trite canon in d bridge, and i can't remember how computer cowboy goes but i enjoyed it while it was on (i wanted to extend the trans joke with a "cis crusher" joke here but it's late and i'm tired). i'd put this in the lower tier of his albums, but it's decent, and i'm glad i gave it another go

[tolerateit]

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that your cousin isn't keeping well. I hope you manage to find joy in whatever celebration you have! I like a nice, quiet Christmas Eve at home with family too. It's lovely that you sleep downstairs, I like that tradition. Lasagna isn't a meal that comes to my mind as a standard Christmas dinner, but it sounds like you and your mum have some solid traditions going on!

Our Christmas dinner is the standard turkey, with mash and potato croquettes and pigs in blankets and some brussels and parsnips... and of course lots of gravy! Then for dessert there's usually Christmas pudding (which I hate) and something sweet - either I make a chocolate cornflake cake or mum makes a fudge cheesecake... mmmmm!

We've always had fake trees. For a while when I was young, we had this really strange silver tree, then we changed to a green one once it lost all its "leaves".

I like New Year's Eve generally, although not for going out to party. I usually go for dinner with my mum and her friends then I go to my friend's house to watch tv and maybe play a board game or something until midnight. I hope you enjoy your plans with your friend this year - maybe it will be the start of a nice NYE tradition for you!

What's on your Christmas playlist - do you like the old classics or more modern Christmas songs? My favourite, other than CTF (obvs), is Last Christmas.

Hiya!

The lasagna kinda happened because I wanted comfort food one year instead of something traditional (it had been a traumatic year to say the least) and she offered to make that - it's one of my favorite things that she makes, and she doesn't make it often. Ingredients (and everything else) are expensive these days!! So we do it for Christmas each year now.. sometimes during the year if I'm lucky.

Your dinner sounds AMAZING. FUDGE CHEESECAKE?! I want some, save me a piece!

Fake trees are definitely more reasonable anymore, especially when you don't have to keep buying it every year. We're just sentimental and enjoy having a real one - and, like I said, the kitty enjoys it a lot!

I don't really listen to Christmas music to be honest, it bothers me quite a bit. Makes me sad and sometimes a bit angry ?? , and I'm not sure if it's because I miss enjoying it as much as I did when I was younger or just nostalgia and normal holiday blues... I don't really know. Could just be a depression or PTSD thing (not to get dark). Could be all of that and other reasons, who knows. Either way, I tend to stick to my usual music. If I do listen to it, it's usually on the radio closer to Christmas rather than earlier in December. My favorites are probably O Holy Night by Celine Dion (not to be too religious, I just LOVE her), any of the Christmas music by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (CAROL OF THE BELLS!!!!!), and Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree. Unrelated -- I also love to watch the original Grinch cartoon film!!!!!

Hope you are well dear!

[dylan-westwick]

"I mean kinda, I think? I feel like I'm gonna have a million and that was just the beginnin'." She admits, smiling as Atlas shares about his own experience and gave a nod. "That sounds amazin', well I'm sorry I didn't come to ya earlier, maybe I could have you answer some of my questions too." Dylan didn't mean that to be a joke, because she probably would ask him now that she knew. She was glad that he also had found a community when he first was becoming a father. "Maybe show that to Theo too? I don't really use Reddit. But I've been definitely nervous to look at things that might freak me out, y'know?" She knew she had a lot of people she could ask though, which she was grateful for and that way she didn't just bother one person with a buttload of questions. She felt herself relax more though as Atlas gave her a kiss on the head. Letting out a sigh as she rested her head against his shoulder. "Yeah? Well I guess that's a bit of a relief to hear. I guess that makes sense, they've been real nice to me just because of being their kids' friend. Hey, our kids are gonna be cousins. Pretty cool, huh?" She smiled up to her best friend and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, guess this will be your first time bein' an uncle? I'm absolutely puttin' this huge teddy bear in the nursery. It's gonna live on the rockin' chair I'm gettin'."

His smile faded at the mention of Aslihan. Had something happened? Or was she referencing the risky pregnancy in general? The lump of worry that formed in his throat was swallowed down harshly. No. If something had happened, surely she would have told him, right? "And you got the answers you were looking for? When Sage was pregnant, I didn't have anyone to talk to about it. I joined this forum thing on reddit with a bunch of other moms. It was... nice." He'd taken a lot of his questions there and surprisingly, they'd given him good responses. Atlas pressed a firm kiss to the top of Dylan's head and offered a gentle squeeze around her shoulders. "That's because you are. You won't ever know a day where you aren't feeling the Bailey love. I don't know what I'd do without them." They'd welcomed him in with open arms all those years ago and they'd done so again upon moving back to Providence. "Cool uncle kinda has a ring to it, huh? Be real with me... are you really going to put that giant thing in their nursery?"