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kirbles · 1 year ago

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9 ship songs

i got tagged by @omgkalyppso who shared a tav/origin (étoile/astarion) playlist they made. so i am doing the same lmao

i don't have anyone explicitly to tag so if anyone is interested, go ahead! you have my blessing!

the ship is my tav (i still need to fkin name him) and astarion. i've finished his personal quest and romance so it was fun to spend the day making this while i'm still fresh in my feelings.

'metaphor' by the crane wives ( stfy / yt ) astarion pov. the two meet for the first time. tav is more goody at this point, and so astarion acts very superficial towards him.

I've gotten good at leaning on metaphors I've gotten good at living on someone else's page I cut my teeth on second hand sentiments You can't trust a single thing I say I keep my closet free of skeletons 'Cause I'm much better at digging graves But I always dig up bones in your sympathy I can't trust a single thing you say Don't look too hard, 'cause you won't like the scars he left in me

2. 'something in the way you are' by kimbra ( stfy / yt ) tav pov. post-bite has tav very interested in the vampire. relevant to their first intimate encounter.

I'm wondering about your childhood Wonder if you were misunderstood I'm watching you inside your head I wonder if you know how long I can And I can feel it in my bones I love all of the sticks and stones And every little word you say You're breaking me in the best way

3. 'thunder lightning' by iamamiwhoami ( stfy / yt ) astarion pov. his behaviour doesn't seem to deter my tav. in fact, he seems to mostly go along with it.

Got to break the stillness for a while Need to see dеstruction to feel alive And when I say sorry I’m full of lies Got a violеnt streak I'm not ashamed Are you beat yet? Pressure keeps rising high Nothing thrills me like a savage game

4. 'snakeskin' by rina sawayama ( stfy / yt ) relates more to my oathbreaker tav and the influence astarion had in that outcome. he 'sheds' the oath like a snakeskin and follows a new path with his love

Looking for forgiveness I ran into your madness Shutting off my brain just to spite my heart You're slithering, slithering, slithering into my heart, yeah You're changing my, changing my, changing my, changing my mind, yeah I'm shedding, I'm shedding, I'm shedding, I'm shedding my snakeskin You're wearin' it, wearin' it, wearin' it every day, yeah

5. 'daffodil' by florence and the machine ( stfy / yt ) astarion pov. very much an 'oh no i didn't mean to fall in love' song.

I never thought it would get this far This somewhat drunken joke Sometimes, I see so much beauty I don't think that I can cope There is no bad, there is no good I drank every sky that I could Made myself mythical, tried to be real Saw the future in the face of a daffodil

6. 'fade' by lewis capaldi ( stfy / yt ) tav pov. oh look another 'i didn't mean to fall in love' song. this one is more my tav reacting to what happens in astarion's personal quest.

Wish somebody would've told me That I'd end up so caught up in need of your demons That I'd be lost without you leading me astray Guess I'm such a fucking fool for the way that you caught me You make my heart break more every day But don't fade away Well, I know that we've been hardly holding on To tell the truth, I can't believe we got this far

7. 'francesca' by hozier ( stfy / yt ) tav pov. post astarion personal quest. he was there for him since the beginning of their journey and he wouldn't have it any other way.

Do you think I'd give up That this might've shook the love from me Or that I was on the brink? How could you think, darling, I'd scare so easily? Now that it's done There's not one thing that I would change My life was a storm, since I was born How could I fear any hurricane?

8. 'superstar' by marina ( stfy / yt ) they have seen each other at their absolute lowest and overcome some incredible adversaries. they are ride or die.

We'll stick together Make it through the storm You and I Whoever said we couldn't have it all? I love the way we worked so hard Yeah, we've come so far Baby, look at me, you're my superstar When I'm afraid, when the world's gone dark Come and save my day, you're my superstar

9. 'finding you' by kesha ( stfy / yt ) endgame. a nice conclusion for my brain sickness that is this ship.

I know forever don't exist But after this life, I'll find you in the next So when I say "forever, " it's the goddamn truth I'll keep finding, finding you I'm gonna search for your love Right through Hell and Heaven Millions of years yet to come And in all dimensions I know that you'll always be My happy ending

#oc tag #my ocs #bg3 #tav #astarion #ship playlist #long post #haven't made character playlists since my 8tracks fanmix days #this was fun

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dawninlatin · 2 years ago

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Queen of Peace, chapter 18

A manorian High School AU

Words: 2,9k

AO3 Link

Masterlist

Summary: Manon Blackbeak is flawless, untouchable. From the outside at least. Her grandmother pushes her to achieve greatness, and she doesn’t let anyone get too close in fear of being hurt. How can anyone love her when not even her parents could?

Dorian Havilliard has always felt safe and confident around his friends. He might not have the greatest of families, but with Aelin and Chaol by his side, nothing can go wrong. That is until he tries keeping his greatest secret from them.

What will happen when Dorian and Manon gets to know one another? Can two lost souls find their way back together?

TW: mentions of abuse, past death

Hold me down, I’m so tired now

Aim your arrow at the sky

Take me down, I’m too tired now

Leave me where I lie

-Florence + The Machine, Sky Full of Song

Manon’s heart was beating so hard and fast she was sure it would crack open her chest and escape at any moment. Closing the front door as quietly as she could, she prayed to whatever god might listen that her grandmother had gone to bed early.

«And where have you been?»

Fuck.

She didn’t know why she’d even hoped, since luck clearly hadn’t been on her side lately.

Willing herself to calm the fuck down, Manon stepped into the living room, a fake smile plastered on her face. «I was just dancing.»

The lie came automatically, one she’d used countless times by now. She needed to get through this interrogation quickly, so she could lock herself inside her room and let her growing panic rise up to the surface.

Because if her grandmother found out where she had actually been, who she had seen, the things she had learned…

Merely being in the same room as the woman made her feel physically ill, but Manon needed to keep it together, needed to pretend everything was normal until she could think properly through everything that had just been revealed. And tonight was not the time for that, not when it felt as if her head was about to explode.

«Dancing?» her grandmother asked with a look that told Manon she needed to be more convincing right now or she would face dire consequences.

«Yeah. I needed to make sure this new choreography was perfect for practice tomorrow.» It was all bullshit, of course. Dance practice had been the last thing on her mind lately, and if it continued this way they would surely lose against Iskra and her team in a few months. Though that was the least of Manon’s problems.

«And the others are working just as hard?»

Please, just keep it together a little longer, Manon begged herself, fighting the urge to scream.

«They are.» Because it didn’t matter if Manon did her very best. If the others on her team failed, that was also her responsibility. She could practically hear her grandmother saying something along the lines of «of course they fail when you lead them like that».

Her grandmother silently looked at her for several torturous seconds, and Manon was sure that this time her lies had gone too far, this time she hadn’t been convincing enough, this time she would get caught and her whole world would come crashing down.

Still, Manon forced herself to meet her grandmother’s cruel stare, hoping she couldn’t see how she was shaking slightly, her heart thundering in her chest.

«You have school tomorrow, don’t stay up too late,» her grandmother said at last, in a displeased tone. Then she turned on her heel and left the room, luckily quick enough to miss the way Manon’s whole body seemed to sigh in relief.

It took everything in Manon to remain calm as she walked down the hall, all the way to her room, because if she sprinted like she wanted to, if she slammed her door shut, if she let out the scream that had been building up for hours, her grandmother would know for sure.

Manon wasn’t fully convinced she was off the hook, but she was safe for now. At least it bought her a little time to figure out what the fuck to do.

Finally inside her room, Manon closed the door and twisted the lock, before slowly sinking to the floor, gasping for breath. All because of that damn phone call a week ago…

«Hey, Manon. This is your father.»

It took a moment for the words to register, but when they did, Manon’s heart stopped. She would have thought it was just a prank, and not a very good one, had it not been for the emotion in that voice.

«…How?» The word came out so quietly she wasn’t sure he’d heard it, but his answer was fast.

«Your cousin, Asterin, contacted me a few weeks ago.»

Manon couldn’t believe what she was hearing. All her life, she’d been told her mother had gotten pregnant young, but died around the time she was born, while her father had wanted nothing to do with her from the very beginning.

Someone surely had to be messing with her, but her gut feeling told her otherwise, and the fact that Asterin was behind it-

«I-,» she started, but didn’t know how to finish that sentence. What did you even say in a situation like this?

In the end, she went with: «I don’t even know your name.»

«Tristan Crochan.»

This was madness. Pure madness.

The wise thing to do would be to just hang up, but Manon was frozen, stuck between wanting to pretend this had never happened, and wanting to hear what this complete stranger had to say.

«Look,» he said, his voice cracking. «I know this must come as a big shock to you, and I’m so incredibly sorry for not being there, but I would love to explain everything whenever you’re ready for it.»

Manon almost scoffed, thinking that she could never be ready for that conversation, but then that same voice from earlier, the one that had urged her to just pick up the phone, urged her to say yes to this.

For her own sake, she needed to say yes to this.

In fact, she’d said yes to meet him, her father, at a café downtown only a week later. That was where she’d been, not at dance practice like she’d told her grandmother.

And now she was left feeling confused and shaken. Manon had no idea what to believe about anything anymore. Because the things Tristan had told her-

Manon looked around the café, trying to find the man that apparently was her father. It wasn’t too difficult, given that it was new year’s day, and the few other people there were all in groups. So she drew a deep breath, trying to calm herself, before she strode towards the man sitting all by himself in the back of the room.

She still couldn’t believe she was doing this. What if someone was messing with her? What if this was just a creepy stranger? Who even got a call from their basically non-existent father after eighteen years of nothing?

All doubt vanished, though, as she reached the table, the man standing up to greet her.

«Manon,» he whispered, his eyes lining with silver.

Manon just stood there, unable to speak, unable to think. The man in front of her was slightly taller, seemingly in his mid-thirties, and he had short, light hair, though not as light as hers. What really caught her attention, though, were his eyes. Everything, from the shape to the color, was identical to her own.

«Please, have a seat.» Tristan gestured awkwardly toward the other side of the table as he spoke, seeming just as nervous as she was.

They both sat down, but Manon still didn’t say anything. Even if she managed to think of something to say, she wasn’t sure if her voice would work right now. So she kept her gaze on the table, waiting for him to start.

«I’m sorry, I just-,» Tristen began, clearing his throat before he continued. «I thought you would look like her.»

Manon looked up at that, realizing he’d meant her mom.

«Sorry to disappoint,» she shrugged, deciding to wear her usual armor of cold and uncaring. She felt too vulnerable without.

But Tristan only let out a nervous chuckle, running a hand through his hair. «I’m not disappointed, just surprised. I didn’t think you’d look so much like….»

«You.»

«Yeah.»

«So you really are my father?» Manon hadn’t wanted to believe it, still fought against the truth, but she couldn’t ignore the apparent evidence.

Tristan swallowed once, face suddenly very serious. «I am. If you need a DNA-test to be sure-»

Interrupting him before he could finish, Manon said, «I don’t think that’s necessary. I believe you.»

Because this was all because of Asterin, Manon reminded herself, and her cousin wouldn’t have done it if she wasn’t completely certain. No matter how much she hated Manon right now.

«Okay,» he nodded, seeming slightly relieved.

Breaking the awkward silence, Manon asked about the one thing she needed to know. «Where have you been all this time?»

«That’s a very long and complicated story,» Tristan said, letting out a shaky breath.

Manon didn’t answer, simply gave him a look that said: «I have all the time in the world right now.»

«How much do you want to know?»

«Everything,» Manon breathed.

Tristan looked down, taking a few seconds to gather himself, before he started:

«I met your mom during my freshman year of college. We had a class together, and I was instantly drawn to her, because she was beautiful, yes, but also because she was the most kind, compassionate person I had ever met.»

Manon struggled to make this image match with the one she had of her mother from before, the image her grandmother had formed of a college drop-out who’d gotten knocked up by the wrong guy.

Weak and pathetic, just like your mother…

«It didn’t take long before we started dating and fell in love, and I’ll spare you the details, but two years later Lothian got pregnant. With you.

«We were only twenty at the time, but you were so wanted, Manon. So loved, even before you were born.»

He looked at her, eyes lined with silver, and the pain in his voice was like a knife to her heart. If she’d been so wanted, why had they both left her?

«A few weeks before you were supposed to be born, Lothian was driving home from her sister, and she got into an accident…»

Tristan closed his eyes as he whispered the next part. «She died that night.»

A tear escaped as he opened them again.

«I got a call from the hospital, but they’d called her mother too, and she’d gotten there first.»

Manon felt herself pale, dread pooling in her stomach. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know what happened next.

«Lothian had cut all contact with her years before, yet they still called her…»

He got this distant look, as if he’d gone over this exact detail over and over again, to figure out where it all went wrong.

«When I got to the hospital, she was waiting for me. She told me that Lothian died in that car accident, that there was nothing to be done. And then…»

Manon wasn’t sure she was breathing. It seemed like it physically pained him to talk about this, but she needed to know. If she’d been lied to her entire life…

«When I asked about the baby, she said you’d died as well. I wanted to see you, if only to say goodbye, but they wouldn’t let me, claiming some bullshit about there not being proof I was family. I tried, I tried so hard, but they refused, they threatened to call security, and in the end, I had no choice but to leave. I lost everything that night.» He was openly crying now.

Trying to hide how badly her hands were shaking, Manon breathed at last, «You thought I was dead?»

Tristan nodded once, wiping away his tears. «For eighteen years, I’ve thought you were dead. And I never got to see you, never got to attend a funeral, never got to say goodbye.»

Tristan glanced out the nearby window for a moment. «I reached a low point after that. I quit college and had to move back in with my parents for a while. I thought I’d never come back here.

«But then Asterin called me three weeks ago. She was just a baby the last time I saw her.» His voice was filled with hope now, and he looked back at her, smililing sadly as he said that last part.

«I was so shocked to hear you were alive. And that you thought I’d left…that I didn’t want anything to do with you…»

Manon blinked furiously to keep her own tears at bay. She believed him, because this, it sounded exactly like a thing her grandmother would do, either to punish her own daughter, or to get a second chance to raise this twisted image she had of an heir or something. Manon felt sick at the mere thought of it.

«I’m so sorry I wasn’t there, Manon. I should have done more.»

«I- I don’t know what to say right now,» Manon whispered, sounding out of breath. It was too much-

Tristan gave her a soft smile, and Manon flinched at how fatherly it felt.

«I understand how much of a shock this must be for you. I felt the exact same way, that’s why it took me a few weeks to call. I was so terrified…» He shook his head, letting the sentence remain unfinished.

Then Manon was hit with another shocking revelation.

«You also have a sister. Her name is Rhiannon. She’s four.»

She definitely wasn’t breathing now.

«I live about 45 minutes away, with Rhia and her mother, Hannah. It took me years after your mother-»

«You don’t have to justify it,» Manon interrupted, before he could make some sappy excuse about how he thought he’d never love someone again. She didn’t care. And this was all too much for her to process at once. «I don’t even know you.»

Tristan hid his disappointment well, saying, «I know. But I’d love to get to know you when you’re ready for it.»

She had a father. One who cared about her, who wanted to get to know her, and her grandmother had been lying to her for her entire life-

«My grandmother…» Manon began, not even realizing what she’d said until after she’d spoken.

«…are you safe with her?» He was hesitant to ask, and she couldn’t take the concern in those damn eyes that looked too much like her own.

No, she wasn’t fucking safe! Her grandmother was a psychopath, and Manon was an idiot to not realize it sooner, but she needed to process all of this on her own, needed some space to fucking think.

So she muttered a quick «yeah», unable to meet Tristan’s piercing gaze.

None of them said anything after that, and the silence was killing her. Manon couldn’t do this anymore, she needed space, needed to breathe-

«I need some time,» she mumbled, before she abruptly stood up and bolted. She was half convinced her dad would come running after her, but thankfully he didn’t. So she simply left, a million thoughts rushing through her mind.

Sitting on her bedroom floor on the verge of a panic attack, Manon tried desperately to figure out a plan.

Her grandmother would go on another «business trip» the next day, if that was even what she did whenever she left, so at least it gave Manon some time.

Right now, though, all she could do was breathe.

What she really wanted to do was to call Asterin, to ask her why she’d searched for Manon’s father, why she’d contacted him. But in order for that conversation to happen, they first had to talk about the fact that Asterin had been right about their grandmother all along, and then Manon had to apologize, something she wasn’t ready for just yet.

She had to gather up the courage first.

And she had to deal with the whole fact that she had a father who’d believed she was dead for eighteen years all because of her grandmother. And she had a sister-

The mere thought made her dizzy. Stuff like this didn’t happen in real life, to real people-

Still, Manon knew it was true. She could feel it with her whole heart.

It filled her with such rage and sorrow, to know her grandmother had robbed her of an entire childhood feeling loved and safe and happy.

She thought of that little girl, who’d only wanted someone to hold her, to tell her they were proud of her, that they loved her. A tear escaped, then another, then another, until she was full-on sobbing.

Manon sobbed for the mother she’d lost.

For the father she’d been taken from.

For the childhood she never got to have.

For the monster her grandmother had made her into.

For the cousin she’d hurt so badly, whom she missed so badly.

And for the boy she loved, whom she was bound to hurt someday in the future.

Oh, how Manon wished Dorian was here right now, to hold her, to comfort her, to tell her everything would be alright.

She wanted to tell him everything, but she knew she couldn’t. It was all too complicated, too fucked up, and he didn’t deserve this mess, not when he’d been through so much of his own.

Manon would let herself pretend for a little longer though, would let herself keep this one good thing in her life, even if it couldn’t last.

Because soon, everything would come crashing down.

A/N: i have to admit, i'm a little relieved to have finished this chapter, as it was the one i thought would be the hardest to write...i'm still not sure whether i'm happy with how it turned out or not, but it's here, and that's good enough for now<3

also a big thank you to everyone who comments, it's such a huge motivation to keep writing!

Taglist: @fireheartfaery @bookishwitchling @gwynethhberdara @darklingswhxore @onfma @ireallyshouldsleeprn @sayosdreams @rowaelinismyotp @rainbowcheetah512 @mirubyjane @zoyalovesbooks @wishfulimaginings

#manorian #dawninlatin QoP #manon x dorian #manon blackbeak #dorian havilliard #manorian fanfiction #throne of glass #sarah j maas

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suleikashideaway · 1 year ago

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🎶✨️when you get this, put 5 songs you actually listen to, then publish. Send this ask to 10 of your favorite followers (positivity is cool)🎶✨️

Oohh fun! Thank you!!

Fun fact about me: I am in irl professional musician and music teacher! You'd think that would mean something special about my taste in music but, heh, I guess you can be the judge of that. In any case music is important to me <3

I also am the type of person to find a single album or artist and only listen to that specific thing for...several months to a year, so instead of listing 5 songs of my current obsession, I'll list one from each of my past 5 obsessions lmao

1- Okay, the current boy on my mind. Hozier is...out of this world. I cannot BELIEVE I only discovered this godlike human a few weeks ago. I'm not kidding when I say I cried when I found out he's coming here live in a few months and tickets are already sold out. This song is from his latest album and it is etched in my soul:

2- In my efforts to be the best music teacher I can be, I picked up the ukulele and along the way picked up Eddie Vedder and his unbelievable album called Ukulele Songs. I can't believe how much I undervalued this man. He is an iconic songwriter and I've grown to love his appreciate his voice and style. Every song on this album is a hit but I'll give you the one that'll make you swoon:

The rest are under the cut because I like music a lot lol

3- I went through a pretty intense Florence + The Machine kick last year. I had always loved them but I had never put in any concentrated listening until I (belatedly) discovered the album High As Hope. Again, amazing album from start to finish, but this song...oooh.

4- Apparently I'm a big fan of The Staves...my Spotify wrapped informed me I'm in the top .05% of listeners??? So it would only be appropriate if I put them on here. I love how they've evolved over time. This song is kind of like, my theme song probably. (Except the bit about snow lmao)

5- Arghhh only five songs?!? Alright I'll end on an uplifting song to start your day. (If the theme isn't apparent, I pretty much love really angsty songs. If it doesn't make me cry on first listen it's probably not my thing lmaoooo BUT I do like a good touch of optimism occasionally to get me pumped!) This song is from The Wailin' Jennys, yet another female trio (that's a theme, too), whose arrangements are just otherworldly. This song is their take on a Dolly Parton song (both versions are the best lol)

Honorable mentions: Brandi Carlile, Turnover, Incubus, Bon Iver, Joshua Radin, and Raffi lmao.

Oh, and anyone who wants to play, consider yourself tagged!!!

#music #me #ask me!

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dancing-to-architecture · 2 years ago

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36 - Kate Bush - Hounds of Love

I guess we're running up that hill today.

So I stopped watching Stranger Things in season 2 (my wife really hated when Dart are the cat and i felt no real compulsion to continue), so i totally missed why this song got really big out of nowhere last year.

Never really got into Kate Bush. Let's see what I've been missing.

Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)-

Okay i never knew that was the full title of the song, that rules. Also didn't think it was gonna kick the album off. ALSO didn't know it had over A BILLION PLAYS.

And since I'm sure the audio players don't/can't track each other's metrics, that's just on Spotify! Holy shit.

Love that synth string in the intro.

Her voice is so cool, and the things she's doing with the layering are amazing.

Okay, wait, is she implying that he is the one running up that hill? And that she wants to make a deal to be running up the hill instead?

Because let me tell you, I've run up some hills, and it's not as nice as she makes it sound.

Hounds of Love-

I like the inversion of the Hounds of War.

Feels like the other side of Florence + The Machine's "Howl", being hunted by the idea of love rather than being the one hunting for it.

I would be incomprehensibly surprised if Kate Bush wasn't a source of inspiration for Florence.

(Been listening to Gecs lately while driving, and at that last line, all i can think is "i might go and throw my shoes into the lake, yeah".)

The Big Sky-

I like this one, mostly because I'm always pointing out clouds that look like things.

(The other day, there was a cloud above my house that looked like two kidney beans doing it doggy-style.)

If this isn't the unofficial song of Montana, that state just isn't trying. (It's the "Big Sky state" iirc.)

Okay, the end of this one gets a little repetitive. Feels a little unnecessarily long.

Mother Stands For Comfort-

A love song from the point of view of Jason Voorhees (...or maybe Ed Gein?)

Dark and jagged and erratic and atmospheric, i really like the instrumentation throughout, it's kinda like if Richard D. James wrote an art-pop song.

I stand by my initial assessment. A beautiful serial killer song.

Cloudbusting-

"I still dream of Orgonon" Wait, the orgonne energy research laboratory?

Google check confirms.

Yeah, this is a song about cumming. Squirting, possibly? "you're making rain and you're just in reach".

Immediately wondering if this is the inspiration for the Bob's Burgers song "Oil Spill".

(Yeah it's... Not subtle.)

Oh, wait, no, i think it's actually about water breaking and childbirth. I think i prefer the incredibly powerful orgasm reading instead.

And Dream Of Sheep -

This could be on a "go to sleep" playlist. Very mellow.

I totally feel the light sleeper part, though. Never been good at sleeping, and the army made that way worse.

Under Ice-

I grew up near a river junction in Illinois. One of the first things you learn is "NEVER trust river ice".

And, not to be too blunt, but if you don't learn that from hearing it, you likely won't need to worry about learning much else.

Honestly, this one is a bit of a recurring nightmare, the idea of being trapped under ice is horrifying.

Waking The Witch-

Considering how the last song flows into this one, maybe it IS a nightmare.

Possibly just the sound of Catholic guilt?

This is a wild one. Lots of what feels like found footage audio.

Watching You Without Me-

Ocarina of Time's Goron City? That you?

Considering the sweep of the past few songs on the album, I'm guessing she didn't make it out from under the ice, it has the vibe of "ghost watching the living".

Oh, she straight up says that.

Oh damn! Inverse backmasking?

Record the melody backwards, while singing the words backwards, so it's still intelligible when played forward. I LOVE IT.

And the chopped up cries to be heard? Oh, this song rules. The vibe here is immaculate.

Kate, this one made me a convert. Masterfully executed auditory ghost story.

Jig Of Life-

The dead woman fights for her right to live? I'm hoping I'm reading this album right, because all of a sudden I'm thinking: "is this ALL one big story? Did i just get ’Hazards of Love'-ed here? What are the implications of that realization with the very clearly about a serial killer song in the middle there?"

Hello Earth-

A song for Doctor Manhattan? Idk. Also, not sure about this one within the "is it all connected?" framework.

Maybe the woman lost the fight for her life?

The return of "getting out of the water".

The German at the end translates to:

"deeper deeper

somewhere deep

is there a light".

The Morning Fog-

I guaran-goddamn-tee that someone somewhere had almost fallen asleep during last song only to get jump-scared to shit by the start of this one.

There's a certain amount of "through the underworld" to it.

Like being in a bad trip for a while and everything dissipates as the night fades away, and you just stand there in the growing light of the morning sun and finally feel refreshed and alive again.

You could tell me that this album was based on a Greek tragedy and i would believe you.

You could also tell me that this album was based on a really challenging acid trip and i would also believe you.

Either way, atmospheric as hell, beautiful and tragic and emotional. I really enjoyed this one.

Favorite Track: Watching You Without Me. I get why Running Up That Hill was the big single and this wasn't (it just couldn't be, it needs the buildup), but this one is the best track on the album.

Least Favorite Track: The Big Sky is slightly diminished in my eyes by that ending just going on forever, but this is a really good album overall.

#1001 albums #dancing to architecture #Kate Bush #Hounds of Love

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kaylinelizabeth4004 · 1 year ago

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Sky Full of Song

Summary: Aziraphale and Crowley listen to some music. Then Crowley decides to make something special for Aziraphale.

Title from a Florence + the Machine song, I don’t know why but Florence and Good Omens are connected in my mind.

When they had first settled upon the idea of Crowley living inside the bookshop, along with Aziraphale, they had a few small technicalities to work out. Where Crowley would sleep was easily sorted out with a quick snort by Aziraphale, who called it their bedroom, as though it were the most obvious thing, which only shut Crowley up and make him cover his face with his hand to hide the blush across his cheeks.

And of course, there was the matter of Crowley's plants. There were 23 of them to date, all named and specialized with their own personal stories - of which we will dive into a different day. Aziraphale didn't hesitate to set aside some books, miracle some new end tables, and create space for the plants. They were Crowley's version of books, he argued, and deserved their place in their world. So there they stay, Orion up near the front to stare at anyone who dared to actually purchase a book.

Naturally, Crowley assumed that his moving in would eliminate the need for a flat at all. That flat was cold, damp, and terribly inconvenient to get to, quite like the rest of London. He saw no reason to cling onto a place that never felt like his home. However Aziraphale had a different approach.

"Well, dearest, it's not that I wish to be away from you, of course. It's rather that you, err, you might wish to be away from me," Aziraphale had explained over some delightful wine from the '20s.

"Wot?" Crowley asked, furrowing his brows in genuine confusion.

"It's just, I worry you feel as though you have to stay here all the time. I want you to have an, err, an out. An out from me. If you wish to do something without my presence."

Crowley thought for a moment then scoffed, "if you didn't want me around all the time you could have just said so."

"No!" Aziraphale stiffened in his seat, reaching out to place an eager hand on Crowley's arm. He looked so warm and inviting to Crowley, as though his very existence was one large hug you didn't deserve. "Dear, I adore having you here. I want you here as often as possible. I just don't want you to feel as though you have to, for my sake. You are more than my... person. You shouldn't have to sacrifice your life for mine."

What Crowley wanted to say was, 'I'd sacrifice my life for yours any day. I want to be with you every moment of every day, even if it means I stare into space while you pour over the same book you've been pouring over for two centuries. You aren't a sacrifice, you're a gift in my life.'

What he actually said was, "s'alright then. I can store... things there."

Aziraphale smiled that proud and yet shy smile, patting Crowley's arm. He rose from his seat, placing a soft kiss on Crowley's temple as he went towards the record player. He lifted a record from his collection with a flourish as he said, "Wonderful, my dear."

"S'bloody brilliant," Crowley mumbled before swallowing a large mouthful of the truly delicious wine. Aziraphale had such a wicked taste in wine, it was unmatched.

"Oh I think you'll quite enjoy this one," Aziraphale said with a giddy smile, sitting down as the record played that dull hum before the music actually started. Crowley tried to contain his smile as he watched Aziraphale wiggle from excitement, shake his body like he couldn't contain it.

It was jazz, that much Crowley could tell. He took extra care to pay attention to the song being played, and when he realized what it was his brows lifted. "Angel, is that Nature Boy?"

"It is!" Aziraphale giggled. "I know you just adored Nat King Cole's music and I found this record, I just knew we had to have it."

'Adore' might have been a stretch in Crowley's mind, he'd never been outright obsessed but he did enjoy listening to him. Nat King Cole's voice did something to Crowley that few other artists could do. Sure Elvis Presley made him nostalgic, Queen made him feel alive, The Smiths were all he wanted to be, KISS was all he wanted to dress like, and somewhere in there Nat King Cole's voice floated around. Nothing specific, but nothing unspecific either. An emotional blob that just existed.

He wished he could explain it, tried to reason that maybe he loved the way his voice seemed to slide through the room like butter. It was smooth, calm, deep. The lyrics to Nature Boy didn't help that ache in his soul, their story echoing in a room full of stories. It was beautiful and simple, but it seemed to reach a part of him he didn't quite understand. But he felt his heart tighten, threatening to burst as the sweet Angel across from him closed his eyes and listened to it all. He bought this for him, knowing he loved it.

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved, in return," Crowley murmured along with the record. Aziraphale looked up suddenly at Crowley's voice, and took a small, selfish smile. This was everything.

There they were, one late evening in a quaint, unassuming little bookshop, on an unassuming street, in an unassuming city, a demon and an angel sat in the music. They didn't say a word, letting the chords glide through them as one. It was always something that united them. Even when good and evil seems blurred and the world might actually fall apart because of a preteen, the music never faltered.

———

Sometimes ideas seem a lot better in words than in action. While Crowley had agreed that he could 'store stuff' in his now empty flat, he stared at it like it was a beast. Apart from Aziraphale, huh? Bah, it would never happen. Crowley scoffed as he left, locking up quickly as he sauntered out of there. He didn't see any reason he needed to abandon his Angel.

On the walk home, - yes walk. Unfortunately Aziraphale had decided the 'our' in 'our home, our bookshop, our hot chocolate', now applied to Crowley's Bentley. His sweet, precious Bentley. Now turned as yellow as piss while Aziraphale went to collect a package an hour outside of town. No, Crowley supposed it didn't really look like piss. But anything other than her true, dark beauty seemed deceiving. She did belong to a demon of all things, not Miss Frizzle. Whatever, he blew a breath and continued down the road.

Crowley chuckled to himself for a moment, Aziraphale was one strange dress and some box dye away from becoming Miss Frizzle. Though he didn't suppose Aziraphale would appreciate the reference as much as Crowley liked it.

He stopped for a moment outside one of the shops, catching a glimpse of his hair looking positively on fire. It wouldn't be the first time he was literally on fire, and he worried he'd been smoking without realizing. Pissed off some good people last time he let that get out of hand.

As Crowley turned to leave, he noticed what sat on a little stand in the window. A knitting kit. Along with various shades of blue and yellow yarn, laying on a sweet basket that seemed to have all one would need to knit. Needles and what not, Crowley wasn't actually sure what was required to knit but some of the ladies back in the 1790s loved to do it while the aristocracy lost their heads. One lady made him a love scarf, he still has it somewhere. Bloody good wine, then.

He didn't really know why, but against his better judgment Crowley strolled right in and purchased the kit. Then he went and stood on the street corner for a full two minutes, trying to decide what to do with his 30 quid worth of knitting supplies. He very well couldn't bring it back to the bookshop.

Not only does Aziraphale know how to knit, he's good at it. And Crowley doesn't necessarily feel like having him linger around, breathing softly down his neck and completely unaware he was doing it. Then he would sit down, away from Crowley, nose shoved in a book with wide eyes over the edge. And each time Crowley would do something wrong, Aziraphale would whisper a little "oh dear" before avoiding Crowley's gaze. This was part of the reason Crowley gave up on sewing. That and the needle was too damn small for his eyes. It was sweet and infuriating all at the same time. Aziraphale meant well, Crowley knew that, the Angel never meant poorly. But it wasn't worth the trouble.

So that was why Crowley ended up make in a cold, damp, inconvenient flat with a basket full of knitting supplies sitting on the empty floor.

"You s'can't be worth at the trouble," Crowley mumbled to it, poking it with his foot.

They stared at one another in awkward silence for about a minute before Crowley broke, sauntering through the different dark rooms of the flat. He loitered in his office, remembering fondly when Ligur melted into a puddle at the entrance. His desk still had the scratch from his vintage message machine. Crowley let out a breath.

Then he found himself back where he started, staring at a basket full of knitting supplies as though it were going to bite him. He wishes it would, it would be better than the mocking stare it presented instead.

"Ngk, fine, you stupid bloody thing," Crowley said in an agitated voice, sitting on the empty floor beside it. "You s'better be the best damn kit money coulda bought."

He dumped the supplies in a heap, going straight for the needles and the blue yarn. This should be easy. People been doing it for hundreds of years. Easy. Easy peasy, tickety-boo as his Angel says.

20 minutes later and it was most certainly not tickety-boo. Crowley had pin pricks along his fingers, fraying yarn on the cuffs of his jacket, and one massive knot he couldn't comprehend how it had happened. His phone buzzed in his pocket, giving him a chance to escape this nightmare. He could feel the steam coming from his ears and he threw the offending material down to stand and answer it.

"Ah, Angel, was wondering when you'd bother to call. I've been left alone for days."

"Oh don't be dramatic," Aziraphale said, but Crowley could hear the smile on his face. "It should be I who is upset with you. Where are you? I returned home to find an empty bookshop and some very rude individual trying to open the door to buy books!"

"Bloody idiot."

"That's what I said, in less offensive terms, of course. Dearest, you didn't answer my question. Where are you?"

"I'm..." he debated the different possible answers he could be giving Aziraphale. Admitting he was at the flat would excite him, but it could also prompt questions about the purpose. Saying he was anywhere else would be lying, and that didn't feel quite right. Not anymore, though he supposed it never did. So he sighed and just said, "I'm at the old flat. Checking in."

He could hear Aziraphale's giddy voice, "oh wonderful. I'm so glad you have that space."

"M'yeah, it's, uh, it's nice."

"Goody!"

There was a moment of silence on the phone. Aziraphale was moving some items around to accommodate the rare Walt Whitman he had just spent 2 1/2 hours of his day acquiring. Crowley was staring at the blue heap of yarn on the floor.

After a few moments of companionable silence Aziraphale sighed and said, "Well I'll be the first to say it. I'd like you here, to spend time with me. I miss you."

Crowley fought the smile on his face as he teased Aziraphale, "wot? Wot'd you say? I missed it, signal totally blew."

"I said I missed you!"

"Wot? Say it again, Angel, totally lagging over 'ere."

Aziraphale puffed out in a whined voice, "oh you wily serpent, come home! I missed you today!"

"Ahhh, you missed me. And here I was thinking you said I pissed me, and that doesn't make bloody sense does it," Crowley said with a sarcastic tone, walking outside and towards the bookshop faster than he intended to.

"Oh just hurry on home, my love."

Crowley was stunned for a moment. 'My love' was a new nickname, and one he had always considered cheesy with other pairs. But instead, with Aziraphale it just made him blush and walk faster than he meant to.

"On it, Angel."

———

A week and a half later, Aziraphale was off at Maggie's little record shop helping her organize and try to market to the current generation. She wasn't getting much busy, which Aziraphale thought to be the most disappointing. Records were his favorite form of music.

As Aziraphale tucked every Nat King Cole into their proper place, Crowley was across London in a damp, cold, inconvenient flat hunched over and trying to knit. He'd bought a book full of patterns and instructions, and was now on his third iteration of the same scarf. The two previous attempts were in burned heaps in the corner, neither even close to completion. They had started to go horribly wrong and Crowley got so angry he accidentally set them on fire.

This time around, Crowley was taking his time with each action. He was terrified of mucking it all up. This was important to him, even if it was just a bunch of fibres looped together.

"If you s'don't do exactly as I tells you I will make your life hell," Crowley muttered to the yarn. "And's I can actually do that. Think hard on your decision."

Whether it was the slowness, the patience, or the fear of Crowley installed in the bundles of pale yellow and blue yarn, it was actually started to turn out his way.

———

Aziraphale hummed to himself a song he'd heard for the first time over at Maggie's shop. 'Unforgettable' by Nat King Cole. He realized he might have started to develop a real love for that man's music, all because of how much he knew Crowley enjoyed him. He never imagined himself a jazz fan, far too eccentric for his tastes, but the smooth notes got stuck in Crowley's head as he made the pair hot chocolates.

He was still humming softly as he returned to the main area of the bookshop, eyebrows raised as he saw a small white box with a yellow ribbon on his desk.

"Crowley, what's this?" Aziraphale asked, setting his mug down beside the box and walking over to where Crowley was sprawled across a chair.

"Wot?"

"The box, what is it?"

Crowley shrugged, sipping the hot chocolate Aziraphale gave him and looking out the window, "I dunno."

"You don't know? What do you mean you don't know?" Aziraphale scoffed as though it was completely impossible.

"I said I don't know, Angel. Might as well open it and find out."

Aziraphale narrowed his eyes and looked at Crowley with confusion. Crowley didn't always love to communicate well, though neither did he - a sin they both unfortunately share - but this was entirely new. Despite all this, Aziraphale did go to the box. He gently undid the pale yellow ribbon, it was so beautiful he took extra pains to not rip it, and lifted the the lid.

He gasped slightly at what he saw, "oh Crowley."

Crowley cringed, expecting Aziraphale to hate it. But that was quite the opposite. Inside the box sat a scarf, blue and yellow and hand knit, with a small card sitting on top of it saying 'Happy Creation Day.' Aziraphale glanced up and was surprised to find that it was, indeed, October 21st. Creation Day, the Earth was now 6,027 years old, and Crowley remembered.

Aziraphale lifted the scarf from the box, seeing it for what it was. It wasn't perfect in the slightest. The yellow and blue made an awkward, uneven contrast at some parts. Knots made lumps throughout the entire scarf, and one color was at least an inch and a half longer than the other. But all the same, it made Aziraphale tear up, "oh Crowley it's beautiful."

"You really think so?" Crowley asked timidly, now standing stiffly near where he was sitting. His eyes were looking anywhere but Aziraphale, scared if he looked at him he'd be humiliated. His cheeks were pink as Aziraphale looked at his work.

"Oh dearest, this is amazing. How long did it take you?"

"Oh, just, you know normal knitting times..."

"Crowley?"

"2 months," he mumbled.

Aziraphale dropped the scarf into the box, walking over to Crowley and gently placing his hands on his cheeks. Though he closed his eyes, he leaned his head into the touch. "You spent 2 months making this for me?"

"S'course, Angel. Woulda spent longer, got rushed."

"My darling, it is absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for this gift. You have outdone yourself."

It was these words that made Crowley open his bright, yellow eyes and look at Aziraphale. He wasn't lying, he wasn't lying in the slightest. All he saw in Aziraphale's eyes was admiration, love, and the glassy look of someone trying to hold back tears. Crowley whispered softly, "why are you crying?"

Aziraphale laughed softly, letting a tear fall at this, "Oh my sweet, it's good tears. I'm just so overwhelmed. It's so beautiful and you made it for me."

"S'course."

Aziraphale let his forehead fall against Crowley's. There they stood in their little bookshop, two angels holding each other. After a few moments of this, Aziraphale broke away, kissed Crowley forehead and wiped away his tears.

"Well, shall I treat you to a spot of lunch?"

"I think a table at the Ritz just opened up," Crowley smiled, hiding the mist in his own eyes.

"Oh, what a miracle!" Aziraphale giggled. "You go on and warm up the car dearest. I'll only be a moment."

"M'kay, Angel." Crowley walked out and greeted his lovely Bentley with an appreciative whistle. "Such a beautiful girl, can't wait to ride you."

A woman walking puffed up and said, "shut it, you creepy bloke."

Crowley, offended, scoffed, "I- I was talking to my car. Not you!"

She rolled eyes, "sure, mate, I believe ya."

Crowley took on a taunting tone, "You're not even my type, you- you- you box dye brunette!" He couldn't think of a better insult and she just flipped him off and stalked off.

"Oh bugger," Crowley murmured, going to open the driver's door. Then he stopped, looking up at Aziraphale who was now on the steps of the bookshop. He was wearing the scarf he made him.

He was wearing the scarf he made him.

And proudly too. Despite it's lumps, it's unevenness, and it's wonky patterns, Aziraphale wore the scarf like a badge of honor. He was showing off to the world that Crowley was his, and Crowley was talented, sweet, and anyone would be lucky to have him. But they couldn't have him, because Crowley was Aziraphale's, as Aziraphale was Crowley's.

"Ngk-wow, Angel."

"Don't you like it?" Aziraphale asked, preening like a peacock. "I had it handmade by the most talented man. I shall give you his number if you like."

"N-nah. I'm not a knit type of guy."

"Oh shame, he really is quite good. And he looks fantastic is those leather jackets," Aziraphale says with a wide grin.

"Just get in, Angel." Crowley was now blushing violently, and got in the car to avoid turning into a hot pink mess out there. Aziraphale slid in beside him, sitting pin straight as he does but with a little proud wiggle in his seat. He was so fucking cute it hurt sometimes, so Crowley turned on the radio.

In the silence of the car ride, Nat King Cole's mesmerizing voice called out, "the greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved, in return."

#good omens #good omens season 2 #fluff #so much fluff #fluff so sweet you’re teeth will rot #slice of life #like seinfield episodes but less funny and more sentimental #Crowley is trying #no beta we die like crowley’s heart in s2 e6 ouch neil gaiman #asexual relationship #Nat King Cole reference that is actually a Moulin Rouge reference in my little heart #Crowley is a simp #Aziraphale is proud #I’m actually so proud of this please enjoy it #neil gaiman notice me #david tennant #michael sheen

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lilacerull0 · 2 years ago

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florence + the machine, hole, the like

[ also Cassandra Blackwood (and her Cabin Band) ]

HELLOOOOO IVYYYYY ☀️🎸

f+tm: the bomb!!! but also: sky full of song, south london forever, cassandra, haunted house, between two lungs, which witch, ghosts - demo (yes. this one is more special), all this and heaven too, shake it out (top 10?) oh and how big, how blue, how beautiful ofc

hole: miss world <3 (GREAT/FITTING SOUNDTRACK TO INVISIBLE MONSTERS BTW ;) and rock star because i love a phantom song! (she's never lived, she's always been alive, no beginning no end etc) and malibu (although this one is above ranking). but playing your song is a big hit with me at the moment

the like: release me + wishing he was dead + what i say and what i mean + (so i'll sit here) waiting + catch me if you can + in the end + don't make a sound + june gloom + ehhh you get it

CASS + THE CABIN BAND: ok so i love the cover of get out of my house (kate bush) they did with stephanie says!!!! (this is cb's karma police) my all time favourites are jonas the cat; well done, coraline; bleeding on the ballroom floor (from the first part of the divorce album titled Shotgun! Wedding!); barely apocalyptic kitchen (from the second part of the divorce album, this is the dylanisque one! titled Blows For Freedom... a river of words that one)

was thinking about how cool it is that bruce's the river is a double album while playing the record for the hundredth time (could've been the first time tho... space/time shenanigans!) and then it hit me OH. THE DIVORCE ALBUM IS A DOUBLE ALBUM

SEND ME ARTISTS AND I'LL SAY MY FAVORITE SONG BY THEM

#💌restless wind inside a letter box💌#ask game #cassandra blackwood tag #THANK YOUUU 🧡🎶🧡🎶🧡🎶🧡🎶

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rufusrant · 2 years ago

Text

Florence + the Machine - High As Hope: Album Review

This is the hardest album I've had to review yet. But I suppose that does not really carry so much weight seeing how I've only ever reviewed F+TM's previous 3 albums. Nevertheless, here we are.

In F+TM's discography, High As Hope is an anomaly in almost every way possible: it's their shortest album, the only one out under the Virgin EMI label, and there's only ever been a standard release of it (no deluxe versions or Target exclusives or any alternate editions). And then there's the album itself. I've reviewed all 10 tracks below.

Thus, standard warning here: I am not trained in music or its production in any way and these are all my own opinions as a fan, so feel free to disagree with me. I adore the band and this is only for fun lol.

And thus, onto the review!

#1: June

The review of High as Hope on Pitchfork calls this “a glum song about a high” and I agree, but I think this said glumness is the song’s greatest strength. It starts out so uncharacteristically slow and understated as compared to every other opening song Florence has done so far, but it works so well setting up the tone of what we’re about to expect, and in my opinion is the definitive song of the album. It’s far from the ambitiousness of the band’s previous work but makes the conversational, contemporary prose style work with Florence’s precisely spread vocals, and it all comes to one huge lift when the instrumentals start building up at the end. We might be starting more humbly and downplayed than before, but that’s exactly what makes it so heady, contemplative and altogether a song that really pushes through. 8/10.

#2: Hunger

My feelings on this flux so much. Some days I adore its honesty, vulnerability and joyfully confessional lyrics, but it has never struck that deep a chord within me — because I have no clue where she’s going with this song. I realise that it might be an overly personal choice, but could it be because the sudden mention of “staring at your phone” starkly pulls one out from Florence’s inner world and shunts us back into ours? This has never been a song I loved, but when it hits me, it hits me right where it needs to. I’d say the poetic lyrics are its true saving grace. 6/10.

#3: South London Forever

Look, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.

I know that this is an autobiographical song but I firmly dislike this without a doubt. Listening to this feels like I’m being given a tour by a group of people who are all arguing about where to go and what to do first to the point of just standing still and not moving at all. I can’t help but feel from reading the rambling lyrics that this was meant to have the understated and stripped-down tones of June albeit more lighthearted in some Bildrungsroman sense, but it fails because the melody keeps hiking itself higher and higher till there’s just a huge height to fall from. And boy does it fall. I feel that entirely displaces the essence of the song. Also, I can’t stand the “over and over” bit. Instant skip. 2/10.

#4: Big God

Putting this after its disappointing predecessor redeems this entire album all on its own. This feels like it belongs on Ceremonials because it sounds so dark and foreboding, but I love how it earns its place here simply because it’s actually a song, in Florence’s own magnificent words, about:

“obviously, an unfillable hole in the soul, but mainly about someone not replying to my text.”

Only Florence Welch, man.

It’s such a stormy, visceral song about a relatively minor modern problem. Literally the meme of “me at every inconvenience”. And it’s done with these divine, writhing lyrics about longing combined with such a satisfying build-up of tension throughout that’s released in the outro where she all but begs to be consumed by a higher power. It’s classic Florence. Shout out to the absolutely stellar music video released for this too, with all the water and witchy performances from Florence and her dancers. 9.5/10.

#5: Sky Full Of Song

This song is pure poetry. It feels like something that comes after a pyrrhic victory or a defeat, but at the same time, fittingly, feels like it’s being filtered through clouds, how calm it is. The instrumentals take a backseat as the focus is placed on Florence’s vocals, and what a great choice because it feels so much more intimate and leaves such a deep impact. It also hits hard on how this song is meant to illustrate Florence’s loneliness as such comes down from the high after having performed and needs to regain a proper sense of herself. And I am so glad to say that she succeeds so much. 7.5/10.

#6: Grace

Another autobiographical song: Grace is Florence’s younger sister. With its soulfully tender lyrics, Florence apologises to Grace for having mistreated her, and it’s made whole with a heartfelt ballad that leaves me in tears. As an older sister myself, I related so much to Florence’s feelings here, because she achieves the feat of making the unique pain and regret of bearing such deep love for your siblings and knowing that you should’ve treated them better into something so beautifully hopeful.

Thanks to this song, people all over the world shout-sing Grace’s name, followed by “I know you carry us” and “you are so loved.” Could there be a better tribute? I’m so glad that Florence was able to communicate her love for Grace in this way, and am glad they have a much healthier relationship now. 8.5/10.

#7: Patricia

Another tribute, but this time it's to one of Florence’s biggest idols, Patti Smith. I love how this song sounds so powerfully joyful and is unabashedly a love letter to women. I like this song overall — it starts out strong with great lyrics but ultimately ends a bit abruptly with the brass instrumentation akin to that on How Big How Blue How Beautiful (the track) laying in as Florence trails off at the end, thus making it kind of uneven for me. But other than that it’s one of the songs on the album I feel stands out more on its own. 6.5/10.

#8: 100 Years

An angry, fantastical stomper. This is the album’s longest and most ambitious track and endeavours to show it: it’s unmistakably a song in the battle-strong vein of Queen of Peace but toes the line between modernity and high fantasy, and what a great choice because Florence absolutely kills it and I’m so obsessed with this. The percussion here is so tight and ritualistic and when its coupled with Florence’s war cries, one of the best choruses of all time and the simmering rage in her downtrodden-but-never-defeated vocals, it makes the perfect rebellion/protest anthem and my personal favourite on the album. 10/10.

#9: The End Of Love

…in all honesty, this is one song that I can never remember a single thing about. Though it has stunningly haunting personal lyrics and Florence starts this one so beautifully and tenderly, halfway through it just goes off-kilter for me. It’s undoubtedly soulful yet somehow feels lethargic and lacking in integral soul; which is a drag since it comes right after we’ve geared up for battle in the previous track. Though, I guess when one interprets the song this way, it might just be the perfect song to play on the trudge home after failing and wallowing in it before moving on.

This was very nearly the title track of this album, but we got High As Hope in the end because let’s be real, how do you make something called The End Of Love not depressing? To me, the whole song embodies the feeling of finally giving up and moving on. But then there’s nothing left. Just a hollow void that does not make a dent. 3/10.

#10: No Choir

I’m so blown away by this one. It’s one of Florence’s most gentle numbers. There is quite literally no choir. No masks. No grandiosity. Just Florence. I know I previously said that June is this album’s definitive track, but this would be next in line if only it did not already fulfil the position of being something else entirely: something I can't quite name. But it's something that radiates and inspires so much, if I may, hope.

I’ll never forget the emotion Florence’s humming in the outro elicited from me. This song is serenity and love itself. It feels like a farewell. It feels like a reunion. It feels like the end of a life and yet a new beginning. But most of all, again, this is what hope really feels like. High As Hope indeed. 10/10.

Overview: There are two stylistic sides to this album: gentle domesticity and raw emotion. But it mostly feels like the former. This genuinely feels like Florence at her most intimate lyric-wise but at her most distant sonically. That is to say: this is the least ethereal, or, ‘off-brand’ F+TM has ever been yet, and as a result it seems a general consensus that High As Hope is (unfortunately) the band’s least-loved album. Added on with how minimalist it is in terms of length, production and how generally sparse it feels as a whole when compared to the more cosmically epic sound and larger-than-life themes of the previous three records — something I, too, have been guilty of thinking.

However, to say that Florence + the Machine has ever made a bad album is far from the truth. Let me explain:

I must admit I feel so sorry as this is Florence’s first album done in complete sobriety; to show that she was in a much better place and yet it's got this reputation of being the weird beige spot on an otherwise immaculate discography. But it does not feel fair to dismiss it as such.

So I’d like to bring up this tweet:

This is the album where Florence really started this latter form of songwriting in earnest, and as all first works and experimentation go I guess I can see why it did not garner as much reception as the former. But some of the songs that utilise the first type are genuinely good. There’s June. Sky Full Of Song. Grace. No Choir. Their truest beauty and greatest qualities lie in their lyrics, which are contemporary poems of their own — I read Florence’s lyrics/poetry book Useless Magic last year and SHE KNOWS SHE IS A POET — and I feel that she captures so many indescribable feelings with this newly ragged authenticity, all coupled with this pre-existing atmosphere F+T M embodies of wanting to feel something larger than yourself— though maybe one could argue that the latter statement doesn’t fit this album as a whole, seeing how no-frills it feels. And it is.

But as we all know, music is subjective and I find that after the literal odyssey Florence went on in How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, are we really so surprised that she’d want to come dock her boat back on earth, just for a bit? 6.5/10.

Stream High As Hope on Spotify!

#florence + the machine #high as hope #florence welch #album review

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andallthatmerrymishigas · 7 months ago

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Numbers 1 through 25 for my darling Ruth Evershed? Pls? 😊

Oof this was a journey, thank you friend! Here we go...

1. Why do you like or dislike this character?

I adore Ruth because she is clever and kind and so strong. Her strength comes through her kindness and vulnerability. She's got this sweet humor that I just love, too.

2. Favorite canon thing about this character?

Her mind. She's quick and she knows everything. She can translate a dozen languages and make jokes while she does it and she takes the initiative to create spook taxis.

3. Least favorite canon thing about this character?

Despite her strength and convictions in pushing through and doing what is right, she runs scared. She lets her fear overtake her in everything other than the job. She lets her guilt combine with that fear to paralyze her. She spends so much time being less happy than she could be, and it's tragic and frustrating as hell.

4. If you could put this character in any other media, be it a book, a movie, anything, what would you put them in?

Oh I would love movies with Ruth. I wanted to say book but I've lowkey written like 3 books worth of content about her and what I really want is to see Nicola as Ruth do more things.

5. What's the first song that comes to mind when you think about them?

I've got multiple playlists of HR inspiration but the number one for me is Sky Full of Song by Florence + the Machine

6. What's something you have in common with this character?

Oof I don't know what I could feel comfortable admitting to. I want to say intelligence but that feels like hubris. I think her shy awkwardness is a part of me. I'll go with that.

7. What's something the fandom does when it comes to this character that you like?

There is a great respect for the pain and grief and depression that is so inherent in her character.

8. What's something the fandom does when it comes to this character that you despise?

I've read some absolute nonsense when it comes to this fandom and one of my least favorite things is turning her into some kind of cold badass. She has her moments of that but she never approaches any situation from that perspective and I don't appreciate any depiction of her that jumps right to that.

9. Could you be roommates with this character?

Absolutely. I think we'd get along famously. She seems to live very similarly to how I do.

10. Could you be best friends with this character?

I would love to be. I think she'd like me and I would love to be close with her.

11. Would you date this character?

No, I don't think we'd blend well romantically. I am attracted to confidence and a somewhat dominant personality and Ruth certainly doesn't have that.

12. What's a headcanon you have for this character?

Oh man so many that I don't even fully know what's headcanon and what's actual canon. But I do like writing her as being very prone to clutter (which I am as well) and that it drives Harry nuts. I also like to think she tries to be an ambitious cook but things never really turn out. Like making Christmas dinner and having everything be edible but also slightly burned and slightly cold.

13. What's an emoji, an emoticon and/or any symbol that reminds you of this character or you think the character would use a lot?

I'm on my laptop but I'll go with the dark blue heart. I don't know if she'd use emojis much but that's one that makes me think of her.

14. Assign a fashion aesthetic to this character.

Lmao poor Ruth doesn't have much of an aesthetic. But I guess just like professional/demure? I like to think that in another world where she continue to work for the Home Secretary and develop her career further, she would dress like Hannah on The Split.

15. What's your favorite ship for this character? (Doesn't matter if it's canon or not.)

Harry and Ruth are literally the only reason I watch the show.

16. What's your least favorite ship for this character?

I don't know that I've really seen anything else? I guess I'd be very pissed off if she ever got paired with Tom or Adam or Lucas. Any of the women or any of the male junior agents I wouldn't really mind. But the 'leading men' are all trash and don't deserve her.

17. What's a ship for this character you don't hate but it's not your favorite that you're fine with?

Has anyone put Ruth and Jo together? I wouldn't hate that.

18. How about a relationship they have in canon with another character that you admire?

Ruth's relationship with Malcolm is very important to me.

19. How about a relationship they have in canon that you don't like?

The entire history of Ruth and her shithead brother bums me out. But I appreciate that it's very important to her character.

20. Which other character is the ideal best friend for this character, the amount of screentime they share doesn't matter?

They never get to be onscreen together but I desperately wish we could have had Ruth and Connie be buddies.

21. If you're a fic writer and have written for this character, what's your favorite thing to do when you're writing for this character? What's something you don't like?

Asdfghjkl I have written so much for Ruth and I love to write her being a little playful. She has a sense of humor and I think she has the capacity to be a bit naughty and I love getting to show that. Something I don't like is having to dig into that cowardice she has because I want her to be happy and she won't let me sometimes.

22. If you're a fic reader, what's something you like in fics when it comes to this character? Something you don't like?

I will be honest, I only read my own fic at this point. When I get into a new ship, I read a lot of fic but then once I start writing my own, I focus on that. I am my own target audience so I write things that I want to read. So in my own stories, I love reading domestic fluff with Ruth and Harry. I don't like reading them fighting (even though it leads to such good stuff and I appreciate the necessity of it).

23. Favorite picture of this character?

S8 is the most beautiful she looks and I adore her hair so much

24. What other character from another fandom of yours that reminds you of them?

Dr. Ruth Galloway from the Ruth Galloway Mysteries by Elly Griffiths (who also ends up with a gruff man named Harry) is similar to our Ruth, I think.

25. What was your first impression of this character? How about now?

I found her adorable. Still do. But the depth of her that we see in the later seasons just expands my love of her so very much.

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lou-bonfightme · 10 months ago

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he's not heavy, he's my brother; a playlist for Toulouse and Berlioz

@ber-bonfamille-lyons

listen here.

tracklist:

achilles come down - gang of youths

paloma - MIKA

maman - beyries

pavement - wingtip

sky full of song - florence + the machine

mausoleum - seryn

come on, brother - lawrence, linus lawrence

younger - a great big world

happier - marshmello, bastille

brothers - penny and the sparrow

brother - lord huron

some choice lyrics that make me cry below the cut:

Achilles, Achilles, Achilles, come down Won't you get up off, get up off the roof? The self is not so weightless, nor whole and unbroken Remember the pact of our youth Where you go, I'm going, so jump and I'm jumping Since there is no me without you

Do you need, do you need a change From these old, weary ways? Counting down, counting down the days But we're both too afraid Letting go and leaning out of frame (frame) Two souls out of space

And I can tell that I'm in trouble When that music starts to play In a city without seasons It keeps raining in L.A. I feel like I'm about to fall The room begins to sway And I can hear the sirens But I cannot walk away Grab me by my ankles I've been flying for too long I couldn't hide from the Thunder in a sky full of song

And the kids seem to grow so much faster The older and older I get But time is a clever invention We are helplessly participant Oh we know you've got the soul my brother Why you trying to hide? And the heart is a beast that'll keep you bleeding, Learn to let it lie In the walls of the mausoleum

You know that this is not the end I'm always just around the bend So come on, brother You know I'd never find another Best friend

Lately, I've been, I've been thinking I want you to be happier, I want you to be happier Even though I might not like this I think that you'll be happier, I want you to be happier

How long have I known you, brother? Hundreds of lives, thousands of years How many miles have we wandered Under the sky, chasing our fear? Some kind of trouble is coming Don't know when, don't know what I will stand by you, brother 'Til the daylight comes or I'm dead and gone

#berlou #berlou stuff #aesthetic #aesthetics #inspiration #if u listen closely #you can pick out which songs are lou @ ber #and ber @ lou #and also the way the songs fall rise then fall again #also if you listen closely #you can hear me crying while you listen to this playlist #like summoning bloody mary

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ajoytobeheld · 1 year ago

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Pick n mix

August 13th, 2009

A couple of days ago people starting playing their tour mix cd’s in the van, a routine tour manager Joe established on our last promenade around America. Everyone must sit and listen to an hours worth of music you select and then clap politely at the end.

For this reallllllly long drive we are all listening to Gareths. I am very much enjoying it so far, including the little musical interludes from Frank Sidebottom who is a personal hero of his.

Mine was yesterday and here it is in full with brief annotations.

O Soundtrack my heart – Pivot

Five Seconds (featuring Odd Nostom) – Peeping Tom (In retrospect I don’t think this song was well placed and is more of a third to last album track)

Hot N Cold – Katy Perry (our guitar tech Avel loves her work and her bum)

I Want You – Elvis Costello & The Atrractions (my friend Matt put this on a mix cd for me for my birthday, and I am a little bit obsessed with the melodrama of it)

Pot Kettle Black – Tilly & The Wall

You Oughta Know – Alanis Morisette (A trip down memory lane for us all. When I put this on in the car I use to try coughing over the swearing so my mum wouldn’t make me turn the CD off.)

Half Half & Half – Oxes

Oasis – Amanda Palmer

Animals – CocoRosie

And the Hazy Sea – Cymbals Eat Guitars

Growls Garden – Clark

Open Sky – The Distillers (in honor of her past glory days rather then the disappointment that is Spinnerette)

Howl – Florence & the Machine

how it ends – DeVotchka (by this point the cd started skipping but it seemed to add to the overall ambience of this track. It’s that one off the Gears of War advert)

In conclusion it seems I chosen a lot of bands who use & in their names.

On a side note, I was told about a idiotic psychological experiment last night in which small children were put in a room with a single marshmallow.

They were told they could eat it straight away OR they could wait ten minutes without eating it and get two. The ones who ate it straight away all went to jail and failed at life, but the ones who waited it out now run all the countries. I think that’s the stupidest marshmallow based psychological experiment I have ever heard about.

Ellen x

#2009 #ellen!blog #lc!blog

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highgardenart · 2 years ago

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My Margaery Tyrell Playlist

and why I chose each song

1. Money, Money, Money — ABBA

“If In my dreams I have a plan

If I got me a wealthy man”

tyrell ambition. 2nd richest family in westeros. that is all.

2. King— Florence + The Machine

“I am no mother,

I am no bride,

I am King.”

I want to be THE queen type of beat.

3. Girls— MARINA

“Is there any possibility

You'll quit gossiping about me

To hide your insecurities

All you say is "blah, blah”’

Margaery @ Cersei [and it’s the truth.]

4. Under Attack— ABBA

“Under attack, I'm being taken

About to crack, defenses breaking

Won't somebody see and save a heart?

Come and rescue me now 'cause I'm falling apart”

Margaery when the High Sparrow takes over. [or in show canon when the Sept is blown up.]

5. I’ve Had Enough— Melina KB

“If you're so mature now

Then I think it's time you grow up

Admit you did it

We all know you did it

And yet you still gaslight me up”

We all know you blew up the sept, Cersei… This works in book canon too as a Margaery v Cersei song anyway.

6. Monarchy of Roses — Red Hot Chili Peppers

“Several of my best friends wear

The colors of the crown”

Do I even need to explain this?

7. She’s A Rainbow— The Rolling Stones

“Have you seen her dressed in blue?

See the sky in front of you

And her face is like a sail

Speck of white so fair and pale

Have you seen a lady fairer?

…

Have you seen her all in gold?

Like a queen in days of old

She shoots her colours all around

Like a sunset going down

Have you seen a lady fairer?”

These are all colors show Margaery wears. Even though she really should’ve been wearing GREEN

8. Spider in the Roses— Sonia Leigh + Daphne Willis

“Don't get to close too that garden that she's growing

Yeah, there's a spider in the roses

She's so beautiful, yeah and she knows it

But there's a spider in the roses”

She was raised with help from the Queen of Thorns, after all.

9. She Had the World— Panic! At The Disco

“I don't love you I'm just passing the time

You could love me if I knew how to lie

But who could love me?

I am out of my mind”

Margaery & all of her pretender king husbands.

10. Daniel In The Den— Bastille

“And you thought the lions were bad

Well they tried to kill my brothers

And for every king that died

Oh they would crown another”

The Lannisters are out for Tyrell blood. In show canon Cersei DID in fact kill Margaery’s brother

11. Killer Queen— Queen

“She's a Killer Queen

Gunpowder, gelatine

Dynamite with a laser beam

Guaranteed to blow your mind

Anytime”

Everyone loves the Rose of Highgarden. Except Cersei

12. Homewrecker— MARINA

“Every boyfriend is the one

Until otherwise proven

The good are never easy

The easy never good

And loving never happens

Like you think it really should”

Margaery @ Joffrey

13. Power & Control— MARINA

“Power and control

I'm gonna make you fall”

Once again: I want to be THE Queen.

14. Liquid Smooth— Mitski

“I'm liquid smooth, come touch me, too

And feel my skin is plump and full of life

I'm in my prime

I'm liquid smooth, come touch me, too

I'm at my highest peak, I'm ripe

About to fall, capture me”

The Tyrell’s fall from grace.

15. Valentine, Texas— Mitski

“Who will I be tonight?

Who will I become tonight?”

I feel like Margaery always adjusts to who’s around / who she has to please. It’s why she’s such a good player in the Game of Thrones.

16. The Other Woman— Lana Del Rey

“The other woman is perfect where her rival fails”

In my opinion Margaery is the perfect foil to Cersei. I will totally make a post about this.

17. She Wolf— Shakira

“Not getting enough retribution or decent incentives to keep me at it

Starting to feel just a little abused

Like a coffee machine in an office (aaa)

So I’m gonna go somewhere closer

To get me a lover and tell you about it…”

Margaery in all her loveless marriages. But also, Margaery in my crackship head canon. Margaery x Jon. Get it? Wolf? Stark????

18. Backstabber— Kesha

“That you have got a set of loose lips

Twisting stories, all because you're jealous

Now I know exactly what you're all about (what you're all about)

This is what you're all about

Girl, you're such a backstabber (stabber)”

This is just a giant @ Cersei imo.

19. Holding Out for a Hero— Frou Frou

“I need a hero (hero)

I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light

He's gotta be sure, and it's gotta be soon

And he's gotta be larger than life”

This version to me very much says I DONT need a hero I’m badass on my own

20. Oh No!— MARINA

“I know exactly what I want and who I want to be

I know exactly why I walk and talk like a machine

I'm now becoming my own self-fulfilled prophecy”

Once again: Tyrell ambitions!!

21. Kiss from a Rose— Seal

“And now that your rose is in bloom.

A light hits the gloom

On the gray”

Doesn’t need an explanation

22. Seventeen— MARINA

“You'll never find out what happened

The day I turned seventeen

The rise of a king and the fall of a queen, oh

Seventeen (Seventeen)”

Margaery’s rise to power in a nutshell

23. Cassandra— ABBA

“Sorry Cassandra, I didn't believe

You really had the power

I only saw it as dreams you would weave

Until the final hour”

Listen to the whole song. Lots of Tyrell imagery.

24. Babooshka— Kate Bush

“She wanted to test her husband

She knew exactly what to do

A pseudonym

To fool him

She couldn't have made a worst move”

Poor Margaery constantly in loveless marriages.

25. Cassandra— Florence + The Machine

“Well, can you see me? I cannot see you

Everything I thought I knew has fallen out of view

In this blindness I'm condemned to

Well, can you hear me? I cannot hear you

Every song I thought I knew, I've been deafened to

And there's no one left to sing to”

Sparrow era Margaery losing hope.

26. Head Over Heels— ABBA

“I have a very good friend

The kind of girl who likes to follow a trend

She has a personal style

Some people like it, others tend to go wild

You hear her voice everywhere

Taking the chair

She's a leading lady”

Cersei loosing her shit over Reach fashion. Also, whole song reminds me of Margaery. A powerful woman paving the way.

27. Sharks— Imagine Dragons

“You think you're better than them

Better than them

You think they're really your friends

Really your friends

But when it comes to the end

To the end

You're just the same as them

Same as them

So let it go, let it go

That's the way that it goes

First you're in, then you're out

Everybody knows

You're hot, then you're cold

You're a light in the dark

Just you wait and you'll see

That you're swimmin' with sharks”

Margaery’s complex relationship with Lannisters/Royals. This can work for Alicent Hightower too.

28. The Wedding List— Kate Bush

“No, I'll never give the hunt up, and I won't muck it up

Somehow this is it, I knew, maybe fate wants you dead too

We've come together in the very same room, and I'm coming for you”

The Purple Wedding.

29. Holding Out for a Hero— Bonnie Tyler

I already have another version of this song here, but the original gives me ‘I DONT need to be saved, but true love might still be nice…’

30. Mary on a Cross— Ghost

“You go down just like Holy Mary

Mary on a, Mary on a cross

Your beauty never really scared me

Mary on a, Mary on a cross”

Ignore the fact that this song is actually about getting head but… Mother on a, seven pointed star…. Sparrow Margaery.

#margaery tyrell #game of thrones #asoiaf #character playlist #house tyrell #loras tyrell #willas tyrell #olenna tyrell #garlan tyrell #a song of ice and fire #GoT #mace tyrell #alerie tyrell #the reach #highgarden

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