#really the whole ceremonials album is front to back excellent

[niall-the-churchboy]

Since We Were Eighteen ~ Louis Tomlinson

In which he’s getting married but not with her. Louis Tomlinson x famous!reader

I saw a tiktok a few days ago and decided to base this story from it.

---------------------------------

The invitation had been like a hard hit in the middle of the stomach, those that leave you out of breath and a little unconscious the first seconds. It was white with the letters engraved in gold, something so elegant and delicate yet powerful enough to destroy your life. 

The first weeks you debated yourself in attending, you thought it would be too selfish in your part and that Louis would want you there. But he had never though about you or think about how his actions would affect you. That’s probably the reason why you had decided to put some space between you and distance yourself from him, to be honest you would never imagine getting the invitation in the first place, and you were sure he had to convince Caroline a whole lot.

Caroline despised you --she still does--, and you were never really sure why, after all she had Louis wrapped around her evil fingers and you didn’t. 

You had met Louis when you were both still pretty young, his time in the X factor had just finished and he was beginning to build his career with the other four boys. You on the other hand had already started singing and posting covers on YouTube, and when ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ struck the world you were one of the first to post a video cover about it. Louis eventually found the video and asked to meet you, the connection between the two of you was almost instant. That's how your friendship started.

Couple of years later you both were still great friends, you had managed to get yourself a manager and where writing your own songs, and when Louis and Harry stoped being roommates, you were first to move in with Louis.

From then, everything went excellent, until --obviously-- Caroline appeared like a devil coming from the ground. She met Louis at a stupid bar and hit it off soon after. You were sweet towards hers --sure you were jealous-- but sweet nevertheless. However she was not. She would throw nasty comments your way and mistreat you, but Louis never realised, and you were scared enough to tell him because he couldn’t possibly know you had a big fat crush on him. 

Soon she moved in and you moved out explaining that it was time to have your own apartment like any normal celebrity when Louis asked you to stay. You couldn’t stay, not with that snake watching your every move. And then, you just grew apart you guess.

So no, you weren’t expecting the wedding invitation.

(...)

You fidget with your fingers playing with your long red dress, sweat growing on your back neck and a very empty feeling in your stomach.

“Y/n!’, you hear someone call and you turn around, Niall’s figure approaching you dressed in a black suit, “It’s been forever since I last saw you!”

“Yeah”, you scratch your neck before giving him a warm hug, unexpectedly feeling better with his presence, “‘M sorry for that.” “Don’t. You must be really busy with your newest album coming out”, Niall replies, “Payno! Look who I found!”, he shouts again as Liam walks inside the church, people already beginning to take seats. 

“Y/n! Oh god, hi!”, he greets you happily, “You look beautiful.” Your relationship with the other boys was good too --not what it had once been with Louis-- but great either way. You decide it feels nice to see them again. “I have so many questions to ask you, we all need to catch up”, Liam suggest and you nod, “Talk to ya’ later”.

As you sat and waited for the ceremony to starts you take some time to look at the place. The classical church is decorated with white and pink flowers everywhere, the cellar illuminated with candles and warm light entering through the windows. You can't help but feel a bitter taste on your mouth that you try to gulp down, this isn’t how it’s supposed to go. 

Louis enters through a back door, standing in front of the cellar next to the pastor, nervousness brightening his face. You feel your heart burst at the sight of him, It’s been so long... He scans the crowd clearly looking for someone, and when his eyes meet yours he shows you a warm grin. You try to smile back, clearly coming out as a weak one, but it’s good enough for him. 

This isn't how it's supposed to go, the tough spins inside your head. He shouldn't be marrying her, he should be yours and you should be his. But it’s too late now, and it seems as if your time has run out. 

The ceremony begins, the bridesmaids walking through the isle accompanied by the best-mans, but it’s like you aren’t even there. Everything just feels so far away--so surreal-- like it’s just a dumb nightmare you’ll eventually wake up from. You try pinching your arm--but no--Caroline walks in, a gorgeous white dress, you open and close your eyes, but she’s still there, and your heart breaks a little more every time she makes a step further.

When she reaches his side he leans in and whispers in her ear --something that makes her giggle-- and the whole crowd awws. 

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God, and in the presence of family and friends to join together this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony”, the pastor begins and you feel your world crumble. 

This is not fair. You met Louis first, you where there first, you loved him first. Then why is she standing next to him today? All your memories with Louis pass through your mind, you feel a knot forming in your throat that you can't seem to gulp down, the room starts to compress and you feel yourself lacking oxygen to breathe. Tears start to prick in your eyes and your vision starts to get foggy. “Darling, are you okay?”, an old lady that’s sitting next to you asks. You want to say NO, that this is not okay because it should be you, it should be you standing next to him reciting your vows.

“-speak now or forever hold your peace”, you hear the pastor say, and before you can’t stop yourself, before you can insist that everything’s going to be okay, you shoot your hand up.

Gasps of surprise and shock quickly fill the church, you find Louis’ disbelief look on you, clearly not understanding why you are doing this. Why are you doing this? 

“I have loved you since we were eighteen”, you manage to say, your voice hoarse and tears streaming down your face that ruin your makeup. “And I- she’s-”, you fail to explain, “she’s not good for you, Louis. Please.” He shooks his head looking at you with embarrassment. And you can't take it. So you cramp your dress by the side and run away. And you don't stop, you think you don't remember how, and even if your feet start to hurt given that you’re wearing heels and your vision blurs even more until you can barely see where you are going, you keep on running. 

Never looking back.

---------------------------

part 2

Damn that was sad to write! Anyone feeling like a part 2?

[kamen-rider-zed]

Artiste et Muse Ch3

So yeah, this chapter kinda broke my heart to write, so fair warning, if you have emotions, you might want to get rid of them before reading this.

AO3

Nathanael rolled over, pushed his longer hair out of his face (seriously, what was future him thinking growing it out this long?) and rubbed at the knot in his neck. He would have much preferred sleeping in the bed, but Chloe had refused to let him in the bedroom even well after sunset. He made a mental note to never buy this particular model of couch once he and Chloe got out of this strange world, then pulled the blanket back around him and attempted to drift back to sleep. However, a small sound kept his consciousness from sinking back into slumber. It came only every few seconds, faint against the hum of the air conditioning and refrigerator, but it was enough to occupy his thoughts and force him to roll back over on the couch and investigate.

Chloe sat in the recliner opposite him with a lamp on beside her and her knees pulled into her chest, small sobs shaking her whole body. On the replacement coffee table in front of her lay an open book, the pages covered with pictures. Nathanael blinked to clear his vision and focused on the book. One of the pictures seemed to be of him in a button up shirt.

The wedding album.

Why was Chloe flipping through the album? She didn’t seem too keen on ‘reliving’ their wedding yesterday, so why…

“Chloe?” he said, though he wasn’t sure why he called out to her. She lifted her head, her eyes widening when she realized he was awake, then squeezed them shut and turned away from him.

“Leave me alone,” she whispered.

Normally, he would have told her off because she was the one who came into the living room where he was sleeping, but he remained silent, listening to her grieve over...what?

“Chloe, what’s wrong?”

“Why do you care?” she snapped.

An excellent question, but one he’d have to worry about later. He almost threw off the blanket, but remembering that he was still pantsless, wrapped it around his shoulders and padded over to the recliner. Chloe must have heard him coming because her head snapped up, her eyes widened, and she scrambled out of the chair and towards the bedroom door. Nathanael managed to catch her about the wrist and pull her closer, but she kept her head turned away.

“Chloe, talk to me. Why are you crying?”

“Again, why do you care?” She still refused to fully look at him and made several half-hearted attempts to remove herself from his grasp.

“I…” He sighed. He didn’t really know how to answer that. There was a reason he always left the words to Marc. Maybe...it was best to start with the obvious and go from there. “I...I’ve never seen you cry before.” She stopped pulling away from him, but still did not turn her head. “It always seemed like...you wanted to appear strong, so you never showed any emotion other than arrogance. Not to mention you hate me, so it has to be a big deal if you’re crying in front of me. And even though I don’t like you either, I’m not completely heartless, so please, Chloe.” She slowly turned to face him and he could just make out the redness in her eyes from the weak early morning light streaming through the windows.

She sniffed and opened her mouth a couple of times, but no sound came out. Without warning she wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest, allowing her sorrow overtake her. Stunned for a few seconds, he eventually returned the embrace, not sure of what else to do, and let her shake and sob in his arms. He chanced lifting a hand and petting her hair, which seemed to do little to stifle her tears, but stopped her shoulders from heaving with her sobs.

She mumbled something into his chest, and when he asked her to repeat it, he finally heard, “She’s not in it.”

“What? Who?”

She sniffed again. “Mom…” Her face curled up and a fresh wave of tears flowed down her face. He guided them both to the couch, wrapped his blanket around her, then turned his attention to the wedding album, which he pulled closer to him and flipped back to the first page.

Photos of Chloe, himself, the groomsmen, with what may have been Marc as his best man, the bridesmaids...was that Sabrina as the maid of honor? She and Chloe must have made up at some point. Photos before, during, and after the ceremony. And so many familiar faces. He saw the mayor standing beside Chloe, him standing beside his mothers. The Dupain-Chengs carrying a massive cake, Marinette and Adrien with two small children hugging their legs. An older woman who looked so much like Adrien...she must have been Emelie Agreste. Nino and Alya with cameras around their necks. Alix, Kim, Ondine, Max, Rose and Juleka, Luka, Kagami, Ivan and Mylene.

But not a single photo of Audrey Bourgeois.

(#)

After convincing Chloe to change and finally getting himself some clothes, Nathanael managed to drag her out of the house and down the street to what was, at least according to Alya, their favorite cafe. They sat across from each other, wordlessly swirling their coffee, trying to pretend this wasn’t technically their first ‘date’, and trying to pretend they were as familiar with their server as she was with them. The girl must have known them quite well, because she sensed something off and brought them fresh croissants ‘on the house for the newlyweds’.

“Is she dead?” Nathanael paused with his coffee halfway to his mouth at Chloe’s question, but didn’t answer. “Is my mother dead?” When he still didn’t answer, she continued, “You called Marinette before we came out here. I know you asked her about my mother, so is she dead? Is that why she wasn’t in…” She clapped her hand over her mouth and sniffed back her tears.

It was true. After sunrise, he’d called Marinette to get more insight on the Audrey situation, which was only possible because he’d had the foresight to ask Alya for the passwords to their phones and laptops in case they needed them. He nearly gagged when he saw Chloe’s number listed in his phone as ‘My Queen’, but chalked it up to the Chloe and Nathanael of this universe being sappy romantics.

“...no, she isn’t. She-”

“God, what kind of daughter am I?” Chloe murmured. “I was...almost wishing, hoping she was dead, just so she’d have a decent excuse for...for not being there.”

“Why were you looking through the photo album anyway? You said last night-”

“I know what I said!” She snapped, then glanced around at her outburst and took a deep breath. “I’ve...had this picture in my head of what I wanted my wedding to be like for years. Granted, it was always Adrikins at the end of the aisle, but...I just wanted to see how this matched up to my fantasies.”

“So…?”

“My dress was a tad lackluster for my tastes, but I didn’t really pay attention to most of the pictures after I realized...” Chloe met his eyes for the first time since they’d arrived at the cafe. “Why wasn’t she there? This was my wedding. Why couldn’t my own mother be there for my special day?”

Nathanael rubbed at the back of his neck. How to sum it all up… “Marinette said...when we first started dating, Audrey immediately hated me. She said you deserved better, that dating someone like me was...how did Marinette put it?...’beneath a Bourgeois’. This...Marinette told me this led to our first big fight as a couple.”

“Let me guess,” Chloe mumbled, propping her cheek on her fist and stirring more sugar into her coffee. “You wanted me to cut off my own mother.”

Nathanael shook his head. “The opposite, actually. You wanted to cut her off.” Chloe froze and lifted her eyes. “I...I wanted to break up with you, because…” He tore off a piece of croissant and brought it to his mouth, but didn’t take a bite. “I...didn’t want to force you to choose between me and your mother.

“So we argued, you made your decision, and you ended up severing ties with Audrey. She moved back to America within the week and hasn’t spoken to you or your father since.” He shrugged. “Then a few months ago, you got mad at me because I looked up her address and sent her an invitation to the wedding. You wanted nothing to do with her, but I thought she’d at least want to be at her daughter’s-” he bit his tongue and sighed. “Yeah, I guess you know the rest.”

Chloe stared at him for a few seconds. He wanted her to have a relationship with her mother. He was willing to sacrifice his own happiness for her, and even after she’d made her choice, he still wanted to reach out to Audrey, to try? Her heart thumped in her chest in a way she didn’t appreciate, and she had to remind herself that this wasn’t her world, her future. She snatched up her own croissant and pulled the butter dish closer to her.

“Why do we keep talking like it’s us doing all of this? This isn’t us and this isn’t our world. We aren’t the ones all lovey dovey with each other, it’s the Nathanael and-” she gagged “-seriously misguided Chloe of this world.”

“Because referring to ourselves instead of saying ‘this world’s Chloe’ or ‘this timeline’s Nathanael’ makes the conversation go by quicker.”

“And we both don’t want to talk to each other longer than necessary.”

Nathanael slid his coffee cup aside and folded his hands on the table. “Alright, if you hate me so much, then why were you crying into my chest an hour ago?”

Chloe sniffed. “I needed emotional comfort and you were convenient. I would have preferred if Adrikins or Daddy had been there-”

“Or Mommy?” Nathanael interrupted.

Chloe dropped the bread knife and turned a gaze to him that would have made him recoil in fear if his time as Paon hadn’t steeled his confidence. “Low blow, Kurtzberg.”

“Oh, I can go lower.” He glared and smirked at her. “Kurtzberg.”

Chloe slapped her hands on the table, but this time she had no reservations with interrupting the other cafe patrons. “Hey, I’m the one in emotional distress here!” she hissed. “If you’re going to be an absolute jackass while I’m still processing that my own mother didn’t bother even RSVP-ing to my wedding then I’ll just-”

“What does it matter if she was there or not?” Nathanael countered. “You keep insisting that this isn’t our world or our future, but you get your panties in a twist over your fake future mom not coming to your fake future wedding? God, pick one, Chloe!”

Chloe opened her mouth, but soon shut it, her lips quivering. She lowered her gaze to the table and released a slow sigh. “I think...some part of me always knew my mother would never fully approve of me.” She sank lower in her chair. “That no matter how hard I tried to live up to her standards, I’d alway fall short one way or the other. I guess, this world kind of felt like proof. Even bringing someone home I lo-” She cut off the word, glanced to Nathanael, then back down to the table. “S-supposedly love, she…” A dry laugh choked its way up her throat. “Beneath a Bourgeois? Is that what Marinette said? My own mother was more concerned over the family image, than...than my happiness?”

Nathanael’s gaze and voice softened. “Hey, like you keep saying, this isn’t our world…”

“But it still feels so...appropriate for her. So...in character. Now that I think about it, what would happen if I dated someone she did approve of?” Chloe’s eyes wavered back and forth, as though searching for the answer in the space between her and the table. “Nothing would change. She might approve of someone like Adrien, but only because of the social advantage. It would be...it was…” Her eyes widened. “Just like her and my father, she only married him because of his political connections. It…

“It was never about love.”

It started small, the faintest glistening in the corner of her eye, the lightest tremble of her lips, the muted shaking in her ragged breath, but each action compounded and snowballed, and soon, whatever wall or barrier Chloe had erected to maintain her composure finally cracked and crumbled. She wrapped her arms around her middle and wept, her head bowed over the table and her coffee forgotten. Nathanael, surprised by his own actions, rose from his chair fast enough to send it crashing backwards, rounded the table, and settled his arms around Chloe’s shoulders. Her tears did not slow; the only effect his comfort had was for her to shift and wrap her own arms around his chest, and continue to wail into his chest. They sat like this for several minutes, oblivious to the staring patrons around them. While Chloe wetted his shirt with her tears, Nathanael’s mind buzzed with so many questions.

Why was he comforting someone he hated? Was it just to maintain the appearance of a married couple in this world? Why did Chloe feel so comfortable crying into his chest, seeking comfort from her enemy? What could have happened between them to create this world, this future? But most of all...

Why did it feel so right to hold her like this?

[deeahhnuh]

2019!

I've done this year-in-review thing since 2007! 2007-2012 are over on my old LiveJournal, and 2013-on are right here on my Tumblr. :)

2020. 2020! That year sounds space-age or something lol, and not like it's just, well, tomorrow. Happy New Year, Tumblr!

What did you do in 2019 that you'd never done before?

Not too much, lol! I guess I just kept doing the things I usually do, but tried to do them better/improve them (when it comes to work!), or do more of them (fun times and family times!).

Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Every year I mention that I don't really make New Year's resolutions - more like little goals all year! - but hey, it's a new decade! This year I think I will make a resolution that I will hold myself to. In 2020, I resolve to work hard - like really hard - on being healthy! Eat right, exercise, lose weight, work on maintaining less stress - be good to myself! I know everyone makes that kind of resolution, but it's a good one for a reason. :)

Did anyone close to you give birth?

Aw, no new babies this year!

Did anyone close to you die?

Sadly, yes... my uncle (my dad's oldest brother) passed away in May. ♥ We also lost a beloved neighbor in August.

What countries did you visit?

Lol, none!

What would you like to have in 2020 that you lacked in 2019?

I seemed to lack the ability to chill this year, haha - I stressed out about everything! :O So I’m ready to go with the flow better in 2020!

What date(s) from 2019 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Can’t think of any big dates, but this December marked 5 years since I graduated (and gave a speech at the departmental ceremony, to toot my own horn lol!) from the University of Maryland! Time is bizarre - 5 years feels both forever ago and also not that far back!

What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I’ve been working in the registrar’s office at a community college for three years now! I love it, and I’m proud of the work I do!! :)

What was your biggest failure?

Everything’s a learning experience of course lol, but thankfully I didn’t goof too bad this year! ;)

Did you suffer illness or injury?

Oh my goodness, I started off the year with a thumping in my right ear (the name for it is “pulsatile tinnitus” - which somehow makes it sound scary!). :O Happily, that mess dissipated in a few months’ time, but it sure did worry (and annoy) me! Other than that - all good! :)

What was the best thing you bought?

I was very fortunate this year to buy a few things that really made me smile!

I do love a perfume! Dior Addict is a stunning, spicy vanilla (I love ‘em sweet!) that really hits the spot.

I’m also pleased, on the “I stan goofy dance music” front, to have found a couple of old Ministry of Sound compilations that I’ve had bookmarked on Amazon for awhile - they came back in stock this year and I snatched ‘em up. Anthems Sound of Dubstep (2012) is brash and obnoxious fun, and Sessions Ten (2013) is slightly less brash but just as obnoxious so I love it. They’re both releases from the Australian arm of MOS!

Oh and one of my fave used record stores had a copy of one of DJ Rap’s “Bad Girl” CD singles with mixes I didn’t have; I was kinda shocked to see it and very very happy to buy it! It was only 99 cents. Wow!! I do like a ridiculous deal! :)

Whose behavior merited celebration?

My mom is amazing, as always, and so are my dad and brother! I love my fam!!

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

No one!

Where did most of your money go?

See above - my more frivolous spending went toward perfume and goofy dance tunes, haha!

What did you get really, really, really excited about?

I will never, ever forget opening a very special present for Christmas this year. I love and adore It’s a Wonderful Life, and I even wrote a paper about it in college. I used a fabulous book as one of my sources - The It’s a Wonderful Life Book by Jeanine Basinger - and since then I’ve always had it in the back of my mind to purchase it someday. It’s a fantastic keepsake kinda thing for a fan of the movie. Unfortunately it always seemed to be out of stock, or way too expensive to consider, so over time I kind of just put it on the back burner.

But just a few days ago on Christmas morning as we all opened gifts, I tore wrapping paper off a box, pulled off the box top, and bam - there it was. Decorative tissue paper obscured it, but I could see the book cover peeking through - The It’s a Wonderful Life Book! My mama, the best mama, found this awesome book for me! My Christmas - my year! - was made! ♥

What song will always remind you of 2019?

Here’s a Spotify playlist of the songs that I loved this year; most are old releases lol. New(er) songs and albums I loved this year:

“Like Sugar” by Chaka Khan. Funky!

“Lost in the Fire” by Gesaffelstein feat. The Weeknd. Cool and atmospheric!

“Lights Up” by Harry Styles. Boy band guy makes good lol! Great tune.

Mazy Fly (2019) by SPELLLING. Dark, richly layered, weird, beautiful.

The Destroyer - 1 and The Destroyer - 2 (2019) by TR/ST. Two EP-ish releases that make up a whole album-ish listen. The Destoyer - 1 slightly edges out the second release, but I just like hearing so much synthy TR/ST goodness!

Compared to this time last year (2018), are you:

Doin' all right, and hopeful for a great start to 2020!

What do you wish you'd done more of?

Listen to more albums - new or old! The last few years I seem to listen to a handful of albums a year, then spend the rest of my music-listening time playing dance music compilations. Ah well, maybe I'll catch up on my massive "to listen" list in the next decade lol!

What do you wish you'd done less of?

Stress (see above lol) - but I'm def working on it! :)

How did you spend Christmas?

Family time!! ♥

What was the most embarrassing thing that happened to you in 2019?

Nothing, yay lol!

How many one-night stands?

None lol

What was your favorite TV program?

My silly cartoons! Family Guy, American Dad, Bob's Burgers, and SpongeBob SquarePants (lol idk, nostalgia is hard to kick!) still make me laugh even though I am otherwise a perfectly reasonable adult. :)

Bravo's Real Housewives - all of 'em! - crack me up and bring the totally ridiculous drama!

The Orville is fantastic, one of my fave more recent shows. I love the cast! Each episode really adds to their stories and builds the show's world. Looking forward to the next season!

Emergence is a great new sci-fi show with a strong cast - especially the sensible, big-hearted lead Allison Tolman - and suspenseful storyline!

I haven't seen the first season, and to be honest I don't think I'd be able to explain what the heck it's actually about because I'm easily confused, but American Gods caught my attention this year! The cast is excellent - even if the plot escaped me, lol, I really got into the characters.

And What We Do In The Shadows! Such a delight!!

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2019?

I love a classic, slightly minimal style, but I'm just happy to look decently put-together lol!

What kept you sane?

My fam, my entertainment stuff (music, movies, TV, magazines), working with wonderful colleagues... ♥

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

No! :O

What was the best book you read in 2019?

The It’s a Wonderful Life Book was probably the best book I read (well, most of it!) this decade. ♥

What was your greatest musical discovery?

SPELLLING is awesome - definitely an artist I'm excited to hear more from!!

What did you want and get?

I won't say The It’s a Wonderful Life Book again! :)

On a more serious note, I had my first MRIs in a while for MS maintenance - my previous neurologist retired and my new doctor wanted to get a baseline. I was very, very anxious about getting the results. My former doctor last ordered an MRI in 2011, so this was definitely a good and highly necessary step, but very nerve-wracking! I'm so fortunate to not be experiencing symptoms - and haven't since my initial occurrence of optic neuritis in '09 (though I was actually diagnosed with MS in 2011) - but what might the MRIs (brain and T- and C-spine) reveal?

I wanted to receive good results - a report of stability, not progression. And would you believe it? I did. My (amazing!) neurologist gave me the greatest news I had all year - stable, no new lesions, all good!! Of course this is for now - who knows about the future? - but I'm thrilled, and thankful. As this year ends and I reflect on all the good, this takes the cake!!

What did you want and not get?

Pffft, nothin' lol! I've got so many lovely things and reasons to be thankful - who could ask for more?!

What was your favorite film of this year?

Lol I did not see many new movies, but of the '19 films I saw, my fave was Knives Out! I only just saw it yesterday - what a fun way to close out the year! Fantastic cast, clever story, funny - just all-around entertainment.

I also loved Yesterday. All the Beatles references and the obvious affection for the group and their fans just felt like a great big hug! So good!

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Girl I'm well and truly a thirty-something now - 33!! I had fun! I did lots of little fun things with my fam - like shopping, watching movies, that kind of good stuff!

What three things would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Like I said above - who could ask for more? Not me! :)

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I'm late to the David Harbour bandwagon - but better late than never!

And also Daniel Craig in Knives Out was a good thing.

What political issue stirred you the most?

Ew, there's something stirring like every hour or so.

Who did you miss?

Losing my grandmother at the end of last year really colored a lot of this year... and then losing my uncle added more shadows. ♥♥♥

What is a valuable life lesson you learned in 2019?

I always answer this one with a twist on the Pet Shop Boys song title and my life philosophy - "Happiness is an option." So here we go! The chorus of the song acknowledges that "it is not easy," and some times are definitely like that. This year had those moments, and next year will too, because that's how life is! It is often not easy.

But! The last bit of the chorus follows "it is not easy" with "happiness is an option." Things can stink, but they can be okay too. That's what "happiness is an option" has always meant to me, and it means that just as much this year. Maybe even more!!

What quote can be used to sum up your year?

See above haha! "Happiness is an option” has been my fave quote for years, and I’m gonna keep on living it! :)

[rainydawgradioblog]

RDR Essentials - Hard Rock (2/26)

RDR Essentials is a weekly newsletter of alternating genres that outlines key releases of the past month, upcoming events around Seattle and happenings in the specified music genre.

Made in collaboration between Rainy Dawg DJs and the Music Director.

Releases:

I Don’t Know How to Be Happy - Deli Girls

https://sweatequitynyc.bandcamp.com/album/i-dont-know-how-to-be-happy

Deli Girls crawled out of the grimy New York underground hardcore scene thanks to the group’s wild performances and fiercely gay noise, which was channeled into their first album Evidence. In a similar vein, their newest album I Don’t Know How to Be Happy pushes their trademark sound even further. The album starts off to “Officer”’s serrated beat, which hisses beneath an automated phone message regarding a court date, functioning as a brief adjustment period before exploding into passionate screaming, rapping, yelping, and laughing of lead vocalist Danny Orlowski. Orlowski continues this manic verbal assault through the rest of this album, which pounds along with a righteous and dark violence against the patriarchy. “Peg” stands out especially, pushed along because of Tommi Kelly’s fresh layer of poppy synth arpeggios. “Here We Go Again” follows, one of the more eerie cuts on the album. “You will never win because you will never be as angry as the rest of us / Another day I didn’t end my miserable fucking life” screams Orlowski, with interludes of laughter on the brink of breakdown. Get ready to run head first through whatever glass ceilings or brick walls you might experience in 2019 with this incredible album.

- Max Bryla

Vain Attempt  - SLANT

https://ironlungpv.bandcamp.com/track/the-trap

There’s really not a whole lot out there about SLANT, a newer classic punk band that hails from Seoul, South Korea. Their recent EP, Vain Attempt 7” is just 4 tracks with the longest clocking in at 2:02, and is issued by Seattle punk label IRON LUNG Records, available on Bandcamp. Labelmates like Diät and Iron Lung have had some more mainstream success, but SLANT is much newer to the scene. They have pulled members from other bands like SCUMRAID and BLOODKROW BUTCHER, another Seoul and Boston punk band, respectively. Vain Attempt 7” definitely has a higher production value than those counterparts however, and it benefits because of it. Tracks like “Dry Heave” get right to the point, and don’t stick around too long. Terrific, fast paced drumming combine with some great vocal heft to make a really solid punk album, and this is a band that has a solid future with them, and hopefully some US tour dates.

- Max Bryla

Protogoni Mavri Magiki Dynasteia - Mystifier

https://mystifier.bandcamp.com/

Brazilian blackened death metal band Mystifier have announced their first album in 18 years with the pre release of their track Weighing Heart Ceremony. This track plays similar to their older material with its guttural vocals, creepy and eclectic atmosphere, and overall eeriness. Their 1993 album Goetia is regarded as a landmark in South American extreme metal, showing clear distinctions from European and American artists of the same time. This new track still has the same occultish aura of the band’s earlier material, but also features a much more blackened tonality, meaning more melody and less dissonance. Rather than sounding like the soundtrack to an occult ceremony (basically the narrative of Goetia), this track is a lot more brooding and pensive. If you are into slightly untraditional black/death metal, you should check out this album when it drops on March 8.

- Zac Weiner

Forgotten Paths - Saor

https://saor.bandcamp.com/

Saor is a scottish based atmospheric black metal band that has been pushing black metal to its most serene and experimental boundaries. Forgotten Paths sums up exactly what atmoblack is all about: beautiful tremolo picked melodies, the occasional folk instrument interlude, and a placid nature shot on the cover. This project is the perfect soundtrack for a solo walk through the woods. While some of the interludes can be a little dramatic for an experienced listener, the album makes up for it with bone chilling screams which sound even more emotional over the Gaelic sounding guitar melodies. This album is very digestible and could serve as an excellent introduction to black metal: the production is clean, the riffs sound like they were written by the bard at the Renaissance fair, and every blast beat is met with an equally long folk interlude.

- Zac Weiner

Xiu Xiu - Girl With a Basket of Fruit

https://xiuxiu.bandcamp.com/album/girl-with-basket-of-fruit

Xiu Xiu is an noise pop / experimental rock outfit fronted by multi-instrumentalist Jamie Stewart which can never quite settle on a single sound. They’ve been consistently churning out full-length albums every year or two, varying from anti-folk to electronic indie rock to harsh noise and everywhere in between. Doing away with the cleaner indie rock sound they explored on their previous album Forget, their newest release, Girl With a Basket of Fruit, is a return to the noisier and more experimental tendencies of their early output. Produced by Deerhoof’s Greg Saunier and featuring vocal contributions from Oxbow’s Eugene S. Robinson, the album repeatedly shifts from frantic tribal rhythms (Scisssssssors, Pumpkin Attack on Mommy and Daddy) to abstract heavy electronics (title track, Ice Cream Truck) to droning ambient passages (The Wrong Thing, Amargi ve Moo) and back again, tied together by the harsh synth sounds and uncomfortable samples Xiu Xiu fans are so familiar with and Jamie Stewart’s characteristically unsettling vocals, which are pushed farther than ever on this release, whimpering one minute and screaming the next. After over half an hour of head-spinning erratic noise, the album leaves the listener on a softer note with Normal Love, a slow, stripped-back and sweet (for Xiu Xiu standards) piano pop song. RIYL - Suicide, Coil, Oxbow

- Elliot Hansen

Angel Bat Dawid - The Oracle

https://intlanthem.bandcamp.com/album/the-oracle

The Oracle is spiritual jazz clarinetist Angel Bat Dawid’s very first release. She recorded and mixed the album entirely by herself and performed every instrument except the drums on one of the eight tracks. The recording process, done entirely on a cell phone, was split between London, England, Cape Town, South Africa, and Dawid’s hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Though the album features not much more than clarinet, drums, Angel’s vocals, and the occasional electric piano or miscellaneous wind instrument, the numerous overdubs and effects used turn these elements into cosmic, psychedelic soundscapes, greater than the sum of their parts. Dawid’s lyrics, when present, largely reflect on African American identity and experience, as evidenced by the third track, a re-interpretation of Margaret Burrough’s poem “What Shall I Tell My Children Who Are Black?” Reverberating, overlapping vocal harmonies ebb and flow and give way repeatedly to much more abstract melodies and stranger sounds, ranging from squealing horns to wide, cosmic phaser textures and long-winded erratic improvisations. RIYL - Sun Ra, Ornette Coleman

- Elliot Hansen

Upcoming shows around Seattle:

02/26/19 - Cannibal Corpse / Morbid Angel / Necrot / Blood Incarnation @ Showbox

Openers include Necrot and Blood Incantation, bands that represent the death metal renaissance occurring in recent years and provide some of some of the freshest and heaviest sounds of the 2010s. Morbid Angel (of the cult favorite Altars of Madness) follows as the midbill. Headlining the night is Cannibal Corpse, a group that’s  infamous for their graphic album covers and truly grotesque lyrics. 8PM / $29 / AA

02/27/19 - The Big Band at the End of the World @ Vermillion Art Gallery

18 piece improvisational ensemble featuring strings, horns, electric guitar, harmonium, 3 drummers, and live visuals led by local avant-garde/free jazz saxophonist Gregg Miller. 8PM / $5-10 / AA

03/02/19 - Sandy Ewen / AF Jones / Greg Kelley / Ambrosia Bardos @ Vermillion Art Gallery

Ewen, a touring experimental guitarist, Jones, a local avant-garde composer, and Kelley, a free-jazz/noise trumpet player will perform as a trio. Ambrosia Bardos, a local noise artist who also performs under the name Morher, will perform a solo set. 4PM / $5-10 / AA

More to look out for:

FILM: Lords of Chaos / @ Grand Cinema March 16th

Depicts the sensationalized history of black metal, is now out in theaters. This film has been met with mixed reviews for its lack of honesty in portraying the events (and some really terrible cinematography) but still has merit as an introduction to the genre.

Upcoming Releases and Tours:

3/8 The Coathangers - The Devil You Know via Suicide Squeeze

3/15 The Minneapolis Uranium Club - The Cosmo Cleaners via Fashionable Idiots/Static Shock

4/2  Empath - Active Listening: Night On Earth via Get Better (”Soft Shape” video out NOW)

6/5 - Royal Trux @ Neumos (rescheduled)

[disinvited-guest]

6/15/18 Recap

It was probably an illogical decision to go to this show, but it was also an excellent one.  This show was absolutely bursting with energy, joy, and humor.

I got a bit later start than I wanted, turns out it’s harder to get out of the house quickly when everyone else is up and getting ready for their day at the same time.  Driving east as the sun was rising was less than ideal, and I made bad time after two rest-station stops and a longer lunch than I wanted.  I finally got there a few minutes before 4 and met up with @littlemissterter (Teralyn).  We  met and talked with a whole bunch of other fans as we waited (including @teedeekay who gave me a das pendant, stood to block the sun from my eyes, and was generally super nice). 

An hour before doors, we were funneled into a hot, loud metal room where we waited until we could get into the venue.  Once in, I snagged a spot only just in the front row, as far left as someone could stand without being entirely blocked by the amp.  The stage was small enough that they had adjusted their setup, placing the keyboard far to stage left (our right).  

The guys came onstage with New York City, and it was clear they were happy to be performing together again, even if they were a bit crowded together by the lack of space  on the stage.   Throughout the first few songs, Danny gave a smile or nod to everyone he knew in the front, which amounted to nearly the whole front row (myself included!).  I noticed that Linnell had kept his beard (this was just after the Tony ceremony pictures had caused a bit of a ruckus).

After the song was over, everyone onstage was trying to work out sound issues.  We were told that they were receiving secret messages by way of explanation.

Marty needed some adjustments in his ear monitors and leaned out over his drums to shout to the crew.  The crew member he was shouting to evidently didn’t notice, but it did attract the attention of both Dans, who both went over to Marty to ask what the issue was, then got the attention of someone off the other side to fix the problem.

After the sound issues seemed mostly fixed, they moved on into Fingertips which, as always, is fantastic live.  

After that, there were more issues with the  sound to be straightened out “Welcome to our soundcheck,” Flans told us.  They both were told to talk so they could sort out the levels and Flans relayed those instructions to us.  Danny stepped up to a mic to tell the crew he wanted Flans’ vocals up and Linnell’s vocals down in his monitors and Linnell pretended to be hurt by the request.

The sound once again sorted out, Flans started to introduce the next song as from their new album, but noticed Dan and Danny whispering in the back and asked if there was a problem.  Linnell told his they were discussing a later part of the show and Flans replied sarcastically “Now is a good time to discuss it.”

The song Flans was introducing turned out to be the always entertaining Let’s Get This Over With, with Linnell at his accordion mic where I  could actually see him.  While Linnell switched back to keyboards, Flans told us that “We can’t talk about current events because it’s “‘all a hoax’” Then explained “this pause when we would say something.”  Danny came up to Flans and told him he could talk about Paul Manafort, and Flans said “Oh yeah, we can talk about that.  On behalf of Paul Manafort, ‘I did it, I’m guilty, I’d like to say I’m so sorry to Putin and all of the Russians.’”

I think this was when Flans and Linnell discussed their ongoing and upcoming projects.  Linnell commented that he liked that they were pretending it was a private conversation and that the audience wasn’t here.  Flans replied that the crowd was loving it, which got a cheer.

After Don’t Let’s Start, Flans told us that earlier that day he was driving through “What can only be described as a ‘rural part of the state,’”  and saw a sign advertising that fireworks were ‘now available to local residents’.

He asked the crowd what that was about, and someone answered in a drunken shout “Because we’re the Replacements.”

Linnell peered into the part of the crowd the answer had come from and commented “That answer makes as much sense as the sign does.”

Flans then commented that, from an entrepreneurial standpoint, only selling to people from out of state made sense. “Blow up your own turf!”

Your Racist Friend was next, with Curt making his grand entrance and blowing everyone away as always.

Flans forgot the lyrics at the beginning of one of the verses to this song.  Dan was behind him, and either mouthed or sang the lyrics at him (sans mic, so I couldn’t tell) until he recovered.

Linnell switched to his accordion for Whistling in the Dark, introducing it by saying “I forget which album this is on.”

Linnell then switched from the accordion to the contra alto clarinet.  Flans first introduced it correctly as the contra alto clarinet, then second-guessed himself, saying it was the contra bass clarinet before asking Linnell, who confirmed it was contra alto.  After Flans made another incorrect comment, Linnell jokingly replied “I hate to keep correcting you, but-” and they got into a discussion about  couples counseling for bands.  Apparently Linnell and Dan had been talking about it earlier that day, and a group who it didn’t work for.  Dan kept coming up to Linnell with comments about it, and Linnell would respond off-mic and then they would both crack up.  Linnell had Flansburgh try to guess what band it was, but was so distracted by Dan that Flans eventually gave up and they started into All Time What.  

From there they went straight into Mrs. Bluebeard, then paused only for Flans to tell us that “In the ideal version of the show, the transition between these songs is a seamless segway.” before starting into This Microphone.

The Dans left the stage and Marty grabbed his bell for Shoehorn With Teeth.  The bell was introduced, then the Johns discussed the Glockenspiel they used to have, Flans pointed out TDK in the front row, and said they gave it to him, but they weren’t sure what city they gave it away in.

Curt’s Euphonium was introduced as being worth $800 when melted down.  Curt jokingly took offense at that, until Flans continued “in its current form: priceless.”

After Shoehorn, Flans reintroduced Dan and Danny, saying that the Dans had returned and that it was “all gonna be alright.”

They then played I Left My Body, Damn Good Times, and Particle Man without pause.  They had a bit of trouble getting the clapping going for Particle Man.  Flans had to restart it a few times, and it never really got going like it usually does.  Marty took advantage of the  interlude, which was Here You Come Again, to shove half of a protein bar in his mouth. Dan used the time to switch from guitar to keyboard, which he played for the rest of the song and stayed on for Doctor Worm, which closed out the set.  They held the last note for a long time like they have been at the end of sets, to be honest, I’m not a big fan of it.  My asthmatic self can only cheer for so long at once!

During the break between sets, I was treated to a view of Marty backstage air drumming to the between-set mix.  He was really into it, with the same head-bobbing, foot-tapping, face-making intensity he has onstage.  It was adorably wonderful.

The Johns and Marty came back onstage to start the Quiet Storm section of the show with Older.  Marty wanted his sound adjusted during this song, so he would play his part, use the last motion to turn so he was facing backstage, and give the crew feedback in the tiny pause.  I wasn’t sure how helpful that was to the crew, but they got it sorted out and I was impressed with Marty’s multitasking skills.

Flans introduced the Quiet storm as Always Quiet and Often Stormy, reintroduced Curt, then told us that they had “just got back from a session with our couples counselor,” and that they felt closer and knew each other  better.  He and Linnell riffed on this idea for a bit before Flans introduced I Like Fun as “The title track off the new album-”

“Finally!” Linnell interjected

“-who’s all important second verse has become even more relevant.” Flans finished, referring to him now being 58.

Flans introduced Tippecanoe and Tyler Too by telling us “Seven or eight minutes into our session, we realized we had to leave to go back onstage, and our therapist said ‘you know, people really like your old songs’ so this is a special long-distance dedication to our couples therapist.”

They played Self Called Nowhere, then How Can I Sing Like A Girl, with Flans introducing it while Linnell had already started the accordion part, to finish the Quiet Storm.  

Curt had to literally run to grab his valve trombone, which wasn’t in it’s usual place, so he could start the intro to Istanbul. There’s always so much going on  during this song that I never get tired of it.  

Curt’s ending to the song was so ridiculously good that it wowed the rest of the guys onstage as well as the crowd. The Johns joked that all people from Connecticut could play trumpet like that, and Linnell said that he’d heard “Katharine Hepburn play that exact same solo.” He tried to continue the joke, but could only come up with one other person from Connecticut, and asked Flans if he knew any others.

Flans responded that he had worked for a lady who’s mother grew up in the same town as Katharine Hepburn, and that she would call the office and ask in that same voice ‘Is Elizabeth there?’  

“And she played a mean jazz trumpet!” Linnell added, before telling us that Curt spoke exactly like Katharine Hepburn too.

They then played When Will You Die, with Linnell singing “This is Dan and that’s Dan-ny,” but not adding Curt’s name in like he has been.

Let Me Tell You About My Operation was especially wild.  Flans accidentally dropped his pick in front of TDK, who picked it up and handed it to me! It was tortoiseshell with Flans on it in a Flood logo type pattern.

I forget how it came up, but Flans returned to the couples counseling joke, saying that was where they learned about ‘radical honesty’.  Linnell told us all that they would probably not talk about couples counseling tomorrow and Flans added that it was a  “special bonus for today.”

They played Wicked Little Critta then Twisting, with Flans explaining to us that they were intentionally skipped a song.  Apparently this was the part of the show where his guitar was at its loudest and it was “scrambling his brains” so he needed time to recover.  

After Twisting, they plugged some ongoing projects, threatening “direct eye-contact” for those who didn’t know about 2018 dial-a-song.  They mentioned the Lincoln remaster, and being near Lancaster again “in this calendar year.”

Flans introduced the next song as from The Else, but told us “Don’t cheer i probably got it wrong!”  He was right though, as they then played The Mesopotamians.  Marty morphed the end of it into the start of Ana Ng, which is absolutely fantastic to witness.  

Flans started the first Encore by introducing the band and then they played Hey Mr. DJ.  They did some of the fade out, then faded back in to finish.  They then played Spy.  For the ending, Linnell used the “now the night is gone” sample he’s been using, but gradually replaced the sample by screaming it into the mic over what the rest of the guys were playing.  He gave control over to Flans but continued in that vein.   Flans alternated with that and pushing his strings to the mic-stand, then brought the audience in at the end.

Coming onstage for the second encore, Flans wished a Happy Birthday to a guy in the balcony who had been holding a sign about it all night.  They played Birdhouse in Your Soul, then Flans had the house lights turned up so he could make direct eye-contact with members of the crowd to thank them for coming.

They finished the night with End of the Tour.  From his spot upstage, Danny mouthed the lyrics to the entire first verse, which was adorable.  

Afterwards, Danny came out in a bit of a hurry, and gave out three of the setlists (one of them to me) before rushing back offstage.  Marty came out to give out the rest of the setlists, his drumsticks (One of which he threw into the balcony!), and the drumhead.  TDK gestured Marty should give the drumhead to me.  I was trying to think of a polite way to say that he had already given me one in Indianapolis (getting two seemed unfair to everyone else), but wasn't sure exactly how to do that.  Marty said something to TDK and handed the drumhead to a girl next to me.  I started to leave and look for Teralyn, when TDK told me that Marty had told him I had already got one.

I found Teralyn, who wanted a picture with Marty, so we headed back up to the edge of the stage. Marty was finishing up signing, so I gave away the rest of my magnets while we waited.  He was about to leave when Teralyn managed to get to the front and ask him for a picture.  I took it for them, then Marty checked with me to make sure he had already given me a drumhead before leaving.

(I’m just going to freak out about this a tiny bit here: I knew that Marty recognized me from show to show on my week long run, but I never guessed he’d remember me, or that he also recognised me from the February shows!)

On our way out we stopped at the bar, where I tried to by a bottle of water, but we both got free ice waters instead (Thank you nice bartender lady!).  Teralyn wanted to wait by the bus for the guys and I agreed to go with her, even though I needed to get started on the drive home and was really nervous about the concept. I was really glad that I did, because it was well worth it!

When we got to the back of the venue, there was no bus, but there were a few other groups waiting. One family assured us that this was where the performers would be leaving.  We started noticing the New York license plates on the parked cars and realized that the guys had driven there themselves.

Flans exited the venue, now wearing an orange t-shirt and without his glasses on.  Another group asked him to sign some things, but none of them had brought a pen.  I supplied them with my Sharpie (I hope Flans wasn’t upset with me for ruining his excuse) and eventually got him to sign the cloth square I had brought.

As Flans was signing it, he asked me what it was.  I told him I was going to whipstitch it onto a blanket I was crocheting.  He seemed pleasantly surprised by this and said “Oh! You crochet! Have you started knitting yet?”

Then, instead of some platitude, my stupid smartass mouth responded without consulting my brain “Nope, crocheting is just knitting for lesbians!”

“Oh, that’s not true.  Knitting is knitting for lesbians,” Flans told me, as I was still realizing what I had said.  As he handed me back my cloth and sharpie, he looked me in the eyes and said “Don’t give up on knitting.”

He headed around to the drivers side of his car, telling the group he had a 4 hour drive.  As he was getting in, someone asked him a question about the car and he stopped to tell us all about it.  Apparently he’s had it for a while, and it was the first car he ever bought new.  The same person asked if the seat was comfortable, and Flans replied that it was, and that it was “the perfect car to grow old with,” before getting in and closing the door.

He had a little trouble getting out of his spot, and I thoughtlessly headed towards the far side of the car to tell him how much space he had. Luckily, he managed to get out of the spot before I made it over, so I was spared from making a complete fool of myself all over again.

Marty, Dan, and Linnell all came out of the venue together, having all ridden in the same van. Looking only a little panicked Linnell told us they were in a rush and couldn’t sign things, but suggested the alternative of shaking hands, then actually followed through.  I’ve received a handshake from John Linnell!

My sharpie was borrowed again, with another group getting something signed from Marty, before they had everything packed up and drove off.

Curt left a bit later.  Another group had him sign a Why? Vinyl with my Sharpie and he jokingly told them “You know it’s not me on the cover.”

I responded, again without asking my brain, that it looked like him and he said “I get that a lot.” He signed my cloth as well.  I was a little more aggressive asking than I was comfortable with, but it was my Sharpie he was using.

Danny had apparently already left, so I said my goodbyes to Teralyn and headed for my car.  When I got there, I found out the universe had taught me a cruel lesson: the pocket where I had put Flans’ guitar pick had a hole in it and the pick was gone!

[deadcactuswalking]

BLAST TO THE PAST: 1st July 2001

Hello again and welcome to BLAST TO THE PAST, where we review UK Top 40 charts from decades ago to see what was happening all the way back then. We’re taking a break from the 1980s and zooming past in lightspeed to 2001, specifically the week of 1st-7th July, as Summer had started to kick in. This chart in particular has some classics and some notable events, which we’ll get into right now.

Top 10

Okay, so first, we have a debut – yep, that’s right, it’s not just intense streaming that lands songs at #1 immediately, there were songs that were big enough to sell just that many copies to get to the top at their first week. At number-one, we have “The Way to Your Love” by megastars Hear’Say, who were pretty damn big in the UK, this being their second chart-topping single. Oh, yeah, and they were created by an ITV reality show, because, I mean, of course they were! They’re a British pop group from the 2000s.

Sadly, we don’t see the rise, yet we see the fall of classic cover “Lady Marmalade”, by the all-star cast of Christina Aguilera, P!nk, Lil Kim and Mýa, from the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack, down one spot to number-two.

We have another top five debut, and not the last top 10 debut, with Usher’s “U Remind Me” starting its chart run at number-three.

At number-four, dropping two places from last week, we have “Angel” by Shaggy featuring Rayvon.

Number-five is home to two-spot-dropper “There You’ll Be” by country singer Faith Hill, from the Pearl Harbor soundtrack.

At number-six, we have the debut of Gorillaz’ “19-2000” featuring uncredited vocals from Miho Hatori as well as founding Talking Heads members Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz.

“All I Want” by Alesha Dixon-fronted R&B girl group Mis-Teeq has dropped three spaces to its current spot at number-seven.

Do any of you remember Brandy? Because I sure don’t. Apparently she was huge, but I remember her feature on a Kanye track from Late Registration and that’s pretty much it. It’s somewhat strange that she collaborated with Ray “Hey-Fab-I’mma-kill you” J of all people, but—Wait a second! They’re siblings? And Ray J is Snoop Dogg’s cousin? Wow, he really had connections, huh? Anyway, Brandy and Ray J’s cover of Phil Collins’ “Another Day in Paradise” is down three spots to number-eight.

“Another Lover” by another-rando Dane Bowers debuts at number-nine. If you’re wondering who this Dane fellow is, he was in a boyband called Another Level then he was on “Celebrity” Big Brother. In fact, I don’t think I know who this dude is, and I see no reason to find out.

“Do You Really Like It” by DJ Pied Piper and the Masters of Ceremonies finished off the top 10 with a four-space drop back to the final spot in the ten most popular songs of the country as of July 1st, 2001.

Climbers

Let me tell you now – there weren’t many at all. In fact, other than the number-one, there weren’t any songs climbing the charts, rather a whole lot of new entries and a whole lot of fallers.

Fallers

Where do we start?

“Daydream in Blue” by electronica duo (sharing their name with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles episode) I Monster is down 11 spots to #40, “It’s Over Now” by Diddy’s favourite R&B group 112 is down 17 spots to #39 and “Best Friends” by pop group allSTARS* is down eight spots to #38, who had a show on CITV in 2001, and appeared on the Scooby-Doo soundtrack the same year, so I’m assuming they were for kids by kids.

“Close to You” by Wet Wet Wet singer Marti Pellow is down 16 to #37, “No More (Baby I’ma Do it Right)” by three (forgettable) little women known as 3LW is down 10 to #36, “Digital Love” by the best robots in music Daft Punk is down 11 spots to #35, “Out of Reach” by soul singer Gabrielle is down seven spots to #34, “Sing” by alternative rock band Travis is down 10 spots to #33, “Ride wit Me” by Kelly Rowland’s former crush Nelly featuring rapper City Spud is down six spots to #31, “It’s Raining Men” by ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell is down 10 to #30, the classic “Papercut” by nu-metal band Linkin Park is down 15 to #29, 1980’s hit “Electric Avenue” by Eddy Grant is here for some reason, but it’s down nine to #28... seriously, why is this here? Apparently it had a “ringbang remix” which landed it into the top five in 2001. Huh, you learn something new and kind of dumb every day.

“Booo!” by lost-in-time musician Sticky (no, not Sticky Fingaz, this Sticky is some nobody without a Wikipedia page) featuring rapper Ms. Dynamite is down 11 to #27, “Here and Now” by the freaking Steps is down nine to #26, “This Time Around” by house music duo Phats & Small is down 15 from #15 to #25, “Thank You” by Dido – best known for Eminem’s excellent use of it as a sample in “Stan” – is down six spots to #24, “Have a Nice Day” by Britpop band Stereophonics is down eight to #20, as is “We Come 1” by electronica group Faithless at #19 as well as “My Way” by walking punchlines Limp Bizkit at #18. “Don’t Stop Movin’” by S Club 7 is down five to #14, as is “All Rise” by boyband Blue at #13. Wow, that was a lot!

Dropouts

Some data in this section may be inaccurate or non-existent, so bear with me as not all drop-outs will be noted in this section, mostly due to the fact that we don’t know a lot of them and I’m just going by what’s there on the UK Singles Chart’s official website.

There weren’t any returning entries this week, so I figured we’d go straight to the drop-outs that we know of, of which there are quite a few of, like “Cold as Ice” by M.O.P. (the Mash-Out Posse) dropping out from #36, “Heard it All Before” by Sunshine Anderson out from #35, “Rock da Funky Beats” by Public Domain featuring Public Enemy Chuck D out from #33, “Video” by India Arie out from #32, “Free” by Mýa out from #39, “Fiesta” by living trash-bag R. Kelly out from #38, “Never Enough” by Boris Dlugosch and Roisin Murphy out from #40, “Musak” by Trisco out from #28, “Jonathan David” by Belle & Sabastian out from #31, “Voodoo” by Warrior out from #37 and, finally, “Let U Go” by ATB out from #34.

NEW ARRIVALS

Now, let’s just jump right into talking about the ELEVEN new arrivals we have this week. I’ll try and keep it brief.

#32 – “Innocente (Falling in Love)” – Delerium featuring Leigh Nash

So, Delerium is an ambient/electronica group known for their hit song “Silence” featuring Sarah McLachlan and Leigh Nash is the lead singer of rock band Sixpence None the Richer, known for their massive hit “Kiss Me”. They would later go on to record a whole album together six years later in 2007, which I don’t really recommend – it’s kind of boring. Is this song a foreshadowing of what to come?

So I’m not the biggest fan of trance at all but I don’t mind this calmer, peaceful trip-hop-influenced stuff from Delerium, in fact I really love the opening guitar riff and the looming instrumentation (and what seem to be bells) before the steady drum beat kicks in and Leigh Nash starts smoothly singing the first verse, all over the instrumentation like she is the main force rather than a jackhammer beat, which is why a lot of EDM doesn’t click with me. However, this is almost not EDM at all. I mean, it’s kind of danceable electronica but, yeah, this is not trance at all, although the strings are definitely reminiscent and it does slowly pick up pace with some uglier synths like trance often does. I don’t know about this, it really drifts along the line between boring and dreamy, much like a lot of songs from Sixpence None the Richer. Did it have to be six minutes? No, but it doesn’t drag on too much in all its peaceful melancholy. I really don’t know why this was listed as a trance song on Wikipedia? Are they talking about the much longer and much worse Tiesto remix? If so, then why did they not specify? Maybe I’m nitpicking about the Wikipedia page more than I should but this song doesn’t really do much for me. If it had some more pop-rock edge from Leigh Nash, maybe I’d like it more, but as it stands, it’s just really weaksauce.

#23 – “Happy People” – Static Revenger

Ah, great, more EDM – lovely. Static Revenger is a Grammy-winning DJ, mostly known for making house and disco. This song in particular went platinum, so you know it’s going to be good, right? Well, if 6ix9ine’s (Platinum-certified!) “GUMMO” told me anything, it’s that sales don’t mean the art or the artists involved are any good... Maybe I should be more open-minded to dance music, I mean, I like a lot of 1990s house so this can’t be much different. I like the R.E.M. song with pretty much the same name, so it’s not like I’m averted to the concept of... happy people. This can’t be too bad.

Oops! I already kind of hate it and love it at the same time. This guitar riff is great but the synths are too static-y for the most part and the build-up feels too drowned out to really be a good build-up until the jackhammer beat starts coming in before the drop, which is a good climax but not entirely satisfying as the simple, repetitive hook stays exactly the same after the drop – I expected some mix-up? The keys introduced after the first drop are a nice change of pace and I appreciate their inclusion, and this is definitely a really fun, exciting and catchy track, however, I think this is just not my thing. It feels soulless and like a bit of a non-presence, which I guess is good for this type of club track? I don’t know, but I guess I just don’t “get” modern EDM still, even though this is barely modern, being early 2000s and all. Maybe I just don’t get EDM at all. Maybe I should learn to have some fun. Probably that last one. Next.

#22 – “Getting Away with It (All Messed Up)” – James

So, James are an indie rock band who have also dabbled in electronica and more experimental rock, including the artsy album WAH WAH. They’re apparently releasing an album next month, which I’ll definitely check out. This single is from their 2001 album Pleased to Meet You, which received mixed reviews by critics at its initial release. Has this song in particular stood the test of time?

Well, yeah, it has. Not in a way that I can be ecstatic about, as it still is somewhat dreary in its constant simplistic guitar strumming, but once the drum beat kicks in, it gets much more exciting and uses the quiet-loud dynamic well, albeit to a lesser extent than other alternative rock bands, as the main increase in volume is the lead singer’s voice, who croons over the oddly funky bassline and the cheap synths as well as the distorted guitar riffs after the first chorus which, yes, are awesome and are pretty nice as a back-up to synth bleeping and different string patterns that add to how intense and urgent the song seems to be, despite its slower tempo. Oh, yeah, and there’s an insane breakdown or solo before the final chorus, where the synths just freak out and that’s pretty damn cool, and the fact that the last chorus continues with the same instrumental makes the song all the more exciting, as it progresses in intensity just to abruptly end. I’m more of a (similarly-named) Travis fan personally, but this song rocks as well.

#21 – “Million Miles Away” – The Offspring

Remember these guys? I don’t know about everyone else, but I used to love these guys. They were one of my favourite bands, and honestly, probably still are as far as rock is concerned. The Offspring are a Californian rock band fronted by Dexter Holland, who always straddled the lines between alternative, pop punk and straight-up punk rock. They have a UK number-one and many other hits (and damn good deep cuts) in their arsenal, so how does this song in particular, from their album Conspiracy of One, fare?

It starts with a rapid and intense guitar riff that isn’t too heavy but fast enough to keep up with the simplistic, mad-cap drumming, creating an instrumental base for Dexter to moan about his break-up over. While I appreciate the instrumental, it is a tad too simple, as is the hook with the “oh, oh, oh” vocalisations and the singing feeling too whiny at times, especially in that chorus. While I love the instrumental to death, I feel Dexter’s sloppily-mixed vocals being all over it ruin it for me. However, there’s enough time where it’s just the backing and the guitar solo also rocks, so yeah, although I’m not a fan of the repetitive lyrics and delivery here, I can dig what’s behind it. Sadly, this is probably the first and only Offspring I’ll get to talk about – trust me, they’ve made much better stuff. My personal favourite of their singles is “Hit That”, if you want to check that absolute romp of a dance-rock track. They’re also releasing a new album this year, so I’m excited for that.

#16 – “Hard to Explain” – The Strokes

The Strokes don’t really need an explanation, right? One of the biggest American rock bands in recent memory, hailing from New York and bringing back garage rock in a huge way that led them to two top 10 UK hits. This is their first ever single, from their debut album Is This It, annoyingly without a question mark. Maybe XXXTENTACION could have lent them one, he seems to have had an extra one left around. That’s beside the point, let’s get into the breakout single from The Strokes.

It starts with a simple drum beat – possibly not from Fabirizio Moretti but rather from a drum machine - before going into one of the most memorable and slick guitar riffs of all time, thanks to guitarists Albert Hammond and Nick Valensi, with a funky bassline provided by Nikolai Fraiture backing not only the guitars up but also the distorted vocals from Julian Casablancas, with a catchy-as-all-hell hook that leads into an abrupt fake-end, before it picks up again for another exciting few minutes of punkish indie rock, with Casablancas’ vocals getting more strained and emotional throughout. I’m actually finding it pretty hard to describe and review this song fairly without insane hyperbole, as Casablancas says, it is pretty hard to explain, as it is one of my favourite hit songs ever, with its perfectly balanced amount of rowdiness and genuine intrigue, and dare I say, a certain classiness to the composition. Fantastic song, fantastic album, and a damn great band.

#15 – “Baddest Ruffest” – Backyard Dog

This is the 2002 FIFA World Cup song, made by big beat producing duo Backyard Dog, consisting of Aniff Akinola and Lloyd Hanley. To my knowledge, they haven’t done anything else, although Akinola here has rapped on other songs, like the mild success “Bounce ‘n’ Boom” and Kirsty MacColl’s top 40 hit “Walking Down Madison”, so it’s debateable if these guys are one-hit wonders, but if one of the most notable things the lead singer has been in was a Vimto advert, it’s safe to say you’ve probably been forgotten in time since. So, how’s Backyard Dog’s seemingly only ever piece of released music (other than their only studio album and the remix EP for this very song) that is documented on the Internet?

Well, it starts with what are assumingly sampled horns in one simple loop before a subtle but effective bass comes in and Akinola starts shouting, adding some ragga influence, but mostly I’d say this is a pretty simple big beat song, with a solid horn hook and even Akinola’s vocals adding a lot of uniqueness to an otherwise not-very-noteworthy track. Hell, I’d like this a lot more if it weren’t for the annoying chicken-like record scratching that makes up most of the song. As it stands, there’s one element that just tears the whole thing apart, which is unfortunate as this is actually a pretty fun and exciting, different song, and I do wish these guys had more material to listen to, because I’m digging their style. It’s pretty intriguing, even if it is just some big beat loops with Caribbean-tinged vocals being yelled over the track by a charismatic performer, who I’ll try and dig up other projects from. I hope these guys reunite to make some more jams.

#12 – “More than That” – Backstreet Boys

Listen, you know who the Backstreet Boys are. I know who the Backstreet Boys are. I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand them. They’re talented men, sure, but it feels a bit too cheesy and sickly sweet for me to really get into. Does that ring true with “More than That”, from their 2000 album Black & Blue?

Yes, of course it does. Why wouldn’t it? It has a pretty interesting albeit typical Latin or tropical guitar riff, but the vocals from the boys here aren’t too great, and everything that surrounds them just feels like purely perfect pop blandness. It’s too perfect – kind of like “These Days” by Rudimental featuring Jess Glynne, Dan Caplen and Macklemore and “Girls Like You” by Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B, both of which I talked about on REVIEWING THE CHARTS. It’s a good song, definitely, but it feels too manufactured for me to enjoy on repeated listening, as in the end, it is a soulless boyband song. What did you expect, a long, in-depth review that focuses on the vocal range of the boys and how excellently they mesh with the smooth R&B production? No, you’re not getting that, because there are better pop songs and better R&B singers that you could be listening to, even if it’s just the early 2000s. In fact, we’ll be talking about another in just a short while.

#9 – “Another Lover” – Dane

No, this is not who I meant! I meant Usher! I didn’t want this complete nobody to come in! Well, what does Dane have to say?

Nothing. He has nothing to say because he is uninteresting and typical lyrically. That was a dumb question, I don’t think he even wrote this song... but in R&B, it’s more about how you say it, and, damn, does he pull off the smooth, Latin-influenced production well! The Latin riffs are still present in the guitars, and the drums are more prominent than they probably should be, but Dane brings a great presence to the track, even if it doesn’t seem like he can actually sing very well at all, using his falsetto a lot of the time to mixed results, but he is fun and has more charisma than Juice WRLD and Dexter Holland when moaning about issues with a partner. I love the whispering in the penultimate chorus as well, which continues in the outro as some kind of acapella percussion, which I appreciate for its experimentalism if anything. This slick 1990s-resembling production and the man’s charisma make this a great listen, even if it’s not on Spotify and only has 70,000 views on YouTube... Yikes. Now, THIS has been forgotten in time.

#6 – “19-2000” – Gorillaz featuring Miho Hatori and Talking Heads (Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz)

I love Gorillaz. I’ve been a fan for a long while now, and I have grown to love how they blend genres excellently in accessible and catchy yet still experimental and strange pop songs, while still believing that the flow of an album is definitely important... well, they used to do that. Right now, with Humanz and The Now Now, it seems that they care more about the singular songs, which is fair because of streaming being more important now, but like the Avalanches, the flow of the album is seminal in my enjoyment of a Gorillaz album, and that has not been consistent recently, with bloated, boring albums and messes of songs like “Sex Murder Party” and... “Man Research (Clapper)”... from their self-titled 2001 debut album. Okay, so, maybe they’ve never been too great at the whole “making tight compositions” thing. This song is kind of proving as that chaotic structure not working too well. Let me elaborate.

“19-2000” is about the new millennium, as its title suggests, and follows the trends of the bridge between 1999 and 2000 very carefully, with a sampled trip-hop/hip-hop drum beat and catchy boyband-like vocalisations. However, it feels very messy in all its minimalistic joy. You have Miho Hatori’s repetitive lyrics about getting “the cool sunshine”, some reversed and heavily-edited vocal samples, Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz doing whatever the hell they want in the background with some multi-tracked humming from frontman Damon Albarn, behind careless and slow verses from Albarn. You also have the “we gon’ break out” bridge thing, which is just kind of there? And then you have the various synth noises going on in one specific ear while there’s finger-snapping – could we have saved this for the video, guys? I don’t know, this song is fun and I’m still relatively positive on it, but like “Tranz” and “DARE”, it seems like too much is going on throughout. Also, I don’t know what’s Albarn, what’s Hatori, what’s Weymouth and where the hell Frantz is, so that’s lovely. It just piles into some kind of ball of musical elements, but they don’t mesh. They just keep growing.

#3 – “U Remind Me” – Usher

Usher is one of my favourite artists of all time. His charisma and personality is unmatched in R&B, and he will go down as a legend with some of the best club bangers and powerful and slick R&B ballads in music history. This is US chart-topper “U Remind Me”, from his third album 8701. While I’ve always preferred the Confessions era (my personal favourite Usher track is “Confessions Part II”), I can dig his earlier stuff and this is no exception.

Those introductory strings are damn beautiful, and then the piano and the synths come in, to assist Usher in all his glory, with his smooth delivery and scratched backing gang vocals. Sure, the lyrics can be seen as pretty corny or selfish and close-minded, but Usher pulls them off with his immense amounts of swagger, with a guitar coming in to match his charisma in the second verse. Oh, yeah, the song’s about a girl he can’t date because they remind him too much of an ex... for a song about what seems to be a first-world problem, Usher’s melodramatics may seem unnecessary, but they’re really not. The catchy hook and his many ad-libs really help rather than hinder, as it becomes pretty beautiful considering its potentially silly subject matter by the end. Maybe it’s too long, maybe it’s too overdramatic, but I don’t care. Usher pulls it off like no-one else ever could.

#1 – “The Way to Your Love” – Hear’Say

Okay, can I get a “get out of review” free card? Come on, it’s the eleventh new arrival and it’s the most anti-climactic, blandest-as-possible pop song, orchestrated by a trash talent show, with talented yet uninteresting and charmless singers, as well as cliché production – although the drums here are pretty cool albeit unfitting, I will admit – including the cheapest strings I’ve heard this side of Soundcloud rap, which I feel I’ve made too many comparisons to in a blog about 2000s pop music. Ah, well. What’s this song got to say, do or try and get across? Nothing. Nothing at all. This is so cheesy that I feel the milk being heated already... yet it’s not even funny. It’s just boring. It’s just a slog. Just an uninteresting, undeserving #1. At least it’s not “Freaky Friday”.

Conclusion

Best of the Week goes to “Hard to Explain” by The Strokes, no competition, although “U Remind Me” is an Honourable Mention and deservedly so. Worst of the Week? Although I have the most bile for our #1 here, yeah, it’s going to “Innocente (Falling in Love)” by Delerium for just being insanely boring, with Dishonourable Mention going to “The Way to Your Love”, I suppose. Nothing here is outright bad, just very uninteresting. See you tomorrow for REVIEWING THE CHARTS!

[happymetalgirl]

Thoughts on Gojira’s Magma

Magma is, without a doubt, my favorite album that came out last year. I know that it came out in June and that a lot had already been said about it around the time of its release, but its impact on metal last year was huge and it sustained discussion about itself and its creators all through the year. It became my favorite album from a band who I already had immense respect and adoration for, and I was fortunate enough to see them tour in support of it and play six of its songs live. (“Pray” was so insane live.) Considering the album conjured up their first two surprising Grammy nominations (as the Grammys are usually pretty ridiculous) and considering the fact that this is my blog and I can write about whatever I want, I think it’s still perfectly relevant to write about an album from last year that I ABSOLUTELY LOVED. I fear this might get pretty long.

I’ll keep from going through every little detail from the album that made me love it (and also from the few moments that weren’t perfect) because I know that each song would take a LONG time. But while I’m here I can’t help from fawning over the excellence of the tone set by the catchy groove of the opening track, the cathartic solo in the Grammy-nominated track that gracefully follows the opener, the combined power of the drums and vocals on “The Cell”, the straightforward and memorable mid-paced groove and vocal prowess on “Stranded”, the meditative state the title track generates, the infectious “Bleed”-like rhythm that “Pray” uses more convincingly than any other band that has tried to rip off the now-classic Meshuggah drum pattern, the anthem-like quality of the death metal riffing in “Only Pain”, and the touching lyrics and perfectly designed cadential aura of the brothers’ tribute to their late mother on “Low Lands”. Wow, that was a long sentence!

When Magma came out last June, and when “Stranded”, “Silvera”, and “The Shooting Star” helped prepare the metal world for it, the obligatory debate over Gojira’s masterfully intense and technical death metal taking the back seat to this new, proggy, groove-centered, and diverse style they debuted. It seemed unusual to me at first too, but it didn’t take long for me to see that this was still Gojira playing to their strengths, only this time it was strengths they hadn’t revealed before. One of my favorite things about the album, which was discussed significantly as part of their change in style, is Joe’s vocals. I already worshipped the special, melodic, burning growls that enriched every one of their previous albums, but his clean singing especially on this album helped especially well to set the bar unimaginably high for them now. The songs on the album fit snuggly with his unique register and his varied, nonformulaic use of his clean and gruff vocal styles throughout the album compliments the music exquisitely, setting atmospheric moods with clean singing and breaking those atmospheres down resonantly with reintroduced howling, and swirling that majestic chaos back into meditative mood after meditative mood of blast-beat-y hammering. Indeed, many of the brutal moments on the album are just as ambient and meditative as they are blood-pumping and head-banging, an art that resembles the hard-to-capture duality of the violent jazzy metal tranquility of Meshuggah. The naturalist vibe and message Gojira has already cultivated is enriched in the lyricism and the successful experimentation with their sound on Magma. The expansion and molding of the ambient component of their sound, which people complained about having replaced the nonstop torrent of overwhelming technical death metal, both provides more of Gojira to love, and highlights what most of the band’s fans already loved about them. The heavier moments stand out more with the mix of relative calmness into the tracks and resurge with the real force that keeps the punch from becoming numbing the way a lot of music by the likes of Nile or Decapitated often does, and in that regard, the heavy is really heavy, due credit also being due to the mixing and mastering work done on the album. It does not flash all its magic at once and fizzle out after one listen either. The songwriting throughout the album is interesting and beckons many repeated spins to become connected, and rewardingly so, with its every enthralling nuance; I’m listening to it right now, with all my appendages pulsing with more of Magma’s moments and spirit than the last time I listened to it. I often yearned for the album to be longer when I was giving it early listens, because it’s just so damn compelling, but it really is crafted to impart a specific experience in exactly the time of what it already presents. I could go on and on and relay more poetic praise for what Gojira has done for me personally with this album, but this is already pretty lengthy.

This album has meant a lot for me, and also a lot to the band themselves (Mario and Joe especially evidently) and to the metal community and our music as a whole. It was a triumphant delivery after the four-year wait between L'Enfant Sauvage and their new album’s release after many were underwhelmed or indifferent to Metallica’s comeback and even disappointed with Meshuggah’s studio return. Indeed, despite many other huge figures in metal (Metallica, Avenged Sevenfold, Meshuggah, Deftones, Opeth, Rob Zombie, Korn, Megadeth, Dream Theater, Anthrax, In Flames) dropping many highly-anticipated albums, Magma and everything that went along with it really made 2016 Gojira’s year. The enigmatic nature of the album that made it hard for the metal sphere to finish its first rounds of talking about it, the massive tour the band set out on to celebrate it, and their tasteful, refreshingly artful social media presence (their tour diaries being outstandingly gorgeous and worthwhile, and Evil Mario being an awesome window into their goofiness behind the scenes) certainly also helped them end up in many metal publications and topping their year-end lists by December’s closing.

It’s also worth talking about how all of this culminated in Grammy nominations at the end of the year for Gojira. The Grammys have ever been a somewhat redundant ceremony to parade what everyone already knows has made the most money that year based on its hard-to-avoid splatter across radio and social media, and ever since their infamous snub of …And Justice for All, they have never really been taken too seriously or even passionately in the context of metal, which is minimally represented anyway. Even their metal picks seem to be pretty consistently basic and out-of-touch most of the time; although I do find it funny how much silverware they give Metallica now that they’re huge and they know they goofed back in 1988. But this year, they seem to have run their finger luckily across the giant pulse Gojira made in metal, and they seem to have picked up on just how significant Magma was this past year because they nominated the entire work for an award and not just the most accessible single. They also noticed, to my amazement, the fabulous work Baroness did at the end of the previous year. Even though most of us don’t really get our hopes up for the Grammys recognizing meaningful work in this genre, it’s somewhat reminiscent of Metallica’s first nomination almost 30 years ago; a somewhat underground band’s (pretty underground for the Grammys) death metal-marinated album in the hard rock category, one that really made waves and earned its reputation. It’s sort of a significant moment for death metal, even if Magma doesn’t win. But if it does, it would be a sight to behold, and what would that mean for metal in the world to come? Would it boost interest in the styles of metal Magma is rooted in? Would that interest develop invested participants in metal culture or just shallow visitations to these trends of desperate fame-seekers the way a lot of dime-a-dozen djent music has emerged since Meshuggah’s breakthrough and how blackgaze has become battling grounds ever since Deafheaven’s explosion onto the scene? Would nothing happen because we ignore the Grammys for the most part now and don’t consider their voice accurately representative of metal? I don’t know, and it’s too early in the morning to speculate now, so I’ll stay on the topic of Magma.

I feel like there were so many points I wanted to make about this album and its contextual presences and that even though this is long and winded, I’m forgetting something. I’ll quickly mention that I love the artwork associated with the album; I’m a sucker for volcano-related stuff and I love the front cover artwork and I’ve been meaning to get the visual companion. Call me a fanboy, but the primal, cave-painting-esque art style really fits the nature-centric theme of their music and I dig it. I’ll mention that I have this album on record as well and I love displaying and looking at that large square piece with the sunshine volcano eruption while I play this thing. The vinyl itself is quite crackly, but strangely, I don’t mind for this one.

I’ll finish this off by just saying thank you if you read this. I know this was long and I understand if you just skimmed it. I did this in one sitting and I’m sure there are some typos and convoluted sentences. The long sentences thing tends to be the way I write, and I can’t help but write extensively because I just adore this music so much. So, thank you again; see, I can’t even finish this tacked-on paragraph briefly without trying to discuss something.

Thank you whoever reads this. Thank you, teriyaki turkey jerky, for getting me through this. And thank you Gojira for Magma and everything else!

[aaronmaurer]

Music I Liked in 2019

Every year I reflect on the pop culture I enjoyed and put it in some sort of order.

2019 was a great year for music, at least among the pop-leaning alt and indie rock I enjoy. Several favorite bands came back and knocked their latest efforts out of the park and I gained new appreciation for some artists that I’d never really connected with before. In fact, there was so much good music this year, I stretched my self-imposed Top 15 to get a few more records in. Of the three lists I write up each year, music is easily the most subjective because there’s a lot more of it out there and it’s even more fragmented, so I definitely don’t make any claims that these are the best albums of the year; they’re just my favorites and come highly recommended.

15. Better Oblivion Community Center – Better Oblivion Community Center

Phoebe Bridgers and Conner Oberst teamed up for this surprise release which merges both of their styles. The record is more electric/grungy than Bridgers’ solo output and though I’m not a big Oberst fan, there is still much to like here, especially the lovely ode to musical discovery “Chesapeake.”

14. Native Tongue – Switchfoot 

Switchfoot have established a pattern of alternating records I adore (Hello Hurricane, Fading West) with records that do almost nothing for me (Vice Verses, Where The Light Shines Through). Native Tongue swings back to the positive column with a mix of shiny anthems and contemplative balladry. Maybe the next one will break the cycle and stay in the “win” column?

13. New Jersey EP – Geographer / Let’s Try the After EPs – Broken Social Scene

The digital-age trend of artists dropping EPs rather than full-lengths continued in earnest this year with a lot of decent short-form offerings. Geographer’s New Jersey EP is my favorite thing he’s done in years and Broken Social Scene’s two Let’s Try The After releases continue the revitalized kick begun with 2017’s Hug of Thunder.

12. (I Am) Origami Pt. 3 – A Catacomb Hymn – John Van Deusen

Former Lonely Forest frontman Van Deusen released the third in a series of solo records last year, this one reconciling the alt-rock angst of Pt. 1 and the spiritual introspection of Pt. 2. There’s a lot to dig into here, but I’m especially fond of “Fly Away to Hell,” an appeal to finding hope through the natural world’s beauty in the midst of despair.

11. Without Fear – Dermot Kennedy

Kennedy’s first full-length record comes on the heels of a series of EPs and includes several tracks cherry-picked from those yet still coheres as a whole. Mixing singer-songwriter guitar folk with modern pop production (including vocal distortion effects and massive percussion) yields a sound that is simultaneously raw and polished – and immediate. Highlights include “All My Friends,” “Moments Passed,” “Lost” and “Dancing Under Red Skies.”

10. Everyday Life – Coldplay / Hyperspace – Beck

The latest albums from these two alt-rock luminaries were released on the same day and both have a lot to recommend them, even if they don’t quite reach the heights of the artists’ best work. Everyday Life is an interesting grab bag of ideas that doesn’t quite gel, but it is far better than anything on the prior A Head Full of Dreams. Tracks like the quietly pretty “Èkó,” the Owl John-interpolating “Champion of the World” and the Afrobeat breakdown “Arabesque” are peak Coldplay. Hyperspace is Beck doing vaporwave, a mostly chill dive into existentialism that finds a medium between the neon pop of Colors and the mellow beauty of Morning Phase.

  9. Rattlesnake – The Strumbellas 

While even Mumford & Sons have tired of the banjo-rock trend they re-popularized, there are still some terrific folk-leaning bands keeping the tradition alive. The most recent record from the Strumbellas is a collection of upbeat anthems that celebrate life and hope with an honest tinge of existentialism. This is perfectly encapsulated on closer “All My Life,” an ode to the paradoxical nature of love (whether divine or romantic) as both heart-breaking and life-giving force.

8. I Am Easy to Find – The National

I Am Easy to Find is the National at their more gorgeously languid. With the inclusion of a chorus of female vocalists (one of three in a trend on this list), the music here expands in new directions. As a sister piece to a short film by artist/designer Mike Mills (Beginners), this record has the feel of a curated museum piece – in the best possible way. “Not in Kansas” references my favorite R.E.M. album, “Where Is Her Head” is all propulsive stream-of-consciousness, and the closing sequence from “Hairpin Turns” through “Light Years” is as strong as anything else in the band’s catalog. (If you like this record, I strongly recommend “Think You Can Wait,” their earlier collaboration with Sharon Van Etten for the soundtrack to Win Win.)

7. Surviving – Jimmy Eat World

2016’s Integrity Blues marked a return to form for Jimmy Eat World after a couple uneven efforts and Surviving sets the bar even higher. Zach Lind’s percussion comes through as clearly and strongly as the robust guitar riffs, making this one of the best rock records of the year. The album’s middle stretch – from the synthy staccato of “555” to the quiet-loud dynamism of “One Mil” to the Futures-esque “All The Way (Stay)” to the soaring immediacy of “Diamond” – may be my favorite 4-song sequence of any album this year.

6. In the Morse Code of Break Lights – The New Pornographers

Another dose of shimmering power-pop from the Canadian collective, In the Morse Code of Break Lights finds A.C. Newman at his most lyrically direct, confronting the current political landscape with comparisons to fallen empires of antiquity on the likes of “Colossus of Rhodes” & “One Kind of Solomon.” Standouts include those tracks as well as the rhythmic pulse of “Falling Down the Stairs of Your Smile” & “Opening Ceremony” and Simi Stone’s dynamic violin flourishes on “Dreamlike And On The Rush” & “Leather On The Seat.

5. Norman Fucking Rockwell! – Lana Del Rey

I’ve been on the fence about Lana Del Rey to this point, appreciating some of the singles I’ve heard but never fully engaging with her brand of arch romanticism. Whether her casually profane and resigned lyrics are authentically her or an ironic persona, NFR! is undeniable, reflecting the fatalism of young adulthood in Trump’s America with excellent songcraft. Jack Antonoff’s production floats her dreamy vocals over spare but lush instrumentation, creating a hazy atmosphere of malaise with maybe some glimmers of hope flickering through.

4. My Finest Work Yet – Andrew Bird

Another reflection of the times from an artist I’ve never quite connected with before, Bird’s wryly titled My Finest Work Yet focuses his droll wit on deconstructing American exceptionalism and imperialism. The wordplay throughout this record is ingenious, but it’s the compositions that really sell everything, with hooks a-plenty and warm jazz orchestration to counterbalance the heavy subject matter. And yes, there is some whistling.

3. NINE – blink-182 / Strange Love EP – Simple Creatures

If 2016’s California was preoccupied with recapturing the bratty pop-punk rush of Enema of the State, then NINE is blink-182’s return to the more experimental emo leanings of their self-titled 2003 release. While not quite as adventurous as that record, it’s definitely their best work since, featuring introspective lyrics, plenty of Whoa-Oh-Oh sing-a-longs and full integration of newest member Matt Skiba (who is deployed as much more than a Tom DeLonge surrogate this time out). Personal favorites include “Heaven,” “I Really Wish I Hated You,” “No Heart To Speak Of” and “Hungover You,” but this is a solid front-to-back listen.

2019 also saw Mark Hoppus team up with All Time Low’s Alex Gaskarth for two EPs under the moniker Simple Creatures. Strange Love is the stronger of the two and leans into synthpop territory with bright choruses, providing a nice complement to NINE.

2. Father of the Bride – Vampire Weekend

Aside from the stellar “Harmony Hall,” the pre-release singles from Vampire Weekend’s latest didn’t really wow me and I worried that this record (the first without Rostam Batmanglij as a full member) would end their unimpeachable run. However, in the context of the album, everything works brilliantly, a clear case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. Ezra Koenig is at both his most experimental (see “Sympathy” and “Flower Moon”) and most traditional (see “Unbearably White” and “We Belong Together”) here, to great effect. Danielle Haim contributes vocals to several songs (two of three of the trend), tying everything together and adding a new dimension to the sound, which is still recognizably VW while expanding in new directions.

1. American Football (LP3) – American Football

Though I missed American Football’s initial late-90s run, I was glad to catch up with the band upon the release of their 2016 reunion album. Their music lives somewhere at the nexus of emo, post-rock, shoegaze and jazz, with instrumental motifs that call to mind Jimmy Eat World’s Clarity opus “Goodbye Sky Harbor.” 2019 brought a third LP (fortunately without a 17-year wait) that I believe is their best yet. Featuring female vocalists on several tracks (three of three of the trend), this set of songs has more immediate hooks without sacrificing lush guitar cascades or meditative polyrhythms. A perfect record to get lost in on a quiet morning drive – or any other time, really.

You know what’s better than reading about music? Listening to it. Here’s a sampling of songs from each of these records if you want an easily-digestible mix:

Bonus! Reinterpretation Albums:

Reworked – Snow Patrol – For Snow Patrol’s 25th year, they put out this album of new recordings of some of their greatest hits (and a few new songs for good measure). These reinterpretations aren’t drastically different from the originals, but they share a consistent coffeehouse vibe that makes for nice Sunday morning listening and a fresh approach to a typical “Best Of” record (which, to be fair, they have done before).

Tiny Changes: A Celebration of Frightened Rabbit’s ‘The Midnight Organ Fight’ – Various Artists – One of the final projects Scott Hutchison was involved with before his death, Tiny Changes bucks the trend of reissuing a landmark album on its anniversary. Instead, to commemorate 10 years of their breakthrough release, Frightened Rabbit tapped some of their favorite artists and friends (including the likes of Ben Gibbard, Manchester Orchestra and Julien Baker) to record cover versions of the whole thing. While nothing can touch the raw emotion of the originals, these interpretations reveal new dimensions to many of the songs, especially Daughter’s hauntingly beautiful and gut-wrenching take on “Poke.”

[thepermanentrainpress]

SKOOKUM FESTIVAL: DAY 1 RECAP

Stanley Park is a great place to have a festival. It’s a central and accessible location in Vancouver, not directly near any residences or businesses, and features ample green space to accommodate thousands of people.

This was SKOOKUM’s debut year and first time festivals will always be a bit experimental. Entering the grounds, I noticed a lot of empty space in certain areas. While these spaces could’ve been used for booths, food trucks, or even an additional stage, it did help with crowd control and exiting. Overall, the spacing here was quite comfortable. It never felt too crowded or confusing, and allowed for quiet areas to take a break. The booths, restrooms, and food areas were all easy to find and not too far or close to the music.

SKOOKUM was advertised as “Music. Food. Art.” and strived to create experiences that could not always be found at other festivals. There were large mirrors and cubes, puppet sea monsters and jellyfish, and performers hanging from ropes in the air throughout the weekend. I would’ve liked to see even more visual and local art components, such as paintings and murals or costumed performers. The food areas included trucks and booths, with the booths serving artisanal options I haven’t seen anywhere else. I personally felt there were not enough food areas: during peak times, the wait was easily an hour for literally all of them. This was partially due to the fact that SKOOKUM had a no outside food policy.

SKOOKUM worked closely with First Nations of the area in building this festival—an important step in reconciliation and supporting the Indigenous populations of BC. There were Aboriginal speakers and leaders opening the festival with traditional ceremonies, and the musical lineup was 30% Indigenous artists. Stanley Park has a long history of being called home to Indigenous people of BC, and I applaud the festival for its land acknowledgements and striving to cooperate and share this experience with the Aboriginal population.

The first artist I saw was Vancouver’s own Little Destroyer. I’ve seen them a few times before in small club environments, and their live show is over-the-top amazing and bursting with energy. Playing an outdoor stage to a large crowd is a different experience, but they still brought 100% of the stage presence. Lead singer Allie Sheldan was clad in a happy face bra, jean shorts, and a large white feather boa. She ran around a lot on stage, climbing amps and squatting, but even her movements standing still brought a lot of energy; it’s in the ways she moves her hands and face while belting out passionate, almost angry lyrics. In addition to their standard set (their self-titled song “Little Destroyer” always floors me in its rage), they played a brand new song.

Little Destroyer makes music that you can and should move to, but the audience was barely moving. This is a stereotype of Vancouver, but still surprising and disappointing to see at a festival. SKOOKUM featured a lot of local artists, and I’m glad to have seen Little Destroyer (one of many female-fronted acts of the weekend!) be part of it.

Next up was another Vancouver duo, Dear Rouge. Fresh off the release of their second album Phases, they did a show of bright flashing lights on the main Mountain stage. Lead vocalist Danielle McTaggart was in an amazing, almost glowing golden robe that commanded attention. It was right about this time that night began to set in, and this added to the visual experience. The illuminated stage and Danielle’s high energy made the band seem like almost ghosts in the night, spectres delivering powerful electronic alternative rock. Dear Rouge’s music features a lot of synth, and it translates well live. They played a good mix of hits from their early work and new album, and have really established themselves as an amazing live band. I’ve been listening to and seeing Dear Rouge since 2013, and I’m so proud to see how far they’ve come. They’re an amazing addition to any concert or festival, and probably one of the best bands to have emerged from this city in the last few years. I can’t wait to hear more from them.

On side stage Forest I caught the set of Black Pistol Fire, whom split their time between Toronto and Austin, TX. This duo makes powerful old-timey rock music: vocalist Kevin McKeown has deep and gruff, Southern-sounding vocals. I noticed his sheer energy and stage presence: he jumped around a lot, running around the stage and rocking back and forth on the mic. I had never heard of this group before, but I’m glad SKOOKUM was able to bring them to us. The dynamic by both members was intense, and I’d love to see them play a small venue in an intimate environment.

I headed back to the Mountain stage for Montreal-based electro-funk duo Chromeo. Now promoting the release of their fifth studio album, Chromeo’s show was the most exciting and dance-inducing set of the night yet. By now almost all of the fest was watching their set, and they really know how to command a crowd. Both members Dave 1 and P-Thugg looked like real rock stars onstage, confident and smooth in their playing and banter. By nature their music is full of editing, electronic beats, and remixed vocals, and I was impressed at how well this translated into a live show. At one point P-Thugg did a robot voice through his mic, entertaining the masses with one distorted question: “What’s up, SKOOKUM?” They were genuinely excited and grateful to be where they were, telling stories of their beginnings and experiences with the city. “Vancouver was one of the first cities where people didn’t hate us, and the first time I made out with someone after the show.”

I didn’t know very much of Chromeo’s music before the set, but they really put on an amazing show. Their interaction with the audience was almost hypnotic: during one song they encouraged others to get on someone’s shoulders (“We made an agreement with security”), and there were at least a hundred people rocking out on top. Chromeo are an amazing live addition to any festival, and were one of the highlights of Day 1 for sure. They got people dancing more than any other act I saw that day, including Arkells. If this set taught me anything, it’s that we all live in 2018 while Chromeo is way ahead in the year 3018.

The final band of the night and main headliner were Hamilton’s Arkells. They’ll be releasing their fifth album in a month, and in the past few years have become popular enough that I feel confident calling them Canada’s biggest rock band. There’s something irresistible about them live: they have a great blend of passion for their music and their audience. Max Kerman was almost as much of an emcee as he was a lead singer, taking time to talk after almost every song. He repeatedly emphasized “the three rules at an Arkells show: dance, sing, and take care of each other.” He also discussed the band’s progress, noting that they had come from playing “the Biltmore, to the Commodore, to Thunderbird Sports Centre, to headlining SKOOKUM,” and that they were nothing without this supportive audience. At one point, they brought an audience member on stage to play guitar for one song—something I’ve never seen a band do before. Max also brought out his friend from Vancouver who he’s known since he was 17: he praised this friend for his work on the Downtown Eastside, and said “he does a much more important job than me” before hugging him and presenting him with a medal.

Arkells have received a lot of radio play in the past few years, and the audience was singing along to almost every song. There’s a special, sincere dynamic that Arkells bring with them at every concert: they are truly living the dream of a small band that made it big. They’ve stayed within their roots and now have universal acclaim and appeal, keeping so much integrity and gratitude in the process, During their encore, they sang an upbeat rock version of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” and even brought a man on stage to dance who was rocking a Whitney t-shirt. There’s no band in Canada quite like the Arkells, and they’ve hit all the right points in being a great rock band. They were an excellent headliner for Day One, and I think I can speak for the whole audience in saying they surprised and entertained even more than imagined.

The SKOOKUM lineup is an excellent mix of local, Canadian, and international talent. Day One was a very fun experience, and I think this festival has a bright future.

Written by: Cazzy Lewchuk

[rhythmoftxz-blog]

Methods for Engagement Get together

If you're having a destination wedding or maybe a wedding day outdoor, just take into account the purpose the wind will engage in. Be certain that your whole decorations are laden making sure that they do not fall from area and wreck the arrangement. This could allow you to keep aesthetic beauty at your marriage. A couple of days prior to your marriage, get each of the jewelry that you'll be intending to wear professionally cleaned. This will likely help you to sparkle additional while you are walking down the aisle, illuminating the wonder that you choose to have. Discover a great jewelry cleaner and make improvements to the standard of your stones before the marriage. estúdio gospel prime Observe your wander down the aisle persistently around the times top as many as the marriage. Make sure that you are doing this for the true website from the marriage ceremony, when you will desire to take a look at out the floor along with the shoes you will put on. This tends to help to improve your stream if the huge working day arrives. Select your wedding ceremony costume in advance of make a decision on anything, like jewelry, sneakers, purse, hair or make-up style. Get your time and efforts hoping on robes and appear all over at different venues prior to making your preference. For those who can find what you like on the web, that may help you save you numerous of cash far too! If you or your potential partner have got a wonderful voice, one of the things which you can do should be to sing a track at your wedding day. This should become a sluggish music you dedicate both in your long term soul mate or someone that is on the lookout down on you at your wedding ceremony. In case you won't be able to have a very limo for the marriage ceremony, gown up the cars and trucks you are going in. Put on crepe paper bouquets, streamers and whatsoever else the operator will enable you to costume it up with. It will eventually cause you to feel like you have your personal custom made coach, so that you never actually need a limo anyway. Include your fiance in planning your wedding day or he'll end up emotion like it was not definitely his day in any respect. If he says he doesn't treatment anything you do he may just be expressing that to help keep you cheerful, so attempt to consist of him while in the catering or cake option so he features a yummy way to get included. gospel prime estúdioIf you are presently living using your spouse-to-be and don't really need housewares for wedding day items, request dollars alternatively. Should you consist of a sweet small poem asking people today to look at supplying you a funds gift rather than one thing you can't use, you will be preserving them enough time it will require to shop and supporting pay back for the honeymoon! Such as pets in a very wedding can be a fun, authentic way to celebrate your union! Dress your doggy up being a groomsman or bridesmaid and choose them up the aisle with you. But do have somebody take the puppy absent all through the particular ceremony so it isn't going to turn out barking or executing some thing it shouldn't! Get your nails finished after you get your hair performed for your personal wedding to give you the general pampering that you deserve on your major working day. It isn't pretty pricey, though the foot bath and hand massage can help serene your nerves and leave you wanting stunning and feeling great! Tie tiny attractive things into all the aspects of your respective wedding decor. Possess a ribbon utilised on your bouquet mirrored on your centerpieces, or with your robe, or maybe within your hair. It can be the very little information that can make your wedding day look excellent mainly because it displays you've got place a real work into help it become your great day. Bouquets really are a genuinely important component of your wedding day and you simply will wish to get fresh new flowers delivered into the web-site of one's reception. Also, ensure that the bouquets match the theme of your respective marriage ceremony, at the same time as, the year that you'll be possessing your marriage ceremony in. This may improve the general outcome of your nuptial. Should you cannot make a decision on hues in your marriage, consider using the colors from nature. Lots of weddings have many shades, not merely one or two. You could possibly experiment with yellow, greens, browns, reds, and pinks. You can, also, approach your wedding day shades close to the time. When you are using a drop marriage, use slide colors to affect you. Marriage bands really are a crucial part with the wedding, since they enable to suggest the becoming a member of of two functions. Make sure that about the days leading approximately the wedding and about the wedding by itself to acquire someone that it is possible to rely on maintain observe of your wedding day bands to be sure safety. Opt for regardless of whether or not you're going to use pantyhose together with your wedding gown early so that you can get an expensive set of silk hose inside your dimension. This is your distinctive day, so you are worthy of to wear the very best! Including a set of stockings which are silky tender and beautiful can make you are feeling much more self-confident in front of the group. If you are obtaining difficulty coming up having a present for your personal marriage ceremony guests, consider a thing valuable. My mother and father experienced matchbooks printed with their wedding day day, which was wonderful when they received married as not one person realized using tobacco was lousy nonetheless. These days I would possess a candle that has a tag engraved the wedding date instead as it truly is a lot more balanced for them to burn off that! If you're having a reception in a venue that does not offer the decor, you will must pick up the napkins and tablecloths by yourself. I would not recommend heading with plastic, so as a substitute get cheap fabric and hem the edges to really make it appear to be a professionally finished product. Do the identical for napkins inside a matching color. Photos that couples won't visualize may make their wedding album unique. If you are carrying out the images, ensure that you take shots of many of the tiny points, which includes the rings, bouquet, invitations, software, tables, cake, foodstuff, menu, and lots of candids on the friends arriving. You may obtain a lot more suggestions in wedding day journals as their pictures will likely be top notch. gospel prime

http://docdro.id/ksMkjaM

[ineedpicturespicturesofponi-blog]

Strategies for Engagement Social gathering

If you are possessing a vacation spot wedding or even a wedding day outdoor, take into account the role the wind will participate in. Be sure that your whole decorations are encumbered so that they are doing not drop from area and spoil the arrangement. This tends to allow you to keep aesthetic beauty at your marriage ceremony. A few days right before your wedding day, get all the jewellery you are planning to have on professionally cleaned. This could allow you to sparkle additional when you are strolling down the aisle, illuminating the beauty that you simply have. Discover a great jewellery cleaner and enhance the standard of your stones ahead of the marriage. estúdio gospel prime Observe your walk down the aisle repeatedly about the times main as much as the marriage. Be sure that you do this on the precise internet site with the wedding ceremony, while you will choose to exam out the ground using the shoes you are going to dress in. This could assist to boost your circulation when the massive day arrives. Choose your marriage ceremony costume ahead of settle on the rest, such as jewelry, sneakers, purse, hair or make-up design and style. Consider your time seeking on robes and look all-around at diverse venues before you make your alternative. In the event you can discover whatever you like on the net, that can save you a large number of cash far too! For those who or your long term partner possess a good voice, something which you could do will be to sing a music at your wedding day. This should be a slow tune that you devote either for your upcoming soul mate or an individual that may be hunting down upon you at your wedding ceremony. Should you are unable to have a very limo in your marriage, costume up the cars you're going in. Set on crepe paper flowers, streamers and regardless of what else the proprietor will let you costume it up with. It'll make you really feel like you have your own personal custom made mentor, this means you do not really need a limo in any case. Consist of your fiance in arranging your wedding or he'll wind up experience like it wasn't truly his day whatsoever. If he says he doesn't care that which you do he may possibly just be indicating that to maintain you happy, so attempt to include him during the catering or cake choice so he contains a yummy method of getting concerned. gospel prime estúdioShould you be already residing with all your spouse-to-be and don't actually need housewares for wedding day items, request cash rather. In case you incorporate a sweet little poem inquiring persons to consider giving you a income reward in place of some thing you can not use, you will be conserving them some time it will take to buy and encouraging pay back to your honeymoon! Such as pets inside a wedding could be a exciting, initial approach to rejoice your union! Costume your doggy up to be a groomsman or bridesmaid and choose them up the aisle along with you. But do have somebody get the pet dog away all through the actual ceremony so it isn't going to find yourself barking or accomplishing some thing it should not! Get the nails done once you get your hair finished for your wedding to give you the general pampering that you choose to are worthy of in your big working day. It isn't quite high-priced, nevertheless the foot tub and hand therapeutic massage should help relaxed your nerves and leave you wanting beautiful and emotion excellent! Tie little decorative objects into all of the aspects of the marriage ceremony decor. Possess a ribbon employed on your own bouquet mirrored on your centerpieces, or inside your robe, or perhaps inside your hair. It's the little specifics which can make your wedding ceremony appear remarkable as it shows you have put a real energy into make it your fantastic day. Bouquets undoubtedly are a genuinely critical aspect of your respective wedding day therefore you will would like to get fresh new flowers shipped to the web site of the reception. Also, guantee that the bouquets match the theme of your respective wedding, at the same time as, the season that you are owning your marriage in. This will likely optimize the general influence of your nuptial. If you can't choose colors for your personal wedding ceremony, look at using the colors from nature. Quite a few weddings have multiple colors, not merely a couple of. You can experiment with yellow, greens, browns, reds, and pinks. You could possibly, also, system your marriage ceremony shades close to the season. If you are possessing a fall wedding day, use slide colours to impact you. Wedding ceremony bands can be a important portion in the marriage, since they enable to suggest the becoming a member of of two events. Guantee that on the days main as much as the wedding and to the wedding day alone to have someone that you'll be able to count on preserve monitor of your wedding bands to make certain safety. Choose regardless of whether or not you're going to have on pantyhose with your marriage costume early this means you can purchase a luxurious pair of silk hose inside your measurement. This can be your specific working day, therefore you are entitled to to dress in the ideal! Together with a set of stockings which are silky tender and gorgeous can make you really feel more self-confident in front of the crowd. Should you be possessing issues developing using a present to your wedding ceremony company, consider some thing handy. My mother and father experienced matchbooks printed with their marriage date, which was great if they acquired married as no one realized using tobacco was terrible nevertheless. Currently I might use a candle which has a tag engraved the wedding date as a substitute as it is really a great deal more healthful for them to burn up that! If you're aquiring a reception at a venue that does not supply the decor, you'll need to pick up the napkins and tablecloths oneself. I would not advise heading with plastic, so instead pick up cheap cloth and hem the sides to make it seem like a professionally finished item. Do precisely the same for napkins within a matching coloration. Photos that couples would not visualize could make their marriage album particular. When you are accomplishing the images, make sure you take shots of every one of the small issues, together with the rings, bouquet, invitations, software, tables, cake, food, menu, and lots of candids of the attendees arriving. It is possible to locate a lot more thoughts in wedding magazines as their photography is going to be leading notch. gospel prime

https://www.scribd.com/document/379072876/Methods-for-Engagement-Get-together-Fi9rGP-pdf

[pra-te-fazer-relembrar-blog]

Guidelines for Engagement Party

When you are possessing a desired destination marriage or even a marriage outside, consider into consideration the function that the wind will play. Ensure that your whole decorations are weighted down making sure that they do not slide away from spot and damage the arrangement. This will make it easier to retain aesthetic attractiveness at your marriage ceremony. A few days in advance of your marriage ceremony, get each of the jewelry you are planning to have on professionally cleaned. This will help you to sparkle much more while you are going for walks down the aisle, illuminating the sweetness which you have. Find a terrific jewellery cleaner and boost the standard of your stones ahead of the marriage.  Exercise your stroll down the aisle again and again on the days major as many as the marriage. Be sure that you do this on the precise web page on the wedding ceremony, when you will want to take a look at out the ground while using the sneakers you are likely to dress in. This could assistance to boost your move once the significant day comes. Pick out your wedding day costume just before make a decision on anything, which includes jewelry, sneakers, purse, hair or make-up design. Take your time and efforts trying on robes and seem all around at different venues before making your decision. In case you can find everything you like on-line, that should preserve you a lot of money too! In the event you or your foreseeable future husband possess a great voice, one of the things that you can do is to sing a music at your wedding ceremony. This should certainly be a sluggish tune that you simply devote both to your foreseeable future soul mate or somebody which is wanting down upon you at your marriage. For those who are unable to have got a limo to your wedding ceremony, costume up the vehicles you are going in. Set on crepe paper bouquets, streamers and whatever else the owner will let you costume it up with. It can make you feel such as you have your personal personalized mentor, so you really don't really need a limo anyway. Incorporate your fiance in arranging your wedding ceremony or he'll turn out feeling like it was not truly his day in any respect. If he says he would not care whatever you do he may just be saying that to help keep you cheerful, so endeavor to involve him within the catering or cake alternative so he has a yummy method of getting concerned.  When you are currently dwelling using your spouse-to-be and don't really want housewares for wedding day presents, ask for funds rather. In the event you incorporate a adorable minor poem inquiring people to take into account giving you a hard cash gift in place of one thing you can not use, you will be saving them enough time it will require to shop and serving to pay back for your personal honeymoon! Such as animals within a wedding ceremony can be a pleasurable, unique strategy to celebrate your union! Gown your doggy up to be a groomsman or bridesmaid and acquire them up the aisle along with you. But do have an individual acquire the dog away through the actual ceremony so it doesn't finish up barking or executing anything it shouldn't! Obtain your nails finished when you obtain your hair finished for the wedding day to provide you with the general pampering which you have earned on your large day. It isn't pretty expensive, however the foot bath and hand therapeutic massage should help calm your nerves and go away you looking lovely and emotion terrific! Tie tiny attractive merchandise into many of the aspects of one's wedding ceremony decor. Have a very ribbon utilised on the bouquet mirrored with your centerpieces, or inside your robe, or perhaps in your hair. It is the small facts that will make your marriage search excellent mainly because it exhibits you've got set a true effort and hard work into enable it to be your fantastic day. Flowers really are a truly significant element of your wedding day therefore you will want to get fresh flowers delivered towards the web site of the reception. Also, make sure that the flowers match the theme of your wedding ceremony, as well as, the year that you will be getting your marriage ceremony in. This will optimize the overall influence of the nuptial. When you cannot determine colours to your wedding ceremony, take into consideration employing the colours from mother nature. Many weddings have many hues, not just a couple of. You can experiment with yellow, greens, browns, reds, and pinks. You could potentially, also, system your wedding ceremony colours all over the time. When you are getting a fall wedding ceremony, use slide colors to influence you. Marriage ceremony bands absolutely are a essential component on the wedding ceremony, since they support to indicate the becoming a member of of two functions. Ensure that over the times top as many as the marriage and to the wedding ceremony by itself to get a person who you are able to depend on continue to keep track of one's marriage bands to guarantee protection. Choose irrespective of whether or not you're going to don pantyhose with all your wedding ceremony costume early and that means you can purchase a luxurious set of silk hose in your dimension. This can be your exclusive working day, which means you should have to don the very best! Which include a pair of stockings which are silky delicate and beautiful can make you really feel even more self-assured in front of the crowd. In case you are getting difficulties coming up that has a gift for your marriage ceremony guests, visualize one thing helpful. My mothers and fathers had matchbooks printed with their wedding date, which was fantastic after they acquired married as no-one knew smoking was bad yet. Now I might possess a candle using a tag engraved the marriage day alternatively as it truly is considerably more wholesome for them to burn off that! If you are having a reception at a venue that doesn't source the decor, you may really have to pick up the napkins and tablecloths on your own. I would not advocate going with plastic, so rather get low-cost fabric and hem the perimeters to really make it appear like a skillfully completed merchandise. Do a similar for napkins within a matching coloration. Photos that couples will not imagine can make their wedding ceremony album exclusive. If you're carrying out the photography, make sure you get images of all the small things, which includes the rings, bouquet, invitations, software, tables, cake, foods, menu, and many candids of your guests arriving. You may come across more concepts in marriage ceremony journals as their photography will be prime notch.

http://www.e-maco.com/tips-for-engagement-occasion-5/

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Tips for Engagement Get together

In case you are possessing a vacation spot wedding or perhaps a wedding ceremony outdoor, take into consideration the job that the wind will participate in. Be certain that your whole decorations are laden in order that they do not drop from position and destroy the arrangement. This will likely assist you preserve aesthetic attractiveness at your wedding. A couple of days before your wedding ceremony, get the entire jewellery you are intending to use professionally cleaned. This may help you to sparkle more while you are strolling down the aisle, illuminating the sweetness that you have. Look for a wonderful jewelry cleaner and boost the standard of your stones before the marriage. gospel prime Exercise your stroll down the aisle repeatedly over the days main approximately the marriage. Guantee that you do this for the actual web-site of the marriage ceremony, when you will wish to exam out the floor along with the footwear you'll don. This will likely assistance to boost your stream when the significant day arrives. Pick out your marriage ceremony costume prior to make a decision on anything, together with jewelry, shoes, purse, hair or make-up design and style. Consider your time and efforts trying on gowns and look around at distinct venues before you make your alternative. When you can discover what you like on the web, which will save you numerous of cash way too! If you or your future husband have got a wonderful voice, one thing that you could do will be to sing a music at your wedding ceremony. This should certainly be a gradual song that you simply devote possibly to your long run soul mate or a person which is hunting down upon you at your wedding. If you are not able to possess a limo in your wedding, gown up the automobiles you're going in. Set on crepe paper flowers, streamers and whatsoever else the proprietor will permit you to dress it up with. It will make you experience like you have your personal customized coach, this means you never really want a limo in any case. Involve your fiance in preparing your marriage or he'll turn out experience like it was not definitely his working day at all. If he states he won't care anything you do he might just be stating that to maintain you cheerful, so endeavor to include him within the catering or cake decision so he has a yummy way to get concerned.  If you are now residing with the spouse-to-be and don't really need housewares for wedding ceremony items, request funds instead. For those who include a lovable little poem inquiring folks to consider supplying you a cash gift instead of a little something you cannot use, you'll be conserving them time it takes to shop and aiding pay back on your honeymoon! Such as animals within a marriage can be a pleasurable, initial way to celebrate your union! Dress your doggy up to be a groomsman or bridesmaid and consider them up the aisle with you. But do have another person choose the canine away for the duration of the actual ceremony so it does not end up barking or accomplishing one thing it shouldn't! Get the nails completed whenever you get your hair finished to your wedding to provide you with the overall pampering you have earned on your major day. It is not quite costly, though the foot bath and hand massage will help tranquil your nerves and go away you seeking beautiful and feeling fantastic! Tie little decorative objects into many of the features of your wedding day decor. Have got a ribbon used on the bouquet mirrored on your centerpieces, or inside your robe, or maybe in your hair. It is the minor particulars which will make your wedding day look exceptional since it exhibits you've put a real exertion into help it become your excellent day. Bouquets can be a genuinely crucial part within your marriage and you simply will want to get refreshing flowers shipped into the web-site within your reception. Also, make certain that the flowers match the theme of the wedding ceremony, in addition as, the season that you're obtaining your wedding day in. This may increase the general outcome of the nuptial. In case you are unable to decide on hues for your wedding ceremony, consider utilizing the colors from mother nature. A lot of weddings have several colours, not just 1 or 2. You may experiment with yellow, greens, browns, reds, and pinks. You could, also, program your wedding colors all over the year. Should you be possessing a drop wedding ceremony, use drop shades to affect you. Marriage bands really are a important section of your wedding, as they enable to signify the becoming a member of of two get-togethers. Be certain that around the days main as many as the marriage and on the marriage alone to possess someone that it is possible to depend on hold track of your wedding ceremony bands to be certain stability. Choose regardless of whether or not you are going to dress in pantyhose with all your wedding gown early so that you can buy an expensive set of silk hose as part of your dimensions. This is certainly your unique day, and that means you deserve to have on the most effective! Which include a pair of stockings which happen to be silky comfortable and gorgeous is likely to make you really feel even more confident in front of the group. For anyone who is possessing trouble coming up using a gift in your wedding ceremony guests, think about some thing practical. My mother and father had matchbooks printed with their wedding day date, which was fantastic when they received married as not a soul knew smoking cigarettes was poor nevertheless. These days I'd have a very candle using a tag engraved the wedding day in its place as it is much more healthful for them to melt away that! Should you be getting a reception in a location that doesn't provide the decor, you'll really have to get the napkins and tablecloths oneself. I would not propose going with plastic, so as a substitute get low-cost fabric and hem the perimeters to make it appear like a professionally concluded product or service. Do the same for napkins inside of a matching shade. Photographs that couples will not think about will make their wedding ceremony album special. If you're accomplishing the pictures, be sure to consider pictures of all of the small points, which includes the rings, bouquet, invites, method, tables, cake, food stuff, menu, and lots of candids from the guests arriving. It is possible to uncover a lot more suggestions in marriage magazines as their images are going to be prime notch.

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[baby-born]

Ideas first birthday celebration

Every day of life is unique, every birthday is doubly unique, and only the first day of the birth of your baby - is a unique event that simply can not and should not be casually pass unnoticed.

BABY BOY'S FIRST BIRTHDAY | DIY IDEAS

But not every young moms find time, effort and money for the organization of the grand celebration of the birth of the child.

These mandatory requirements of modernity, as a room decoration balls and streamers ready, buying cardboard caps for guests and cake shop with colorful figures of mastic, propose to add a piece of the soul as a "domestic preparations."

So, fans of handmade and simply creative people suggest a few ideas that will make this day a memorable one at the lowest cost. Just specify that all this she began to make about a month before the promised date, in fits and starts, when the children were asleep. But the result was worth it. And if you find helpers - all excellent.

Aarush 1st Birthday Celebrations Teaser

Wall newspaper or poster.

At first glance, banal nowhere, but if you include fantasy or internet (one at hand), you get a real "masterpiece of folk art", which after the holiday may be a long time to take its rightful place in the children's room as a wonderful wall decoration, or in the family archive, as a relic.

For example, I did a poster as a locomotive, locomotive and carriages cut out of cardboard. Instead of windows on trailers pasted pictures of the child at every stage of growing up, I wrote about the achievements of the baby in the period specified height and weight of the baby during this month.

A steam locomotive decorated ultrasound image (as an option - Photo Mom's tummy or photo from the hospital). Rather, members of the family to surrender to happy memories with you and will help in the creation of this wonderful record.

Wishlist.

On the wall in the nursery you can hang a large sheet of construction paper with the inscription. It's guests can write their wishes for a birthday or just a thought "in the subject."

This poster can be designed according to your desire, drawing, for example, a tree with large apples, in which were written wishes, we called it - "Wish Tree". You can leave a clean sheet, allowing guests to paint it.

By the way, after the feast of the result of collective work can be hung in the nursery, as a source of warm words and memories. In this case, there is an additional Wishlist feature: coming into the house, guests will be able to replenish it with new records for quite some time. So it is better to stock up on plenty of leaf.

The comic divination.

This is a simple and very inexpensive to prepare action will entertain guests and will present an element of variety in the celebration of the script. In various sources you can find several options for its holding. Here is one of the most simple and more or less neizbity.

Before putting the birthday book, pencil, dollar bill, a ball of thread, a head of garlic, chocolate, keys. Suggest your child to choose one subject from the subsequent interpretation of the election results: thread - long life, garlic - good health, chocolate - sweet life, the book - developed intellect, pen - developed creativity, money - wealth and keys - own house or a car. A set of objects and their interpretation can be changed to the extent of your imagination.

Letters to the Future.

Option for sentimental and patient. Parents and guests write on small pieces of messages in the future, destined birthday. For example, wishes, parting words. All this is sealed in an envelope, on which is written the date of opening. It can be a day of age the baby or for the impatient - a closer date.

Important conditions - reliably hide the envelope, but so that in the designated day to remember where it is the most "safe place."

Awards will find heroes.

Gifts, albeit small, nice to get everything. Your guests - is no exception. Younger guests will enjoy even the little things like a balloon. And for the older guests offer to organize a mock awards ceremony. It is logical to assume that each of you has come all possible assistance and moral support in the upbringing of the child, and therefore each can come up with the nomination, in which he - a clear leader. For example, "for the most fun games", "for the most interesting tales", "for the most entertaining walk" and the like.

Awards Production does not take much of your time. Take photographs of the nominee with the birthday shows, if not, suitable, and just a beautiful picture culprit celebration. To attach the selected photos ribbons, to be comfortable to wear on the neck of the nominees and make the appropriate inscription: the name of the category, date or other optional.

In order not to spoil the cherished photos and leave the opportunity in the future to insert them in an album or frame, the ribbon can be neatly sticking with tape to the back side or make them small frame of the paper, which is already fastened ribbons.

The inscription can also be done on the reverse side or on the paper strip by attaching it to the edge of the tape back side pictures so that the inscription on the front side has. The resulting award was presented by guests at the solemn music, accompanied by this action playful oration, as the "Oscar" ceremony.

Be sure that with a little investment of material and time resources, such awards ceremony no one indifferent, will be a very pleasant and unexpected surprise for all and be memorable.

A piece of good mood.

The holiday comes to an end. To "put the cherry on the cake good mood" and save the pleasant memories of the last holiday, each of its members, hang near the front door a piece of paper, decorated like those ads that the pasting on poles loose-phone numbers.

Text ads can be something like this: "bring a little bit of good mood" or "good mood to take away." And instead of separated pieces of telephone write nice phrase, such as "a bit of good mood", or draw a face funny. Each departing guest can take a small piece of the past and a holiday to remember it, carefully preserved among the most valuable things or accidentally come across it among the forgotten papers.

So from the time of our holiday has passed 2 years, and many of our guests still wear "pieces of good mood" in the recesses of his purse.

And finally, a bit of considerations and observations from my own experience. Do not try to invite especially young children - the same age your toddler. At this tender age, children very individual and specific mode of the day and organized to collect them at the appointed time at the appointed place is very problematic.

Even harder to take a motley crowd of younger guests, so that the holiday does not become a branch manger with continuous squealing, crying, feeding, diapers and other "charms". Otherwise, all your hard work and preparation, may remain undetected for a whole "rat race."

Especially in such a young age as a 1 year old children are hardly in dire need of the presence of friends, peers at his birthday party. An additional headache can be a children's menu. What to feed the little guests, so as not to cause allergies and other troubles? Or ask parents to bring the "Children's food" for children of himself?

About nutrition young birthday, of course you need to think in advance. Arm yourself with your favorite food jars and juice, cookies, fruit and other snacks favorite birthday boy.

Here I want to make a small "digression". I am totally against feeding children candy, cake with colored putty and cream and other "pleasures", the benefits of which even for an adult is very questionable.

From solutions of such "sensitive issues", I freed myself very simple. Invited only the closest people. Also parents are grandparents, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles and godparents. The result was very good company.

If possible, the celebration is better to move to the territory of a cute café or restaurant, where you can also hang all of your workpiece. Then the preparation for the holiday for you not turned into a food marathon, and the finale - in the spring cleaning. The holiday will be a joy and not just the birthday guests, and my mother, and she really deserved it.

Merry you triumph!

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Techniques for Engagement Party

If you are aquiring a location wedding ceremony or perhaps a wedding day outdoor, consider into account the function the wind will participate in. Ensure that your whole decorations are encumbered to make sure that they are doing not tumble away from location and spoil the arrangement. This can enable you to keep aesthetic natural beauty at your wedding ceremony. A few days right before your marriage ceremony, get all the jewelry that you'll be planning to use skillfully cleaned. This may assist you to sparkle additional while you are going for walks down the aisle, illuminating the beauty which you possess. Find a excellent jewellery cleaner and improve the quality of your stones prior to the marriage. estúdio gospel prime Exercise your wander down the aisle over and over over the times primary nearly the wedding. Be certain that you are doing this on the true site in the wedding day, when you will desire to take a look at out the ground using the shoes you will wear. This could assistance to improve your move once the large working day arrives. Select your wedding dress prior to make a decision on anything, including jewellery, shoes, purse, hair or makeup design. Take your time and energy hoping on robes and appear all-around at distinctive venues before making your preference. In the event you can find everything you like on the net, that could preserve you a lot of cash far too! If you or your upcoming husband have a wonderful voice, one of the things which you could do is to sing a tune at your marriage ceremony. This should certainly be a slow track that you dedicate possibly in your future soul mate or another person which is wanting down upon you at your wedding ceremony. In the event you can not have a very limo for your personal wedding ceremony, costume up the vehicles you are going in. Put on crepe paper bouquets, streamers and what ever else the operator will let you costume it up with. It'll make you come to feel such as you have your own personal customized coach, so that you will not really need a limo anyway. Involve your fiance in arranging your wedding day or he'll find yourself emotion like it wasn't seriously his working day in any way. If he says he will not care that which you do he might just be indicating that to maintain you cheerful, so try and incorporate him in the catering or cake selection so he features a yummy way to get associated. gospel prime estúdioFor anyone who is now living using your spouse-to-be and do not actually need housewares for marriage items, ask for income instead. If you include things like a cute minimal poem inquiring individuals to take into account supplying you a funds reward rather than a little something you can't use, you will be saving them the time it will require to buy and assisting pay back for your honeymoon! Including pets in the marriage might be a pleasurable, original approach to celebrate your union! Gown your doggy up being a groomsman or bridesmaid and get them up the aisle with you. But do have someone choose the doggy absent all through the actual ceremony so it isn't going to wind up barking or executing one thing it should not! Obtain your nails done if you obtain your hair accomplished on your wedding to give you the general pampering that you choose to are worthy of on your large day. It is not quite highly-priced, nevertheless the foot tub and hand massage should help serene your nerves and go away you seeking lovely and sensation fantastic! Tie minor ornamental goods into each of the features of the wedding decor. Have got a ribbon used in your bouquet mirrored on your centerpieces, or inside your gown, or perhaps as part of your hair. It really is the tiny facts which will make your marriage appear superior since it shows you've got place a true exertion into allow it to be your great day. Bouquets are a genuinely critical aspect of your marriage so you will would like to get new flowers delivered into the website of your reception. Also, guantee that the flowers match the concept of the wedding day, in addition as, the year that you'll be obtaining your marriage ceremony in. This could improve the overall result of the nuptial. In case you simply cannot settle on colors in your wedding, contemplate making use of the colors from mother nature. Many weddings have multiple colors, not merely one or two. You might experiment with yellow, greens, browns, reds, and pinks. You might, also, plan your marriage colors about the year. For anyone who is aquiring a fall wedding day, use fall colours to impact you. Wedding bands can be a essential section with the wedding, as they assistance to suggest the joining of two parties. Make sure that on the days major approximately the wedding and about the wedding day itself to possess a person who it is possible to depend on preserve track of your respective marriage bands to ensure protection. Pick no matter if or not you're going to put on pantyhose together with your wedding gown early so that you can buy an expensive pair of silk hose within your dimensions. This really is your exclusive day, this means you have earned to have on the best! Such as a pair of stockings that are silky gentle and beautiful is likely to make you really feel a lot more assured in front of the group. Should you be having problems developing with a reward to your wedding ceremony friends, consider something handy. My mother and father experienced matchbooks printed with their marriage date, which was terrific every time they received married as nobody knew smoking was poor nonetheless. These days I would have got a candle that has a tag engraved the wedding day instead as it is really a lot more healthy for them to burn up that! If you are aquiring a reception in a venue that does not supply the decor, you may must get the napkins and tablecloths by yourself. I wouldn't propose going with plastic, so instead pick up affordable cloth and hem the perimeters to make it appear like a professionally completed item. Do exactly the same for napkins in a very matching coloration. Photos that partners is not going to visualize could make their wedding ceremony album distinctive. When you are carrying out the photography, make sure to acquire photos of many of the smaller issues, which includes the rings, bouquet, invites, program, tables, cake, food items, menu, and plenty of candids with the friends arriving. You may find far more thoughts in wedding day magazines as their pictures will likely be top notch. gospel prime

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Strategies for Engagement Bash

Should you be aquiring a location wedding ceremony or maybe a wedding day outdoor, acquire into consideration the role that the wind will enjoy. Make certain that your whole decorations are laden so that they are doing not fall out of location and spoil the arrangement. This will likely assist you to manage aesthetic magnificence at your marriage. A few days ahead of your wedding day, get the entire jewelry that you'll be planning to have on skillfully cleaned. This may assist you to sparkle a lot more while you are walking down the aisle, illuminating the sweetness that you just possess. Find a excellent jewellery cleaner and increase the quality of your stones before the wedding.  Observe your stroll down the aisle often times about the days main as many as the wedding. Be sure that you do this on the true web site of your marriage, while you will wish to check out the ground while using the sneakers you're going to put on. This may help to enhance your movement if the massive working day comes. Select your wedding gown ahead of decide on anything else, which include jewelry, sneakers, purse, hair or make-up layout. Choose your time and energy trying on gowns and look all-around at unique venues prior to making your choice. When you can discover whatever you like on line, which will help you save you a lot of money as well! In case you or your foreseeable future partner possess a terrific voice, one of the things which you could do will be to sing a song at your wedding. This could be considered a gradual song that you devote both to your long term soul mate or another person that's on the lookout down on you at your wedding ceremony. In the event you won't be able to use a limo on your wedding, costume up the autos you are going in. Place on crepe paper bouquets, streamers and whichever else the proprietor will let you gown it up with. It will make you really feel like you have your own customized coach, therefore you will not really need a limo in any case. Involve your fiance in scheduling your marriage ceremony or he'll finish up experience like it wasn't definitely his working day in any respect. If he says he does not treatment that which you do he could possibly just be stating that to help keep you content, so seek to consist of him while in the catering or cake selection so he features a yummy method of getting associated.  For anyone who is previously residing along with your spouse-to-be and don't actually need housewares for wedding ceremony presents, ask for hard cash as a substitute. If you involve a cute minor poem inquiring people to take into account supplying you a funds present instead of something you cannot use, you will be preserving them the time it takes to shop and encouraging pay back for the honeymoon! Together with pets inside of a wedding day generally is a enjoyment, initial strategy to rejoice your union! Costume your doggy up like a groomsman or bridesmaid and get them up the aisle along with you. But do have an individual choose the pet dog away all through the actual ceremony so it doesn't end up barking or undertaking some thing it shouldn't! Get your nails accomplished if you get the hair completed for your personal wedding day to provide you with the overall pampering that you choose to have earned with your big day. It's not incredibly expensive, although the foot tub and hand therapeutic massage should help quiet your nerves and go away you seeking stunning and experience excellent! Tie tiny decorative objects into each of the elements of one's wedding day decor. Have got a ribbon employed on your bouquet mirrored with your centerpieces, or with your gown, or maybe within your hair. It is the minor particulars which can make your marriage ceremony glimpse outstanding since it reveals you've put a true effort and hard work into ensure it is your ideal day. Bouquets undoubtedly are a truly important section within your wedding day therefore you will need to get fresh bouquets delivered towards the web page of your respective reception. Also, make certain that the flowers match the concept of your respective marriage ceremony, as well as, the year that you're obtaining your wedding in. This will optimize the overall impact of one's nuptial. Should you are unable to settle on colours to your marriage ceremony, take into consideration applying the colors from mother nature. Many weddings have multiple colours, not simply one or two. You may experiment with yellow, greens, browns, reds, and pinks. You may, also, approach your marriage shades all over the period. Should you be using a drop marriage, use fall colours to influence you. Marriage ceremony bands certainly are a critical component of your marriage, since they assist to suggest the becoming a member of of two parties. Guantee that around the times main around the wedding and about the wedding ceremony by itself to possess somebody that you can rely on preserve track of your respective marriage bands to be sure stability. Choose whether or not you're going to dress in pantyhose with your wedding costume early which means you can buy a luxurious set of silk hose as part of your size. This can be your special day, and that means you ought to have to dress in the most beneficial! Which include a pair of stockings which might be silky tender and gorgeous could make you feel much more assured in front of the crowd. If you are acquiring difficulties coming up with a present for your personal wedding day visitors, visualize one thing practical. My moms and dads experienced matchbooks printed with their wedding day day, which was wonderful if they obtained married as nobody realized using tobacco was undesirable but. Currently I might have got a candle using a tag engraved the marriage date instead as it really is much more healthy for them to burn off that! Should you be aquiring a reception at a venue that doesn't source the decor, you may should pick up the napkins and tablecloths on your own. I wouldn't propose heading with plastic, so as a substitute pick up reasonably priced cloth and hem the sides to make it appear like a professionally concluded product or service. Do the same for napkins in a very matching color. Photographs that partners will not likely visualize can make their marriage album particular. Should you be carrying out the images, make sure to acquire photos of the many tiny things, such as the rings, bouquet, invitations, program, tables, cake, meals, menu, and many candids on the attendees arriving. It is possible to obtain additional suggestions in wedding day journals as their photography will probably be top notch.

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