by Nicole | Feb 10, 2015 | Music, Reviews
Father John Misty is at his best when juxtaposing irreverent lyrics with the sublime beauty of a slow ’60s jam or a sunny, upbeat number, both found on his sophomore album, I Love You Honeybear. Gorgeous, swirling melodies and horn-infused tracks are jarring in their...
by Nicole | Feb 2, 2015 | Music, Playlists
It’s all about love this month! I’ve put together some love-tracks (mostly). Broken hearts, hearts beating as one, heart-shaped candy, this is the season of song and hearts. And such. I love, love. Anyway, I can’t be modest about it, but even though...
by Nicole | Jan 29, 2015 | Writing Advice
Regularly, someone asks me how I have time to write, let alone write a book. Look at what I’m doing now! I’m at my sister’s house, writing! CW is playing with his cousin and baby Z is in the exer-saucer! I shouldn’t be writing this post at the...
by Nicole | Jan 24, 2015 | Life Story, Music
First things first, I just discovered this gem. It’s so good. And, confession, something about the vocalist reminds me of Tracy Chapman. Weird! But it’s lovely and brooding and pensive. It makes me want to break up just so I can have a bit of drama. Haha!...
by Nicole | Nov 24, 2014 | Music, Reviews
Stars’ newest album No One Is Lost opens with one of their favorite tricks: a sound clip from their musical vaults. They’ve probably got an entire database designed for just this thing. Some clips are powerful statements, like the one that opened 2005’s Set...
by Nicole | Nov 24, 2014 | Music, Reviews
Karen O is nothing if not unpredictable. As lead vocalist for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs — a band that delivers songs with deliberate throat-punches as well as having written some of the best love songs ever, she uses her voice like a whip — backed by musical...
by Nicole | Nov 24, 2014 | Music, Reviews
New Pornographers frontman A.C. Newman said before the release of the band’s sixth album, Brill Bruisers, that he “feel[s] more confident about this record than [he’s] ever felt about anything before.” He’s also called it a “celebration record,” and has explained how...
by Nicole | Nov 24, 2014 | Music, Reviews
V is full of the polished sounds that have made JJ’s previous albums stunning opuses built on catchy instrumental loops and layered vocals. Tracks like “All White Everything,” “Full,” and “I” are so heavy they threaten to collapse inward, creating a musical...
by Nicole | Nov 20, 2014 | Book News, Excerpts, Teasers
This is most likely the prologue to book 2. Most likely. Because all the usual stuff remains true: content is subject to change, there may be typos and grammar mistakes, as well as continuity errors. With all that in mind, read on! Oh, and if you’re interested in...
by Nicole | Aug 27, 2014 | Book News, Excerpts, Teasers
This is a scene featuring Blythe and Ghosteye. All the usual stuff remains true: content is subject to change, there may be typos and grammar mistakes, as well as continuity errors. For those who have already read the first book: the Decemviri has been changed to a...
