In real life, I don’t like my job all that much. It's nice and all but I work with a couple of tool bags and a lunch box. I’m usually thinking about something else or wishing I was somewhere else, not working. When, I feel this way, which is often, I put on my headphones and try to find something to brighten my mood and speed the day.
This week, I’ve been using Architecture in Helsinki to drown out the mindless drone and inane chatter that flows like verbal diarrhea from some of my co-worker's mouths. And to tell the truth, this practice has made me a better person. Not in any real sense of the word, I just feel better after listening to AiH’s new album In Case We Die.
AiH are a collective out of Austrailia. They have a horn section and have been described on many occasions as “twee.†What is this “twee†you may ask? Well, I asked too, and this is what I got. Twee is British slang meaning wimpy, quaint or tiny. The Internet told me it is derived from a child’s attempt to say “sweet.†“Twee†usually carries a negative connotation but in music it can be used to describe a pop sound found in indie groups (See Zolof).
And while this is all very interesting and AiH does have some undeniable pop elements, I would assert that even calling them “twee†would be ignoring the incredible range of this band. At points AiH sounds like a rock band and then a pop group and then an electronic outfit (usually all at once) and then I hear traces of the Flaming Lips followed by traces of the Talking Heads and so much more.
AiH are about to embark on a tour of the United States. Go see them if they come to your town, they will make you forget about the tool bags you work with.
Stuff to Sample: Architecture in Helsinki’s “It’s 5!†and “Maybe You Can Owe Meâ€
Elarceny Fella - Your workplace really sounds crappy. Perhaps instead of worrying about said tool bags, you should apply your angst in more positive ways. I find collecting leaves and visits to ice cream shops very gratifying. Keep the faith!
[1] Ahh, I'm not worrying about said tool bags, just trying to ignore them. And when i put my head phones on, you better believe I'm listening to AiH and dreaming about an ice cream shop where the server girls all just turned 18, have cleavage bursting out every which way, wear fuzzy hot pants and every hour on the hour, pour hot fudge all over each other, have pillow fights or make out.
That leaves thing just sound queer.
[2] Sounds like a wonderful fantasy. Unfornately, I can not be so lucky. In class, my "dreams" are interrupt by ugly girls and international students. At work, I can lost for a few seconds until my bulbous boss is screaming "Uhg..F*CK! Hey Scott, I need another aenima." This better be some damn good music.