Friday, March 28, 2008

Short on RAM

My. Computer. Is. Moving. So. Slow.


The last four days I have sat down with the intention to post but eventually get frustrated when it takes my computer ten minutes just to start. Another ten to get my browser to the Blogger posting page. Who knows whether this post will actually post when I click the "Publish" button? Or whether I will care enough to go back and double-check?

(It didn't, and I didn't. It's Sunday now.)

I have been using those extra few minutes each day not blogging to do other things like reading books, which I almost totally forgot existed. I'm splitting my reading time between Malcolm Gladwell's "The Tipping Point," under the advice of someone that interviewed me a couple weeks ago, and "The Book of General Ignorance," both excellent in their own way. In between reading migranes I have given some extra thought to my future son's middle name, which is my responsibility, and right now I'm liking "Rowe."

The computer problems have also lead me outdoors, though not in pursuit of physical activity. More like credit card activity. During my last solo shopping spree I picked up some great new music: DeVotchKa, The Twilight Sad, Virginia Coalition, Fujiya & Miyagi, and Amiina. All great and can be discussed at a later time. Right now I would like to talk about something less obscure: Gnarls Barkley's new one, "The Odd Couple."

It is a lot of fun even though it is not the kind of fun I was expecting. Their first album was fun because it was so random -- from gospel to old-school-soul, from feng shui to necrophilia -- yet on a song basis I enjoyed "Transformer" more than "Smiley Faces." Said differently, I enjoy them more when they are loud and crazy than when they are reminiscent. Over half of "The Odd Couple" therefore disappoints me a little because it is more like a history lesson than a futuristic experience. Thankfully they do throw out some of that energy, and it still ends up being a lot of fun. It may just take a few more listens to appreciate. And I had plenty of time to listen. Plenty of time.

Track 10: "Whatever" by Gnarls Barkley from "The Odd Couple"
[iTunes] [website]

Quick bouncy song with a large helping of Cee-Lo snarl. "Going On" and "Neighbors" are also high points. For more patient listeners, see "Open Book."

2 comments :

  1. Lauren said...

    I actually enjoyed "Smiley Faces" better. And their new song? Quite fun and catchy.

  2. don't call me MA'AM said...

    Gnarls is on the radio so much here... I almost don't see a need to buy it on iTunes.