paul simon

On Friday the 13th I flew to Dublin to see Paul Simon with my sister. Growing up, Graceland was always on high rotation in our car's CD-stacker, so it was magic to see the 25th anniversary tour together. The concert came alive when Ladysmith Black Mambazo came on stage, with their glorious deep voices and dance moves. Paul had everyone out of their seats and dancing for You Can Call Me Al and rounded out the long set with an amazing acoustic version of The Sound of Silence. His youthful American voice sounds just like it did 25 years ago.

the jezabels

I'm in love with this song and so wish I'd known how cool The Jezabels are before they performed in London. Sigh.

the antlers

The Antlers via NME

I was reading Oh Comely magazine for the first time (Issue 6 I think it was), when I came across the playlist of songs the creators of the magazine listened to while they made the issue. (I love that they include this in the magazine). Bored at work one day, I decided to make my way through the list. The song that stood out to me (by a mile) was I Don't Want Love by The Antlers. After hearing it, I listened to every song by The Antlers I could find on YouTube, then I went home and bought their albums, Hospice and Burst Apart. 

Both albums are brilliant. Hospice is a concept album about a dysfunctional relationship and terminal illness. Not exactly uplifting, but Peter Silberman has created an album that reaches into your soul and takes hold. His fragile falsetto and the band's atmospheric sound are hauntingly beautiful, and the album is an enthralling roller coaster of emotions. The singles Sylvia, Bear and Two are excellent, but to truly appreciate the genius of Hospice, the album needs to be listened to in full. Burst Apart goes in a different direction to Hospice and is equally as good, but maybe not as special or unique. My favourite songs on the album, apart from I Don't Want Love, are French Exit, Hounds and Putting the Dog to Sleep.

After listening to the albums on repeat I searched for tour dates and couldn't believe it when I discovered The Antlers would be playing live in London in a few weeks. I bought tickets immediately. I was concerned that the complex, yet subtle layering of The Antler's music wouldn't translate well in a live show. I needn't have worried. Peter Silberman's voice is strong and the sound is so much bigger and fuller live. It almost felt like Koko was too small a venue to contain it. I was almost moved to tears when they played their last song, Epilogue. It was as though Silberman's voice was drawing the tears out of me. I can't say many live concerts have had the same effect.

breathe me

I love this song by Sia. It was the final song in the finale of Six Feet Under. It was very emotional. Have you seen Six Feet Under? It's such a great TV series. We bought the box set when we were living in Ireland and watched it within a couple of weeks. It sucked me right in and I suffered major withdrawals afterwards. It's such a good quality show. It can be fairly depressing and difficult to watch at times, but it's also very clever and wickedly funny. Definitely worth a watch.

the national

It's been a long time since I really connected with a band, but it was love at first sound with The National. For me The National is, as this reviewer so eloquently puts it, "... a band for life – for love and loss, euphoric highs and exhausting lows. For everything, always." I first heard of The National when I was living in Ireland and the first song I listened to was this one, at about 2am at a house party on the Kildysart Road. I've been hooked ever since. My Irish friend thinks they are the "bee's knees", and I have to agree. Just listen to this song; it will change your life.

Matt Berninger's deep, mournful voice reverberates in your soul. The lyrics of every song are achingly heartfelt and honest, yet it feels like there's some wry humour behind the seriousness. Each of their albums is excellent. Boxer was my favourite, but after spending some time with High Violet it's moved into first place. I feel like the band really comes together musically in this album. The songs have more layers and the sound is more sophisticated. Listen to Terrible Love, Bloodbuzz Ohio and Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks and you'll see what I mean.

drive

I love Ryan Gosling. I first fell in love with him when I saw The Notebook and fell for him even more deeply when I saw Lars and the Real Girl. He is so talented (and good looking).

I went and saw Drive a couple of weekends ago and thought it was very good. One reviewer described it as "deeply cool", which is exactly what it was. I remember it in shades of blue. The dialogue is minimal and the scenes between Ryan and Carey Mulligan are so intense it's almost painful. Surprisingly violent, it takes you on a thrilling ride that leaves you wondering who the driver really is.

The soundtrack is fantastic and complemented the movie perfectly. I've been listening to it almost non-stop since I saw the film. The synthetic beats can't help but make you want to get in your car and drive.