Stone

Posted on April 13, 2022 by Stupidity Hole

Recently I returned to the location of this artwork.

I wanted to take photos of the area partly to see if I could take better photos this time around.

Anyway, I like the framing in this shot. I think there’s a good deal of uncluttered space, helping to draw focus to the word. I also like how the structure comes through with a sort of cold feel.

This is my submission into Leanne Cole‘s “Monochrome Madness” for this week.
I suggest checking out Leanne’s photography, as well as checking out what other people submit.

A lot of what people are submitting will likely end up here.

I hope you enjoy.

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Five-Hundred Word Challenge 1093: More Time Than Anticipated

Posted on April 13, 2022 by Stupidity Hole

Surprisingly, I have more time than I had anticipated. I am not sure as to what I will do now. I’m not sure as to how I will go about filling this time.

It is the time of lunch and once more I find myself participating in the race of rats to get ahead, but I just want to not and so on and so forth.

I need to think about how I spend this time I have where I am not working and not doing the lunch thing, for I want to do other things.

I could spend time sitting down and not writing. I could also spend time standing up and not writing. There are things I could spend the time on, but perhaps it is time to spend the time off things. Maybe I could spin around for a while and see if that helps me feel better. There is no telling if that will work, but of course the only way to find out is by doing and so maybe that is what I will do.

Maybe instead of going on about all of this what I really need to do is fine the activity that will provide the most fulfillment in the least efficient manner and then spend the time doing that.

Maybe I could spend the time observing the clouds, I could look at how they coalesce and dissipate and how they form new shapes and patterns. I could look at how they hold and reject light, and how they will soon create another deluge, though maybe not here.

I can think about how they can trap both heat and cold depending on the type of cloud that they are, and I can try and work out some other things that could pertain to the art of photography.

I could think about the rain and how it falls onto the ground and how a certain kind of smell that only arises during the rain is making itself apparent right now, but I won’t think too much about that. However, it does bring back memories of living in previous suburbs and how they would smell, but here is where “it” is at and here is where I want to be for the time being. There are other things to think about anyway.

I think that the day will go by fast so long as I don’t think too much about the day. However, maybe it won’t. There is a lot to consider and I must be careful with my considering. I might not always be careful, but right now I need to be careful. The rest of the day could end up set in stone and I’d rather not have that happen. Sure, there are worse things, but this still remains a thing I want to avoid.

Anyway, it is all drifting away, as it is wont to do and I sit here and look out the window and appreciate the rain and its prettiness.

The time it took to write five-hundred words: 05:56:42

Fast, but rather uneven. I feel that something was coming through toward the end, but it was too late.

Written at home.

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Plumeria Leaf

Posted on April 12, 2022 by Stupidity Hole

There is a frangipani tree where I live.
Not completely certain this is the case, but due to all the rain we’ve had it has shed a lot of its leaves. However, new leaves are growing.

This leaf is a younger one, but it may soon drop off.

This is my submission into the one hundred-and-ninety-fourth Lens-Artists Photo Challenge.

The theme for this one is “Bokeh“.

As far as bokeh goes, this isn’t exactly good. That said, I like the sense of distance it provides here.

The host of the Lens-Artists challenges cycles weekly between the following people:

Week 1 – Patti

Week 2 – Ann-Christine aka Leya

Week 3 – Amy

Week 4 – Tina

This year three people are joining the Lens-Artists team:

John Steiner of Journeys with Johnbo

Sofia Alves of  Photographias

Anne Sandler of Slow Shutter Speed

As such the above hosting order is likely to change.

This one is curated by Sofia. The next one is curated by Anne.

I recommend participating in the challenges. They’re enjoyable and allow room for interpretation of the theme without straying too far. If you don’t participate, then I recommend that you at least check out what others of the Lens-Artists community are submitting.

I hope you enjoy.

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2814: Guided By Love

Posted on April 12, 2022 by Stupidity Hole

One listen for this one.

I think I had something going on at the start but I pulled away. There was a period where I stopped as I was trying to work out what it was that I was writing and I don’t think that helped. I didn’t switch off enough and so the result suffered.

I wonder if I should have listened a few more times during the writing.

2814’s “Guided By Love” is from Rain Temple.

I hope you enjoy.

—

Something vaguely melodic fades into view and slowly reveals itself. A vague and fragile longing comes forward. It is something melancholic and hazy, but there still is something distinct. It is something felt.

Sounds stretch and reach out whilst something clearer moves along with them. A low drone lands with a thud and slowly steps forward and follows the other sounds for a while before stopping. Shimmering moves forward and the lack of weightier sounds allows a travel that almost seems to move on air.

It seems that much is fading away before the low drone returns. All seem to be distinct, yet indistinct and some sort of coalescing into a greater whole pushes forward as the weight of emotion drives toward something ahead.

There are times for tears and those tears seem to rain as much as the rainfall outside of the room and yet among the sadness a hope and understanding that there is more than this comes forward. Uncertain, yet unwilling to yield and so onward all continues, even as the sounds fade away and the song ends.

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Five-Hundred Word Challenge 1092: Happens to be Monday

Posted on April 11, 2022 by Stupidity Hole

What day is it?

It’s Monday. Today happens to be Monday and it comes with a healthy dose of nausea that I am trying to fight off through the persistence of time. I hope that I can get past it sooner rather than later, but I’m doing alright. I am okay.

I think that today has been a relatively alright day. Neither the best nor the worst and that is fine. It has been quiet and busy at the same time and I am here and alive and all of those other things. I might not be the most present, but I am present in some capacity and so I continue to remain present in some capacity. and that is a good thing… I think.

There are a few clouds in the sky and it looks to be a pleasant afternoon, but I sit here and I bang away on the keyboard and I combat this nausea in the way that only I can do so, but of course plenty of other people can do the same and I’m merely rambling, so therefore there is nothing to add that has not already been said by people who know how to use their words far better than I do mine.

Anyway, today is one of those days that exists and as I exist within its confines I find myself glad about its existing as it means I get to exist along with it. Many other people get to exist along with today and maybe in some way they too are glad for their existing along with this day. There are some who may not be glad and there are many reasons as to why they would not be glad and there are things we can do to try and improve their lot in life, or at least do to help improve their lot in life.

The seasons are changing, and perhaps not in the most desired of ways. Still, a winter of sorts is approaching and I am looking forward to it, hopefully in a form that resembles winter more than it does not.

I think at this point there is a need to switch off, but I’m just getting started. However, there will soon be powering down as an early waking is what is happening tomorrow and I need to make sure I can get that done as tomorrow is a long day full of stuff and I don’t want to be too fried for it. Maybe I will be, but that’s another story for another day, assuming more days come along and all of existence continues on and all that stuff.

If that does happen, then maybe I should be writing better stuff. Something that reaches out and impacts people in a way that is better than it is worse. Still, it may be too late and so I will continue to write meaningless drivel in whatever way I can in order to get more meaninglessness across more efficiently.

The time it took to write five-hundred words: 06:05:30

More empty rambling.

Written at home.

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Jealous of the Birds: Wisdom Teeth

Posted on April 10, 2022 by Stupidity Hole

I vaguely remember an idea of what this sounds like. I remember being drawn in and I want to go back to listen to this release, but at the same time I don’t. Not sure why.

The writing on this one required a lot more work. I think there’s something strong in here but it’s lost among the unevenness of the sentences.

Most of my interview and review work now appears on Culture Eater.
My colleague and I set up a Patreon to further develop Culture Eater as a source of good quality arts coverage from both ourselves and our contributors.

We’re looking at what we can give to supporters as we don’t want to set up a one way relationship, so suggestions are welcome. Podcast Eater is one of the things we’ve got going and (aside from the next few weeks) new episodes are available through there first.

Please consider supporting, or at least sharing the Patreon page with others. Please also check out what our wonderful contributors are contributing.

I hope you enjoy.

—

On the opening seconds of “Marrow”, I had a strong reaction that I seldom get from music. From that point on, I was entirely in the hands of Jealous of the Birds for the rest of Wisdom Teeth.

Wisdom Teeth has a great rolling quality to it. The songs move with a kind of ease and grace not often found in smaller releases. They sound both familiar and comfortable with each other, essentially inhabiting the same world.

It helps that, whilst there’s a good deal of layering, it doesn’t go into excess. So much of Wisdom Teeth displays when to double up and layer and when not to. Obviously layering is pretty common in music and not always noticeable. It is noticeable here, but it isn’t distracting. A lot went into making the layering work. The vocals have ex, and the songs sound thicker and more voluminous when required. Where the layering really pays off is, in not going into excess there’s still plenty of breathing space. As such the songs sound more dynamic and rich.

What also benefits the songs is that Jealous of the Birds avoids the easy grab. Wisdom Teeth is an expressive release, but it’s one that’s content with not beating you over the head with how you should feel. There are some directions, but the songs are content with letting you journey through them. They don’t pull you about or drag you around. Instead they welcome you into their sounds and melodies.

What Jealous of the Birds has crafted is an EP that reaches out to connect with its listener. On that front, it is a success. Wisdom Teeth is also something easy to listen to. There’s energy there if someone wants to find it. If looking for relaxing moments, then those are also on offer.

All of this is part of why I had a strong reaction to the music. Those first few seconds caught my attention very quickly and in turn showed me a really beautiful experience. There was something comforting that I couldn’t put my finger on, but it was definitely there. What I heard (and am still hearing as I write this) is something that is neither cheap nor cynical. This is moving music, rich in sound and beauty.

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The Sea Gypsies: Movements

Posted on April 9, 2022 by Stupidity Hole

I cannot remember what this band sounds like.
I remember writing this in an attempt at subtly criticising the album. Not sure if it came through.

Most of my interview and review work now appears on Culture Eater.
My colleague and I set up a Patreon to further develop Culture Eater as a source of good quality arts coverage from both ourselves and our contributors.

We’re looking at what we can give to supporters as we don’t want to set up a one way relationship, so suggestions are welcome. Podcast Eater is one of the things we’ve got going and (aside from the next few weeks) new episodes are available through there first.

Please consider supporting, or at least sharing the Patreon page with others. Please also check out what our wonderful contributors are contributing.

I hope you enjoy.

—

The Sea Gypsies have come back to land for their first album, Movements.
Who are The Sea Gypsies? Apparently they are a band of people that play instruments. They also apply vocals to their songs. Due to these factors coalescing into Movements, as well as others, review commences now.

Movements blends a few different elements together in a nice little package. Funk and reggae sit nicely together, soul-influenced vocals project over the band with appropriate energy, and strong pop and rock threads run throughout each track. There’s a strong adherence to verse / chorus / verse progression, with something else occasionally thrown in (usually a solo), adding slight variation.

The overall album is very simplistic. The focus seemed to be more on rhythm than complexity and the songs don’t change or evolve too much. However, the performance of each song is really tight, and despite some serious subject matter much of the music feels pretty light and fun.

The Sea Gypsies have struck a good balance when it comes to the songs. Movements has a good, smooth flow. The band knew when to have something more energetic and something more relaxed. There are occasional build-ups and releases, but no peaks and crashes. The songs inhabit a happy medium where they usually don’t go too far in any direction. The Sea Gypsies stick to a small template that they sound intimately familiar with. The songs end up livelier for it.

The instruments come together in each song pretty nicely. Most are pretty close to the middle which helps with the rhythmic feel of the songs. No one is vying for space and, despite the performance being tight, much of the playing sounds pretty relaxed. Aside from one use of harmonica, nothing sticks out too far, yet everything still is pretty distinct.

The Sea Gypsies have done well to follow conventions. Movements is a fine album. It doesn’t go too far in any direction, plays it safe and remains mostly consistent the whole way through. There’s a passion that runs through the whole thing that comes out in spades but doesn’t drown everything. The songs work, the instrumentation is pretty in some places, and overall the album is fun and lively.

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Dirge: Alma

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Stupidity Hole

One listen for this one.

I kind of took my time and didn’t try to focus on one particular thing.
I could’ve written a lot more, but I didn’t and instead wrote slowly, which I feel worked better here.

Dirge’s “Alma” is from Alma Battica.

I hope you enjoy.

—

A rumbling drone appears, stretching out whilst seeming like a compressed moment. Some sort of static appears and moves about the drone whilst a sound suggesting some an instrument gradually fades into view. Something akin ti birdsong appears, as does something that could be water. Much of this sounds familiar, but altered or twisted in some way.

Guitar emerges from the sounds and adds to them. It plays simple and clear whilst crackling and heaviness continue onward. Eventually percussion reveals itself, striking out at a distance and only for specific moments. The drone continues, as do the sounds it has attracted.

Something deep seems to reach out and pull in as the sounds engulf. The atmosphere they create permeates throughout; it seems inescapable. Noises seem to rise and fall as the guitar loses its structure and fades into the background. Heaviness heaves for a moment before stretching out and clearing the sounds. All is removed and one last drone stretches out, exposing a new space; an emptiness that can be filled, and the song ends.

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Five-Hundred Word Challenge 1091: Rambling Near the Week’s End

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Stupidity Hole

The week has almost left and I feel it has left me behind, but that was due to my actions and not the actions that the week took. This one has gone by fast and I’ve done a lot of procrastination, and now I’m here. I’m here and I’m writing about it, and I’m letting myself be engulfed by the noise of the music blasting out of my speakers at the moment.

There are many moments out there and there are many more to come along, and I must spend less time being wasteful. I must spend more time not creating waste and I need to spend more time creating. Still, sometimes that is much easier said than done and so I sit here and I write away and I let myself be engulfed by the noise of this music, and that’s fine.

There’s something overwhelming in what I’m hearing and that too is fine. Perhaps I want to be overwhelmed and perhaps I just don’t want to do anything. Maybe it is that I want to do many things but I feel unable to do anything at all, and… well, we’re not going there right now as I don’t feel like going there. Besides which, I feel I’ve made the point pretty clear and I can’t think of what else I could add to whatever it is that I may or may not be saying.

Sometimes weeks go by and it all slips away and then you spend time wondering as to what happened. You’ve got to keep an eye on the whole thing (whatever that thing may be) and you’ve got to try and stay focused where you can so as to be able to get things across in a better manner than you may be doing. Sometimes you don’t need to do a thing, but it is good to do thing where you can (and if you can).

It is dark outside as daylight savings has come to an end and my hands are warm, but I still feel unable to get things done so I will keep on powering forward with whatever this is. I want to get this written and then move toward whatever else is next. I want to not write about these things. I want to write about other things instead and I want to be engulfed by this noise which makes me want to just stare at my ceiling and do nothing for a while due to what it makes me feel, but I must push on and I must keep on going as, if I don’t, then all of this crap won’t write itself. Only I can write all of this crap and so I keep on writing it in the hopes that it comes out and comes forward and all that other stuff.

So anyway, I think I’ve said all that I can say right now so I will work out what words I’ll use to end this right now.

The time it took to write five-hundred words: 05:38:81

This was one of those things where I needed to write and so I did.
The result is not good, but… it’s not good.
Quick writing time though.

Written at home.

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toe: DOKU-EN-KAI

Posted on April 7, 2022 by Stupidity Hole

I had this rambling thing that was a mess and ended up cutting out quite a lot which left this shorter than I’d have liked, but I didn’t have much to say, so it works.

I feel I did a lot of skimming; as such, this doesn’t say much, but I think it gets some of what I wanted to get across across.

Most of my interview and review work now appears on Culture Eater.
My colleague and I set up a Patreon to further develop Culture Eater as a source of good quality arts coverage from both ourselves and our contributors.

We’re looking at what we can give to supporters as we don’t want to set up a one way relationship, so suggestions are welcome. Podcast Eater is one of the things we’ve got going and (aside from the next few weeks) new episodes are available through there first.

Please consider supporting, or at least sharing the Patreon page with others. Please also check out what our wonderful contributors are contributing.

I hope you enjoy.

—

A good few years into their existence and toe still sound great, especially in a live setting. Featuring many songs from their catalogue, DOKU-EN-KAI captures a decent live performance from the band. Whilst only covering the audio, it bears mentioning that the performance is also available in video format.

toe kick off with “Etude of Solitude”. Aside from a few errors (assuming they were and not intentional) it goes off without a hitch; toe jam on it whilst moving it forward, growing it a little whilst having it remain familiar. It highlights toe’s ability to effectively expand upon a song; something reinforced throughout the album.

From there toe cover a decent range of their discography in a natural-feeling order. “Etude of Solitude” through to “孤独の発明” makes sense and is pleasing; “Where Are My Ears” feels almost like a brief rest between sections, and “The Latest Number” through to “F_A_R” continues with a smooth flow.

The ordering allows for some of the tracks to feel related to each other (“F_A_R” and “Goodbye” immediately come to mind). Along with the various touches toe add to the songs, it probably says a lot about their consistency as a group. These are people with a firm sense of control over their sound; they know when to stretch and when to hold back, and they know how to keep growing whilst sounding like themselves. They also know how to put on a good live show.

toe play their songs with a what feels like a good deal of passion and drive. Considering the clarity of their sound (as well as the clarity of the recording), a bad performance would come through. Whilst everything might not be as tight as it could be, the performance here sounds really good. These are people who want to put on a good show; whilst the presence isn’t here, the honesty is and so the emotional and melodic content comes through with ease.

There really isn’t much else I can say about DOKU-EN-KAI. It is worth checking out, as is the rest of toe’s work really. This is a live recording that sounds great and flows well. The band play well and their songs carry forward with ease. What comes forward is a performance that feels genuine, and a satisfying selection of songs that offer something a little different from their studio recorded versions.

DOKU-EN-KAI‘s audio release is available here, whilst the video is available here.

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