this week in (things that are under-appreciated).

This time of year, as much talk as there is about what we’re all thankful for, I can’t help but think about those people who may have the opposite sentiment.  By this I mean there are a lot of people who are getting the short end of the stick in life, and who deserve just a tad bit more recognition.  So in this anti-Thanksgiving spirit, I present to you my picks for under-appreciated musicians and designers.

The first two musicians who instantly popped into my head when I started brainstorming this topic were Robyn and Annie.  While both are female, Scandinavian, synth-pop acts, Annie remains the less-recognized of the two (Robyn has earned some recognition this year for the semi-successful single “Dancing On My Own" and for a Gossip Girl cameo).  Annie, on the other hands, for the foreseeable future, seems doomed to a career of semi-obscurity.  If you’re familiar with her at all, it’s probably from her 2004 single “Heartbeat.”

“Heartbeat” is everything you could ever ask for from a pop song - it boasts strong hooks and a universal message about one of the simplest human emotions.  The perfect production and candid lyrics create a song that, even thought it seems like it should be topping the charts, never quite made it into the mainstream.  “Heartbeat” comes from Annie’s debut album Anniemal, which offers several other unforgettable pop songs, such as the tounge-in-cheek single “Chewing Gum.”

Annie’s second album, Don’t Stop introduced a more euro-club-y sound, but the tracks are still fun.  “Songs Remind Me Of You,” in particular, stands out as the kind of song that can get just about anybody onto the dance floor.

With the success of pop stars such as Katy Perry and Lady GaGa it’s hard to believe that somebody like Annie never got the same traction in the States.  There probably isn’t any real explanation to this thought, but it’s something to think about.

On the fashion front, I can’t help but plug a brand that I have begun to follow closely - Warriors of Radness.  The label, which focuses on colorful, casual pieces, has been picked up by the likes of Opening Ceremony, yet I rarely see it worn.  

Images via Opening Ceremony.

Even though it’s not necessarily my personal style, I appreciate Warriors of Radness for making some pretty crazy ideas wearable.  The printed shirts and pants stand out to me because even though they are busy, they look like pieces that you could incorporate into a wardrobe.  Whereas a lot of edgy urban streetwear can look gaudy and perpetually out-of-place, I think these designs could work in most men’s closets.

Does Annie deserve a little more recognition?

What is the best line in “Chewing Gum?”

Would you wear any of these Warriors of Radness pieces?

What (_________) in your life is under-appreciated?

this week in (negative space).

Many movements in art can be seen as reactions to one another.  This week, I am pretty sure the same can be said for my blog posts.  Last week’s post on maximalism was a little out of my comfort zone, so I figured this week I ought to switch back to something that’s more my cup of tea.  As such, I started listening to some more minimal music and checking out clothes from my favorite minimal, edited designers.  Besides having a minimal aesthetic, though, both the clothes and music that caught my attention made great use of negative space.

I saw these sunglasses by Maison Martin Margiela about a year ago, but they just recently became available for purchase.  While all these shades have classic frames, you’ll soon notice that they contain misfit lenses.  

Images via Mr. Porter.

While I originally thought that these were just goofy, I have grown to appreciate their subtle design.  In particular, I love the use of the negative space where the lenses don’t touch the frames.  Even though I don’t think I can put my finger on exactly what it is that makes these work, I definitely find the slivers of negative space to be visually satisfying.  I think it would have been very easy for Margiela to simply stick square lenses or circular lenses into these frames, but the effect would not be the same.  As with all of this brand’s pieces, careful editing and attention to detail remain paramount, and the results are fantastic.  I will admit that the $600.00 price tag is a little steep, but these are certainly a statement piece.

Even though I had forgotten about these sunglasses until recently, I have been following the release of the new Kate Bush album, 50 Words For Snow for some time now  (I wrote a post about the lead single several weeks ago).  The album comes out tomorrow, but you can stream it now in its entirety at NPR. 

Image via Fish People.

What you’ll first notice about the album is that the first three songs run a total of 35 minutes.  Furthermore, they are very slow and composed almost entirely on the piano.  As such, they take some patience to get into, but the payoff is worth it.  What stood out the most to me, though, was Bush’s use of negative space, a technique she first employed heavily on her last album, Director’s Cut.  On “Lake Tahoe” and “Misty” in particular, Bush really lets her compositions breathe.  To enhance this effect, she uses brief moments of silence and and glacial pacing to create subtle drama.  Most notably, nine minutes into “Lake Tahoe,” the piano momentarily stops, and Bush exhales, creating one of the most satisfying moments in music I have heard in years.

Would you wear these sunglasses?

Do you think the designs are amateur or clever?

Can you think of any other songs that effectively use moments of silence?

Where have you seen a smart use of negative space this week?

this week in (maximalism).

Several weeks ago I wrote a post about minimalism.  While I generally consider myself to be a minimalist, that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate other aesthetics.  This week in particular I noticed that I was drawn to music and clothes with a maximalist style.

I, along with the rest of the world, have been eagerly awaiting the debut of Versace’s collaboration with H&M.  Like Lanvin for H&M before it, Versace for H&M features men’s and women’s designs by the high end brand, but at an affordable price.  Earlier this week Versace debuted the brand in an elaborate fashion show on the Hudson River, a clip from which you can watch below.

Even though the line isn’t really something I would wear, I think that it has some really interesting pieces that harken back to the Versace of the 90’s.  These printed shirts in particular remind me of this time.

Images via Racked.

Even though I am slightly terrified of the prospect of the 90’s coming back in style already, I am excited to see some of the classic Versace elements being incorporated into this line.  By far my favorite piece is the men’s bomber jacket, which features an interesting mix of ornate patterns on the sleeves.

Image via Racked.

Already being worn by the likes of Kanye West, this jacket is sure to be one of the items that flies off the shelves first when the collection debuts this Thursday at H&M stores across the globe.  If you have your eye on any of these items, you better get there early, because if the insanity that was Missoni for Target was any indicator, this collection will be sold out within a few hours.

Even though these styles might be a little over-the-top for a Northwest D.C. guy, I do enjoy their maximalist esthetic.  The mixing of exotic prints is excited and well-executed, which is no small feat.

Versace might be bringing back 90’s South Beach style, but South African rap duo Die Antwoord is sticking to their one-of-a-kind sound with their new single, “Fok Julle Naiers.”  The song, which translates to “Fuck You All,” reminds me of most of the rave-rap duo’s previous work.

Again, these guys aren’t usually my cup of tea, but I think I get it.  Between the quirky beat, affected vocals, and guest drop, the song incorporates a lot of different elements.  I think it works for them though, so this is one Die Antwoord song I don’t mind keeping in my iTunes.

What do you think of Versace for H&M?

Will you be camping outside of H&M on Thursday?

Is Die Antwoord too over the top?

How are you living a maximalist life this week?

this week in (things that disturb me).

I usually don’t consider myself easy to scare.  In fact, I am usually that guy who is giggling during the scary movie.  This week, though,  (maybe Halloween is to blame) I found that some of the music and clothes I encountered were lingering on my mind because of their disturbing or dark content.

As I said last week, I have been going back through my iTunes and listening to some music that I haven’t heard in awhile or that I never got around to listening to.  One such album is Nico’s sophomore album, The Marble Index.

Image via Wikipedia.

If the album art didn’t creep you out enough to to click off to another webpage, then surely the album’s music will.  Of particular note are three tracks: “Lawns of Dawn,” “Frozen Warnings,” and “Evening of Light.”  Both tracks feature a similar sound that can only be described as downright disturbing.  Between the creaky, wavering instruments which pulse in and out of the song, and Nico’s vocals, these songs evoke what I would refer to as “what it probably sounds like in you head when you are going insane.”  Listen to Lawns of Dawn below, if you are feeling brave.

Even though the album in it’s entirety only spans thirty minutes and eight songs, it is more than sufficient time for Nico to chill you to the bone.  Often considered a reaction to the warm, radio-friendly sound of her debut (an album which Nico essentially disowned after it was changed without her knowledge before it’s release), The Marble Index is an album you must hear to believe.  I can honestly say that there is nothing out there quite like it.

Even though listening to The Marble Index had scared me a bit, it didn’t stop me from starting to put together a belated Halloween playlist.  Here is what I have so far:

1. If I Had A Heart - Fever Ray
2. Small - Portishead
3. Mad World - Tears For Fears
4. Empathy - Crystal Castles
5. (________) - (________)

While doing my usual online shopping rounds, I stumbled upon this t-shirt printed with Alexander McQueen’s now iconic skull insignia.  

Image via Alexander McQueen.

Even though I usually consider the McQueen skull to be stupidly overused, I enjoy it on some level in this case.  By enlarging the image and detailing it significantly, the skull becomes less of a logo and more of an expression of human fragility and mortality.  The minimal detailing and hollowness of the eyes really lingered in my mind even after I had closed my laptop.

Did anybody else get scared listening to “Lawns of Dawn”?

Can you think of any other good Halloween songs?

Is this t-shirt evocative, or just lame?

Is there anything that is scaring/disturbing you this week?

this week in (mixing and matching).

I really like routine in my life.  If you were to look at my calendar right now, you would find that I have pretty much every minute of my time blocked out for the next month.  Just because I tend to over-plan and over-prepare, doesn’t mean that I don’t yearn to shake things up every once in awhile.  This week, in particular, this was the case, as both my music and fashion choices were those products which combined different ideas in a jarring yet attractive way.

I haven’t found a whole lot of new musicians or albums to latch onto this year, so I have been trying to back through my iTunes and re-listen to some of my older stuff.  In particular this week I have caught myself constantly listening to Serge Gainsbourg’s classic album Historie de Melody Nelson.

Image via Amazon.

The album is a mishmash of many things – in true Lolita style it combines love and sex with childhood and innocence.  On a musical level, it mixes minimalist pop, spoken word vocals, and classic orchestral elements.  The whole album is a masterpiece, but the opening piece, “Melody,” demonstrates the strongest blend of these elements.  Building up from minimal guitar and drum sounds, Serge slowly incorporates his smooth, seductive vocals, followed by swift moments of classical orchestral sounds.

Widely considered to be one of the best combinations of rock and classical music, Historie de Melody Nelson is an album everybody must experience.  I should note, though, that the album is designed to be and should be consumed as a single unit.

Later on, during my right-before-bed-web-surfing, I came across a fun collaboration between Opening Ceremony and Fjallraven. 

Image via Opening Ceremony.

While Opening Ceremony is well-known for its numerous designer collaborations, only about half the time do I find that they are executed well.  (There are more than a few odd ball collaborations out there).  The Fjallraven Kanken backpack is a classic piece that hasn’t seen any changes to it during its 35 year lifespan.  Opening Ceremony’s mixing and matching of the brand’s muted color palette is a refreshing take that doesn’t detract from the backpack’s overall design.  While I they aren’t really grown-up looking in the slightest, I think that these could be a fun, affordable addition to any college student’s closet.

Is anybody else a big Serge Gainsbourg fan?

Is Historie de Melody Nelson’s style well-executed or not so much?

Would you carry these Fjallraven backpacks?

How are you mixing and matching your style/music/life this week?

this week in (having a sense of humor).

For me, this post always seemed inevitable.  As somebody who doesn’t take himself all too seriously, I find that I am drawn to people and things that do the same.  This week, having survived midterm season, I was on the lookout for clothing and music that weren't afraid to have a sense of humor.

If you spend way too much time readings fashion blogs, as I do, you will know that one of  the most talked about bag of last year cost a mere $65 and is little more than a plain canvas tote.  Unlike your average canvas tote, however, this one comes screen-printed on five sides with a photographic image of the iconic Hermès Birkin.

Image via Thursday Friday.

The bag, known as a “Together Bag” was the debut item from American accessories label Thursday Friday.  One year and one lawsuit later (Hermès wasn’t exactly happy about the bags) Thursday Friday has come out with the “Diamonds Together Bag.”  Much like it’s older cousin, the Diamonds bag references the quilted Chanel flap bag with screen-printed images on all sides.

Image via Thursday Friday.

Naturally, these totes have spawned fierce debate across the web over whether or not the sale of these bags is ethical.  Being the not-so-serious guy that I am, I find all iterations of this design to be hilarious and clever.  

Printing an image of a $5,000 bag on a cheap, ordinary canvas tote communicates a simple yet clever message.  By reducing the tote bag to it’s simple use value, the designers at Thursday Friday manage to point out the absurdity that is designer fashion envy.  The bags appear to most clearly poke fun at the Hermès Birkin, which is infamously known for multi-year wait lists and prices that have at times reached over $100,000.

Where as the Together tote bags clearly aim to poke fun at the fashion world, humor isn’t always as obvious, as is the case with the song “Reindeer” by Swedish electronic duo The Knife.  The song, from their less-known eponymous debut album, provides a dark, yet funny perspective on the lives of Santa’s reindeer.

Listen to Reindeer on The Hype Machine

Note: This version, called "Christmas Reindeer" is slightly different form the album version.

If you were to simply read the lyrics, the song seems pretty cutesy.  But lines such as “Hooves light as feathers / The sleigh this year is heavier” are not quite as innocent as they seem.

The song’s industrial production sets a somber mood.  Furthermore, lines like “This house must be the last now / And we follow Mr. Santa to the end,” when combined with the song’s tone, create a somewhat apocalyptic interpretation of a seemingly innocent topic.  

As to whether or not you actually find this interpretation to by funny is a matter of personal preference, but I think it worth a chuckle.

Are these bags designer knock-offs or not?

Are the designs clever?

Is the song “Reindeer” funny or just odd?

How are you maintaing a sense of humor this week?

this week in (nature).

It’s no secret that I am not much of an outdoorsman.  While I most certainly have an aesthetic appreciation for nature, you won't soon find me actually spending time near it.  In fact, I have gone to great lengths to avoid all things green and beautiful.  As such, I was surprised this week when both the music and clothes I was drawn to both seemed to take inspiration from the great outdoors.

After eagerly downloading and listening to the newest release from pop icon Kate Bush, I was instantly struck by the direct and indirect ways in which Kate references nature in her newest work.  On a literal level, the new single, Wild Man, directly incorporates elements of nature.  From the song’s title to it’s intro, which consists of fifteen seconds of blowing wind, Wild Man employs all of the tasteful campiness (I assure you that such a thing exists) that has been prevalent through all of this one-of-a-kind artist’s extensive catalogue.

As is always the case with a Kate Bush song, though, there is more than meets the eye.  Of particular note is the chorus, which consists of a clamor of treated vocals.  This effect, which is at first a little unsettling, evokes the idea that the voices belong to a chorus of animals or creatures.  Their screechy, distorted voices are clearly inhuman, but Kate, being the mysterious songwriter she is, is unwilling to reveal whom or what the voices belong to.

On a side note, the upcoming album which the new single precedes, 50 Words For Snow, has the most absurd cover art I have seen in some time, so I had to include it in this post.

Image via Fish People.

Later on, while browsing my usual blogs and web stores, I came across this YMC shirt, which is a new twist on classic camo.

Image via YMC.

While the wearability of this shirt is most certainly debatable, the fact that it’s pretty damn cool is not.  And for those of us who aren’t really willing to actually embrace nature in the traditional sense, this is a great alternative.  Even though part of me has confused by the fact that camo print exists in mainstream fashion, I think I could definitely give this shirt a try.

What do you think the voices in Wild Man are supposed to be?

Is camo ever appropriate attire?

Is anybody else having a hard time digesting this album cover?

How are you embracing the great outdoors this week?