July 8, 2004: American Museum of Natural History 1
Sigmund Freud, from The Uncanny: "When we proceed to review the things, persons, impressions, events and situations which are able to arouse in us a feeling of the uncanny in a particularly forcible and definite form, the first requirement is obviously to select a suitable example to start. Jentsch has taken as a very good instance 'doubts whether an apparently animate being is really alive; or conversely, whether a lifeless object might not be in fact animate'; and he refers in this connection to the impression made by waxwork figures, ingeniously constructed dolls and automata....Jentsch writes: 'In telling a story, one of the most successful devices for easily creating uncanny effects is to leave the reader in uncertainty whether a particular figure in the story is a human being or an automaton, and to do it in such a way that his attention is not focused directly upon his uncertainty, so that he may not be led to go into the matter and clear it up immediately." That, as we have said, would quickly dissipate the peculiar emotional effect of the thing."
[Unrelated: can anyone suggest some music that isn't so goddamn depressing?]
Comments
Just a few:
Ima Robot
The Cars Greatest Hits
PJ Harvey - Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea
The White Stripes - White Blood Cells; Elephant
Left Hand Smoke...they are up beat with piano/harmonica. They are pretty popular and play a lot around Seattle and the West Coast. They do not induce the standard Smashing Pumpkins-style depression and don't play the standard indie-alternative that is at once enjoyable but utterly depressing in subject matter and perspective. I admit that I am a Smashing Pumpkins fan for life, but sometimes you can only take so much downer music. Head on over to actsofvolition radio for some new fun stuff too.
As always, awesome photos. Rock on.
Anything by ELO is good for a pick me up. For an instant feel good vibe, try some Earth, Wind & Fire. They have plenty of 70's funky classics to get the soul back in your step. Also, Al Green's Greatist Hits. Its a little more mellow but he's so damn you can't help but feel good.
the unicorns
the shins
architecture in helsinki
they are all upbeat.
Almost anything by the Cardigans gets me in a boppy mood. Particularly their superb rendition of "Ironman". Or perhaps Stereolab?
I'm gonna stick with the country theme and not push you into other genres - first and foremost, the Byrds - "Sweetheart of the Rodeo." Second, there's a band called the Sadies that play really great, energetic country-punk stuff that always makes me smile. Third, maybe the Beachwood Sparks?
The Killers
Snow Patrol
Beta Band - Heroes to Zeroes
THE KILLERS!!!!!
At the risk of sounding retro (and way-ass unhip) these usually pick me up:
10,000 Maniac - These are Days
Bruce Springsteen - Better Days, Lucky Town
John Lennon - New York City, Mind Games, Nobody Told Me, Borrowed Time
Cheer up, dude!
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