New Discoveries and Old Complaints

[vovat]

Why do some sites insist on strict password protection when there really isn't much, if anything, to protect? For instance, I forgot my last.fm password, and they wouldn't send it to me, instead making me reset it. What are they afraid will happen if they just give it to me? That someone will log on and say I like artists that I really don't?

I don't go on last.fm very much, so I just found out about the picture-rating utility yesterday. It's really kind of an odd exercise. I wonder if the people giving the thumbs-down votes are ones who like the artists but not the particular pictures, or non-fans with too much time on their hands. Actually, I noticed that some of Neko Case's pictures, particularly the racier ones, have a fair number of negative votes. I do think it's weird that someone who's said she has a pathological fear of being photographed would pose topless. Is that a case of confronting a fear head-on, like someone who's afraid of heights taking up mountain climbing or skydiving? What really confuses me, though, is how could someone possibly give a negative vote to this.

Another thing that bothers me as far as the Internet goes is when a site for a particular place will have a "get directions" link, but clicking on it results in a "we couldn't find that address" sort of error message. Shouldn't they make sure these links work before putting them on their pages?

And getting back to music, I've heard a few Nellie McKay songs recently, and I'm thinking it might not be a bad idea to pick up one of her albums. Any suggestions as to which one would be the best to start with? Also repeat that same question for Visqueen, although I think they only have two albums anyway. I think I've gotten into a bit of a rut as far as music goes, so I don't think it would hurt to check out some new artists (new for me, that is, although I do think both of the ones I mentioned starting recording in this decade).


Okay, time for some quiz results.

What's Your Political Philosophy? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Old School Democrat Old school Democrats emphasize economic justice and opportunity. The Democratic ideal is best summarized by the Four Freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. Old School Democrat 100% New Democrat 85% Green 80% Foreign Policy Hawk 45% Libertarian 45% Pro Business Republican 40% Socially Conservative Republican 25%

And I got this survey from rockinlibrarian. I like this kind of survey more than most.

List 10 artists you've seen live in Concert - no peeking at the questions before!!!

1. They Might Be Giants
2. Tori Amos
3. Neko Case
4. Decemberists
5. Minus 5
6. Ben Folds
7. Dresden Dolls
8. Moxy Früvous
9. Camper Van Beethoven
10. Rasputina


Song you wish you'd seen number 2 perform?
Hmm, maybe "Talula"? That would be pretty cool. I've actually heard most of my favorite songs of hers at one concert or another; she's good about varying her setlist.

How many times have you seen number 3?
Five times as a headliner, once as part of the New Pornographers, and once as an opener for Rufus Wainwright.

Where did you see number 9 play?
I saw them twice, but both times were at the TLA.

Favorite song number 8 played?
Honestly, I can't really remember the setlist that well. Hearing "Nuits de Reve" was pretty cool; I wouldn't say it's a favorite of mine, but I can't say I expected it.

Who did you see number 7 with?
I went by myself.

Favorite venue you've seen 4 play?
I've only seen them at the Electric Factory. Or was the first time at the TLA? No, I think it was the Electric Factory both times.

Favorite concert moment from number 6?
Probably when he told the story about reading the article by Korn, although it was also pretty cool when he had a drum kit assembled right in front of him during "Stephen's Last Night In Town."

Best thing about number 1's performance?
That's a tough question, but I'll say I tend to like them best when they're chatty and joke around a lot. It's gotten to the point where the banter is almost more interesting for me than the actual songs.

Why did you go to see number 10?
Because I liked them? Actually, I don't know that I would have gone if it weren't for bethje wanting to, but I'm glad we did go.

How many times have you seen number 2?
I think maybe six times?

Where did you see number 8 perform?
The North Star Bar

Best cover song you've seen from number 9?
Pictures Of Matchstick Men

Would you go to see number 7 again?
Yeah, and I still kind of regret not seeing them when they came to Philadelphia this past December.

Song you never really liked until seeing number 1 in concert?
The first thing that comes to mind is "Hearing Aid."

Which albums do you own from number 6?
Whatever and Ever Amen (which is actually Ben Folds Five), the live album, and a few of the EP's he put out in between his first two solo albums. Beth has all of them, though.

Worst thing about number 3's concert?
Well, the last time I saw her, my view wasn't very good, but I can't blame that on her. I don't want to sound like Mitt Romney here, but I generally don't find too much to dislike about her shows.

The only three songs that number 4 would have to play to make a concert?
Well, if they just did "The Tain," that would pretty much be a mini-concert in and of itself. And they DID open with it the first time I saw them. But since they said three, I'll add in "July, July!" and "16 Military Wives."

How far did you travel to see number 1?
I guess the farthest would have been Brooklyn, although I've seen them at much closer places. The very first time I saw them, it was right across the street from where I was then living.

how was number 5's show?
Excellent, although I didn't much care for the openers. Scott McCaughey had a lot of great between-song banter.

what happened the night of number 1's show?
Which time? The next to last time that Beth and I saw them, we had forgotten the tickets, and ended up having to turn around on the Garden State Parkway to go back and get them.

Comments

[revme.livejournal.com]

Someone should make a page of Neko Case Topless Pics and call it "KITTY TITTIES".

Because "Neko" is "Cat" in Japanese, and titties are awesome and rhymes with "kitty".

Also, there is/was a Japanese restaurant in Seattle named "Neko's", which I always thought was an amusingly unfortunate name, given the terrible stereotypes of asian cuisine.

[rockinlibrarian.livejournal.com]

What's Your Political Philosophy? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Green The Green Party believes in an America where decisions are made by the people and not by a few giant corporations. Their environmental goal is a sustainable world where nature and human society co-exist in harmony. Green 75% Old School Democrat 65% Socially Conservative Republican 60% Libertarian 60% New Democrat 55% Pro Business Republican 50% Foreign Policy Hawk 35%

Yay, that makes me happy. It's happy being green.

I was all excited seeing that there was a survey under the cut, and then it turned out you got it from me.

[vovat.livejournal.com]

Before I'd seen any pictures of Neko, I kind of implied from her name that she'd be Japanese. Actually, though, she's of Ukrainian ancestry, and her family name was originally "Shefschenko." I have no idea where the name "Neko" came from, but it does help her stand out.

Do you have any of Visqueen's albums, by the way? I know you've mentioned liking them.

[vovat.livejournal.com]

It's happy being green.

I hear it's not easy, though.

I was all excited seeing that there was a survey under the cut, and then it turned out you got it from me.

Yeah, that's happened to me before, too.

[revme.livejournal.com]

Yep -- I've got both of them (they're currently working on a third)... their first, King Me is probably the best, but, really, you can't go wrong with either of them. Or both of them. The only thing is that they're both really short and can easily fit on one disc. Apparently, too, the second, shorter one was made up of outtakes from the first one and a few songs from their previous band, too with only a handful of new ones, which was odd, since IIRC, it took a while for it to come out. But, hey, as long as it's good, that's cool.

[goldenmoonbear.livejournal.com]

Her first album -- "Get Away From Me" -- is by far Nellie's best, IMO.

[vovat.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Out of curiosity, was Kim Warnick in the band for both of their currently existing albums?

[vovat.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[revme.livejournal.com]

Yep -- she's on both records, though she didn't write any of the material.