Currently...

Reluctant gym feet and a hamster nap..

I really enjoy the Currently posts over at Sometimes Sweet and, seeing I am about to be another year older, I thought I'd share where I'm at.

Watching:  Deadliest Catch.  This is one of my all-time favourite reality shows and I was over the moon on Monday evening when I saw that the new season had started.  I am really sad to see that the Cornelia Marie isn't involved this season but I am glad to see that the Harris brothers are still crabbing on other boats.  Also, last season Edgar from the North Western left but guess what?  He is back!  

Listening to:  The new Bloc Party album.  Really, really enjoying it.  Right now my favourite song is We're Not Good People.  I have also been listening to the Carnavas album by Silversun Pickups.  I have such strong memories of summer 2007 tied to this album and always find myself listening to it when the weather warms up.

Thinking about:  Sadly right now I am thinking about work tomorrow.  I have so much on my plate at the moment and tomorrow is technically my Friday.  I am busy formulating a plan of attack to get through as much as I possibly can.   

Trying to figure out:  How to get myself out of the rut that I feel like I am in.  I feel frustrated about a lot at the moment and I am trying (still) to work out what is petty, what is justified and what I need to change.  I'll get there.

Looking forward to:  My birthday.  I know I keep mentioning it but I still look forward to my birthday like I did when I was teeny.  Only two more sleeps!

Reading:  Slaughterhouse 5.  At long, long last I have managed to find a copy of this book that doesn't cost a fortune.  One thing that makes me sad about book shops in Durban is the fact they don't keep much more than the most popular reads in stock.  Anyway, that's beside the point.  I am really enjoying Slaughterhouse 5.

Making me happy:  The sound of the rain outside, the fact that tonight was Big Bang Theory night and the cup of coffee on the counter next to me.

Some (delayed) Thoughts on the New Bloc Party..

In a perfect world, I would be getting ready to go to a Bloc Party concert instead of sitting here blogging about the new Bloc Party album but alas!  Such is life.  We were going to go but then we did the maths: tickets + petrol + tolls + accommodation + entertainment = way too much cash money in a month already filled with expenses.  
Anyway, because I can’t be there, here are my belated thoughts on the new album, Four.  Which I LOVE!  It's back to the original Bloc Party sound, the post-punk Silent Alarm sound.  I don't know how many of you follow Bloc Party with any kind of interest but after Silent Alarm, they seemed to change direction.  Weekend in the City and Intimacy both made a move to a more electronic sound which, despite the not so favourable reviews, I really liked.  Then there were the rumours of a break up and I had pretty much given up hope on a new album until pictures appeared on Facebook of them in the studio.

Kele Okereke has said that the inspiration for this album was the "raw stripped down sound of Nirvana's Bleach."  There are no electronic noises, no synths, just tons of loud, rowdy guitars, jittery drums and the awesome lyrics that made me such a huge Bloc Party fan to start with.  I was pleasantly surprised at how heavy some of the tracks are.  There are times where this album makes me think of old MUSE and other times, Biffy Clyro.  Kettling even has shades of the Pumpkins hidden inside it.

I am so glad that they have gone back to their roots!  My favourite track by far is Coliseum.  It starts slowly, almost bluesy and then just kicks into overdrive.  It also has some of my favourite lyrics on the album: "Pain is hopeful, pain is holy, pain is helpful, pain heals."

And there you have it!  Here's a pretty good review if you are interested to know more.  Anyone else been listening to this album?  Thoughts?