"To be loved like that makes all the difference. It does not lessen the terror of the fall, but it gives a new perspective on what that terror means. I had jumped off the edge, and then, at the very last moment, something reached out and caught me in midair. That something is what I define as love. It is the one thing that can stop a man from falling, the one thing powerful enough to negate the laws of gravity." Paul Auster (Moon Palace)

Thursday, January 1, 2026

The Go-Betweens - that way, 1983

"The Go-Betweens' country of origin has been of crucial importance in forging their identity. Unlike many groups in this country, they still maintain an admirable idealism — an uncompromising belief in their music and a distaste for the manipulative moguls operating inside the major record corporations. They don't like Britain much, they're here briefly because their record company is Rough Trade. It has faults, but they feel it's been about the best option on offer."

Bom ano novo de 2026

Confio-Te, Senhor, o próximo ano.

Dá-nos sabedoria para apascentar os dias, paciência suficiente para suportar o que deve ser suportado, e um coração puro para acreditar.
Concede que saibamos colocar-nos em humilde relação com as grandes coisas de que a vida é feita.
Que nos sintamos como aprendizes e discípulos da revelação do teu amor que acontece no tempo.
Não nos deixes acomodar: que o conforto da estalagem nunca nos seduza mais do que a beleza da viagem; 
que o conhecimento acumulado de ontem não nos dissuada de sairmos para contemplar o novo orvalho que brilha, hoje, nos prados;
que o nosso olhar não esteja fixo no dedo que aponta, mas naquela flor silenciosa que é a lua.
Em cada estação ensina-nos a tomar, a decifrar a noite inteira, não a escuridão mas uma estrela.
Ensina-nos a considerar que não é o mal, mas um traço de bondade, que melhor reflete um coração.
Ensina-nos a prestar atenção ao rebanho de nuvens para compreender que sempre, acima de nós que pisamos o chão, os céus ficam extasiados.
Ensina-nos a não querer ser senhores de nada nem de ninguém, mas sim peregrinos conscientes de que a história a que atracam é uma terra sagrada.
Para quem o quer ouvir, o vento do teu Espírito passa como um assobio primaveril anunciando o degelo.

A nossa existência nunca é tão bela como quando nos olhas, Senhor! — Card. José Tolentino de Mendonça

Monday, December 29, 2025

Pink Floyd - see-saw, 1968

"It is the third Pink Floyd song written solely by Richard Wright, and features Wright on lead vocals and piano, Farfisa organ, xylophone and Mellotron. On the recording sheet, the song is listed as "The Most Boring Song I've Ever Heard Bar Two". It was recorded on the 25 and 26 January 1968 at EMI Studios. David Gilmour uses a wah-wah pedal on his electric guitar and possibly contributes backing vocals."

Pearl Jam - mankind, 1996

"The inspiration behind “Mankind” is often interpreted as Gossard’s commentary on authenticity in the mid-90s rock scene. Several sources describe the song as a “scathing put-down of imposter bands” that were flooding the music scene in the wake of Pearl Jam’s success (PEARL JAM - NO CODE (1996) - The Year Grunge Broke). By 1996, the grunge explosion had given rise to many imitators, and Gossard’s lyrics and attitude in “Mankind” reflect a frustration with trend-chasing and musical facades. One music review called the track a “riff-driven put-down of second-wave ‘grunge’ bands” (The Genius Of… No Code by Pearl Jam - Guitar.com). In tone, however, Gossard approached the subject with humor and irony rather than anger. He delivers the song in a tongue-in-cheek manner, once referring to his own rough lead vocals as a bit of fun within the album (No Code – More Than Ten). The band was aware that fans and radio listeners would be surprised to hear Stone on lead – indeed, its debut “took fans and radio stations by complete surprise in 1996” (No Code – More Than Ten). This willingness to subvert expectations was very much in line with Pearl Jam’s mindset during No Code, an album defined by experimentation and defying mainstream conventions."

Fazerdaze - shoulders, 2017

"‘Shoulders’ features a casio-like keyboard sound, that reminds this listener of the casio work of Chris Knox and Tall Dwarfs, and Amelia's layered mournful vocals. Another standout is ‘Friends’ with an intro of single bass notes leading to a vocal, then simple drum beats and finally a contrasting loud guitar. We were ready for a blast of colder air and this blows and mingles some of the traces of unease that have accumulated and now reside faintly beneath the surface of this album."