Why Today is Magic in the Music Universe

I'm convinced that some kind of fortuitous portal in the universe opened up today giving us new tracks from Tom Waits, Keith Richards, Jimi Hendrix, and David Bowie (plus word of a new album). That's some good juju if I've ever seen it.

 And let's not even mention the unconfirmed speculation regarding a possible Postal Service reunion at Coachella. Don't even speak about it. I will say though, if it were to be true, it could probably only happen today.

 The stars are aligned, kids. Start a band or something today.

+ Tom Waits and Keith Richards - "Shenandoah"  (It's a sea chantey!)

+ Jimi Hendrix - "Somewhere" 

+ David Bowie - "Where Are They Now?" 

Songs About the Creepiness of Space

I think Space is creepy. Always have. Let's just get that out of the way. It's big, dark and there's no sure way home. There's something entirely tragic about a one-way trip.

That's why when I saw Gizmodo's post about a new childrens book version of David Bowie's "Space Oddity," my reaction was "Why would you read that to a child?!" Spoiler alert: Major Tom doesn't come home. That stuff just bothers me. Great song, don't get me wrong. The illustrations looks great too.

The whole creepy-space-song-thing reminded me of a tune by the Papercuts that was out a few years ago. The whole album had an unsettlingly calm, dream-like quality to it, but it was "A Peculiar Hallelujah" that took the cake in that department. In an interview, the frontman said it was about a religious group that went into space and jumped out of the ship without suits in some kind of religious fervor. Also, a pretty good song, but one I avoid listening to.

Of course, there's always "Rocket Man" by Elton John. Not really unsettling, but still picks up on that lonely space vibe.

Anyway. Space is creepy. I leave you with that. And this: