My life has been consumed by the Wharton monster!

Clearly, I haven't written for awhile and the title explicitly states why. My classes seem great, but hard as balls, so we'll see how I manage. Plus - it's recruitment time, yippee!! Haha, there was some seriously heavy sarcasm there.

I have tons I need to write in here: my trip to Connecticut, hearing from an old flame of sorts, Jason's birthday party, Justin and Terry's birthday party, etc. etc. But unfortunately, I don't have the time to now. I have posted pictures from some of these events online, you can check them out at http://photos.yahoo.com/melindaupenn.

What I am going to do right now, however, is some music updates. I just got the new Blender and have lots of thoughts on their Top 500 songs lists (which I won't go into now), but I would recommend those of you who are interested, should take a look and let me know how
you feel about it.

Upcoming concerts (I am SO excited for these):
Sep. 28 - Sufjan Stevens at the TLA
Oct. 2 - Beck, Belle and Sebastian, Polyphonic Spree, and others at the Across the Narrows Festival at Keyspan Park, Coney Island
Oct. 25 - Death Cab for Cutie at the Electric Factory

Those being already purchased and confirmed, I would like to present some ideas for future concerts, which, should anyone want to go, I would be happy to attend. So let me know if you are interested in going to any of the following:
Oct. 14 - Franz Ferdinand at the Tower Theater
TLA Concerts: Broken Social Scene, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (for charity), Richard Lewis (could be fun), Gang of Four, Echo and the Bunnymen
Killers/British Sea Power in Atlantic City

I feel like there were more but I can't think of them now. Anyhow, I'm always up for live music, so get in touch if there's something you want to go to.

Anyhow, artists/albums y'all should check out.

1. The Magic Numbers, The Magic Numbers
Extremely popular in the UK right now, highly pleasant, recommended by Chris Martin - I'm loving this band.

2. Bang Bang Rock & Roll, Art Brut
Not for everyone, that's my disclaimer. Described in some review I read as "art punk". I dig it though. Here's a quick excerpt from some lyrics "My little brother just discovered rock and roll; there's a noise in his head and he's out of control." Lots of rhyming, lots of statements, not necessarily a lot of singing. I would download "Emily Kane" and if you like that, then download more.

3. Illinoise, Sufjan Stevens
I mentioned this, but I felt I should reiterate how wonderful and beautiful it is. Gorgeous, touching, extremely easy on the ears. I love it. He's a genius.

4. Plans, Death Cab for Cutie
Another stellar album from Seth Cohen's favorite band. There's really no more to say.

5. Black Sheep Boy, Okkervil River
I find his voice soothing and the lyrics quite clever. King and A Queen is my favorite song off of this one.

6. Albums to check out soon (but that I haven't yet)
Takk, Sigur Ros - supposed to be amazing
New Franz Ferdinand - coming out Oct. 4, I think
New Kanye West - Tom, can I borrow this?
Twin Cinema, New Pornographers - I haven't had any downloading success with this yet

Now, artists that you, my faithful audience, should explore, for one reason or another. (Intro song is in parentheses)

Grand Buffet (Americus or Benjamin Franklin Music)
Andrew Bird (50 Pieces)
Dresden Dolls (Coin-operated Boy)
Erasure (Stop! or Take a Chance on Me or Always)
The Rapture (House of Jealous Lovers or Out of the Races and onto the Tracks)
Spoon (I Turn My Camera On or The Way We Get By)
Sleater-Kinney (Modern Girl)
The Russian Futurists (Two Dots on a Map)
The Go-Betweens (Born To a Family)
Amos Lee (Arms of a Woman)
Stars [opening for Death Cab] (Set Yourself on Fire)

Other stuff I've been listening to lately: a lot of White Stripes, Supertramp, the Pixies, Elvis Costello, revisiting some Weezer currently, Goldfrapp, the Libertines - the Futureheads cover of Kate Bush's "Hounds of Love" is great. I don't know. Tons of stuff. Have I mentioned how much I love my iPod? *Thought you might be wondering about the flourish of music stuff and its catalyst.*

So that's it for now. Please feel free to comment on this and any other of my musically-inclined posts (or any posts, really). I would like to hear what you liked, loved or hated. And I sincerely welcome any recommendations of your own.

Ugh. So back to work I guess. Ciao!