And here we have a top 5! Just because it's been a while. Also, hey, to whomever keeps reporting my Box.net account for copyright infringement? STOPPIT. ಠ_ಠ

The National -- Slow Show : I have a huge amount of affection for Matt Berninger's vocals--they're so distinctive and lovely. This is one of those songs that sounds very sad, despite its incredibly hopeful lyrics. It's like a crooked little love song, because things are never perfect. // web site

Darren Hayes -- Darkness : When I was young, I was a huge Savage Garden fan and kind of lost interest after their split. So even though I am very fond of Darren Hayes' voice, I mostly stopped paying attention to him after Spin came out and it didn't impress me too much, and all the stuff I've run across from him is years old by the time I hear it. "Darkness" wasn't much of a success as a single when it came out, but it just gives me chills. Melancholy and accepting and surprisingly heartfelt. // web site

Helios -- Sons of Light and Darkness : I admit I ran across this when I was searching my music library for the Darren Hayes song, but it's so beautiful and different that I keep listening to it. Helios mostly does ambient music, and this is no exception, but it captures such a mood that I don't want to label it so simply. Piano and guitar and a gentle, wandering beat that makes me think of blue skies. // web site

La Roux -- Bulletproof : Oh god I don't know I just have this on repeat. It makes me dance like a total loon. // web site

Built to Spill -- Things Fall Apart : Built to Spill is a new discovery for me, and even though I heard "Life's a Dream" first, and loved it more than I ever would have expected on the first listen, "Things Fall Apart" is a real gem. At more than six minutes long, it's not exactly something to catch on the radio, but its sardonic lyrics wormed their way into my brain from the beginning. We've all seen enough, now it's time to decide / The meekness of love or the power of pride / It doesn't matter if you're good or smart / God damn it, things fall apart // web site

I remember many moons ago looking on this community and seeing a wonderful topic - Handclaps. It was this topic which introduced me to one of my all time favourite songs "Recovery" by New Buffalo, and I'd like to give something back to everyone on the same topic!

I recently heard this song by Just Jack from the album "All Night Cinema" (http://www.amazon.co.uk/All-Night-Cinema-Just-Jack/dp/B001Q8WLOS). Just Jack is an English guy, and has pretty much done all writing and production on this album. It's just great. About this song, Amazon says "Lead-off single “Embers” proves that some pretty moving productions are within his grasp, an emotive production of dancing violins, hand-claps, and harmonies that overlay in beautiful patterns"

This is a wonderful description, and for me the handclaps build the song up into something awesome. Let me know if the link dies and I'll re-upload. And let me know if you like! (:

http://rapidshare.com/files/304080203/Embers.mp3.html (not sure if this is working correctly - if not try: http://www.box.net/shared/kpg7l8aesg)

New batteries for the water heater so I can have hot water in the kitchen? Check.

New kotatsu futon + rug? Check. (I had just thrown a regular blanket overtop the kotatsu, but it was rectagular and the kotatsu was square, creating unpleasant drafts that I found defeated the purpose of the kotatsu. But also the new futon is a really pretty plum colour and the old one was... way less pretty, so worth the hideous amount of money.)

New sheets? Check. (I inherited some sheets, but they definitely wanted replacing and I was being a lazy fuck about it. Winter is a good motivator for these things though...)

It's not that cold, but I'm one of those "always cold" people, especially my feets, so not having everything just right was really starting to irritate me.