"Title and Registration"

This is not a review. Sorry to disappoint.

I'm still trying to find something to review. I haven't seen any of the new movies, nor heard an entire new album, or found a book I've read recently that I could review. For the meantime, I'd like to give a little more emphasis to the thoughts part of my blog, instead of the reviews.

I was settling into my bed, comfortable in my sweatpants and oversized shirt, the ultimate apparel for a lazy lie in bed, when I absentmindedly plugged in my iPod into my speaker dock/alarm clock. The clock automatically plays the entire iPod on shuffle (I haven't gotten around to figuring out how to turn that aspect off) when a song I knew all the words to came on.

"Title and Registration" by Death Cab for Cutie.

If you're a fan of Death Cab for Cutie even in the slightest, you probably know of this song. It's haunting with its muted drums, melancholy plucked notes that echo softly, and the faded, fuzzy feeling aura of the song, the smooth voice overlaying it all, singing notes in a simple sequence. I felt my heart twinge as I heard the opening notes, a smile becoming my face, as I heard the familiar melody.

Death Cab for Cutie delivers in all ways in this song (maybe that whole entire album - Transatlanticism) from the catchy guitar riff played over and over again, the slight bass and drums, the mood, and, this is what got me, the lyrics of the song. DCFC have always been known for their lyrics (Ben Gibbard to blame, but check out Brothers in a Hotel Bed - lyrics written entirely by the guitarist of DCFC, whose name does not come to mind at the moment) and this song is no exception. I'll let you see for yourself.

The glove compartment isn't accurately named
And everybody knows it.
So i'm proposing a swift orderly change.

Cause behind its door there's nothing to keep my fingers warm
And all i find are souvenirs from better times
Before the gleam of your taillights fading east
To find yourself a better life.

I was searching for some legal document
As the rain beat down on the hood
When i stumbled upon pictures i tried to forget
And that's how this idea was drilled into my head

Cause it's too important
To stay the way it's been

There's no blame for how our love did slowly fade
And now that it's gone it's like it wasn't there at all
And here i rest where disappointment and regret collide
Lying awake at night

There's no blame for how our love did slowly fade
And now that it's gone it's like it wasn't there at all
And here i rest where disappointment and regret collide
Lying awake at night (up all night)
When i'm lying awake at night.

The rhyme scheme is simple at best and the words are plain, but the way it's stringed together, sang at a low treble, is simply haunting and lovely. It's the type of song that stays with you in your skin, long after the song is over.

I remember the first time I heard this song. Stuck in a rut, a slump, feeling blue, feeling glum, in the dumps, whatever you want to call it, I was there. It was sixth grade - back in the year 2004. The year I really began getting into music, divulging past the radio waves, seeking something more. I was so young and naive, but even at that small age, I could recognize the entirety of this song - how it had the power to move, to touch, to remember, to show someone how to feel. The greatest thing a song could do.

It also happened to be the first song I've ever heard from Death Cab for Cutie and with that, I was hooked. I immersed myself in all their songs, familiarizing myself with the same voice that's lulled me to sleep so many times. So, I guess this song does have a little sentimental value to me, as does the band. Sure, there could be, and probably are, way better 'indie' bands out there, if you even decide to count DCFC as indie. But DCFC's always going to have a place in my playlists, my library, my CD holders, my stereo, and my glove compartment.

And with that, I leave you with a video of said song: listen if you wish.

The First Post/Review: Just Listen

Welcome! I feel the title of this post is self-explanatory.

Wow, so it's safe to say that I'm a little bit excited for this blog. I've had the idea in my head for awhile; actually, for just a couple days. I'm sure that for the first few posts, or actually, maybe all of them, this blog will be a desolate barren land, devoid of viewers or of comments. But hey, who knows? Maybe I'll strike lucky. Maybe it'll just be another blog amongst all of blogtopia. Or maybe this might actually work. Or not. It's good to know your options, right?

Did that line (y'know, the one in italics above) sound familiar? It should, if you've read the book "Just Listen" by Sarah Dessen, which I've decided to kick off my review blog with. Okay, for starters, I feel the need to inform (or maybe warn?) you, the readers (which I'm sure consists of those I've forced into reading this and my family, [Hi, Mom!]), that I'm absolutely in love with Dessen's works. I've read about four out of her six? seven? books, and I love each and every one.

I tweeted (aka 'updated on my Twitter') just yesterday that I was reading this very book and I got a reply from one of my friends. "What's it about?" she asked me. Maybe it was the restricting 140 character count of Twitter or maybe it was just that I could not, for the life of me, explain and summarize a book without over-rambling, but I couldn't give her a good reply. My reply ended up being, in horrible eloquence, "It's like a romance, lol. Google it." So, even I have to admit that that was a pretty horrible summary. "Just Listen" is way more than "a romance, lol." (And here I try my hand at summarizing...)


The Quick Stats

Genre: Romance/"Chick lit"
Type: Young Adult
Verdict: Highly Recommended: Buy It, Read It!


Summary

Just Listen opens with our main character, Annabel Greene, analyzing herself on the TV screen, watching as a commercial she starred in airs on TV. Annabel, a regular Lakeview (the town in which she lives in) model, in the commerical, is the 'girl who has everything.' The commerical depicts her as a cheerleader, her studying away, her having an enviable social life, and, to top it off, her on the arm of a handsome boy, at a prom. Annabel, in real life, however, is far from the girl who has everything. From the first few chapters, you can already tell that Annabel has a dark secret, hidden, peeking out occasionally to haunt her with whispers of, Shh, Annabel, it's just me, and that secret is the cause of her cruel falling-out with her former best friend Sophie, leaving her friendless and alone in school.

Her home life doesn't fare any better as her older sister, Whitney, struggles in recovery of her eating disorder, of which the whole family is now centered around. Annabel's grandmother dies, leaving her mother recuperating from the loss and from Whitney's disorder, throwing herself into Annabel's modeling to save her from depression. Annabel's modeling is something that she wants to quit, but her mother's reliance upon it leaves her unable to. In all, Annabel is left silent and suffering, sitting alone on the wall at school, holding in the secret that haunts her and keeping silent of the difficulties of her home life.

Until she meets Owen Armstrong. Owen is obsessed with music, from Mayan chants to electric violins. He is truthful and honest, stating the fact, I don't lie, easily. He leaves everything in the open, which Annabel can't fathom because she holds everything inside. The novel then depicts Annabel dealing with her home life, the secret that haunts her and is the reason for the end of her and Sophie's friendship, and of Annabel falling for Owen, who, in the end, encourages her to leave it all on the table, finally revealing the events of the night that has haunted her since.

Review

The book had its funny moments, (i.e., Annabel's hate for techno, pretty hilarious) but for the most part, its tone was serious. Annabel's struggle with this secret, her falling out with Sophie, and her family was one that kept me captivated and turning the pages, until there weren't any more pages to turn. The issues addressed with Annabel (referred to later...) were ones that needed to be paid attention towards. Never having dealt with either, I might come across as ignorant or condescending, but I mean no harm or ill will towards anyone.

Another thing that kept me captivated was Owen. A music-lover myself, I could relate with him. I also loved the fact that he was honest with everything, enjoying his truthful approach to everything, from haircuts to Annabel. The romance between Annabel and Owen wasn't overdone, and, though being integral to Annabel's confession, didn't take up most of the book (it did take up a good part, though.)

Also, another thing about the book which causes me to reread it over and over again is the little cameo and references to Dessen's other books. If you haven't read her past books, most likely, it'll fly over you, but if you're an avid follower of Dessen, like me, you'll enjoy the cameo appearances. Keep a lookout for a certain couple from The Truth about Forever at the World of Waffles (the not-so-obvious reference) and the band at Bendo from This Lullaby (the more obvious reference.)

There are a few cons to this book. The book does deal with underage drinking and cursing, so be wary of that. There are issues that may be sensitive to some, and may be offending to others. The plot may move a little slow, as well (it didn't for me, though.) And the simple, plain, personal writing may not appeal to you.

However, I thought the novel was moving, challenging, quirky and funny (the encounters between Owen and Annabel), and heartwrenching. Maybe I'm just overly sensitive, but the few last pages of this book always manages to get me teary-eyed. The secret that Annabel holds was so real and one of a serious matter, an issue that I know a lot of teenagers are affected with worldwide.

I really don't want to spoil it for you guys, since it has to do with a lot of the book and of Annabel's choices. But it may be an issue that you might be sensitive with. It has to do with sexual assault, and if that offends you, I'm sorry, you don't have to pick it up. I won't say of the situation surrounding it, in the novel, though. The other main issue in the book deals with eating disorders and anorexia, which may offend some as well.

Overall, I recommend this book. It's certainly not for all since it's most definitely a young adult book and a 'chick lit.' But if you like your stories real, emotional, and personal, with a dash of romance, then "Just Listen" is for you.