Being misanthropic, depressed, and constantly alienated, I do try to cheer myself up from time to time. One of the most common ways I do this is by finding some gem of a music video to drool over.

"Bye Bye Beautiful" by Nightwish, Dark Passion Play (2007)

Yes! You guessed it. Gorgeous models backed by even more gorgeous music. And I simply adore Marco Hietala, the guy who accompanies Anette Olzon in the duet, even despite his, uh, double goatee (is that a double goatee?). Such a sexy voice. And speaking of sexy, see that punk rocker-esque keyboard player with the black eyeliner? I realized (just yesterday) that he was the composer/lyricist/mastermind/genius Tuomas Holopainen himself. I seriously had no idea he was that dashing in real life.

"Amaranth" by Nightwish, Dark Passion Play (2007)

THE quintessential rock video. Really pop in disguise, despite the heavy riffing, but I'm not complaining. Beautiful, beautiful stuff.

As an aside, Dark Passion Play is the first of Nightwish's studio albums to feature their new vocalist, Anette Olzon of Sweden. Her predecessor, Tarja Turunen, was fired in an open letter in 2005. The majority of fans are still divided about the move, and I myself think the rest of the band's demeanor towards her was uncalled for. ("Bye Bye Beautiful": "Did you ever hear what I told you? / Did you ever read what I wrote you?" It's really a spiteful farewell song to Tarja.) However, though I greatly miss Tarja's operatic vocals (after all, classical singing can't be beat), I'm gradually warming up to a Tarja-less Nightwish. In the long run, it probably was the right decision, given that they were moving away from classical vocals anyway. And if they keep producing euro-metal gold like "Bye Bye Beautiful" and "Amaranth"… well, then, I'm OK.

"The Islander" by Nightwish, Dark Passion Play (2007)

Beautiful folk ballad. One of the most haunting and visually arresting works of fine video.

And that concludes your musical update from Jenny-fa.

This entry is about two months overdue, but I finally managed to get it all done in preparation for my next rotation of indie spotlights, which, above all, will feature beautiful, beautiful symphonic music from one, not-often-heard-from country… and whose discovery had me in an excited spasm all this afternoon. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Musically starved? Sit down, relax, follow the links, and let this rundown of the best and the brightest non-mainstream music be your guide.

And once again, my time should've been better spent by studying for a test that I am guaranteed to fail. Anyway.

Six band reviews today. Enjoy!

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Excerpt from the official House wiki:

In the 100th episode, House and the team take on the case of a woman who collapsed in the middle of a cooking class, and they soon learn she is a highly-renowned cancer researcher who recently gave up her entire career in order to pursue her own personal happiness. Though the team struggles to understand how the woman could give up saving lives for the sake of her own contentment, each grapple with the pursuit of happiness (or lack thereof) in their own lives. As the patient’s condition continues to worsen, so does Thirteen’s as she begins to suffer serious and life-threatening reactions to the experimental Huntington’s Disease clinical trial. Meanwhile, Cuddy attempts to make House’s life miserable for him in retaliation for his part in her own unhappiness.

Foreman, you eejit. Don't switch Thirteen's medication!

Other notes:

• I'm still alive.
• Still waiting for Internet service at my new townhouse.
• "I hate people" is an understatement.
• I waste too much money on those Florida's Natural fruit juice string/nuggets.
• Why the chronic short-term memory loss?
• Really need to stop slacking off on that application.
• Epica's The Divine Conspiracy, for reasons that still escape me, is a disappointment.

But I suppose no one really gives a shit.

That's okay.

Hello, neophytes. This is the first in a several-part series that I'm beginning on this blog, which will be devoted to documenting stand-out underground and indie bands that I've discovered while poking around on the Web. These bands, while primarily rock and metal-oriented, represent a variety of countries around the globe and, for the most part, have yet to be signed to a major record label. And although Fa really should be finishing a novel, doing a project, and studying for a test right now… I think I can risk the deferment, as I've got excess hours stored up in my biological clock from napping too long during the day.

If you like a particular band on this page, don't forget to visit their site/Myspace and perhaps purchase an album — many of them need the support!

Seven bands today. Be warned: this page is behemoth!

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Never ever read or look at hentai. Especially lesbian orgy hentai. Why? Well, let's just say that when illustrations of that nature are portrayed through cartoonized human forms, things can be exaggerated… and made infinitely more disturbing.

And no, I'm not going to publish my lesbian dream.

Let's see… what else is of blog-worthy importance?

*twiddles thumbs while trying to efface memory of a particularly graphic scene of girl-on-girl action*

AAAAAAAAAAIEEEEEE, THE RAINBOW HAMSTERS!!!

The divine artistry of the creator, puchikumo (citizen of Warsaw, Poland), simply cannot be denied. Behold! The music, the editing, the theatricality and tension… a photogenic playground of beautiful and immeasurably lovable balls of twitchy fur. So much precious hamster-ness–! Beware, for the countenance of many a stoic warrior has melted in the face of their soul-numbing cuteness!

I also adore this ice cream escapade of a certain Pompon. Also, puchikumo's tributes to departed hamsters are surprisingly poignant.

Oh hell, I'm pouring on the hamsters. Prepare yourself!!

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