Halloween’s morning after?

This is a rather dark tune isn’t it? I get the vibe that it’s sorta like a dire event that separated two lovers. I realize that’s not what it’s about. But the twisting feels going on here give me a sense that it could work as a dark answer to two demons who were fine up until 12:01 a.m. on a Halloween night. Shoot me, it’s my imagination.

November 1st. What does that represent now? Well if you’re in the retail business it means holy shit we’ve not sold enough toys and goods. We should have started our Christmas onslaught last month.

What’s the earliest that you’ve seen a Christmas display for selling product for the Christian Holiday? For me it was last year in mid-October. I walked into a Costco to buy some apples in bulk. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I had to shake my head, rub my eyes and look again. Yup sure enough there was a Christmas display for some product and it was up before Halloween had even had a chance to come around.

Personally I find that fairly distasteful, that one particular holiday is starting to get so much priority that it supercedes other holidays. It’s a sign that something is far out of wack in the world. Why? because most people don’t treat each other with that holiday cheer until that day. Well maybe on Thanksgiving they do, but between now and December 25th, most human behavior is going to get riled up over what gift and who cut off who and shit if I don’t get a big enough gift I don’t care much, blah, blah, blah. I appreciate Christmas more now, but I don’t get nearly as many gifts, nor do I give nearly as many. There’s a multitude of reasons for the smaller gift exchanges. I tend to enjoy just sitting with family and hanging out – especially when I’m visiting the parents. It’s a way to unwind and it’s something I actually need to learn to do more of. Many of us need to learn that.

I don’t know about you, but I have the feeling as I get around to some stores as I’m running errands today, I bet I see Christmas displays starting today. At least this year I didn’t see it before Halloween. But I’ve sure dealt with it for most of this year recording that Christmas set I’ve been doing.

Getting back to Rachel here. I’m not surprised that she’s starting to gain some fame. Why not? She’s got some great songs. This one in particular was the first one that I heard. The initial reaction I had was, is this a rebirth of Tori Amos. It took me a minute to realize that it wasn’t Tori. Many times when I get a feeling that strong of imitation it’s death for the artist. It’s a little early to tell if Rachel will stand apart from that, but I think she has a chance.

Have you heard her before? Seen her in concert? Do you own this CD – Happenstance? Better do something about it.

(** Disclaimer: If Rachel’s label decides to send me a letter telling me how much they’d love to do something to me, I’ll be dropping the audio like a bad lover who physically beats me. The post will remain to show that brutality. **)