Snow business
I never got round to doing a post on my albums of the year last year. I’m sure this was a profound disappointment to everyone, so here are 11 tracks from records I liked which I don’t think featured on the Festive ‘Spill (my own choices apart) or other people’s list.
You know the rules. Pick your favourite, pick your 11th favourite. And please feel free to mention any songs or albums from 2012 to which the Spill’s collective attention should be drawn.
St Etienne – Tonight
A full 21 years after their debut album, Words and Music by St Etienne was about being teenagers in love with pop music. In which they managed to sound like teenagers in love with pop music – a trick they pull of beautifully. Having seen them live in December, I can report that Sarah Cracknell has aged beautifully; her fans, rather less so.
Frida Hyvonen – Terribly Dark
I’ve probably said enough about my love for Frida Hyvonen… Her album To The Soul is a masterpiece. This first single, a slice of 80s disco transported to a dark Swedish forest with wild bears, was something of a departure from her piano balladry. Pop hit of the year, in my world.
Alt-J – Matilda
I thought An Awesome Wave was a worthy winner of the Mercury Music Prize – Alt-J have more ideas in a single song than many bands have in a whole career. This isn’t the best track, but it’s been in my head more than any other song this year. My Matilda began the year having just come out of two weeks in intensive care; she’s now walking and correctly identifying basic farmyard animal noises. (Thanks to Shane for posting a demo version of this a long time back).
Anais Mitchell – Young Man in America
Tincanman proclaimed this his album of the year a few months back, which was enough of a recommendation to make me curious. It’s songwriting of the highest order: she has plenty to say about contemporary America, but is never obvious. Almost reminiscent of another Mitchell…?
Jesca Hoop – DNR
Jesca probably remains better known for being mates with Guy Garvey and nanny to Tom Waits’s kids. The House That Jack Built was neither the commercial breakthrough nor the leftfield masterpiece that some of us hoped it might be. But this unsentimental elegy for her father was one of the most moving things released this year. (DNR, of course, stands for Do Not Resuscitate.)
Peter Broderick – Asleep
Peter Broderick’s website-album http://www.itstartshear.com is the sort of generous, creative project the web was made for. Which wouldn’t count for anything if it didn’t also contain some beautifully crafted, deeply affecting music. It’s worth reading the story behind this song – the voices are all recordings sent in by fans. (Thanks to Shoegazer for introducing me to this)
Allo Darlin’ – Tallulah
Europe, my favourite album of jangly twee-pop this year, sees Australian singer Elizabeth Morris simultaneously homesick and in love with her new life – perfectly captured in this track, which manages to coax pathos out of a ukulele. “I’m wondering if I’ve already heard all the songs that’ll mean something /
And I’m wondering if I’ve already met all the people that’ll mean something.”
Sun Kil Moon – Track #8
Former Red House Painter Mark Kozelek isn’t the first person to make an album about the frustrations of touring and the music business. But Among The Leaves weaves melancholy with wit, and self-pity with self-awareness. Plus, I’ve always loved his voice.
Tindersticks – Chocolate
I thought Tindersticks were treading water with The Something Rain, which is a shame as they’d seemed to be getting their mojo back on their last couple of albums. But this opening track was a stand-out. See if you can guess the ending…
Jens Lekman – The End of the World is Bigger Than Love
Hopeless romantic Jens Lekman appears to have had his heart broken recently. Which is sad for him, but has resulted in a truly great break-up album, I Know What Love Isn’t. Thankfully, he hasn’t lost his sense of humour, or perspective.
First Aid Kit – King of the World
Alt-country played by Swedish women just out of their teens… how could I not love this? Their album The Lion’s Roar was on continuous repeat early in the year (thanks to the enthusiasm of Fuel, Shane and Shoey).
Ooh … I know most of these and don’t really have to listen to them all, but I will cos its a wonderful selection.
St Etienne – cheerful pop, quite pleasant.
Frida Hyvonen – again, pleasant, but I hate the electronic drum beat.
Alt-J – Very listenable. I’m glad your Matilda is making progress, and send big hugs from me and young Munday.
Anais Mitchell – Favourite so far, interesting voice.
Jesca Hoop – No, this is my favourite so far. Love this. Welling up, now.
Peter Broderick – This is very moving too. And the sun is coming out and reflecting off the snow. Reminds me – strangely – of Tubular Bells, in the middle, with that delicate backing track.With shades of Nick Drake (“River Man”).
Tallulah – Yeah, nice but doesn’t jump out at me. Never listened to so much female vocal in one sitting.
Sun Kil Moon – Like this too, very laid back.
Tindersticks – Intro reminds me of America and the intro to “Here”. Other than that I really don’t like it, sorry.
Jens Lekman – Not for me, either.
First Aid Kit – Yeah, bouncy song! Like this.
Thanks very much, have enjoyed this – out of Jens Lekman and Tindersticks, Tindersticks has to go. Young Munday said “What do they do with the songs no one likes?” I told him we (metaphorically) throw them off a very tall building so he asked whether the musical notes would hit passers by on the head. One for Shane to draw, I think.
Right, might not make it through all of these in one go, but looking forward to ‘em. So here goes…
St Etienne: I really should listen to this album. Only heard this one and the one about Peter Gabriel, Peter Gabriel from Genesis (“Over The Border”?). Think I prefer that one, but this is catchy enough. Somehow missing for me that nostalgic ache that the best St Etienne songs have – maybe too upbeat and glossy? Dunno. The lyrics should do it alone. Anyway, one can never have enough St Etienne. Deffo keep.
Frida Hyvonen: Sounds like Laura Branigan’s “Self Control” to me. I’ve probably said that before because it also sounds familiar. Chorus a bit of a formulaic letdown after the verse buildup. Fun anyway. Keep.
alt-J: Never heard them before; been feeling I ought to have. Think I was expecting something more ‘difficult’. Or angular. Or art school. Rather lovely pop song, isn’t it? Not 100% sold on the vocal, but I bet it grows on you. The resolution/chord progression into the word “Matilda” on the chorus really reminds me of something else. Can’t think what. Keep. (Glad to hear your Matilda is doing OK.)
Anais Mitchell: Did she just sing “Americay?” *kook alert! kook alert!* Interesting but strikes me as a little mannered vocally. But maybe she does just sing like that. I’d enjoy it more if I wasn’t being distracted by the mannerisms. I may have to listen again before deciding on this one. Its charms may yet become clear to me.
Jesca Hoop: That’s a more honest-sounding vocal! And a lovely, unshowy tune – as befits the subject matter. Keep.
OK, better pretend at least to do something productive. Back for the rest later…
@bishbosh – the St Etienne album is definitely worth hearing, though of course they’ve done far better. It’s very much their upbeat disco side.
I’ve been planning to do a spillOver on St Et for a while – I think I might do this
to piss off Panthersan and bethnoirsince there are people here who don’t know them.hey, hey, I don’t hate them, I’ve just spent a lot of time being told by boys who fancy Sarah Cracknell that they’re amazing. I’d do my best to listen to a selection of them, if you do a post about St Etienne.
First i heard them, quite awhile ago, was when Zala put a song of theirs up on the mothership (can’t remember what it was), i thought it was just gorgeous. That was a one-off i think, haven’t liked anything else i’ve heard from them.
FYI, I’m getting to the rest of these after tonight’s Bake Off!
ah…I really do feel bad now….I know it’s not them, it’s me.
If you do do a Spillover I promise to listen without prejudice and try to see what so many others seem to see that I can’t!
I like all these meanwhile in Norway/Finland photos that keep appearing, we really are rubbish in snow in this country.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_fr0B7uRc5s/UO581VPr-mI/AAAAAAAAJAk/wUt4Pplvmrk/s1600/canada.jpg
I’ve afraid I’ve never been a fan of St Etienne, I think I’m the wrong gender, it was quite poppy and nice though.
Frida’s got a retro thing going on, hasn’t she? Those keyboard sounds are quite appealing.
I have investigated ∆ because I liked Tessellate, but can’t remember hearing this before, it’s nice, but I think they need to add an attractive member to the band who can sing in a more exciting manner. It might be a grower though. I’m glad your Matilda is getting better.
Can’t bear Anais’ voice, not keen on Jesca (is that a real name?) either. I’m not really one for girlie female vocalists, I think this might be an issue with this list
Sorry I don’t seem to be tuned into these songs at all, Mr Broderick didn’t move me, ‘Allo Darling suffers from not being Amanda Palmer with a ukulele.
I thought I’d like Sun Kil Moon, but no. Tindersticks reliably sound like the Tindersticks, I haven’t found myself wanting to listen to the Something Rain much, I decided some time ago that I have a favourite Tindersticks album and I don’t think they’ll better it.
Jens Lekman and First Aid Kit not either. Oh dear. First favourites are ∆ and Tindersticks and 10th is joint between Anais and First Aid Kit.
Sorry not to be more positive.
I’ve never been a fan of St Etienne, I think I’m the wrong gender
Maybe you’re right – the audience at their gig in Brighton was at least 80% male, which surprised me.
I can see how an aversion to girlie vocals, country and tweeness could make this fairly painful listening… Thanks for persevering.
sorry to be negative, I think the snow has made me want to listen to wintry music, thanks for putting the list together.
A Japanophile writes – I’ve seen that photo before and it ain’t Norway.
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route, I believe.
Now, onto the songs……
He’s right, you know…………
http://www.amusingplanet.com/2012/03/gigantic-snow-wall-along-tateyama.html
Shucks… If you can’t trust viral photos off Facebook, what can you trust?
Tincanman proclaimed this his album of the year a few months back, which was enough of a recommendation to make me curious.
You’ve made my day. huzzzzzzzzzz
Well, it’s not necessarily a compliment…
St Etienne: goodness, I like this a whole lot more than the only other St Etienne track I’ve heard. Perhaps it was atypical (or perhaps this one is)! But a bit poppy for me all the same.
Frida Hyvonen: I like her voice, and the song, but…you say she doesn’t usually use a disco beat? Fine, I’ll probably like everything else then.
Alt-J: good title! Also loved the song. I know they’ve been mentioned by several people before but for some reason (them having a symbol for a name?) I didn’t take any notice. Now I will.
Anais Mitchell: loved the intro, but I’m afraid I find her voice a big turnoff.
Jesca Hoop: now, I do like her voice, but somehow found the song really un-affecting. Given the subject I’d have expected tears to be wrung from me…but nope.
Peter Broderick: ooh, this is weird and strange, in a good way. It didn’t really grab me in a ‘hey I want to hear more of THIS guy’ kind of way though.
Allo Darlin’: terrible name! But I liked the song – it’s sweet.
Sun Kil Moon: hmm, perhaps. But I really like my music with a bit more oomph.
Tindersticks: no, sorry – I don’t see the point of this. (Ha! No, really)
Jens Lekman: hope you noticed my select dond this week, barbryn. I love that one – but I don’t like this one at all! The arrangement is just horrid. Does he know what year it is?
First Aid Kit: phew, this is more like it. Love this, especially the wonky horns.
So in joint first place I have Alt-J and First Aid Kit, and the one to dump is….(GBBO* suspense moment)…Jens Lekman. Sorry, Jens.
But thanks, barbryn, for a really interesting set – and I’m the opposite of Fuel, because I hadn’t heard any of them before.
*Great British Bake Off, to which I am now addicted, thanks to my daughters. Thanks, daughters.
he he, ironically TFD, your man Petty has a voice that some find unappealing. And then there’s Waits and Dylan and … well, sometimes getting past the original aversion to someone’s voice is worth the work.
But I didn’t need to do any work with TP, tincanman. I loved him from the first. (Well, OK, I loved the first three chords of You Wreck Me; but when he started singing, I was not disappointed.)
The point I laboured to make was that you wouldn’t want those who do to dismiss his songs because of first impressions about his voice..
The acerbic-tongued Benmont Tench (Heartbreakers keyboard man) said in an interview that TP playing bass [in Mudcrutch] was a good thing, because he has to concentrate more and so doesn’t sing in “that ‘mannered’ style”.
Yes, sorry tincanman – I agree with you really, and your point wasn’t laboured. I was just being silly. It is indeed a shame if people aren’t able to appreciate the songs.
@,b>barbryn without caps The title of the Tindersticks in post says Saturday but in player says Chocolate. Can you clarify?
Um – just that for some reason I always think that song is called Saturday, which it isn’t. I’ll edit the post. Then your comment will look strange.
Won;t be a first lol
thanks for posting ..a gentle background to my cooking . not my kind of thing, but hasn’t quite put me off eating .. lovely voices in the main .. all sang sat down
Altogether a pleasant set to listen to. Favorites for me were the Tindersticks – the one song i knew in the set. And Jessica Hoop, whose songs i’ve always liked when i hear them – i think Shoey puts her in this lists every now and again. Liked First Aid Kit a lot, and the Jens Lekman. Alt J i’ve heard of but never heard, liked this one too (and given the title, wouldn’t say it if i didn’t, but i did, i did…).
The rest i’m a bit meh about, and a few candidates for the toss here. St. Etienne was too disco for my taste, that’s a candidate. Frida too, slightly less not my thing. I think overall i’d toss the Peter Broderick – not awful, but very tedious to me.
Thanks barbryn!
(just saw on another thread the faux pas i’ve been committing all of this time by capitalizing peoples’ usernames.)
Can’t chop any of these as they’ve all survived my iTunes purges – bumping up against my storage & backup of a gigabyte & no budget for an upgrade in the foreseeable.
King Of The World would be top of the heap – also a fave of Shoeteen The Younger.
This doesn’t look quite my cuppa on first impressions, but let’s try…
1. Aghhhhhh – there are not many bands in the history of recorded music that I like less than St. Etienne (sorry! already! I don’t know why, it’s kind of irrational and very longstanding), but I’ll try to be objective……nope, sorry, I really really didn’t like that. Chuck it!
2. That’s better – very 80s, but not in a bad way.
3. Heard this before and really like it – best so far.
4. Yeah, quite good, pretty good in fact!
5. Liked the squeakiness of the music – good!
6. Like the music here too, nice and weird.
7. Nice voice, cool lyrics- like.
8. Like this too
9. Wow, not what I expected, great stuff, “shit, you’re a chap”!
10. Hmm…I usually like him, but this didn’t grab me
11. Like this lot more and more each time I hear ‘em. This was great.
So, there we go, that was a very nice Wednesday afternoon listen, cheers!
Keep Alt-J and Tindersticks and please please please take away St. Etienne and stop them from ever recording another note (yet, more apologies!)!
Thanks for sharing this list barbryn.
Like panthersan my immediate reaction was that this wasn’t my sort of music; a bit ‘light and fluffy’ and very female vocal oriented. I generally prefer male vocals and more guitars and drums!
Hey, you should never pre-judge other’s music choices and gosh was I surprised as there are some real gems in the list and will definitely explore Allo Darlin and Jesca Hoop some more.
St Etienne: – Now the only St. E. Song I had heard before was “I Was Born on Christmas Day” so I was fairly certain this wasn’t for me. Correct.
Frida Hyvonen: – Thought this was quite good but did go on a bit!
Alt J: – Mercury Prize Winner – Well a surprise here; hadn’t listened to them sort of out of principal due to the hype but will give it a go based on this song. (barbryn trust your Matilda is on the mend.)
Anais Mitchell: – To quote the current internet speak ‘meh!’. Can see the likeness you mention barbryn and was hopeful about this one as I do like Americana.
Jesca Hoop: – Loved her voice. Just the right huskiness; could listen to her for hours. Top song IMHO.
Peter Broderick: – Aptly named song – it nearly sent me to sleep. Think this is the one to lose.
Allo Darlin: – Another surprise; loved the voice and the simplicity of the ukulele. Seems you can make great songs without guitars and drums. A close second probably joint first with Jesca.
Sun Kil Moon: – Alright; nothing special.
Tindersticks: – Now where have I heard that style before? Reminds me of another singer / vocalist’s style that I can’t place. Do like it though and will explore more.
Jens Lekman: – Nah! Almost went with tfd and felt this was the one to lose but PB loses out.
First Aid Kit: – A great closing number to your list. Like tfd enjoyed the ‘wonky horns’. Great lively number.
This is a first time for me, critiquing someone else’s playlist and very enjoyable and a great way of discovering some very good new music.
Thanks again barbryn.
Not really my cup of tea at all, quite liked Alt-j and Jesca Hoop and Allo Darlin (which I agree is a truly awful name, reminds me of Charlie Drake).
To ditch would have to be St Etienne or Jens Lekman.
I think Lekman gets the heave ho for sounding like the bastard son of Russ Conway.
Yes, had another listen,Lekman must go.
hey barbryn – thanks for the mentions – lovely playlist.
There’s a 2 bears remix of ‘tonight – but this one is my favourite:
saint etienne – tonight (club clique remix)
That’s ace – might almost prefer it to the album version.
St Etienne. Pleasant voice over the kind of backing I don’t like very much.
Frida Hyvonen. Ditto but the tune is much more interesting and it’s really only the percussion I object to. Goes on a bit though (to allow for a radio talk-over?).
Alt-J. Great backing but less keen on the voice. What a strange way to pronounce ‘you’.
Anais Mitchell. Very interesting musically with a voice just on the correct side of the border between intriguing and annoying. May have to pay more attention to tinwords….
Jesca Hoop. Reminiscent of 60′s folk-chicks: not necessarily a bad thing. Powerful lyrics. Very effective.
Peter Broderick. Brave pacing which, I think, works. I wondered whether it was taking too long to build but, no, it’s just being very careful and deliberate. Not 100% sure about the crowd voices but I’ll forgive them.
Allo Darlin’. With apologies to all those who admitted to owning one but ‘enough with this ukulele crap!’ It’s a novelty instrument! It has no depth, range or tone: its purpose here is to enhance the aura of kooky fragility (which, admittedly, it does well). Time to move on, people.
Sun Kil Moon. Lenny guitar picking. Nice.
Tindersticks. Aaarghh! Jackanory with a Neil Jordan-inspired twist! I much prefer the VU’s The Gift. Apart from being a better story, the more interesting music means you can listen to it more than once.
Jens Lekman. Awful. Flaccid music-by-numbers. The end of creativity. Dull, dull, dull….
First Aid Kit. Dreadful tune but the fiddles, mandolins and mariachi band rescue it.
Yes, Jens Lekman has to go, closely followed by St Etienne. Thanks for putting them up, barbryn: there are some interesting sounds here.
Thanks everyone for your comments so far. My musical comfort zone is a very comfortable, pleasant place, and I realise that’s not to everyone’s tastes.
I feel I need to put in a word for Jens Lekman, as he’s taking quite a kicking here. Possibly this is a track that works better in the context of the album. I love his lyrics: in the second verse here, he’s in Washington DC for Obama’s election, and feeling generally good about the direction the world’s heading in – which doesn’t seem to make sense when he’s had his heart broken. Musically, he’s basically a DIY singer-songwriter who, instead of sticking to authentic acoustic guitar, chooses to embellish his songs with often lush samples (though I think he may have progressed to real instruments by now – not sure).
Of course you’re welcome to dislike him – but I don’t want you to dislike him for the wrong reasons…
Updated schedule -
Jan 29 – Bish
Feb 5 – DsD
Feb 12 – Amy
Feb 19 – Panther
Feb 26 – Ali
March 5 – Severin
March 12 – Punky
March 19 – Fintan
March 26 – Beltway
April 2 – SHA
April 9 -
April 16 -
April 23 -
April 30 -
Eek!
I’ll do April 9, shall I?
You shall!
Late again.
1) I must have heard St Etienne before I’m sure but I can’t remember which songs or what they sounded like. Rather enjoyed this one but I don’t feel like catching up with 21 years of recordings. Yes, please do a SpillOver.
2) That was quite fun. Can’t think who it reminded me of. Mind you I say that about most things.
3) Not keen on that voice but I liked the song and the music.
4) That bit of guitar at the beginning made me think I was going to hear “Hurricane”. Quite enjoyed it at first. Mixed feelings about her voice and lost patience after a while. Didn’t remind me of Mitch at all……….
5) Felt bad about not liking this more but it didn’t really hold my attention I’m afraid. Not to say I disliked it but I thought it was more pleasant than affecting.
6) Liked this a lot. Rather beautiful and hypnotic.
7) Nice, simple backing (the ukulele is a great instrument I think) and enough detail in the lyric to intrigue me. Like the voice too. Good one.
8) The guitar reminded me of Leonard Cohen’s “Avalanche”. Lacked his intensity but vocally distinct enough to hold your attention.
9) Serves me right for being so late but I read Panthersan’s comment before hearing the song so no surprise for me. Just as well because I kept losing track of the spoken bits anyway and just listened to the music. Bit Floydian. The keyboards reminded me of Echoes. Yes, enjoyed this. First thing I’ve knowingly heard by them.
10) I really liked this! Am I in a minority of one? Put me in mind of the Divine Comedy. I gather it’s not like his other stuff so maybe I would like that. I’ve listened to it three times now and I can’t understand why it’s getting such a thumbs down. Gorgeous.
11) I like this too! Great voices and tune and lyric. Quirky and catchy.
Well I’m keeping Peter and Jens and ditching Anais I think.
OK, back for the final six…
Peter Broderick: Never even heard the name before – should I have done? Probably. Making me a bit restless, I’m afraid. Though that might be the half-bottle of red. I kind of feel this is worthwhile without being worth listening to. That sounds rather harsh, doesn’t it? Not really grabbing me though. Too unfocused, I think. Ah, now this singer (post ambient bit) is much more listenable. He might even convince me to let this one stay. (I’m now hearing why Ali referenced Nick Drake.) Yep, I’ll give this one a reprieve. Although I think a more focused (shorter!) song would have been better.
Allo Darlin’: Good grief, that is an awful name for a band/singer. As others have said. Weird accent. I suppose it’s Australian (but not quite). Nope, too twee for me, I’m afraid. And it’s not picking up enough, tempo/backing-wise. It just doesn’t really seem to be going anywhere musically. I can imagine a roomful of beered-up Aussie blokes gradually talking louder and louder over her as she sits plucking in the corner. And while I should sympathise, I can’t quite blame them. Second real contender for the bin.
Sun Kil Moon: Ah, this is better. That rippling backing is lovely (although like the last song, it could develop a bit), his voice is great, and the lyric is intriguing. Keep.
Back in a mo…
Tindersticks: I’m sure I’ve mentioned a Barbican night of Triffids songs a couple of years back in which Stuart Staples had been gifted two of the very best songs and completely destroyed them. Just horrid. But I quite like a spoken-word song. I had been thinking of doing a Spillpost on them actually. Anyway, this is a nice reminiscence-y thing (if far, far too long). Very similar to “The Coldest Winter for A Hundred Years” by The Wild Swans. And “Woozy With Cider” by James Yorkston. Both of which were to feature in that Spillpost. Oh god, just reached the awful, naff, jarring, hackneyed twist. I was gonna say ‘keep’; now I’m not so sure.
Jens Lekman: Ooh plinky-plonky. I’ve loved a few songs procured from the RR massive via the Dropbox (The Opposite of Hallelujah, If You Ever Need A Stranger (To Sing At Your Wedding)), but this isn’t grabbing me as much. But I don’t hate it. There’s something nicely swoony about it. Could do better. B-. Keep for the potential.
First Aid Kit: Love “Emmylou”. This has handclaps, so is starting well for me. But perhaps isn’t quite the match of that song. Yes, I like this. Ooh horns! Keep.
So all told, I think it’s ‘ta-ra chuck’ to Allo Darlin’. Thanks for sharing, barbryn – more difficult to put together an untouchable list from one year’s worth of releases (rather than the whole of recorded sound, as lots of us have opted for), but all things considered, some lovely music. Most of which was new to me.
…the awful, naff, jarring, hackneyed twist
Spoiler alert:
I disagree. If it had ended with the “shit! you’re a chap” revelation, I’d agree – but the real twist is that it doesn’t:
His eyes were still beautiful, deep brown, his lips still chocolatey and orangey.
“Shit!” I said, “I was never a breast man, anyway…”
Yeah, I spose I’d switched off attention-wise by that point! My bad. I just don’t feel gentle observational wistfulness, etc, needs a twist of that sort. It made me a little cross (clearly!). I found myself thinking, in a rather hoity-toity way, “I very much hope this is a true story. Otherwise it’s sensationalist nonsense that potentially misrepresents the trans community.” And look at their response to Suzanne Moore…
Oh and I had the same “oh for Pete’s sake!” response to the end of the Call Me Maybe video so it’s clearly me, not The Tindersticks. I guess I hoped we’d got beyond a point where non-heterosexual people were reduced to being the ‘hilarious’/”just my luck”/shock-horror denouements of others’ tales. (I do realise I’m taken this too seriously. Just trying to work out why it riled me so much!)
Uh oh, do i need to feel bad now about perpetually nomming / donding the Test Tube Babies’ Transvestite? (Especially after fighting for the trans against the feminists on the aftermaths to Suzanne’s thread)
Ha ha, probably not, Amy. I think I was just feeling ‘over-tired’ and cantankerous yesterday/this morning.