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There's this new thing called Spotify, where you can stream music of your choice on the computer. I found it through Facebook. Mr. Hall says I lack the good sense to keep those popular music skeletons in my closet, although he noted that at least I don't waste energy trying to be ironic (hipster). But I noticed that Facebook started telling people what I was listening to, and although I'm proud to like what I like, there are limits. I want to listen to my Bolton and Lady Gaga in peace. [Isn't that Bolton ironic?--ed.] It might have had the possibility of starting out that way, but I saw him on Dancing With The Stars, and I knew that they'd make him sing for the finale. When he did, he sang a mind-blowing rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah." I'm serious. He took us to church. Don't even doubt it. Yes, I know it's been covered a million times, yes, it's true that I barely even like it any more as a song. But it was incredible. It reminded me that I watched a concert of his in '95, and that he really, truly, doesn't suck. It'd be cooler to like him if they hadn't ripped him on Saturday Night Live, and there is a vague distrust (not entirely without warrant) of men with long hair. Moreover, he had given time and money to combat domestic violence, which paradoxically got him branded a "sissy." All that is to say, I think I'm a legitimate Michael Bolton fan.
My one concession to hipster sensibility is that I like Ray LaMontagne. He did a version of the Bee Gees' "To Love Somebody" that was great. Of course, to bring it all full-circle, that song was recorded better and more famously by Michael Bolton.
I really like a band called Say Anything. The lead singer, Max Bemis, has a lot of problems. Most of the songs have foul words in them, and the band is aptly named. But it resonates somehow. Especially when one is angry. It's catchy while being kind of shocking. I don't know why I told you that.

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