The Compass

Here are some videos that I watched this week that I liked.

1) I wrote a few weeks ago that “Call Me Maybe” has been received with much more positive feelings than “Friday” ever was. As proof: this video.

2) Here is a video about Anthony and his delivery service. This is not our Anthony, though the “our” in that clause is a limited one. It references The Compass. This is our Anthony, “our” referencing humanity. I work with people like Anthony: human beings who are challenged by things beyond their control but also able to do incredible things, namely, bringing joy to the lives of others. I think I have found a new responsibility for my work.

3) Good friend of The Compass Cait recently criticized an article published by The Atlantic. The article focused on Millennials and their economic decisions, which are changing the economic landscape. There is much talk about college debt and how overpriced college is. John Green is here to remind us all why college really matters. (I also see a lot of his points as explanation for why I’ll be voting for a certain presidential candidate in November - but there will be a post on that in the next few months.

-Paul

1) Since I started using our new car, I haven’t been able to listen to podcasts like I used to. This new car, with its revolutionary CD player (the first I’ve ever had in a car), lacked one thing: a way to play my iPod. Recently, I decided to finally shell out the $25 to get an adapter, allowing me to listen to This American Life, The Moth and a series of podcasts that Barenaked Ladies put out in 2007. It was before Steven Page left the band, before Barenaked Ladies Are Me came out, before I graduated from college. BNL has always been an important band to me, the one I first list when I’m asked what my favorite band is (even though I feel self-conscious doing so, sometimes). Here’s a guy covering one of their songs that seems to be about a breakup but is really about Canada.

“You Will Be Waiting”

2) Okay, so I don’t know how I missed this one. I think it’s because I haven’t been reading The Daily What enough. But this song, “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen, has become a sensation. It will never, ever replace “Friday” for me, but that’s okay. It seems to be serving a completely different purpose for people. Instead of inspiring venom, it’s inspiring creativity - something we here at The Compass adore. Here’s a mashup of 75 videos featuring the song. Below are two full versions that are featured in the video and worth hearing on their own.

“Call Me Maybe” - Carly Rae Jepsen: POPDUST SUPERCUT

3) I firmly believe the best covers are the ones that dramatically reconfigure the song. Ben Howard (who is roughly one month younger than me) does that with his version of “Call Me Maybe.” It’s awe-inspiring and is sending me back to the woodshed.

“Call Me Maybe” - Ben Howard

4) How many times have I tried to do a cool cover on the accordion only for it fall apart? Four times. Sarah (I assume that’s her name) kills it with her version of “Call Me Maybe.” I think I’m in love.

5) Still with us? Thanks. Here’s a video from a band that almost was. I almost saw Rooney open for Weezer back in 2002. However, we arrived late and were only able to see a portion of Dashboard Confessional’s set, then Weezer. As we left, we were handed copies of Rooney’s demo. The following year, I was able to exercise my hipster cred for the first time when their debut came out. But that album didn’t really take with people, and the band never really made it big. But I still have that demo disc, and this song is on it. Welcome to summer.

“If It Were Up To Me” - Rooney

-Paul