Soundscape #75: “A Crowd Is Not Company” — Francis Bacon
February 22nd, 2008Small spaces creep me out. I always feel just a little more nervous, not to mention uncomfortable. I don’t like narrow stairs or corridors and I can’t see where it ends; I flinch involuntarily even when there are shots of tunnels or caves on TV [the picture above freaks me out if I stare too long at it]. I’m the one in the lift who keeps tapping her foot on the floor and cannot wait to get out; I feel choked in a room with low ceilings.
desiretofire: music is the shape of silence, Claustrophobia, 2006.
This is a terrible concern to have when you live in a city with only, what, 600plus square kilometers and you have to share it with about 4 million people. Sure, there are quiet parks and the beach but getting there in a crowded train is hardly worth it. You’d probably be half dead before you reach your destination. And if you work in the city centre like I do, you can forget about your personal space when commuting to and from work. You’d be thankful if you can even squeeze into a train in the mornings. Sure there’s usually one every couple of minutes but when you see each one stuffed to the brim, the sheer number of people is a little overwhelming, to say the least. The trick is not to think about it. Hesitate and you die. It’s the survival of the quickest here. I realise that everyday on the way to work, I’m subconsciously holding my breath and it’s only when I get out of the station (not just the train, mind), that I let out a sigh.
Playlist:
1. (o:00) As The Poets Affirm - Help! Help! (I Want To Tell My Heart To You But I Cannot Say English)
2. (4:53) Radiohead - Let Down (OK Computer)
3. (9:52) Bonnie “Prince” Billy - I See A Darkness (I See A Darkness)
4. (14:42) M. Ward - Deep Dark Well (Transistor Radio)
5. (17:09) The Postal Service - We Will Become Silhouettes (Give Up)
6. (22:11) Alexi Murdoch - Dream About Flying (Time Without Consequence)
7. (27:01) Bloc Party - Waiting For The 7:18 (A Weekend In The City)
8. (31:19) Hot Hot Heat - Get In Or Get Out (Make Up The Breakdown)
9. (34:09) William Shatner - Common People
10. (36:30) The White Stripes - There’s No Room For You Here (Elephant)
11. (40:13) British Sea Power - Blackout (The Decline Of British Sea Power)
12. (44:03) Belle And Sebastian - Get Me Away From Here, I’m Dying (If You Are Feeling Sinister)
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