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Arcade Fire — Ocean of Noise
Album: Neon Bible
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1683









Released: 2007
Length: 4:50
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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In an ocean of noise I first heard your voice
Ringing like a bell as if I had a choice, oh, well
Left in the morning while you were fast asleep
Into an ocean of violence, a world of empty streets

You've got your reasons and me, I've got mine
But all the reasons I gave were just lies to buy myself some time

In an ocean of noise I first heard your voice
Now who here among us still believes in choice? Not I
No way of knowing what any man will do
An ocean of violence between me and you

You've got your reasons and me, I've got mine
But all the reasons I gave were just lies to buy myself some time

I'm gonna work it out 'cause time won't work it out
I'm gonna work it out 'cause time won't work it out for you
I'm gonna work it out 'cause time won't work it out
I'm gonna work it out 'cause time won't work it out for you
I'm gonna work it on out
Comments (213)add comment
Yikes.  Enough.  Mediocrity is OK, but only in small doses. 

Imagine the horror, overdosing on Arcade Fire music? Is there a fate worse than that? 
Posted 2 months ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
I thought I would leave a really nice comment about this song since the last comment was negative and the person needs therapy. I love this song...there I said it..!!!
Posted 6 months ago by molson    [ Reply ]
 sfoster66 wrote:

I truly think that AF is intentionally challenging.  So many of the "creative arts" in Western culture have been actively dumbed down to make them more palatable to the masses that we forget that sometimes art is supposed to be somewhat difficult.  Much of what we hear is mental pablum.  I can't help but to think that AF is more of a sound collective than a band.  They are making music that doesn't fit on an A&R guys standard record label form.  Is it always pleasant to listen to?  Nope.  But, is it interesting?  Absolutely.  Especially if you listen to the whole album rather than track by track.  Its an aural scuplture.  

So, instead of PSDing, try turning off your need to have everything be easy.  Take up the challenge.  There is something to these guys.  Yes, it can be a struggle to find it.  But once you do, it's a pretty great moment.



Damn Man. You with the word things. Good job
Posted 11 months ago by TimZ    [ Reply ]
 sjccroquet wrote:

Yeah, and then maybe after that could you also add a "Play Someone Different" button, so people who don't like the songs could just find something they do like instead of writing obnoxious hyperbolic comments ?


i totally agree with you, just because you don't like a song doesn't mean that you have to call it names, plus the song is great
Posted 11 months ago by ToiletGaming200    [ Reply ]
 lily34 wrote:

bill's playlist must be jacked. this is the second arcade fire song within an hour and a half. very strange.



I don't think it's "jacked", just a couple Arcade Fire songs on the same list...I s'pose that's jacked for some though.
Posted 1 year ago by pilgrim    [ Reply ]
bill's playlist must be jacked. this is the second arcade fire song within an hour and a half. very strange.
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
I truly think that AF is intentionally challenging.  So many of the "creative arts" in Western culture have been actively dumbed down to make them more palatable to the masses that we forget that sometimes art is supposed to be somewhat difficult.  Much of what we hear is mental pablum.  I can't help but to think that AF is more of a sound collective than a band.  They are making music that doesn't fit on an A&R guys standard record label form.  Is it always pleasant to listen to?  Nope.  But, is it interesting?  Absolutely.  Especially if you listen to the whole album rather than track by track.  Its an aural scuplture.  

So, instead of PSDing, try turning off your need to have everything be easy.  Take up the challenge.  There is something to these guys.  Yes, it can be a struggle to find it.  But once you do, it's a pretty great moment.
Posted 3 years ago by sfoster66    [ Reply ]
The negative comments here are an Ocean of Noise in itself
Posted 3 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
 maboleth wrote:
Incredibly pretentious.
 
Rather like your comment. Did you just learn the word?
Posted 3 years ago by BCarn    [ Reply ]
Incredibly pretentious.
Posted 3 years ago by maboleth    [ Reply ]
 joelbb wrote:
Bill, this cut is just plain frickin' awful:  bad lyrics, whiny, emo vocal, pointless accompaniment, a track that's got it all ... all bad.  I find myself hoping the signer will off himself because of his rampant, self-important-puppy-dog love sickness.  Could you add a "-1" rating?
 
Yeah, and then maybe after that could you also add a "Play Someone Different" button, so people who don't like the songs could just find something they do like instead of writing obnoxious hyperbolic comments ?
Posted 4 years ago by sjccroquet    [ Reply ]
 yofitofu wrote:
This band is horribly overrated.
 

Not if you think of them as a bunch of people that just came out of a fire in an arcade.
Posted 4 years ago by gmsingh123    [ Reply ]
Great band to see live. One of the best shows I saw last year.
Posted 5 years ago by poetdancer    [ Reply ]
 yofitofu wrote:
This band is horribly overrated.
 
No. They are actually quite good. Try REALLY listening to their music. 
And who over-rates them anyway?
Posted 5 years ago by BCarn    [ Reply ]
This band is horribly overrated.
Posted 5 years ago by yofitofu    [ Reply ]
I think this is a great song - (hands up /quizical face emoji-con)
Posted 6 years ago by arserocket    [ Reply ]
Noooooooo!!!!!! Not these guys again !?!!!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 11 years ago by Dosequis    [ Reply ]
My bad, I thought this was bad U2
It's just mediocre Arcade Fire
Posted 11 years ago by oldman    [ Reply ]
Bill, this cut is just plain frickin' awful:  bad lyrics, whiny, emo vocal, pointless accompaniment, a track that's got it all ... all bad.  I find myself hoping the signer will off himself because of his rampant, self-important-puppy-dog love sickness.  Could you add a "-1" rating?
Posted 11 years ago by joelbb    [ Reply ]
I appreciate AF's different sound. But then, every Arcade cut is similar or identical. I can hear it's AF in the first 10 seconds of the cut. Is that good or not so? Do they ever vary? They get a bit tiresome. I've cut AF on my pod from 3 tunes to 1. Blah. 
Posted 13 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Having lived in a border town for a while now, we have bombarded w/AF output for years now. I admit its just me but I find them totally lacking rhthym and their output redundant and inaccessible.

I avoid them with all diligence...
Posted 13 years ago by tulfan    [ Reply ]
As much as I like their 3 albums, Arcade Fire is a band that must be seen live to be totally appreciated.  Even in a venue as large as the Greek Theater in LA, Arcade Fire made the performance feel personal and intimate.  As a musician, I was reenergized by the enthusiasm and honesty of that show.
Posted 13 years ago by Synth80s    [ Reply ]
Say them on Thursday @ the O2, fantastic. Peter
Posted 13 years ago by ttquattro_man    [ Reply ]
Nice song!
Posted 14 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
The money machine from Pink Floyd's "Money" on the background?
Posted 14 years ago by motorichi    [ Reply ]
 wild_mercury wrote:
Pretentious. Sounds like Echo and the Bunnymen, but not nearly as good
 
Agreed about Echo & the Bunnymen, but AF is twice as good! {#Roflol}
Posted 14 years ago by WayUpNorth    [ Reply ]
I'm going to see them (and Spoon) next week {#Dancingbanana}
Posted 14 years ago by Seahunt    [ Reply ]

They've got a new CD coming out soon..something to look forward to!


Posted 14 years ago by SweTex    [ Reply ]
This one is pure Springsteen-like classic rock.
Posted 14 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]

Posted 14 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]

Arcade Fire by ~cookiemoon
©2007-2010 ~cookiemoon

My press-photos of Arcade Fire live 2007


Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
It's simply awesome.

Can't wait for the chance to see these cats live.
Posted 14 years ago by Bosami    [ Reply ]
I have come full circle on these guys, this is good stuff. 
Posted 14 years ago by gormeister    [ Reply ]
Pretentious. Sounds like Echo and the Bunnymen, but not nearly as good
Posted 14 years ago by wild_mercury    [ Reply ]

6 —-> 5 —-> 4

Gets more annoying with each listening.


Posted 14 years ago by rockasaurus    [ Reply ]
 sirdroseph wrote:
This song sucks!{#Lol}
 
Not completely. Wait. Not at all.

Posted 14 years ago by Felix_The_Cat    [ Reply ]
This song sucks!{#Lol}
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]

What an aptly titled song.


Posted 14 years ago by nate917    [ Reply ]
 HazzeSwede wrote:
Watched this one on MTV HD,a live cut,very impressive !
They have a girliedrummer !  {#Drummer}
 
Probably Regine? I know she plays drums on Tunnels. I've got a five or six song mini show they did for European TV and she sat at the kit for that song. Quite a talent.


Posted 14 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
Watched this one on MTV HD,a live cut,very impressive !
They have a girliedrummer !  {#Drummer}
Posted 14 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
 MinMan wrote:
I'm sorry to say that this Arcade Fire tune just sounds lame adolescent and uninspired after that tour de force by Smashing Pumpkins.

 

I was just thinking the very same thing...really like this song and this band but when juxtaposed alongside the pumpkins, they don't stand up that well.  Still good, but so is lots of stuff...
Posted 14 years ago by azdcryan    [ Reply ]
{#Good-vibes} Good Vibes

Posted 14 years ago by Felix_The_Cat    [ Reply ]
 rtwingo wrote:
10, just like the rest of this FANTASTIC album.
 
{#Yes}

Posted 14 years ago by SweTex    [ Reply ]
10, just like the rest of this FANTASTIC album.
Posted 14 years ago by rtwingo    [ Reply ]
I'm sorry to say that this Arcade Fire tune just sounds lame adolescent and uninspired after that tour de force by Smashing Pumpkins.

Posted 14 years ago by MinMan    [ Reply ]
I'm surprised to see mixed reviews of this - I figure the RP crowd would dig the AF. {#Stupid} Perhaps it's this particular song selection.

Oh well. It's a 7 for me.

Posted 14 years ago by Bosami    [ Reply ]
I thought I was listening to Bruce Springsteen on a Xanax bender.
Posted 14 years ago by Rafter101    [ Reply ]
About the third time today I've heard someone reach for a note and miss it by this >< much.

How about a little kd lang or Patsy Cline to help make up for the folks whose vocal talents lag behind their desire?
Posted 14 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
Great mix coming from Death Cab's Transatlanticism... wow... that's hard to spell, lol. Thanks Bill!!
Posted 14 years ago by bkrontz    [ Reply ]
 cosmiclint wrote:
These guys sure know how to end a song :)
 
If you mean, it's good when it's over, I'll agree. They could step it up by ending sooner; like before they start.
Posted 15 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 Jazbo wrote:
A tad dramatic, wouldn't you say?
 

If by a tad you mean drowning in it, yes.  It reminds me of one of E. Gorey's swooning Edwardian ladies.




Posted 15 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 cosmiclint wrote:
These guys sure know how to end a song :)
 
True, and David Caruso knows how to button a scene.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glvGfQnx3DI

Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
reminds very much of 'the shoulders'...trashman shoes et al.....what became of them actually?
Posted 15 years ago by demfrosch    [ Reply ]
These guys are due for another album. Wonder what Win & the Gang are up to.
Posted 15 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
A tad dramatic, wouldn't you say?
Posted 15 years ago by Jazbo    [ Reply ]
 Wizzuvv_oz wrote:

I don't even know what meretricious means.  But the other ones are dead on.  Someone else called them something like "the biggest of all of the emo whiners".  Now that may _all_ be true, but I think this is a great song and there's a couple of others from this album that are also stunning.

 
meretricious |merəˈtri sh əs|
adjective
1 apparently attractive but having in reality no value or integrity

like television news shows or economic reforms
maybe that's oxymoron

Posted 15 years ago by coy    [ Reply ]
Seriously, I know what you are saying... there is a lot of influence from Bruce Springsteen and even from other bands mainy heard in the 80s. Did I mention that I LOVE this album?

 kaybee wrote:
Darn... when I first heard this, I thought Bruce Springsteen had finally broken out with something as exciting as his early work!
 


Posted 15 years ago by songbirdfemme    [ Reply ]
I keep trying to find something to like about Arcade Fire. Still no luck. There's no there there.

Posted 15 years ago by liveinthewire    [ Reply ]
 Wizzuvv_oz wrote:

I don't even know what meretricious means.  But the other ones are dead on.  Someone else called them something like "the biggest of all of the emo whiners".  Now that may _all_ be true, but I think this is a great song and there's a couple of others from this album that are also stunning.

 

"Emo and the Bunnymen" ?

Posted 15 years ago by bchartier    [ Reply ]
 wbeaver wrote:
I sadly know little about Arcade Fire. Does anyone think their singer sounds like Ian McColloch(sp?) of Echo & the Bunymen (for those of us old enough to know Echo...)
  Wow, never realized that until I read your post but they do sound alike.  Maybe that's why they sound "familiar" to my ears ...


Posted 15 years ago by WayUpNorth    [ Reply ]
 Hannio wrote:


And overwrought, florid and meretricious.
 
I don't even know what meretricious means.  But the other ones are dead on.  Someone else called them something like "the biggest of all of the emo whiners".  Now that may _all_ be true, but I think this is a great song and there's a couple of others from this album that are also stunning.

Posted 15 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
I love the melodrama on this album!!!! - 9
Posted 15 years ago by songbirdfemme    [ Reply ]
These guys sure know how to end a song :)
Posted 15 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
 wbeaver wrote:
I sadly know little about Arcade Fire. Does anyone think their singer sounds like Ian McColloch(sp?) of Echo & the Bunymen (for those of us old enough to know Echo...)
 
Yeah, it's uncanny...

Posted 15 years ago by kimacho    [ Reply ]
 plaid wrote:
I love this whole album.
 

Yep its great and keeps growing..(thats what she said.)

Posted 15 years ago by SweTex    [ Reply ]
I sadly know little about Arcade Fire. Does anyone think their singer sounds like Ian McColloch(sp?) of Echo & the Bunymen (for those of us old enough to know Echo...)
Posted 15 years ago by wbeaver    [ Reply ]
I love this whole album.
Posted 15 years ago by plaid    [ Reply ]
Me,I like the sound from the ocean,well mixed in!

Posted 15 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
 calypsus_1 wrote:

fruit of the developed work this band reached a place above average  -    7.


 
If you don't write fortune cookies for a living, maybe you should look into it.

You have The Knack.

Posted 15 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
Darn... when I first heard this, I thought Bruce Springsteen had finally broken out with something as exciting as his early work!
Posted 15 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
 Dior wrote:

All right, I'll be more specific.  I didn't mean doped up or on speed, nor on Valium.  I meant that the sound (not somebody -wasn't clear about that) is really beefed up for such a downbeat number.  And underneath all that inflated sound (it's called Ocean of Noise...) is a perfect "Orbison" melody.

 
I definitely hear where you're coming from here. The ending bit with the drums definitely brings it home as well.


Posted 15 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
 cirruss wrote:

very dissapressing after 'Funeral'.... such high hopes.... {#Cry}
 
I thought so too at first and put the album away for a year, but after pulling it back out it's been growing on me.  I think I came in with the wrong expectations; there are some rather good songs on here.

Posted 15 years ago by andrewmi    [ Reply ]
 Hannio wrote:


Nothing about this makes me think of anybody on steroids.
 
All right, I'll be more specific.  I didn't mean doped up or on speed, nor on Valium.  I meant that the sound (not somebody -wasn't clear about that) is really beefed up for such a downbeat number.  And underneath all that inflated sound (it's called Ocean of Noise...) is a perfect "Orbison" melody.

Posted 15 years ago by Dior    [ Reply ]
 Dior wrote:
Believe it or not, this makes me think of Roy Orbison on steroids.  An absolute perfect little song and that mariachi stuff at the end is a real find...
 

Nothing about this makes me think of anybody on steroids.
Posted 15 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
I think this is an amazing song - wish I had the talent to write music, sing, be a professional musician, get a recording deal, blah, blah, blah. But, all I do is post on a forum..and ...listen to a great radio station
Posted 15 years ago by arserocket    [ Reply ]

this album is a true album and judging it by one song is like saying you're dinner is shit cuz you didn't like the peas.  The true value of this song lies in the context of the album.


Posted 16 years ago by i4niblind    [ Reply ]
 mirland wrote:
I simply don't get it. Pompous and pretentious but boring.
 

And overwrought, florid and meretricious.
Posted 16 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 tony99 wrote:
Very disappointing overall after 'Funeral'
 
very dissapressing after 'Funeral'.... such high hopes.... {#Cry}
Posted 16 years ago by cirruss    [ Reply ]

fruit of the developed work this band reached a place above average  -    7.


Posted 16 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
Believe it or not, this makes me think of Roy Orbison on steroids.  An absolute perfect little song and that mariachi stuff at the end is a real find...
Posted 16 years ago by Dior    [ Reply ]
Almost a bit of Procol Harem here as well ... voice thinner than Brooker's however.
Posted 16 years ago by DBM    [ Reply ]
Very disappointing overall after 'Funeral'
Posted 16 years ago by tony99    [ Reply ]
 mirland wrote:

I simply don't get it. Pompous and pretentious but boring.

  Amen! With no singing talent to boot. Dreck.


Posted 16 years ago by meloman    [ Reply ]
Good song! {#Clap}
Posted 16 years ago by OldFrenchie    [ Reply ]
I like the begining - before it really sounds too much like Arcade Fire.
Posted 16 years ago by b17m4p    [ Reply ]
Good song.
Posted 16 years ago by Gish05    [ Reply ]
This sounds a lot like a Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds tune. Very clear resemblance. And very nicely done.
Posted 16 years ago by esotericderek    [ Reply ]
I effing LOVE this!
Posted 16 years ago by Atlantis    [ Reply ]
out_to_lunch wrote:
echos of the Bunnymen on this one.... :D
Yeah the mood, the am..bi..ance a bit but not the vocal really...
Posted 16 years ago by inindian    [ Reply ]
You know how some songs send you across the room to the computer so you can see who it is and make a comment about the tune? This is one of those for me; unfortunately, the comment is "blech." The outro IS mildly interesting, but doesn't at all redeem the tuneless singing and lackluster arrangement.
Posted 16 years ago by lee_sf    [ Reply ]
I like the slightly de-tuned sound of the instruments on this one. Or is it just my imagination?
Posted 16 years ago by spaceman    [ Reply ]
MsJudi wrote:
Meh.
seconded
Posted 16 years ago by TheFriendlyCat    [ Reply ]
out_to_lunch wrote:
echos of the Bunnymen on this one.... (psst...that was a play on words, I know the name of the band so don't bother to correct me cooler-than-thous) :D
I agree, and I liked your play on words. I didn't like this the 1st dozen times I heard it (and still don't get the huge appeal of AF), but it's growing on me.
Posted 16 years ago by islander    [ Reply ]
Renzo wrote:
Kind of sounds like Mark Knopfler.
Of all the outlandish comments... surely, you jest?
Posted 16 years ago by Darkmatter    [ Reply ]
echos of the Bunnymen on this one.... (psst...that was a play on words, I know the name of the band so don't bother to correct me cooler-than-thous) :D
Posted 16 years ago by out_to_lunch    [ Reply ]
Too bad his style is "struggling on the vocals."
Posted 16 years ago by BlueHeronDruid    [ Reply ]
DoctorHooey wrote:
Crap. I give. I'm buying this tonight.
LOL, yeah, me too. Marking it up to 10 from 9 and then heading to amazon ...
Posted 16 years ago by smehan55    [ Reply ]
mirland wrote:
I simply don't get it. Pompous and pretentious but boring.
I totally agree.
Posted 16 years ago by djake    [ Reply ]
mirland wrote:
I simply don't get it. Pompous and pretentious but boring.
I can totally respect that. To me it's all about the end, from when the drums pick up, to when it fades out to just the orchestral stuff.
Posted 16 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
I simply don't get it. Pompous and pretentious but boring.
Posted 16 years ago by mirland    [ Reply ]
Kind of sounds like Mark Knopfler.
Posted 16 years ago by Renzo    [ Reply ]
Crap. I give. I'm buying this tonight.
Posted 16 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
chirpie wrote:
When 'Fire' was touring with Bruce Springsteen, Bruce had them come out and play "Keep the Car Running" a couple times with Bruce's band. So yeah, I totally hear Bruce in here. :-)
Springsteen and Win Butler were on the cover of the Dec 07 Spin magazine, and were interviewed together inside. Win discussed the Boss as an influence, along with Motown and Goodbye, Babylon, a collection of "field recordings from churches from between 1902 and 1960." Butler also talked about playing either Nebraska or Mr. State Trooper live. I think Darkness on the Edge of Town myself.
Posted 16 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
stunning...and saw the live performance...fantastic..
Posted 16 years ago by linlanc    [ Reply ]
love every second of it.
Posted 16 years ago by lkson    [ Reply ]
darkhorse53 wrote:
i like this better everytime I hear it.
Same here! It's taken me a long time to warm up to these guys, but this is the song that's done it.
Posted 16 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
Ahhh, the drummer with the Borat hair style...
Posted 16 years ago by tompoll    [ Reply ]
HonduranRed wrote:
I ask my friends and they don't hear it,.....but I totally hear good 'ol Bruce Springsteen--anyone else?
When 'Fire' was touring with Bruce Springsteen, Bruce had them come out and play "Keep the Car Running" a couple times with Bruce's band. So yeah, I totally hear Bruce in here. :-)
Posted 16 years ago by chirpie    [ Reply ]
I ask my friends and they don't hear it,.....but I totally hear good 'ol Bruce Springsteen--anyone else?
Posted 16 years ago by HonduranRed    [ Reply ]
good stuff. I plead that commercial radio doesn't steal them away from me!
Posted 16 years ago by FluorideFreeMN    [ Reply ]
i like this better everytime I hear it.
Posted 16 years ago by darkhorse53    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
Meh.
Posted 16 years ago by MsJudi    [ Reply ]
A couple of weeks ago, Arcade Fire appeared on PBS's Austin City Limits. It was really a fantastic performance, consisting of songs from this album and Funeral. If you're a fan, look for it in the (inevitable) reruns.
Posted 16 years ago by Gribnif    [ Reply ]
This grew on me enough to buy the album. It's good but not great I think. Love this song though and a couple of others on there. ed: the E. Gory comparison below is funny (accurate I think) lol
Posted 16 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
djcoolhandluke wrote:
Meh. Way too overwrought for me.
Ditto. Arcade Fire reminds me of Edward Gorey cartoons of ridiculously swooning ladies.
Posted 17 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
Playing any one song off this album is a little tricky. For once a newer artist was concerned about album flow and how the songs relate to eachother. Neon Bible is a great example of this. Taken as a whole, these songs are stronger than their individual components. Kudos to 'Fire' for taking the old-school approach in a world of songs that alienate eachother on the same album. :-)
Posted 17 years ago by chirpie    [ Reply ]
lathyris wrote:
If the rest of the songs are better than this one, then this will definitely be my next purchase!
This one is in the middle of the table in terms of quality tracks on Neon Bible. I actually like this album better than Funeral. Many of the songs start off weak, and have strong middles and ends. Give them time.
Posted 17 years ago by ekalvi    [ Reply ]
It's grown on me. A six to an eight.
Posted 17 years ago by CafeRacer    [ Reply ]
Check out this great use of a different AC song: (click here)
Posted 17 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]