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Thanks to [livejournal.com profile] minyan, I've found a new way to vacuum the cat while pretending to be productive. You may already be familiar with the iTunes Oracle, but this truly combines the uselessness of that meme with the illusion of actually doing work. I give you:

The iTunes Plot Generator! (Disclaimer: my interpretations have taken on a decidedly fantastic bent. I don't think the songs can be blamed for that.)

Our story begins with: "Risingson," Massive Attack
The heir to some great responsibility, probably a hereditary position of authority, possibly a throne. Despite the song's title, I'm gonna make it a her, because I'm contrary like that.

who is living in: "treasure hiding," Cocteau Twins
Exile, possibly with many others who fled her home with her and many of the resources of her family.

and spends time: "Take On Me," a-Ha
reading comic books training, in hopes of being able to face whatever the invaders might throw at her.

while longing for: "月と王子" -- this is the Katamari Rap from the Katamari Damacy soundtrack
an opportunity to yo! ha! get up! . . . By which I mean that she is tired of sitting on her hands and wants to actually do something.

In her troubled past, she: "Lullaby," Tom Waits
has realized that Daddy is never coming back, and that if anything about her situation is going to change, it'll have to be her that changes it.

and since then, she has: "Been Caught Stealing," Richard Cheese (Well, that's pretty obvious.)
tried to lead raids into her home country in hopes of finding support for her cause. Unfortunately, the raids have been unsuccessful, and on more than one occasion the authorities have arrested her.

leaving her conflicted over: "Star Guitar," Chemical Brothers
whether this is likely to go on as a journey that changes only superficially, and whether others feel as she does.

On this fateful day, our hero: "Can You Picture That?" Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem
Ooo...for some reason, I'm seeing Dr. Teeth as a diabolical figure here, more akin to Dr. Faust . . . She meets several students of the dark arts, whose master offers her all sorts of ambitious insane visions, with the promise that it's only her lack of imagination and resolve that holds her back.

which causes this conflict or risks this loss: "Gong," Sigur Ros (Hm. Hard to know what to make of this, since it's in "Hopelandic." Ah.)
The price of it is her own hope of doing this on her own, as she had always been taught she was meant to do.

She resolves to: "Atlantic City," Bruce Springsteen
compromise what's left of her morals in order to risk the chance for a better future.

but fails to: "Is This What Everybody Wants," Solaris soundtrack
realize that what she desires might not be the best for her country.

intensifying their conflict by: "Go DA DA," Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex soundtrack
hiring a kazoo band upping the ante in this nascent civil war, thus leading to an increasing sense of menace and absurdity. (Strangely, that's what I get from this track -- it's a repeated kazoo chorus over percussion that becomes louder and more ominous, like some huge malevolent clockwork winding up.)

Pressures build until: "Cloudbusting," Kate Bush
the leader of the occupation arrests her, citing the powers she's allied with as cause to imprison her.

At this crucial point, she chooses: "Flash Gordon," Queen. (Aw, hell.)
to save not just her supporters, not just her kingdom, but every one of us! She turns her back on the dark powers and somehow manages to expel or negate them. Based on the song, I'd say she does this as showily as possible, and using a lot of gold lamé.

and the story resolves with: "Aijo," Varttina
Her attempt only partly succeeds, and she is wounded by the diabolical doctor's poisoned knife. However, with what strength she has remaining, she curses him, driving his ilk from the land.

Hmm. A little heavy on backstory, way too melodramatic, and I'd need to flesh out the actual events, but that's not bad at all. (And yes, I did manage to get some work done today.)

Date: 2006-09-27 04:51 am (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
Wow, this is a brilliant idea. I just tried it and it seemed to take on a life of itself. Once you put your brain in the right interpretive state anything can seem to "fit". I can understand how people believe in Tarot cards and the like.

I don't have a blog/LJ so I feel the need to share despite not knowing you. Sorry if the length annoys.

Our story begins with: Blue Jeans, Blur -- A depressed young man
who is living in: Sometimes, Erasure
his girlfriend's flat, but their relationship is on the verge of breaking up

and spends time: Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini #18, Rhachmaninov
contemplating the past

while longing for: Born Slippy, Underworld -- A life of drugs and wild partying

In his troubled past, he: We Care A Lot, Faith No More
worked for the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq back in the aughties

and since then, he has: Living With War, Neil Young
(yikes! I swear I decided on the previous one before hitting next. I was all pleased with myself for
deciding We Care A Lot should have been the CPA theme song, and then serendipity steps in and kills the humour).
anyway: fallen into despair about the world

leaving him conflicted over: Down, Liz Phair
Indulging in gloom and self-pity despite not having really suffered.

On this fateful day, our hero: Low, REM -- has a breakdown.

which causes this conflict or risks this loss: Break On Through To The Other Side, The Doors
(wow, writes itself dunnit)

I leave the rest to the reader:

He resolves to: "Mad World", Tears For Fears
but fails to: "Theme for the common man", Copeland
intensifying their conflict by: "Loops Of Fury", Chemical Brothers
Pressures build until: "We're Not Going to Make It", Presidents of The USA
At this crucial point, he chooses: "Shot by both sides", Magazine
and the story resolves with: "If You Don't Want Me To Destroy You", Super Furry Animals

Thanks,

Andrew

Date: 2006-09-27 08:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] stealthmuffin.livejournal.com
You're welcome! Credit really should go to [livejournal.com profile] minyan, who came up with it all on her own.

I'd also recommend the Evil Overlord Plot Generator. (http://sff.net/paradise/plottricks.htm) I've actually sold one story that came straight out of using it.

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