I'm hesitant to do this one, because I'm worried that as soon as I pick my favorite artist, the sky will rip in half and my decision will be set in stone for eternity. This is the artist that will be my favorite FOREVER, regardless of how many favorites I've had in the past, and that anxiety is crippling.
I'm stalling, really.
Okay, here we go:
Actually, can I first just say how self-indulgent it is of me to write more about my song choices than my friends? While everyone else is content with a one or two sentence explanation, I feel the need to use my typical long-winded approach to explain my choices.
Still stalling, sorry.
"Woods" by Bon Iver.
At this specific moment, I enjoy listening to Bon Iver (which is apparently pronounced "bone eve-air" or something, but I'm from Michigan and still pronounce things like I was taught in kindergarten: "Sound it out." Sorry, Sufjan...) more than any other band.
Not only are the textures in the guitars (both acoustic and electric) vibrant and colorful, but Justin Vernon's voice is always haunting, whether he goes the falsetto route or sticks to a more natural tone.
The song I picked today, though, is different from other Bon Iver songs. The heavy use of Auto-tune made me rethink my preconceived notions about the tool, and made me think of it as just that: a tool. While too many artists use it as a crutch, this song uses it as an instrument, giving the voice a very unnatural sound, but somehow not artificial. It still sounds pleasant and earnest even without other instruments behind it.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
30 Day Song Challenge, Day 10: Song That You Can Fall Asleep To
I can pretty much fall asleep to anything: music, police sirens, bad sex, etc. But if I had to pick a specific song (that's kind of the point of this exercise), I would go with an obscure one:
"The Dead Flag Blues" by Godspeed You! Black Emperor.
And I wonder why I have nightmares...
This 16:30 instrumental song seems like it would be a great song to fall asleep to, until you get about 40 seconds into it and the haunting voice of some creepy dude spews some of the most depressing shit you have ever heard.
It's true that GY!BE is usually very good to fall asleep to, as well as other post-rock instrumentalists Explosions in the Sky, as their music burns slowly, ebbs and flows and guides you into sleep. Unfortunately, your subconscious is likely still awake and absorbing, listening to this kooky, dark music. Except for the introduction, there is really no voice that you listen to for words and there is no chorus or verse to expect.
This song can put you right to sleep, but you'll feel uneasy about doing so. It's pretty fucked up, but effective.
"The Dead Flag Blues" by Godspeed You! Black Emperor.
And I wonder why I have nightmares...
This 16:30 instrumental song seems like it would be a great song to fall asleep to, until you get about 40 seconds into it and the haunting voice of some creepy dude spews some of the most depressing shit you have ever heard.
It's true that GY!BE is usually very good to fall asleep to, as well as other post-rock instrumentalists Explosions in the Sky, as their music burns slowly, ebbs and flows and guides you into sleep. Unfortunately, your subconscious is likely still awake and absorbing, listening to this kooky, dark music. Except for the introduction, there is really no voice that you listen to for words and there is no chorus or verse to expect.
This song can put you right to sleep, but you'll feel uneasy about doing so. It's pretty fucked up, but effective.
30 Day Song Challenge, Day 9: Song That You Can Dance To
I don't typically dance. At least not in the way that most people think of when they say "dance." I'm more of a jumper--I prefer to jump around as opposed to well-choreographed maneuvers. But there is an exception, and one that I am hesitant to publicize.
Whatever, haters love to hate:
"Hoedown Throwdown" by Miley Cyrus.
There's really not much of an excuse for me knowing all the moves to this song, but I can dance the shit out of it!
The "Hoedown Throwdown" is like the modern-day version of the Hokey-Pokey. But I am in no way saying that one song is better than the other, or that either are "good" to begin with.
This is also a nice party trick, but only when I'm really drunk, or there are girls present.
Whatever, haters love to hate:
"Hoedown Throwdown" by Miley Cyrus.
There's really not much of an excuse for me knowing all the moves to this song, but I can dance the shit out of it!
The "Hoedown Throwdown" is like the modern-day version of the Hokey-Pokey. But I am in no way saying that one song is better than the other, or that either are "good" to begin with.
This is also a nice party trick, but only when I'm really drunk, or there are girls present.
30 Day Song Challenge, Day 8: Song That You Know All The Words To
Okay, "song that you know all the words to" may be one of the easiest challenges on the list, so I'm going to pick the song that is surprising for me to know all the words to. I like challenges:
"Albuquerque" by "Weird Al" Yankovic.
I'm not ashamed.
I am a huge "Weird Al" fan and his album "Running With Scissors" was one of the first CDs I ever owned. While his parodies tore apart some of the world's most-beloved songs, they also turned me on to some of my now-favorite bands. He's been making parody songs for over 30 years now and is still as relevant today (possibly more relevant?) than he was when he began.
The last track on "Running With Scissors" was the 11-minute "Albuquerque," a mad-libs-esque story song that follows some unnamed narrator to finding true happiness in the titled city. The absurd narrative lasts for the entire 11 minutes and after memorizing the words to all the songs before it, one day I found out that I had listened to the song enough times that I had magically began to retain the whole story. Even though I didn't understand what a "Flock of Seagulls haircut" was or why it was ironic to bite a man in the jugular, I could recite everything.
I still do it on occasion as a party trick, but that's only when the party is really desperate for entertainment.
"Albuquerque" by "Weird Al" Yankovic.
I'm not ashamed.
I am a huge "Weird Al" fan and his album "Running With Scissors" was one of the first CDs I ever owned. While his parodies tore apart some of the world's most-beloved songs, they also turned me on to some of my now-favorite bands. He's been making parody songs for over 30 years now and is still as relevant today (possibly more relevant?) than he was when he began.
The last track on "Running With Scissors" was the 11-minute "Albuquerque," a mad-libs-esque story song that follows some unnamed narrator to finding true happiness in the titled city. The absurd narrative lasts for the entire 11 minutes and after memorizing the words to all the songs before it, one day I found out that I had listened to the song enough times that I had magically began to retain the whole story. Even though I didn't understand what a "Flock of Seagulls haircut" was or why it was ironic to bite a man in the jugular, I could recite everything.
I still do it on occasion as a party trick, but that's only when the party is really desperate for entertainment.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
30 Day Song Challenge, Day 7: Song That Reminds You Of An Event
This has gotten to the point where I'm worried of repeating myself. Day 5 and 6 were both specific events with specific people, and today's Song Challenge makes me question my previous choices as being too specific.
Specifics.
Anyways, this is my shot at Day 7:
"Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine" by The Killers.
Really, it should be their discography circa Summer 2008, but I'll get to why I chose this song in a second.
I was a huge Killers fan (I don't use "The"s if it makes sentences. I'm sure you'll cope) during my freshman year of college. On the last night we were all living in the dorms (Johnson Living Center), I decided to work on a special project that I daydreamed up during my last final. So, using the rec room white board, I drew out a caricature map of all of my college friends, a group that we titled the G.V.S.C. (named after a chair we found baring the same initials, which we astutely assumed stood for "Grand Valley State Chair).
I knew I didn't want to stop for anything, so I needed to put on one artist to listen to until I finished my project (for all-night papers, my go-to was Godspeed You! Black Emperor). I landed on The Killers because I thought they'd keep me up and were one of the less-embarrassing artists on my iTunes (besides Fall Out Boy and the Juno soundtrack). I worked until my shuffle ran out of their songs and then I started it over again.
I'm not exactly sure why this night stuck with me, as I'd listen to The Killers frequently and often. It may be the fact that they were the soundtrack to the conclusion of my first year of college, something definite that I wanted to make special with a certain musical selection.
It was only recently, in the company of one of my freshman year, who I drew, informed me of the so-called Murder Trilogy within The Killers' discography, a notion that blew my mind open. It was some great Easter egg that I was finally privy to after all these years, the fact that "Jenny," "Midnight Show," and "Leave the Bourbon on the Shelf" tell a homicidal narrative within the lyrics.
Hope I didn't spoil anything for you.
Specifics.
Anyways, this is my shot at Day 7:
"Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine" by The Killers.
Really, it should be their discography circa Summer 2008, but I'll get to why I chose this song in a second.
I was a huge Killers fan (I don't use "The"s if it makes sentences. I'm sure you'll cope) during my freshman year of college. On the last night we were all living in the dorms (Johnson Living Center), I decided to work on a special project that I daydreamed up during my last final. So, using the rec room white board, I drew out a caricature map of all of my college friends, a group that we titled the G.V.S.C. (named after a chair we found baring the same initials, which we astutely assumed stood for "Grand Valley State Chair).
I knew I didn't want to stop for anything, so I needed to put on one artist to listen to until I finished my project (for all-night papers, my go-to was Godspeed You! Black Emperor). I landed on The Killers because I thought they'd keep me up and were one of the less-embarrassing artists on my iTunes (besides Fall Out Boy and the Juno soundtrack). I worked until my shuffle ran out of their songs and then I started it over again.
I'm not exactly sure why this night stuck with me, as I'd listen to The Killers frequently and often. It may be the fact that they were the soundtrack to the conclusion of my first year of college, something definite that I wanted to make special with a certain musical selection.
It was only recently, in the company of one of my freshman year, who I drew, informed me of the so-called Murder Trilogy within The Killers' discography, a notion that blew my mind open. It was some great Easter egg that I was finally privy to after all these years, the fact that "Jenny," "Midnight Show," and "Leave the Bourbon on the Shelf" tell a homicidal narrative within the lyrics.
Hope I didn't spoil anything for you.
30 Day Song Challenge, Day 6: Song That Reminds You Of Somewhere
I've been waiting for this one:
"Hotel California [live]" by Eagles.
This song was the definition of "no-brainer" for me. No matter how many times I hear this song out of context, I will always remember listening to it at Camp Talahi.
Since 9th grade, I would go to Talahi for a week every summer. Each would be the best summer of my life, surpassing the one before, and every time I left, I began to count the days until I would return next year. What makes this song special is that, after every dance on the last night of the week, everyone would form a huge circle and--in some cult-like fashion--sway back and forth to this song.
It would be creepy if it wasn't so... communal. Somehow, even with all of the bonding time throughout the week, from get-to-know-you games to late-night sneak-offs, everyone felt a real part of something special standing with their arms around each other. You could see every one of your peers and share in this special moment where no one spoke and someone would occasionally mime a subdued drum fill.
Even though it's likely a very misinformed interpretation of the song, we all took the last line to heart: "You can check out any time you like, but can't never leave" essentially spoke what was all on our minds--we could leave this place physically, but never in our hearts. (Hey, it was an emotional time and we weren't concerned about sounding trite or cliche!)
What made this version of the song so special is that you essentially had to earn it at Talahi. While "Hotel California" was the last song at every camp dance, this live version from Hell Freezes Over--an acoustic reimagining of the song that deserves props for switching up the formula--was only played at Senior High II, the week for the oldest campers, 11th and 12th graders. It was a way to point out that this was likely the group's last year together before going off to college (which sounds disarmingly cruel the more I think about it). The extended introduction ensured that this shared experience would be shared just a few minutes longer and is considered the more "mature" version of the song.
And while I can play this song on Guitar Hero 4 and somehow managed to play it live in one of my band, Crashing Economy's shows, it will always be securely connected with Talahi and every summer I was there, warm smell of colitas rising up through the air. [Edit: upon researching, it has been brought to my attention that "colitas" is slang for weed. So... never mind...]
"Hotel California [live]" by Eagles.
This song was the definition of "no-brainer" for me. No matter how many times I hear this song out of context, I will always remember listening to it at Camp Talahi.
Since 9th grade, I would go to Talahi for a week every summer. Each would be the best summer of my life, surpassing the one before, and every time I left, I began to count the days until I would return next year. What makes this song special is that, after every dance on the last night of the week, everyone would form a huge circle and--in some cult-like fashion--sway back and forth to this song.
It would be creepy if it wasn't so... communal. Somehow, even with all of the bonding time throughout the week, from get-to-know-you games to late-night sneak-offs, everyone felt a real part of something special standing with their arms around each other. You could see every one of your peers and share in this special moment where no one spoke and someone would occasionally mime a subdued drum fill.
Even though it's likely a very misinformed interpretation of the song, we all took the last line to heart: "You can check out any time you like, but can't never leave" essentially spoke what was all on our minds--we could leave this place physically, but never in our hearts. (Hey, it was an emotional time and we weren't concerned about sounding trite or cliche!)
What made this version of the song so special is that you essentially had to earn it at Talahi. While "Hotel California" was the last song at every camp dance, this live version from Hell Freezes Over--an acoustic reimagining of the song that deserves props for switching up the formula--was only played at Senior High II, the week for the oldest campers, 11th and 12th graders. It was a way to point out that this was likely the group's last year together before going off to college (which sounds disarmingly cruel the more I think about it). The extended introduction ensured that this shared experience would be shared just a few minutes longer and is considered the more "mature" version of the song.
And while I can play this song on Guitar Hero 4 and somehow managed to play it live in one of my band, Crashing Economy's shows, it will always be securely connected with Talahi and every summer I was there, warm smell of colitas rising up through the air. [Edit: upon researching, it has been brought to my attention that "colitas" is slang for weed. So... never mind...]
30 Day Song Challenge, Day 5: Song That Reminds You Of Someone
This one is a tough one, because a lot of songs remind me of a lot of people. So, really, this is an easy one, I guess.
I'm not entirely sure why this song in particular came to mind for this challenge, but it has a universal feel about it, so I guess everyone can relate, if you've heard the song:
"Home" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros.
Last summer, my girlfriend at the time got us tickets to a Jack Johnson concert for my birthday. It was great, and I remember being really excited about it. But somehow, the show was really a disappointment. I just wasn't feeling it, and I felt bad that she had gone through all this trouble to get the tickets and get us to the concert.
But during the long wait to get out of the parking lot, this song came on her iPod and somehow made the whole night worth it. I had only heard the song in passing before then, but as we sat in her car at 1 o'clock in the morning, waiting for the lines of traffic to clear out, we were holding hands and listening to this song, smiling from the very middle of ourselves. It was young love, and these hipster musicians had captured all the cavity-inducing sweetness in five minutes. Complete with whistling.
The lyrics are so simple, they should be stupid, but they really work in this song. There's not a single negative thing to be said by either party in this duet. And maybe it's the fact that these two people are singing these lines to each other that makes it seem so plausible.
I know a lot of couples play this song because it "like, y'know, so speaks to, like, who we are, as a couple." This song encapsulates that stupid, boundary-less summer love that we all have. No regrets, no second thoughts. It's the absolute best of times, with no concern as to when these "worst of times" will start to appear.
Anyways, this song makes me think of my ex-girlfriend. We played this song probably five times on the roadtrip back to my house that night. And I've been whistling the tune ever since.
I'm not entirely sure why this song in particular came to mind for this challenge, but it has a universal feel about it, so I guess everyone can relate, if you've heard the song:
"Home" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros.
Last summer, my girlfriend at the time got us tickets to a Jack Johnson concert for my birthday. It was great, and I remember being really excited about it. But somehow, the show was really a disappointment. I just wasn't feeling it, and I felt bad that she had gone through all this trouble to get the tickets and get us to the concert.
But during the long wait to get out of the parking lot, this song came on her iPod and somehow made the whole night worth it. I had only heard the song in passing before then, but as we sat in her car at 1 o'clock in the morning, waiting for the lines of traffic to clear out, we were holding hands and listening to this song, smiling from the very middle of ourselves. It was young love, and these hipster musicians had captured all the cavity-inducing sweetness in five minutes. Complete with whistling.
The lyrics are so simple, they should be stupid, but they really work in this song. There's not a single negative thing to be said by either party in this duet. And maybe it's the fact that these two people are singing these lines to each other that makes it seem so plausible.
I know a lot of couples play this song because it "like, y'know, so speaks to, like, who we are, as a couple." This song encapsulates that stupid, boundary-less summer love that we all have. No regrets, no second thoughts. It's the absolute best of times, with no concern as to when these "worst of times" will start to appear.
Anyways, this song makes me think of my ex-girlfriend. We played this song probably five times on the roadtrip back to my house that night. And I've been whistling the tune ever since.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
30 Day Song Challenge, Day 4: Song That Makes You Sad
I can watch a movie and feel sad. I watched Requiem For A Dream and didn't smile for a year and a half.
But music, which is supposed to be full of feeling and emotion, rarely has a negative effect on me. There are songs that I find sad, but nothing that makes me sad as a result of its sadness.
Here's a shot at it, though:
"Friend of a Friend" by Foo Fighters.
This is just a fucking depressing song, not only because of the acoustic guitar and tempo, but the subject matter. It was written when Grohl first joined Nirvana about Kurt Cobain (y'know, before he died). Lines like "He's never been in love, but he knows just what love is," and "He thinks he drinks too much, 'cause when he tells his two best friends, 'I think I drink too much,' no one speaks" are just heartbreaking. They may not be the best-written lines in music history (they were written by Grohl still early in his music career), but they pack a wallop for me.
It's just sad, very sad.
But music, which is supposed to be full of feeling and emotion, rarely has a negative effect on me. There are songs that I find sad, but nothing that makes me sad as a result of its sadness.
Here's a shot at it, though:
"Friend of a Friend" by Foo Fighters.
This is just a fucking depressing song, not only because of the acoustic guitar and tempo, but the subject matter. It was written when Grohl first joined Nirvana about Kurt Cobain (y'know, before he died). Lines like "He's never been in love, but he knows just what love is," and "He thinks he drinks too much, 'cause when he tells his two best friends, 'I think I drink too much,' no one speaks" are just heartbreaking. They may not be the best-written lines in music history (they were written by Grohl still early in his music career), but they pack a wallop for me.
It's just sad, very sad.
30 Day Song Challenge, Day 3: Song That Makes You Happy
Okay, most music makes me happy. I think tomorrow's (today's... er, yesterdays [fuck schedules]), will be more difficult.
I honestly couldn't pick a song that makes me the most happy, because that's impossible to choose. Instead, I've picked a song that I consider to be very happy, and if it had a personality, I would probably hate it for being so goddamn cheerful all the time.
"Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra.
I could have listed any song by Matt & Kim or Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin and called it good. But this song drips with so much good nature that you can make a fine tea out of it.
It's just a happy song. I find it hard to even write about what makes it so cheerful. It just is.
I honestly couldn't pick a song that makes me the most happy, because that's impossible to choose. Instead, I've picked a song that I consider to be very happy, and if it had a personality, I would probably hate it for being so goddamn cheerful all the time.
"Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra.
I could have listed any song by Matt & Kim or Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin and called it good. But this song drips with so much good nature that you can make a fine tea out of it.
It's just a happy song. I find it hard to even write about what makes it so cheerful. It just is.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
30 Day Song Challenge, Day 2: Your Least Favorite Song
Everyone would expect me to choose "Bang the Drum All Day" or "Mississippi Queen" (a song that I never admitted to hating, but was still associated with loathing). I won't even pick any Top 40 because I don't necessarily hate Top 40--I just find it all repetitive and disappointing. I've talked about these songs before so there's no point in repeating myself.
Instead, I'll surprise everyone with a song from a band that I actually enjoy.
"Talking Bird" by Death Cab for Cutie.
Gasp. What?! 'But Chris,' some hypothetical person is saying. 'You love Death Cab. It's annoying, frankly, how much you talk up this band.'
I know, I know, imaginary-friend-using-a-backhanded-statement. Let me explain.
I dislike almost everything about this song, and while I may not flat-out hate it more than any other song in existence, the fact that one of my favorite bands not only wrote this song BUT ALSO PUT IT ON AN ALBUM frustrates me to no end.
My first beef with the song is the tempo. While there's nothing wrong with slow songs, the way the percussion and bass shuffle along really drags the song along, like it was originally recorded at twice the speed and then cut in half-time just to see what it sounded like. "Dragged" is really the best way I can describe the song that follows the upbeat and well-paced "Cath..." Everyone sounds incredibly bored to be playing their instruments, as if waiting for there to be something grander in the conclusion. Nothing happens, though, and the song doesn't go anywhere.
Perhaps my biggest problem with the song is the lyrics, which revolve around one of the weakest, most half-assed metaphors in the history of music. Gibbard usually can produce some interesting words to put over the music, but actually take a look at the lyrics to the song and see if you can find out what Ben is getting at. Go ahead, take a look.
You get it?
His girl is like a parrot! The first half of the song seems like the protagonist is fed up with his love, who "knows so few words." She's "kept in an open cage." You got that? If she wants to fly the coop, she's free to go, and there's nothing he's going to do to stop her.
If that's not love... well, most of us know what is.
But then he drops the bomb near the end of the song, "I'll love you all your days." Wait, so this girl "on infinite repeat" (pretty annoying), can leave whenever she wants but he's still going to love her?
Quit being a bitch, dude. You really got to lock that down...
On top of the lyrics, the rhymes are very weak, as Gibbard has a hard time rhyming "bird" with "furled," "realize" and "time," "days" and "frame." The last two lines finally succeed, rhyming "stay" with "away," but it doesn't make up for shoddy writing from the rest of the song.
And yet, somehow, I have three different versions of this song.
Instead, I'll surprise everyone with a song from a band that I actually enjoy.
"Talking Bird" by Death Cab for Cutie.
Gasp. What?! 'But Chris,' some hypothetical person is saying. 'You love Death Cab. It's annoying, frankly, how much you talk up this band.'
I know, I know, imaginary-friend-using-a-backhanded-statement. Let me explain.
I dislike almost everything about this song, and while I may not flat-out hate it more than any other song in existence, the fact that one of my favorite bands not only wrote this song BUT ALSO PUT IT ON AN ALBUM frustrates me to no end.
My first beef with the song is the tempo. While there's nothing wrong with slow songs, the way the percussion and bass shuffle along really drags the song along, like it was originally recorded at twice the speed and then cut in half-time just to see what it sounded like. "Dragged" is really the best way I can describe the song that follows the upbeat and well-paced "Cath..." Everyone sounds incredibly bored to be playing their instruments, as if waiting for there to be something grander in the conclusion. Nothing happens, though, and the song doesn't go anywhere.
Perhaps my biggest problem with the song is the lyrics, which revolve around one of the weakest, most half-assed metaphors in the history of music. Gibbard usually can produce some interesting words to put over the music, but actually take a look at the lyrics to the song and see if you can find out what Ben is getting at. Go ahead, take a look.
You get it?
His girl is like a parrot! The first half of the song seems like the protagonist is fed up with his love, who "knows so few words." She's "kept in an open cage." You got that? If she wants to fly the coop, she's free to go, and there's nothing he's going to do to stop her.
If that's not love... well, most of us know what is.
But then he drops the bomb near the end of the song, "I'll love you all your days." Wait, so this girl "on infinite repeat" (pretty annoying), can leave whenever she wants but he's still going to love her?
Quit being a bitch, dude. You really got to lock that down...
On top of the lyrics, the rhymes are very weak, as Gibbard has a hard time rhyming "bird" with "furled," "realize" and "time," "days" and "frame." The last two lines finally succeed, rhyming "stay" with "away," but it doesn't make up for shoddy writing from the rest of the song.
And yet, somehow, I have three different versions of this song.
Monday, July 18, 2011
30 Day Song Challenge, Day 1: Your Favorite Song
I'm taking this opportunity to use this blog again, since I haven't been very good about keeping it up. SInce the 30 Day Song Challenge includes both positive and negative reactions to music, I figured this would work. Plus it gives me more space to expand on my decision and explain myself.
Also, I don't like spamming all 300 of my friends with my shitty taste in music.
So, here is my favorite song:
"The Past and Pending" by The Shins.
"Oh, Inverted World" by The Shins is a great debut album. I bought it because "New Slang" and "Caring Is Creepy" were featured in "Garden State" and I loved the sound of the band. It was a lot like a modern take on The Beach Boys, a band that my parents raised me on. Every song on the album seemed to be crafted in great detail and I began to make up stories in my head about how the recording process must have gone, how meticulous the producer must have been to get such an amazing sound.
"The Past and Pending" closes out the album and after listening to it once, I knew it was my favorite song. That may sound weird (and possibly a bit cheap), but something about the way the song came together gave me the best feeling in the world. The horns that occasionally pop up remind me somehow of animated movies that I used to watch in my second grade class, like The BFG or Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. It's a nostalgia trip of the best kind and TPAP hits all the right cues.
I still don't understand entirely what the lyrics mean, but I've always seen the song as a finale. Well, maybe not a finale so much as an ending, with more to come. There are some things in the past, but there is something else coming up. There's nothing definite about any ending here.
It may seem bland to a lot of people, but I find it charming.
Also, I don't like spamming all 300 of my friends with my shitty taste in music.
So, here is my favorite song:
"The Past and Pending" by The Shins.
"Oh, Inverted World" by The Shins is a great debut album. I bought it because "New Slang" and "Caring Is Creepy" were featured in "Garden State" and I loved the sound of the band. It was a lot like a modern take on The Beach Boys, a band that my parents raised me on. Every song on the album seemed to be crafted in great detail and I began to make up stories in my head about how the recording process must have gone, how meticulous the producer must have been to get such an amazing sound.
"The Past and Pending" closes out the album and after listening to it once, I knew it was my favorite song. That may sound weird (and possibly a bit cheap), but something about the way the song came together gave me the best feeling in the world. The horns that occasionally pop up remind me somehow of animated movies that I used to watch in my second grade class, like The BFG or Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. It's a nostalgia trip of the best kind and TPAP hits all the right cues.
I still don't understand entirely what the lyrics mean, but I've always seen the song as a finale. Well, maybe not a finale so much as an ending, with more to come. There are some things in the past, but there is something else coming up. There's nothing definite about any ending here.
It may seem bland to a lot of people, but I find it charming.
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