Monday, December 8, 2008

Day 13

Well hello there, Gimmick Blog! Would you like me to update you? It'd be my pleasure!

Song 61: Of Montreal - "Erroneous Escape Into Eric Eckless"
Do you remember when Of Montreal was like a regular old indie pop band? It's been a damn while. This song could be confused for a lively Belle & Sebastian song. I know a lot of people pine for this era of the band (and really, Satanic Panic... really did signal the end of the simple pop band Of Montreal) but I can't imagine listening to many more songs like this one. Pass.

Song 62: The Pixies - "There Goes My Gun"
I accidentally typed "There Goes My Gum" for a second up there. That would make for a much less interesting song, probably. Not that the gun really livens this particular ditty up. I don't mean to be so snarky, because I do love The Pixies, but this is not one of their better efforts. Boring verse, boring chorus, boring song. Coincidentally, I think there is a song on The Wrens' Silver that has that weird guitar noise in it.

Song 63: Of Montreal - "Touched Something's Hollow"
I don't like to write about the same artist on back to back days, much less in the same update, but the juxtaposition is too great not to point out. This somber piano ballad filters some sad sack lyrics through a T. Rex/David Bowie glam piano that is perfect. The lyrics are simple to great effect. The song skips a chorus to go with two variations on a single 'verse': "Why'm I so damaged, girl? Why'm I such poison, girl? I don't know how long I can hold on / if it's gonna be like this forever." It's worth noting that this downtempo song goes seamlessly into one of the happiest songs on the record. Style points for that.

Song 64: Islands - "Volcanoes"
I don't think I've ever listened to this song with headphones on in a quiet room like I am doing right now, and thus never realized that the creepy talky intro goes on nearly 30 seconds! I'd like to know what that's from. This is a really fun song and very clever for being about...uh...volcanoes. It feels light and airy, like a delicious angel food cake.

Song 65: Liz Phair - "Soap Star Joe"
I don't know if I ever really listened to Exile In Guyville all the way through. At least I know I never did while I was totally paying attention. This feels very "of its time." That is to say, it sounds like mid 90s pop/grunge that could be vaguely dangerous but probably won't hurt you any. The strummed electric guitar is just sparse enough to create an atmosphere, but also loud enough so that this doesn't sound like a campfire song. It's good, but I doubt I 'll remember the tune tomorrow.