1. Random Rules
2. Smith & Jones Forever
3. Night Society
4. Federal Dust
5. People
6. Blue Arrangements
7. We Are Real
8. Send in the Clouds
9. Like Like The The The Death
10. Buckingham Rabbit
11. Honk if You’re Lonely
12. The Wild Kindness

“In 1984 I was hospitalized for approaching perfection.”

Was there ever a more appropriate introduction to an album?  There are some albums that are great because of their lyrics and others we admire for musical skill.  American Water is a great album because of both–but you wouldn’t know it unless you paid attention.  Once you settle into the leisurely beat, David Berman’s clever insight begins to shine through.  Songs like “We Are Real” are full of quotable, poetic lines like “My ski vest has buttons like convenience store mirrors, and they help me see/that everything in this room right now/is a part of me.”

And Stephen Malkmus’s (Pavement, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks) guitar lines only seem effortless.  Some people write SM off as sloppy, but songs like the sublime guitar jam “Night Society” sublime guitar jam showcase his chops* and hooky melodies**.

The final choice cut on American Water is the closer, “The Wild Kindness”, which again shows off Berman’s wordplay.  It displays a more serious side of Malkmus (who knew?!), and it actually suits him just fine.  The overall mood of American Water is introspective, despite its jam-y moments, and the final song leaves the listener feeling quiet and reflective.

American Water is an exceptional album because it works well for both casual listening and serious occasions.  I reach for this album a lot when I’m driving, and it lends itself well to long, solitary drives and introspective moments.

Download (.zip, 192 kbps mp3, 60.09 MB)

*see Real Emotional Trash by Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks for lots more jam goodness.

**see Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain by Pavement (heck, most anything by Pavement) for insanely catchy choruses and pop melodies.

1. What Do You Want From Me?
2. Shine
3. Sweet Lips
4. Buzz Gum
5. Blue
6. Junk
7. Billy Bones
8. Happy Jack
9. Tender
10. Under the Stars
11. Sedona

Monaco was the side project of Peter Hook (New Order) and David Potts (Revenge).  The group’s sound was characterized by the extensive use of high-pitched, melodic bass guitar, unusual in popular music but similar in style to New Order.  Their biggest single was “What Do You Want From Me?” off this 1997 release.  Music for Pleasure has definite appeal to those who like New Order, British pop, rock, and dance.

I discovered Music for Pleasure in a bin full of junk at a secondhand store.  I was in fourth grade at the time (smack in the middle of the boy band era–well, just ‘N Sync in my case!), and I’m not quite sure why I picked it up.  I actually really enjoyed the album then, especially the dance-y “Sweet Lips”.  I listened to the album for a few more years, then put it in my CD rack and basically ignored it until my junior year of high school–and I realized that the album held up over time and was even better than I remembered.

The last four tracks of Music for Pleasure make for good driving music, and “Tender” is my favorite song ever, period.  Even if you aren’t a fan of dance music, you should still check out Monaco.  Only two or three songs have a definite dance beat; the influence is more subtle on the rest of the album.  The most guitar-driven song is “Under the Stars”, so I suggest you start there if you’re more into rock than dance-pop.

I’m so glad I didn’t chuck this CD back into the junk pile.

Download (.rar, VBR mp3, 52.01 MB)

So, what should you expect from my music blog?  Well, a little bit of everything, I guess.  I’ll be uploading and reviewing albums, uploading mixes, and throwing in some thoughts on music in general for good measure.  Oh, and I’m also a big fan of old time radio and weird fiction, so there’ll be some radio theater from time to time as well.

I’m excited to get this project going!