Last songs

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Thinking Fellers Union Local 282 – Noble Experiment [buy]

Nomeansno – Joyful Reunion [buy]

Destroyer – Thief [buy]

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What do these songs have in common? Well, aside from being particularly good, they’re also three perfectly executed album-closing songs. They’re last songs, not merely by virtue of being arbitrarily placed at the end of an album, but by coming as close as possible to being both conclusion to and summary of what came before. They’re the kinds of songs that make the concept of “album” a meaningful one by giving it a continuity and cohesiveness that makes it more than just a list of songs put together out of contractual obligation or for lack of any better ideas. They’re also the kinds of songs that I haven’t been listening to enough these days. For the past year I’ve devoted far less time to actively listening to albums the way I used to and I kind of miss it. Which is, in part, why I’ve decided to stop writing about music and devote that extra time to actually listening to it – a sentiment I imagine is appropriately melodramatic for what amounts to my last popsheep post. Actually, I always enjoy reading David, Jay and Amy’s posts about a billion times more than I like writing them so I’m feeling pretty good about leaving things in their able hands.

-Ian

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Editor's note: For some reason Ian was having trouble posting this so I put it up on his behalf. You will be missed!

Little Big Adventure

It starts with Miami booty beats with a case of anemia and a bad drank habit. But as the song progresses I started to develop the fantasy that I had found the sad last attempt of a synth pop star who was shaping up to be a one hit wonder.

Trying to make the best of it with a toy Casio. Gone are the days of writing pure pop and driving fast cars. No, now everything is heavy sitting facing the vastness of failure. And it is the process of the fall that allows him to write a thing of beauty.

Little Big Adventure - Dress Code

lba website

Six Dozen Cookies

Thanks to the demise of Tower Records, I've recently taken a few chances. This has resulted in a new morning routine; cereal in the company of Jad and David Fair. The album is nineteen tracks and I'm only seven days in at the modest rate of one track per day. I couldn't wait until the end to share though. For your active listening pleasure:

Jad and David Fair - Four Leaf Clover

I also have to pour out some love for the co-releasing label and true great mid-western hope Friends and Relatives Records. They have reached that fine level of quality that allows me to randomly mail order from their catalogue.

Six Grand Pianos on the Beach

England is full of delicately themed bands. i know i have no collar is cat themed but I consider this song to be remotely beach themed. I say remotely because Bristol in a river town, not a beach town. I think that maybe the beach theme is actually just the manifestation of the omni-Bristolian Marine Girls influence. The Marine Girls were England's greatest beach themed band, despite peaceful river residence. Do i know i have no collar have pets?


I know I have no collar - secret drawer


References:
[1] My Two Toms
[2] Francois
[3] Lonely Ponies
[4] Stitch Stitch Records
[5] Things from Here

Young@Heart

My cold icy heart is warmed by Young@Heart's rendition of Sonic Youth's "Schizophrenia".

Like a bottle of Benadryl

Well, I've been busy growing long hair and busy more recently roasting chestnuts. Good excuses for no posts, I think.

I got to see Indian Jewelry this Thursday and I'm still reeling. I've said this to a few people since the show - this band altered my mind! Space and time did not exist during their set & I think I'll be staying in tonight listening to their record trying to induce that state again.

This jam is good and long, I recommend putting on a pair of headphones, closing your eyes and fffllloooaaatttt...

Going South - Indian Jewellery

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While in Montreal, after Mousy Connection died, Daddy's Hands was virtually unbookable since Dave didn't have a phone. When they did play, the music was still amazingly forward looking. I quite clearly recall all the Victoria people singing Queen Anne/I Know/I'll see you in hell.


Daddy's Hands - Live at Thunderbird Radio Hell, 1996


I Want to be Inflated