No one will likely argue that music is mood-dependent, to be sure. What can be amazing in one mood can seem so boring or uninteresting in another mood. It’s in this light that I write this review.
This morning, at work, as I trudged through a couple of software tests I needed to run, I plugged in my trusty iPod and tried to decide what I wanted to listen to. I eventually decided on the Cursive Mama, I’m Swollen bonus tracks, which I hadn’t listened to yet, but which came downloadable with the LP. It was fun to hear the demos of the original songs, and interesting to hear the songs that didn’t make it. But I found that I didn’t really care very much about it.
Next, I decided on The Fire Theft. I’d been hearing about this one for ages from fellow SF-blogger Justin, but I never managed to get around to giving it a full listen. I got about halfway through their self-titled album and found that I was getting bored.
It was then that I realized what I really needed. Comfort music. I’ve been feeling unusually down today (I blame it on Monday), and I tried to think of the last album that really made my smile. That was The Gaslight Anthem’s The ‘59 Sound (which I only recently discovered, as 2008 just had too much music to digest).
As I’m listening to it right now, it’s, unsurprisingly, making me feel a lot better. Like a warm blanket when you’re cold, The Gaslight Anthem delivers nostalgia, sadness, and hope, but you’re safely sheltered from the experiences by brilliant hooks, beautiful melodies, and (I mean this in the best possible way) predictably delectable arrangements.
Their hapless country charm shines humility on them, and that coupled with the 60’s-era spring vocal delay, it’s nigh-impossible not to feel the sincerity in Brian Fallon’s voice. Their hit single, “The ‘59 Sound,” is one of the saddest and yet most loving songs that’s hit me lately. I won’t bother to quote any of it out of context, because it works so much better as a piece.
The only negative thing I can say about this album is that thirteen tracks may have been a bit ambitious. It hurts to say, but by the end, I’m ready for it to be over. And the cardinal rule of music (and maybe of all arts/entertainment) is “Leave Them Wanting More.” Well, it may not be immediately, but when you’re feeling down (or even blissful), you’ll definitely find yourself crawling back into this record like a frightened puppy in a thunderstorm.
That’s a pretty awesome recommendation. I really want to hear it now. Sometimes, I like predictability, too. It’s nice to just pop in a Ben Folds album and listen, you know? No thinking. No dissecting. Just existing with the music.
Posted by Alex White on March 16th, 2009.
HOLY CRAP A COMMENT
Posted by jim on March 16th, 2009.
Yeah, seriously. Great review.
Posted by Megan on March 25th, 2009.