Kentucky is as exciting as ever (which means not very exciting at all). Several trips to the Waffle House, but none to Meijer, unfortunately. I may have to wait until Michigan this summer…
Anyways, here’s something quick while I’m taking a break.
First, even more new Sufjan. Every other blog has already linked to it, but whatever, I will too.
Dear Mr. Supercomputer – Sufjan Stevens
I’ll be honest, I don’t like this one as much as any song on Illinois, or any of the other Avalanche tracks that have been released. Still, it’s not bad, and it’s interesting to see Sufjan go in a slightly different direction. It’s still got the horns, the chorus, the big arrangement but it’s got a much more, I dunno, mechanical sound to it.
Strawberry Fields Forever – Redd Kross
I got this one from Cable and Tweed, along with about a million other Strawberry Fields covers. Not sure exactly why this particular one struck me. I guess it captures a lot of the feel of the original, but is a little less busy. I’d still much rather listen to John, but I’ve been enjoying this one when the mood takes me.
Regret – New Order
Somehow, I managed to never really notice this song until about 3 months ago. It came out in 1993, when I wasn’t really paying attention to any music from after 1970, so by the time I started to get into more contemporary stuff, it was off the radar. And then when I started going back, I stuck with the Joy Division/early New Order phases and didn’t really check out their later stuff. Still, I’m not really sure how I never managed to run into it.
Anyways, it’s a great song, about (shockingly) regret, and how to make a life after great loss. Like lots of their songs, it’s gloomy with a hint of happiness. Ridiculously catchy. And the chorus is as good as anything from the New Wavers in the 80s.