Listening Assignments 1.7.08

1. Neil Finn - She Will Have Her Way - Now that his son Liam got a mention a few weeks ago, I figured it was time for the patriarch to get some face time. This is soooo 1998 and that's why I love it. A great melody never sounds dated. From a criminally under-appreciated album by one of the best pop songwriters of the past 30 years. [from Try Whistling This|buy]

2. Red Admiral - The Astronaut Song - Boy this song takes me back. Red Admiral was one of the first local/indie bands that I ever got into and they never really got a fair shake. This was easily their poppiest, most approachable song, a musical junction of influences like The Fire Theft and Jimmy Eat World. They've all but disappeared from the interwebs as well. Only here, ladies and gents. Get them while they're hot. [from Sounds Good in Stereo]

3. Radiohead - Last Flowers to the Hospital - This gem off the bonus disc from the In Rainbows box set is a flashback to OK Computer's "No Surprises", with cold piano/vocals and a haunting melody. God, I missed this side of Radiohead. [from In Rainbows (CD 2)|buy]

4. Shapes and Sizes - Island's Gone Bad - Love love love this song for three reasons. First, it sounds like one of my favorite Deathcab songs ("Title Track") in a higher key. Secondly, the strings and almost-frayed voice bring a really sweet humanity to this great melody. And just when you think you know where it's going, it changes up on you. Oh, you keep me on my toes, S&S! There is a ridiculous (preposterous, even) sax part at 3:40 and onward. [from Shapes and Sizes|buy]