Reply To: Artificial Heart discussion
@srdownie There was definitely something bugging me about my brief analysis when I left work- thanks for pointing it out and clarifying it so well!
As for my own take on the album as a whole after listening to it through a number of times since yesterday: *caveat- my opinions/reactions/connections to various songs are subject to change without notice (inside my head)
Favorite:
Nobody Loves You Like Me– It’s so beautiful and simplistic.. and haunting all at the same time, I love the A Capella nature of the song and the slightly off-beat bass pluck for a bit of depth. I don’t see this changing (in my head) for a while, if at all.
Runners up:
Sticking it to Myself- The opening melodic motive really appeals to me- the Maj 6 up and then down a dim 5th (or augmented 4th) really perks up my ears and reminds me of “My Time of Day” from Guys and Dolls (one of my favorite musicals) where (in the movie) Marlon Brando sings the same descending interval.
Nemeses- Speaks for itself
Like:
Artificial Heart– I love the lyrics, drive, accompanyment, and chord progressions.
Fraud- Really liking this one- the 6/8 time and the hemiola feel- I love mixed meter and tend to like songs that aren’t in 2/4 or 4/4.Like:
Je Suis Rick Springfield- I really like this song- the tune and beat are catchy and I have a weakness for songs en Francais. The lyrics are also great and subject to such a variety of interpretations- I can’t keep the image a fez-wearing, accordian dancing monkey singing the song dans le bar.
Down Today– What a catchy song! The style reminds me a bit of the Kinsgton Trio
Still Alive– I picked up Portal just to get to the end but just haven’t had time to play what with Star Wars the Old Republic being released (shush Jon!) and other things going on.. I really love the studio version and Sara is just awesome!
Good Morning Tuscon- Again- good melody and ubpeat works for me and I enjoy the lyrics
The World Belongs to You- Catchy tune and I just like it… so there!
Alone at Home- I do enjoy this wistful gem of a song
The Stache– I like the lyrics a lot and the tempo/style changes appeal to my musicality (again.. in my head)
Now I Am an Arsonist- I actually find the slower tempo appealing and the duet with Suzanne Vega is stellar.
Meh:
Today With Your Wife- I’m liking it slightly more every time I listen to it but it just doesn’t do anything for me… yet 😉
Sucker Punch- Nice and upbeat tune/drive and it’s slowly growing on me but I don’t see it breaking out of it’s initial impression
Want You Gone- It’s ok but hasn’t really hooked me in any memorable way
Dislikes:
Glasses-While I wear them, the song really hasn’t gripped me and I (shamefully?) find myself wanting to skip past it
Dissolve– I just can’t into this one and I’m still at a loss as to why my ear doesn’t like it.
So all in all, a really good album and I enjoy the majority of the songs and I’m looking forward to getting to know them even better. I like the idea of treating the last three songs as “bonus tracks” and ending the album (again, in my head) with Nobody Loves You Like Me.