April 30, 2009 Earworm

I've made a smarty-pants comment or twenty about Arlen Specter in the last 48 hours and I sort of feel like I should rescind them after some thought. Cries of "traitor" and "opportunist" may be appropriate but - and I note this with some dismay - his acknowledging that his jump is motivated by his chances for future for re-election are the most well thought out, reality based, and honest thing I've heard from a party who really stands by their "NO!!! WE CAN'T!" stance.

As the dirty truth rises to the top of cesspool, it is impossible not to recognize that the Republican party could not care less about the wishes of all the people who vote Republican. The emphasis on that is the people, not the representatives that now find themselves embattled within the party. I mention this because it is easy to get distracted by the pundits and spokespeople who are quick to paint a cartoon villain mustache on any of their own who go against the tide as the rest of the party of goes down with the ship. That there are moderate Republicans within the party because there are moderate republicans who have elected them seems to be a minor detail that means nothing to those entrusted with the brand. As they scamper to de-define the horrific policies of a leader whom they didn't even bother to invite to their convention only magnifies their intentions of always being right, no matter how wrong their ideas appear to the majority that have increasingly left them behind.

I respect those who stand by their beliefs - even if I don't agree - but in this instance, I'm not sure that anyone knows what is they believe. History continuously shows that the their tent poles of fiscal responsibility and small government are a charade within their hands so, with those fallacies sensibly set aside, that leaves the things for which they are not for and this is may be the root of their problem: when the only thing that you can successfully pull of is to be anti-this or that, your beliefs become nothing more than scapegoats. And when you surround yourself with scapegoats, it's only a matter of time before you not only sink the ship, but your glass house is eventually shattered by your own hypocrisy.

So, now that my wind is out of the bag, the song of the day has been "White Flag" by Dido. Not just for the perfectly Republican second verse -
"I know I left too much and destruction to come back again.
And I cause nothing but trouble, I understand if you can't talk to me again.
And if you live by the rules of it's over then I'm sure that makes sense,but..."
-but because I will always love this song even though I don't love Dido.

April 29, 2009 Earworm

Recognizing the somewhat surprising fact that Tommy James and The Shondells have had more records mentioned in the earworm than any other act, Tommy's birthday is noted with "Get Out Now". Although it was a low charter, it was their first single of their busiest year, 1968. The next single would be "Mony Mony" and, following two less than huge further releases, they would end the year with "Crimson And Clover"*.

Listening to some of the surprising records that are embraced within the Northern Soul scene, I can't help but wonder why "Get Out Now" has not been rescued from its relative obscurity...


*much to Susan Hubshman's dismay

April 28, 2009 Earworm

It's obvious that M. Ward is proud of being an enigma and he probably takes great pleasure in our digging for clues once we're caught up in his echo filled attic of pop. His records are packed with so little and maybe that's why it is so easy to drag your own baggage in to the mix.

When I first encountered the title track of his latest, "Hold Time", my first thought was that I hoped that this would be how my final moments on the coil would sound and, even as a not so believing person, I hoped that the feeling of being above it all would be thrown in for good measure. I also chastened myself for being maudlin but, after repeated listening and a look at the video, I am pretty sure that what I'm hearing is dead on.

April 27, 2009 Earworm

Swedish indie pop singer Jens Leckman. For real?

I'm pretty sure it's not a joke because "And I Remember Every Kiss" just resurfaced in my cramped mind and I've been swinging my arms wide open all weekend. If Jens is working on his english, Scott Walker may want to keep an eye on him.