The Postal Service-Give Up is one of the two discs I picked up while in Hawaii. I believe it was recommended to me by my friend Phatrick from Seattle. It is another hip Sub Pop band (see The Shins). I have to admit they are of a genre that I thought I had outgrown, the synth pop. But their mellow synth music transcends the genre that was established in the 80s. I believe my favorite track is "Recycled Air," which is punctuated by the ethereal vocals of Jenny Lewis. I wonder if it is homage to the French band AIR? In fact, I feel most of the tracks with Lewis are impressive. Especially "Nothing Better," where Lewis takes the lead vocals ala Human League. But I also liked the paean to the ideals of the past in the sophisticated, "Clark Gable." "We Will Become Silhouettes" has a synth melody that reminds me of Depeche Mode, and I mean that as a compliment. "Sleeping In," is a study in contrasts as it discusses JFK's assassination and global warming, but contains the lovely chorus of "Don't wake me I plan on sleeping." This album was a surprise. Apparently they have done a cover of "Against All Odds" for The Wicker Park Soundtrack, I'd like to check that out.
The other CD I picked up was Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds' (1997) album The Boatman?s Call. I?ve been looking for Murder Ballads (1996), but it looks like I?ll have to special order it. This album seems less sinister; it?s an album of love ballads, and contains my all-time favorite Nick Cave ballad, the beautiful and transcendent, "Into My Arms." All of the songs highlight Cave's gravely, distinct voice with sparse and minimal instrumentation. "Into My Arms" and "Are You The One I've Been Waiting For?" are both on the DVD of videos that I bought earlier. However, there are several other gems like "Brompton Oratory," "There Is A Kingdom," "Far From Home," and "People Ain't No Good." There is a lot of religious imagery on this album, resulting in a sort of spiritual intensity, which seems somewhat distinct to the other stuff I've listened to, but I realized I have a long way to go before knowing the whole catalogue, but I plan to slowly acquire it. I've waited too long to "get into" Nick Cave-there's lots of great stuff here. I also think that he and Bryan Ferry are the two most stylish rockers out there. If he tours in Japan again, I will feel compelled to go.
I always wanted to be Bryan Ferry.
Posted by: edward | September 30, 2004 at 05:33 AM
Two things: Iron and Wine does a great cover of The Postal Service's "Such Great Heights" (absolutely worth looking for and downloading) and Nick Cave's "Nocturama" should be next on your list.
Posted by: Eric | September 30, 2004 at 07:27 AM
The Iron and Wine song sounds cool, but I am suspect about "Nocturama"-it has the lowest rating (2 1/2 stars) of all his albums on the All Musice Guide site.
Posted by: MC | September 30, 2004 at 08:02 AM
i discovered The Postal Service thanks to my friend eugene who is king of MP3s. My favorite track is The District Sleeps Alone Tonight from the Give Up album...will go listen to the other albums...
Posted by: jean | September 30, 2004 at 08:32 PM
Hey Jean, I like that song, too, but not as much as the others, but I'll give it another listen. I guess it was my friend Phatrick that turned me onto The Postal Service.
Posted by: MC | October 01, 2004 at 03:17 AM