I am not sure whether it’s politically correct to call an album “anthemic” in the indie world. Perhaps it’s too close a description of arena rock, an antithesis to the exclusivity that the excluders like to define as “indie.” So when I say that The Big Pinks’ Future This is anthemic, I want to make it clear that I mean it in the least offensive sense of the word.
Of course this is how I shop for music! (Photo courtesy of nydailynews.com)
For me, the new year always brings with it a sense of anticipation for the new and undiscovered—which of course means I can’t help getting really excited over the prospect of new music on my iPod. I just don’t find it as exciting to think about new releases halfway through the year, even if it’s Radiohead we’re talking about. But then, that’s me; while the blogosphere hails the return of unemployed 90s indie rockers this month with new albums by Guided By Voices and Stephen Malkmus, these are the three albums I’m personally a lot more excited to add to my January playlist.
Photo courtesy of myspace.com/thecure
Flashback to sophomore year of high school and you’d find that there were three constants in my CD player: The Strokes’ “Is this It,” Bloc Party’s “Silent Alarm,” and oddly enough a burned copy of The Cure’s “Greatest Hits.” Given to me by a newly-discovered friend, it caught my attention right away. Sure the lead singer was a bit off, I was told, but the music is fantastic.
Using that burned CD as a springboard, I “discovered” the dark and brilliant world crafted by The Cure. I worked my way backwards from there. “Boys Don’t Cry” led me to an album of the same name, “Close to Me” led me to “Head on the Door,” and the quaint, entrancing “Love Song” led me to “Disintegration.”
Today, I count “Disintegration” as one of the greatest albums that I own, and I owe it all to that friend, that CD, and that track about love with the hypnotic guitar and keyboard layers. Over the years, plenty of bands have shown their appreciation by covering “Love Song”, and here are a few of my favorites.
-Ryan
The Cure- Love Song (download)
Ben Gibbard- Love Song (download)
Anberlin- Love Song (download)
The Big Pink – Love Song (download)
Posted in Flashback Friday
Tagged anberlin, ben gibbard, disintegration, Flashback Friday, love song, the big pink, the cure
