I was in Brighton this weekend.
Brighton is of course by the sea. And this obviously influenced my decision to choose ‘By The Sea’ for this week’s song. But what I find curious about this song is that when I listen to it, it doesn’t match to my experience of the sea or the seaside. That’s not to say the song fails, on the contrary, it’s why I like it; something of its sound makes me think /rethink of my recent music experience of the seaside and sea.
The band Bright Eyes were pretty much a constant throughout my twenties. I’ve a lot of memories connected to the band, and a lot of these involve my friend Eddie, who was a fan of the band too.
Last week I had an overwhelming urge, which grew stronger as the week progressed, to revisit Cassadaga, Bright Eyes’ 2007 album. I eventually gave into it and I’m glad I did. My initial resistance was maybe from the fear that even though it was only released 11 years ago, listening to it would merely be an exercise in nostalgia*; but this wasn’t the case. The album still stands up. And though I haven’t listened to other Bright Eyes’ albums like Lifted (2002) or I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning (2005) for quite a while, I’m going to claim Cassadaga the better album.
I could have chosen any track off the album as there’s not really a weak song on it, but I’m choosing ‘Four Winds’ as I think it was the first release off the album and so it would have been the first song from it I heard.
* Who said that nostalgia and convenience are the drugs of this decade? I can’t remember, but I tend to agree with them.
When’s the last time you had a pear? I mean a proper pear, not one sliced, in a pudding, canned etc. Think about it, it was ages ago, wasn’t it. No? Well, it has been for me. Years and years and years, over 10 years, 15 maybe? I’ve just bought one. Going to give it a go.
If I was having a barbecue right now (I’m not) this is a song I would definitely be putting on.
I’m off to the Brighton Fringe with City Impro this month. Details and dates for the shows can be found here and here.
And we will be doing a show in the lead up to the Fringe at the Rosemary Branch Theatre, London, this Friday. Tickets for this show can be purchased here.
I’ve been listening to Merlyn Driver’s debut EP – This is the Corner of a Larger Field – pretty much constantly since I heard ‘Rain’ on the radio a week ago. ‘Rain’ has a chorus that sticks in your head, but in a way you welcome rather than rue. I’ve chosen this live version over the recorded version for its communality – the audience ruffling leaves and singing on the chorus.
