“Jesus of the Moon” by Nick Cave
There is no denying the attraction in “Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!” from Uncle T’s favorite albums that made it also one of my favorite songs. I liked “We Call Upon the Author” as well, but “Jesus of the Moon” was as big a favorite for me as “Lazarus.” As in many of his songs, Cave uses a biblical context, amazingly detailed imagery, and long, tumbling lines to ponder the relationship between the living and the dead. I especially like in this one how the lyrics are ambiguously worded to make you question who is living and who is dead.
Cave “departs” (often a euphemism for death) from a hotel room where the person he calls “Jesus of the moon” lies sleeping–or is she dead? Cave wonders in another part of the song whether the voices of the living can be heard by the dead, then repeatedly says “hello” to some girls who only smile in return. Are they dead? Or is he? I’m not looking for an answer to that. I like that you can think of it both ways. Haunting.
Well I kept thinking about what the weatherman said
And if the voices of the living can be heard by the dead
Well the day is gonna come when we find out
In some kinda a way I take a little comfort from that now and then.
I take comfort from that too.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: Jesus of the Moon from Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!
MySpace | Website | BUY

“Where I Came From” by These Modern Socks
This song leaped off the CD straight to obsession status for me, but I don’t seem to have convinced anyone else of its wonderfulness. I love it from the marble rolling around and around the roulette wheel to the startling honk of the synths juxtaposed with Corey Palmer’s smooth delivery. Please, somebody, tell me you like it too.
These Modern Socks: Where I Came From from Picking a Lock at the Speed of Light
MySpace | Website | Label: Dead Electric/TuneCore
Buy at Amazon.com, iTunes, eMusic

Picking a Lock album review

“Drive On, Driver” by the Magnetic Fields
In a career of romantic low marks, Stephin Merritt has hardly ever been more pathetic than in this song.
Drive on, driver, there’s no one home
We waited hours; she didn’t come…
And take me to the airport–
I need to be extremely far away
So I can forget about her, I might forget about her, someday
The Magnetic Fields: Drive On, Driver from Distortion
MySpace | Website | Label: Nonesuch
Buy at Nonesuch Records Store, Amazon, iTunes
Distortion album review

“Are We Renegade” by Maritime
I tried this whole album a couple of times because Maritime’s We the Vehicles was one of Indie Mom’s favorite albums in 2006, but I still thought this song was the only one that stood out. I like the jaunty beat and jangly guitars with the sweet vocal frosting a LOT. OK, “Guns of Navaronne” and “For Science Fiction” are pretty good too. I should probably try it again.
Maritime: Are We Renegade from Heresy and the Hotel Choir
MySpace | Flameshovel Website | BUY

“Serves You Right” by Manuok
This song by San Diego’s Scott Mercado, who performs under the name Manuok (Say, “man, you OK!”) was a latecomer to the list. I wish there were more hard-hitting numbers like this one on his second release No End to Limitations.
Manuok: Serves You Right from No End to Limitations
MySpace | Website | 500 Records | BUY

“Flamingo” by Kellarissa

Just too cute for description and utterly delicious with spellbinding vocal layers and buzzy synths that put you right up in the sky next to the birds:
“All pink and black/We’re not turning back tonight/The bigger the cloud/The louder the thunderclap!”
Kellarissa: Flamingo
MySpace | Mint Records | Buy: Maple Records
eMusic

Yes, there are more favorites coming!

Filed under: Favorites of 2008, Kellarissa, Magnetic Fields, Manuok, Maritime, Nick Cave, Stephin Merritt, These Modern Socks

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