Small musical note

Two old albums that I have been quite enjoying recently are the Zombies’ Odessey and Oracle (1968) and XTC’s Apple Venus, Vol. 1 (1999). Both are melodic and wistful in a way that brings to mind Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson in their good years. Their elegiac tone seems to fit my mood these days.

New items I’ve tried via Spotify include this year’s releases by Fiona Apple (Fetch the Bolt Cutters) and Car Seat Headrest (Making a Door Less Open). But neither has yet broken through for me. I like the percussion and self-willedness of Fiona’s latest, but admittedly after only a couple of listens it doesn’t yet pack for me the emotional punch of her prior 3 albums, which I consider among the very best anyone has done this century. My impression is that she’s in a better place emotionally, for which I’m glad, but that the raw anger and distress expressed on prior albums (albeit, mixed with other moods) were good for her art.

Haven’t made it through the Car Seat Headrest yet; it’s harder to find the time without health club visits and the car trips of normal times. Plus, if I only have a few minutes, why not just play Drunk Drivers / Killer Whales again.