Delorean

Delorean - "Stay Close"

Subiza, 2010

I have a soft spot for house music. Actually, let me rephrase that. At times, I go against all of my better judgment and my guilty pleasures take over. Some house-esque music being among them. It's totally the musical equivalent of Skittles. It's sweet and delicious in small doses, but too much can be nausea inducing and lead to self-loathing.

I've been known to enjoy The Field and even some Felix da Housecat from time to time. Delorean is the same deal. I really don't care for the rest of this record, but this song is just too good to say no to. It's everything a good hipster dance track should be. Clicks, beeps, kicks, echoing female vocals and all. I just can't stop listening to it. I'll get over it soon. I mean, even the name Delorean brings to mind temporary material indulgence and excess. But for now, I'll be subtly nodding my head along to this. When no one else is watching, of course.

Belle and Sebastian

Belle and Sebastian - "Lazy Line Painter Jane"

Lazy Line Painter Jane, 1997

This is my first track review and it's all because of my brother David. In my review of Camera Obscura's My Maudlin Career, I mentioned that I had never been blown away by a Glasgow band. There have been a number of great bands from Glasgow including The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Twilight Sad, Primal Scream, Sons and Daughters, Arab Strap and of course Average White Band. However, Edinburgh is way more awesome just because that's where Beta Band and Boards of Canada are from. And it's f***ing medieval.

Anyway, my brother responded, and I quote, "I'm not sure we can be friends knowing you've never been blown away by Belle and Sebastian." Ouch.

No, I've never been blown away by Belle and Sebastian because I don't like twee pop. That's right. Twee pop. I will say that I love this song though. And yes, David, it has a lot to do with the fact that Monica Queen provided vocals on the track. In fact, I think she makes the track. This song is timeless. Literally, it sounds like it could have been recorded at any point within the last 40 years or so. The song takes it's time to get going and slowly builds into a final audio.. um, orgasm. Yep, it's that good. The organs, the reverb-soaked guitar and, of course, Monica Queen are what make this track so great and stand apart from the rest of Belle and Sebastian's work.

Great chorus, great vocals and a great song. From a not so great band. Ha.