The Magic Numbers

I remember a time maybe two years ago when pop music was as foreign a concept to me as used panty vending machines and delousing the elderly. The New Pornographers barely registered as non-offensive sounds. U2 were those guys who I kind of like but never listened to. Why would I bother listening to these soft and fuzzy bands when Spoon and Eels and My Morning Jacket were coming out with such amazing rock albums?

I think the first change came when I heard about Field Music's release of last year. It was so hard to find but somehow, I knew I had to get it. My search was not in vain and it blew away my expectations of 'just another pop band' but I felt unfulfilled. I relistened to Twin Cinema and Sufjan's Illinois and all those pop staples of last year all the while keeping my new obsession with pop in the closet... what would my friends think?! And then came The Magic Numbers. I still haven't had enough of this album and when I'm in the mood for some feelgood music that I can sing along to and snap my fingers to and do all those rediculious looking things people do when they're enjoying what they're listening to WAY too much. When I was doing up my best of 2005 list I kept trying to find a place to put them but I convinced myself that there were better pop albums and that they were already way overrepresented.

So here we are in April and I'm still listening to Magic Numbers while Sufjan has sat unlistened for many a month. In recompensation for me glossing over this one for so long I thought I'd pay it some respect and give thanks for finally helping me get over that mental aversion to 'happy pop music.'

I've actually been finding that I'm pining this year for a really good pop album but as of yet the closest thing that I've come across is the new Islands. Come on music industry! We need some tunes that I can unconciously mouth lyrics to while I amble around this summer! Your audience needs you!

Furthermore, I got punked by CMG. Good job guys.