Logan’s Random List of Songs: For Steve
I know my excuse for falling behind is usually that I get busy. This week, though, I’ve had computer issues (and I’ve been busy). But I’ll start now.
This week’s theme is in honor of Steve’s birthday last week:
Songs I Like by Bands/Artists Steve Loves, Even Though I Otherwise Think the Bands/Artists Are Overrated
- Sufjan Stevens, "John Wayne Gacy, Jr."
- Elliott Smith, "Memory Lane"
- Bonus: The Flaming Lips, "Seven Nation Army"
"John Wayne Gacy, Jr.": Steve’s not alone in loving Sufjan Stevens. Everywhere you look, some trendy website is going on and on about how wonderful Illinoise is. I admit the album’s good, but not as good as all that. I find it a bit self-indulgently excessive. Maybe it’s because Sufjan comes across as . . . oh, I don’t know, as the kind of missionary I would have hated. As much as I feel like smacking him, though, when the guy’s on he can really deliver. This song, for example, is absolutely and undeniably gorgeous.
"Memory Lane": Again, I don’t mean to say that Elliott Smith isn’t good. I’ll always remember him, though, as the first "indie" guy that everyone said I was supposed to like but didn’t (last year about this time, when I was just discovering that there was music that wasn’t on the radio or Vh1). By now I’ve come to appreciate him more, but he’ll always have a hard time shaking my categorization of "overrated" (especially since he’s not making any more albums). Elliott really has plenty of good stuff, but this is one of my favorites.
"Seven Nation Army": Ah, the Flaming Lips. To tell the truth, I have a sneaking suspicion that were I really to give them a chance I’d come to love them as one of my favorite bands. (Which, incidentally, is exactly what happened with the Decemberists — I got Picaresque just so I could know what I was talking about while making fun of Steve for liking them, but I ended up loving it! Curse you, Steve!) Before I get around to that, though, I can barely tolerate a song of theirs. Except, of course, for their cover of one of the best songs of the new millenium.
This is now my favorite part of Kulturblog. Logan, whoever you are, you have earned my deepest respect.
Comment by Alan — September 29, 2005 @ 8:20 pm
Logan, great post, and a great theme. But first ya gotta prove that I love the artist….
This time you were right. THIS TIME!
Comment by Supergenius — September 29, 2005 @ 9:11 pm
Oh, calm down, Steve. It’s all in good fun. Everyone knows you’re the king of giving other people a hard time for their music tastes while keeping your own secret. I’ve paid enough attention through the years to the hints you’ve given.
Honestly, the hardest part is just finding overrated people you like. For the most part I like the same bands.
Alan, you’re making me blush. Any particular part of this feature you like? You don’t like Sufjan either (I actually was under the impression that you did like him)? Just can’t resist a good jab at Steve?
Comment by Logan — September 30, 2005 @ 8:12 am
The Flaming Lips take is pretty wicked. And if you pretend it’s Strong Bad singing there in the middle, it’s pretty funny.
Comment by Eric Russell — September 30, 2005 @ 12:46 pm
Logan, I looooove Sufjan, but I also looooove mocking Steve. Actually, it’s the crazy categories and fine tunes that you post that I like.
BTW, I misread the Flaming Lips song title and thought that it was “Steven Nation Army.” That would be an army to be feared.
Comment by Alan — September 30, 2005 @ 3:57 pm