I’ll say I really like the new Neko Case album although like most of hers before it’s mixed. There’s nothing on it quite as haunting as say Furnace Room Lullaby from the album of the same name. But a few tracks come close. The album definitely has more of a 60’s feel to it with a bit of Mazzy Star thrown in by way of Nancy Sinatra. (Which is a good thing)

I never really got into The New Pornographers. I’ve thought her solo stuff was always much better. This is for the most part a really parred down album. Very simple. It’s almost more folksy in an early 70’s way than most of her other albums that had much more of a country vibe. As such I think I like it better than several of her albums. (Say Starbucks where she seemed to be channeling Loretta Lynn a tad too much)

I’ve only listened to it twice so far. (I’ve been captivated by U2 since my third listening) Nothing on the album though really grabs me the way Twist the Knife, Furnace Room Lullaby, South Tacoma Way, or Knock Loud did off various earlier albums. In a way it’s like U2. I like it. But there’s no one song that really, really grabs me the way prior albums had.

I’ve only had a couple of listens. Maybe it will grow on me more. I don’t yet feel this album standing out from the crowd (of other U2 albums) in any exceptional way.

At the same time, I’m aware that a number of people say it gets better as you listen to it more and I haven’t been blasting this at home – just listening to it lightly in the background at work.

I think the first single is chosen by the label. It’s always the one they think is most “marketable.” Usually, it’s not the best song on the album, but maybe it is the most “accessible” by the largest group of people (if that makes sense).

I’d have led off with No Line on the Horizon which has become my favorite song on the album. (Although I still really like Stand Up Comedy”)

So no love for Neko Case…

Tim, it’s “Stand Up Comedy” not Stand Up For Comedy,” and it’s now my favorite song on the album.

I had to go to court today in Provo, so I listened to the U2 album all the way there and back. It really benefits from repeated listening, especially the slower songs. The biggest surprises to me were that I really have now come to like “Moment of Surrender” and “White As Snow.” At first, I thought “White As Snow” sounded a bit like a song I dislike from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (I know, weird, right?) but after several listens now, I really like it, especially the lyrics. I even like Fez now.

Another surprise was “Stand Up Comedy.” I had previously not paid much attention to it but on repeated listens the guitar riff as addictive as crack and the lyrics are hilarious (sample: “Stop helping God across the street like a little old lady”). This is just an amazing rock song.

“I’ll Go Crazy…” is also one that only gets better the more you hear it. Oddly, I felt the same way about “Get On Your Boots.” I think it’s supposed to be fun, and doggone it, it is fun!