Sonic Bloom

On this Valentines Day inspired list, you won’t find any Frank Sinatra, Al Green, or even any Beatles. But these songs, which straddle the spectrum of ‘beautiful’ from haunting to joyful, speak to the many facets of romantic love and relationships, the good, the bad and the ugly. 

10. Islands- “Jogging Gorgeous Summer”

This song is the sound of pure joy. From Islands’ first and best album, Return to the Sea, it features Caribbean Inspired rhythms that nod to Paul Simon’s Graceland, a sweet recorder, and the charmingly cheesy hook, “millions of sunsets, but the one I’ll remember, is the one where you told me you’d love me forever.” Aw.

8. Sufjan Stevens- “Age of Adz”

  In this, which Sufjan has called his “apocalypse love song” he compares the end of a relationship to the end of the world. Though in no sense a traditional love song, I had to include this modern masterpiece if only as the best example of how Sufjan’s latest album blends dissonant electronic blips and crashes with complex orchestral and choral composition and elaborate organic instrumentation. It somehow, almost schizophrenically manages to be both dark and poppy, joyous and apocalyptic. I especially like the honesty of the closing lyrics which deal with carrying around the blame and regret after a failed relationship.

 ”For my intentions Were good intentions I could have loved you I could have changed you //  I wouldn’t be so I wouldn’t feel so Consumed by selfish thoughts //  I’m sorry if I Seem self-effacing, consumed by selfish thoughts //  It’s only that I Still love you deeply. It’s all the love I’ve got”

7. Lou Reed- “Perfect day”

   A gorgeous piano driven melody with soaring strings and lyrics that paint a picture of the blissful state that can occur when intoxicated by love… or in Lou’s case maybe love of heroin, but all the same, an incredible song.

6. Arcade Fire— “Neighborhood # 1 (Tunnels)”

 The opener to Arcade Fire’s debut album, “Funeral” fades in like a dream with humming strings and tinkering pianos before the power pop bass line and thumping beat kick in and carry the song through to its epic peak, complete with marimbas (maybe??) and choir-like angelic coos. The lyrics deal with young lovers sneaking out to meet up and the idealistic haze that is adolescent love The vocal delivery captures Winn Butler’s wavering wail at its best. Favorite line: “you change all the lead // sleeping in my head to gold.”

5. Spiritualized— “Stay with Me”

 Simple, sweet, slide guitar. Spiritualized. ‘Nuff said.

4. Girls— “Jamie Marie”

     The closing track from my album of the year, Father Son Holy Ghost. Chris Owen’s strives to write timeless honest songs and here I think he succeeds. The guitar style reminds me of Jeff Buckley a la “Hallelujah” and I’m a sucker for the organ that comes in towards the end.

3. Nick Drake— “Time Has Told Me”

  ”Time has told me, you’re a rare rare find.” Drake (and I’m not talking about Drizzy) has to be one of music’s most underrated poets. Amazing and honest like all of his music, this song is about recognizing the value of what you have. 

2. Velvet Underground— “Pale Blue Eyes “

“Sometimes I feel so happy, Sometimes I feel so sad. Sometimes I feel so happy,

But mostly you just make me mad. Baby, you just make me mad.” Favorite song by my favorite band of all time.

1. Spiritualized- “Ladies and Gentlemen we are Floating in Space”

A symphonic masterpiece that re-contextualizes the borrowed lyrics and melody from Elvis Pressley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. With overlapping verses, an orchestral arrangement, harmonica, slide guitar, and a gospel choir, this song is Spiritualized in a nutshell and it is glorious.