Song of the Week - 2/19/07

There are 4221 songs on my iPod. In addition to being the coolest thing I have ever owned, the iPod also caters to my desire to be organized on an obsessive-compulsive level. Like knowing there are 4221 songs total, ranking songs on a 1-5 star scale, and grouping albums into 5 and 4 star categories. Several times I have considered running off to a tropical island with my iPod, just she and I, frolicking on the beach to the sounds of a carefully pre-determined playlist. But oh, the bitter tears I would weep as my 60 gig siren dies a silent death, no nourishment could be given her from the electricity-free island. Also, the iPod is a lousy cook and I return to normalcy, grateful that Samantha has tolerated me all these years despite ample grounds for separation:

Judge: The state of Texas will now hear the case of Samantha Meyer vs. Noxious Bedtime Gas. How does the defendant plead?
Me: Not guilty Your Honor, but seriously, don't come near this table for a few minutes! Boo Ya!
Judge: Bailiff, take him away.

Anyway, out of 4221 songs on the iPod only 77 have been deemed 5-star worthy and once a week I hope to share them with you in the hopes that my musical snobbery will make you stop downloading Pussycat Dolls songs and reconsider purchasing any American Idol "Best Of" albums.

Week 1 - The Shins "When I Goosestep"

I got turned on to The Shins by my friend Trey, and they have been ruling my face ever since. Trey recommended to me that I start with their second album, "Chutes too Narrow" as it may be more accessible to a new recruit but I informed him of my anal need to listen to a bands work in sequential order, so I grabbed a copy of their debut album "Oh, Inverted World."
Both albums are masterpieces in my opinion, although Chutes does take the top spot. All of which is to say that my first Shins song of the week is on neither album. It's on the soundtrack from some piece of crap movie called Wicker Park, which I can only assume is about the world's most uncomfortable outdoor furniture store. The song is a good intro to the Shins as it captures James Mercer's amazing wordplay and the delightful melodies that make my ears happy all day long. Nothing too insightful for me to share, I just think this is an amazing song. Do your ears a favor.