Eric & Neko

As far as my musical education goes, 2005 was a most memorable year. T'was a year that brought me Spoon, The National, and Crooked Fingers, among others.

I first heard Spoon cruising in Jared Bane's car. I have no idea where we were cruising, probably just around campus, but the song was "Quincy Punk Episode," and it was immediately decided that from then on my life would be Spoon-filled. Gimme Fiction came out that year, and it's still my favorite Spoon record.

I moved to Prague in the fall of '05, and shortly thereafter was introduced to two of my all-time favorite albums: The National's Alligator, and Crooked Fingers' Red Devil Dawn. Thank you very much, Joe Darling. Alligator was my favorite album of that year, and I remember first listening to it on my headphones, walking home on the cobblestone. It was raining lightly, which helped me walk faster, but "Secret Meeting" had me immediately hooked, and that beat was perfect for propulsion. The album was longer than my walk home, and it was fairly late, but I finished listening after I walked in the door. And talk about album enders! I'm sure there are other perfect ones out there, and please let me know what they are, but as far as my knowledge reaches after 26 years, enders don't get any better than "Mr. November."

Starters, though, are assuredly essential to getting the listener to want to continue with the rest of the record. Cue "Big Darkness," the first song on Red Devil Dawn (which was actually released in 2003, but I didn't hear about it until '05), and my introduction to Eric Bachmann's low, raspy pipes. Thickly layered, the song builds with gusto, riding firmly on Bachmann's delivery and fabled lyrics. It sets the tone for the rest of the record, which flows from upbeat to melancholy, through tales of foretold heroes, forbidden love, lost ways, and simple joys.

Crooked Fingers have released two more albums since then, the firey Dignity and Shame, and 2008's considerably more rock-filled Forfeit/Fortune, which brings us to one of my official songs of the day: "Your Control," the album closing duet with my favorite Canadian redhead, Neko Case. I chose it because I love Bachmann's voice, I love Neko's voice, it's straightforward, and well-written. There's nothing terribly interesting or quirky about it, it's simply solid.

The second SOTD is Neko's new solo single, "People Got A Lotta Nerve." It's kinda cheeky, definitely gorgeous because of her voice, and musically sound. I'm excited about her new record, but oh so sad she's not coming back to Dallas on her upcoming tour. I was lucky to see her tour late last year for another go-around for Fox Confessor, and even luckier to see her the year before with Mr. Newman and Mr. Bejar and the rest of their fancy band. Yes, I'm gloating.

Ok, enjoy the songs.

Your Control - Crooked Fingers

People Got A Lotta Nerve - Neko Case