This week I’m really enjoying The Ghost That Carried Us Away by Seabear. It has a child-like quality that sounds very fresh and welcoming. It’s like the Lilac Time did an album with Sigur Rós, with zombie Elliott Smith whisper-singing along.

Song for Children by Brian Wilson
Album: Smile
Speaking of childlike. I don’t know how to take this album. It has some real touches of genius (I think I can hear — no kidding — Monteverdi in the album’s opening), but what to make of the calliope and whirligigs? Is this a retreat into childhood, but maybe (for Wilson) happier this time? A relic of nostalgia-tinged 60’s California? A strange experiment by a troubled genius? I’m willing to give this album some time because this is clearly made with loads of skill and control, but it is odd.

Pay No Mind (Snoozer) by Beck
Album: Mellow Gold
Speaking of odd. Beck was a strange lad in the early years. This one’s a lazy strummer with free-association lyrics everywhere. Try ‘There’s shopping malls coming out of the walls’. No? How about ‘Give the finger to the rock-n-roll singer’.

Waiting for the Sun by The Doors
Album: The Best of the Doors
A dark carpeted room with candlesticks.

Me and My Arrow by Harry Nilsson
Album: The Point (Soundtrack)
I have a very vivid memory of this song on AM radio in the 70’s. I must have been 5 or 6, and my sister was singing this song to me. We were in the kitchen, me sitting on the counter, and we were laughing and singing and being silly.

Eventually she grew up and became less fun, more adult, and that was hard for me to understand at the time. And I know she doesn’t quite understand ways that I’ve changed now. It’s hard to get back to those times.

Reise, Reise by Rammstein
Album: Reise, Reise
I think I like the idea of Rammstein better than I like Rammstein itself. Over the top grinding metal with heavy German vocals. How can you not love the concept? I like the album, but I never seek it out.