Belle & Sebastian - "I Didn't See It Coming". In the moment the car sails off the cliff, E has a great idea. It is such a great idea that is it at once the culmination of his career as an artist, and of his relationship with M. M is presently standing on the middle seat, hooting out of the sun-roof. First, E lights himself on fire. Next, as flames lick his sleeves, he skips the CD player to the track "Dancing Queen". Finally, with the ocean rocks hurtling toward the windshield (& M still hooting), he freezes time. He freezes it right before a downbeat. There is fire everywhere, and water, and a high-hat ridging the universe. He is plunging with his lover toward the end, and yet not. [buy Write About Love]

Weezer - "Long Time Sunshine (demo)". This is a song about giving it all up, packing it in, moving to Vermont or Maine. Why Vermont? The changing leaves. Why Maine? The sea. For reasons I am sure you can understand, the changing leaves and the lifting sea are often preferable to skyscrapers, failure and loneliness. But here is the lesson of "Long Time Sunshine": jesus christ does it sound nice to sing with friends. Yes, it is nice to say goodbye, sometimes; it is much better to sing it, and then to go for a beer, just around the corner. [buy the deluxe reissue of Pinkerton]

[photo by Eva Michon]