Genesis - "Back In New York City"
I'm not going to claim that Genesis is a popular band, or that the majority (or a large minority, for that matter) of you will like this song, but can we all please set aside our petty biases and misguided opinions for one moment and admit that this shit is objectively awesome.
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is a concept double album chronicling a young man's search for self (the plot is a bizarre, semi-religious contrivance, peripherally involving Marshall McLuhan). In this installment, the protagonist gets involved in a gang and explores the seedy underbelly of New York City. He then - and this is to be taken literally - cuddles a porcupine to sleep while lamenting that his hairy heart is getting in the way of his romantic pursuits. You will be relieved to find out that, over the course of the next two songs, his heart is removed, shaved and replaced and, consequently, he is able to (and with panache) lose his virginity.
O.K., so that's ridiculous. But they really mean it, and they sure can play. Peter Gabriel sings with a growl, the vitality of violent youth. Tony Banks (keyboards) and Phil Collins (drums (Phil Collins!)) propel, stop, backtrack, change often and without warning. In high school, my friends and I would drive around listening to this album, embarrassingly playing air-keyboards every time Banks let loose (have I said too much?).
Genesis, while adhering to every laughable prog stereotype (epic songs, wild time signatures, general showing off, magical and otherworldly subject matter (wizards, enchanted forests, special doctors, etc.)), manage to do so while still making actual a unique and integral artistic vision. Feeling skeptical? I myself am dubious. But does my bravado shake your confidence? I need only reach one uninitiated soul. [Buy]
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Destroyer - "I Want This Cyclops"
This song contains the word 'cyclops' as well as the word 'sasquatch'. "What could be bad?," as my grandmother used to say.
"I Want This Cyclops" is a lazy, distracted walk away from the listener. The vocal and snare drum look back over their shoulders, whispering to us, increasingly insistent, “imagine it”. Until they finally turn away for good and the eager but narcoleptic horns take over.
I picture a field and heavy flannel, a three sided barn, but I don’t require you to think of the same things. Think what you want.
Does this song make you like me again? [Buy]