"I am an idealistic, naive, passionate, truth-seeking, spiritually motivated artist, unschooled in the science of law and finance." --Wesley Snipes

Friday, January 19, 2007

Winter Music

Over at Houseboat Days, Andy posts about snow in Brooklyn and his favorite winter music. My own winter record (and I really only have one) is The Cure's Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, and in particular, the song "Catch." Why? The answer is simple, really. My Grandma Davie bought me the cassette for Christmas in the winter of 1988. I was 16 years old and I associate that tape with wrestling practice, or in particular, the long runs I'd do before practice. When I listen to it now, nearly 20 years later, I can almost smell the smoke in the air, feel the prickly cold.


Stylistically, it's a different album for the Cure--it's all over the map. It has none of the consistent feel of records like Pornography or Disintegration, but it somehow works beautifully, with the possible exception of the songs "Fight" and "The Snakepit." I mean, it's a messy record, but it somehow comes together--especially remarkable is the one-two punch of the opening tracks. "The Kiss" is a loud, ugly, psychedelic, venomous,unhealthy sort of cacophony shoe-horned into pop-song format (albeit a long pop song). Then, "Catch" is the beautiful antidote, the very essence of winter, and sex, and winter sex.

As for other winter music--I find myself playing Matt Pond PA's "Grave's Disease" (in fact the only MPPA song I like) fairly constantly during January and February.

How about a list (in comment box please) of recommended winter listening?

4 comments:

gina said...

I don't want to give a list of winter music, I just want to say I love the song Catch! Well, okay, I guess it is nice listening to The Album Leaf in winter.....

Coming up with spring/summer music is a lot easier....

C. Dale said...

I also love that CD and that song. It is an odd CD for them but, as you point out, it works.

andy mr. said...

More winter albums coming over at Houseboat Days--that is assuming it doesn't get back to up 60 next week.

Jess Mynes said...

Galaxie 500, On Fire.