The Magnetic Fields' "Realism" (2010)
(January 26, 2010)
Review:
Sounding like the Now People’s dysfunctional cousins, The Magnetic Fields have put together a fine — if quirky — acoustic album that transcends simple folk rock.
Top Two Tracks:
“You Must Be Out of Your Mind” & “Walk a Lonely Road”
By Chris Moore:
Where once it was “a session-a-day,” it’s become more like “a session-a-month” for me.
I’m back today with another installment in my 2010 Project acoustic music video series. Today’s selection is one of the most recently written songs, “You Will Thank Me.” It’s an escapist song, one written from the point of view of someone who’s getting out of town, leaving it all behind. I sing “I’m sellin’ out, son,” but I think it’s less of a cop-out or giving up than it is of literally selling out — cashing in and walking away from a table that’s lost any possibility for good fortune.
I love singing and playing this one — it’s probably one of the simplest I wrote for this album — although I did have some trouble playing it, so I recruited Nicole to come sit on the couch and act as audience so that I felt some pressure, like there was something on the line in this performance.
Speaking of performance, I’ve been feeling the itch to play live recently. I’ll go on record here saying that I would be very disappointed if I didn’t play at least one show before December 31 comes and goes. I’ve been playing acoustic and electric, and even practicing bass, so that I’ll be ready to fit in wherever and however the gig calls for.
Have a happy “Hump Day” and hurry back for more soon. (Really: who ever thought of that nickname for Wednesday??)
See you next session!
By Chris Moore:
It’s been a lot of fun this week to see what bands Jim and Jeff are choosing to do. If you haven’t heard, we decided this weekend that this week will be “New Band Week” at Laptop Sessions.com. Each day this week, we will be posting songs by artists that have yet to be covered by us.
My selection today, “Hey Julie,” is from Fountains of Wayne’s 2003 album Welcome Interstate Managers. I liked their previous albums, but this one is by far their best effort. Although it’s a very simple song, “Hey Julie” is one of my favorite tracks, and I thought it would be a perfect fit for the Laptop Sessions because it’s acoustic-based and incorporates harmonica.
Be sure to visit the site tomorrow because Jeff’s “Original Wednesday” selection will be a world-premiere performance of one of the songs from his soon-to-be-released album, Greenlight!!
By Jeremy Hammond:
My cover of “Is There Anybody Out There?” by Pink Floyd from The Wall album. I don’t have classical guitar, so I’m playing it on a steel-string.
** EDITOR’S NOTE: **
Is there a better way to close out a long week than to listen to Jeremy’s beautiful rendition of this simple tune from Pink Floyd’s classic album The Wall?
I can’t think of one.
As you listen, you may be thinking back to this legendary concept album, and the significance of this question being asked — is there anybody out there? As many critics and fans have pointed out, the decision to make this an instrumental clearly suggests that no answer is being given.
We thank Jeremy for highlighting another excellent album track for us, and wish you all a wonderful weekend. Hopefully, it won’t be spent alone. (And, if it is, then maybe it’s time to dust off your copy of The Wall!)