Matt Klimas
Richmond, VA / Designer, Musician, Pseudo-editor, Teacher, Whatever
Music can define moments. Whether it’s that day things weren’t quite working out and you hear “Ever Fallen in Love” by the Buzzcocks in the coffee shop or you’re screaming the words to “Abel” at a National concert (my poor vocal cords). Or maybe every relationship you’ve had you now see in terms of what CD you gave her or she gave you.
Is it a conscious decision to let music in, to let it color the events that unfold around us? To push and pull us between abstract and reality. Maybe we need it to survive. Maybe it’s just fun to listen to. The good moment becomes more enjoyable and the bad moment becomes tolerable.
Music, you have our thanks.
“Kid Gloves”
Voxtrot / Voxtrot (2007)
The play count on iTunes said seventy-four. The listener recalled and twisted a bit of Voxtrot lyric, “It’s not ‘cause I’m boring, it’s just ‘cause I like it.” Anticipation had led to a near obsessive compulsion. Afternoons were spent in a trance-like state with the sound of marimbas mingling with design concepts.
Then, the album came out.
There was a distance. In retrospect, it was too dense, too much of a good thing. But time heals wounds and draws in the eager lover and so an idol was lost, a voice was found.
“Slow Show”
The National / Boxer (2007)
The piano strings are struck. A man speaks of dreams and twenty-nine years. This all seems eerily close, but the refrain is welcomed and repeated again, and again. Eighth notes spring from the floor tom.
“Black Like Me”
Spoon / Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (2007)
The intersection between summers and souls is a long documented affair and I do not wish to go into details at this time. Please check back soon.
You’re little and made of plastic. Like a Peep, but you don’t make my teeth hurt from sweetness. When you move, it makes me happy. Spoon+Keepon.
Do Make Say Think / You, You’re A History In Rust (2007)
I require an antidote, an emotional caffeine of sorts (more like a single, good cup of coffee than a triple-shot of espresso). It’s so warm and comfy. Musical tannins dancing in my ears. You, you’re awesome!
“Age of Consent”
New Order / Power, Corruption, and Lies (1983)
I remember a time when I didn’t care for New Order at all. I also remember a time this summer at Ben and Julia’s hearing “Age of Consent” for the first time. There’s a chance I had heard it before, but this time the bouncing bass and guitar riffs along with the skittering hi-hat came alive for me. When that synth hits it’s just plain sick. Or perhaps it was just the dancing.
“Have You Forgotten”
Red House Painters / Songs for a Blue Guitar (1996)
The track played, I felt like I was remembering. They weren’t my memories, but I wanted them to be. Two delicately strummed guitars droned a few simple chords. It can’t be that simple, yet the song argued. I didn’t think I wanted to feel sad, but I did, and I was happy.
I hear the version from the Vanilla Sky soundtrack is a louder color of sad.
“Winged/Wicked Things”
Sunset Rubdown / Random Spirit Lover (2007)
Sometimes love is blind. Sometimes chaos is too. Maybe we are all just little winged things tumbling towards the sky. But, then again, maybe it’s just smoke.
“How Am I Not Myself”
Shocking Pinks / Shocking Pinks (2007)
The drums are so crisp, so crisp.
“Fireworks”
The Animal Collective / Strawberry Jam (2007)
Is an explanation necessary? Hear it. Love it. Andrew Bird has not cornered the market on making music conducive to spontaneous bouts of whistling. Little Don Hertzfeldt characters running around singing—is that the TV or my head?
“The Temptation of Adam”
Josh Ritter / The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter (2007)
I had convinced myself that the thing I had found was completely ordinary. But I could not leave it. It pulled at my sleeve and sounded again and again. The thing had not become great, however, I merely realized what was before me.
It was finely crafted. And I wanted to be in a silo.
“The Greatest”
Cat Power / The Greatest (2006)
Some evenings are cold, while others don’t seem cold enough. An unopened bottle of red wine sits on the table. Things that were once monumental become afterthoughts and track one, “The Greatest,” filters through headphones.
Chan, will you marry me?