The Dears, and some thoughts on what makes a great record.

Just before I went on holiday, I bought a copy of the latest (although admittedly still quite old) record by Candian indie-miserablists The Dears. They called it Gang of Losers. I listened to it a few times. It just didn't sit right with me. More on that later.

Flashback!

I fell in love with The Dears during my first year at university, shortly after Fresh had hooked me up with their critically lauded LP, No Cities Left. It was the same story though: at first, I just didn't get it. No amount of slow-burning, self-deprecating musical wonderment was gonna satisfy me until I got my fill of MELODY, god dammit. What is this shit?!

Turns out, No Cities Left was fucking packed with the stuff.

The Dears are the musical equivalent of Chrisiano Ronaldo. Really. The following six lines chart the journey of my brainbox in the first month or so of it's relationship with The Dears. Stay with me here people:

- Who are these fucking morons and why are they showing off so much?
- Hold on a minute - did that really just happen?
- No, no, I'm still not convinced. It's ever so fucking dreary/he can't pass the ball.
- CLICK.
- No wait - this is the best thing that's ever happened.
- I fucking love The Dears/Christiano Ronaldo. Everyone else thinks they're a bit shit.

From here on in, I will never attempt to write in overblown simile, metaphor or analogy again. It was foolish. There was no need.

But anyway - I was talking about Gang of Losers. Yea. It turns out, I think it's one of the most charming and emotive records I've got hold of on in a long time. It took nine, maybe ten, listens for me to realise this. I love the songwriting, the arrangements, the vocal performance and the hooks - oh my, the hooks are mind blowing!

I think this is a good example of a point that's worth making about one's 'favourite records', and an interesting contrast with what my man Rob has had to say below. I think it's also an insight into why music can be so awe-inspiring. For Rob, Xo was an instant hit. For me, No Cities Left and Gang of Losers took time and effort. As a result, when I finally realised how great they were, they felt so much more like my records. I'd put in the time, I'd noted every subtle nuance in the songwriting. I'd become an obsessive. Records that sit with you instantly can have the same effect, of course, but I find it fascinating that something that's been committed to wax, that doesn't change, that reflects a single point in time, can appear to morph into something new and exciting with every spin.

Of my top 20 records, this has to be the case with all of them.

I think I made a point. I'm not sure. The Dears are good though.

I have to go now. I'm going to watch the new Batman film.

J x

P.s. I've been reading Bukowski recently and it's terribly potent. I don't want to become a pretentious, literary cunt, but I do like Bukowski...