Yes, I’m late. But I’m back in LA, which means I operate off California time. And I’m still late by California time (It’s gone 8 p.m.). Forgive me, loyal and bored following.
Two things happened within the last 24 hours — things that haven’t happened in a long time:
1. Lorde released a song. And it’s brilliant.
2. The Euros Started, and it *might* be coming home.
First of all, the Kiwi singer. Melodrama was a bit of a grower for me, and at the risk of sounding like an indie edgelord whom no one truly understands, it was a fantastic — at times really bloody sad — pop album. It only makes sense, then, that “Solar Power” is summery and care free, especially when Lorde declares herself a “prettier Jesus.” Also, a word for Jack Antonoff, who appears to be producing every pop singer who wants to be not-quite-a-pop-artist, and doing so with aplomb. The dude is prolific with his production credits.
Ok, now onto the second point, and the elephant in the proverbial room. At approximately 5:55am on Sunday morning, my alarm shall blare around my room, and I shall emerge groggy but in great anticipation of England’s opening match in the 2020 Euros. The three lions are facing off against a pesky, somehow-still-alive Luka Modric led Croatian side, in what will likely be a disappointing 90 minutes. England probably have their most talented squad since about 2006 (that went well!) Therefore, the hype, whether it be a quarantine-induced state of delusion, or a national rally behind a decent football team, is real.
Here’s to a 1-1 draw, with a dodgy John Stones header highlighting a dreary performance. The ironic thing is I say that, but also listened to Three Lions in the shower this morning and have brought two England shirts back from uni (one to wear at kick off, and another to switch into if England are losing at half time — standard stuff.)
Bracket, part 7,954,831
Can he just get on with it? Is a question few have probably asked as I build up to the most thrilling of contests in my largely irrelevant musical showdown.
I’m going to be honest: this used to be fun. At first, I was listening to a shit ton of old music, reminiscing, curating playlists — the whole deal. Now, I just can’t be arsed. I’ve got four years of tunes which I really don’t want to juxtapose. But I’ve dug myself in a deep enough whole so that I may as well finish the bloody thing.
With vigor and a stench of stupidity, here goes:
2007 vs 2008
In Rainbows (Radiohead), Graduation (Kanye West), For Emma, Forever Ago (Bon Iver), Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace (Foo Fighters), Sound of Sliver (LCD Soundsystem)
VS
808s and Heartbreak (Kanye West), Dear Science (TV on the Radio), The Seldom Seem Kid (Elbow), Viva La Vida (Coldplay), Fleet Foxes (Fleet Foxes)
Okay, so the winner of the childhood era faces off against the victor from the iPod era. I’d like to first note that everything before 2007 was swiftly booted from the competition. That’s four years of consideration swept into the abyss. Maybe six year old Tom didn’t really have that good taste…
ANYWAY, there’s a contest at hand. And what we have are two very intriguing years in music, and two that have been remembered quite differently. My picks from 2007 are quite rock-guitarish oriented. Meanwhile, 2008 is a bit more all over the place. Now, I can do my pseudo-pitchfork bullshit and evaluate the importance of each annum in the music landscape. Or, I can simply query what year I, you know, enjoyed a little bit more.
As it turns out, this one isn’t too hard. Looking back, 2008 has had something of an easy route to the semis. The hill I will die on is that Viva La Vida is a fantastic album. BUT, it doesn’t stack up to In Rainbows… it’s not even in the same league. And besides, I still listen to In Rainbows all the time… Viva La Vida has admittedly dropped out of the rotation.
But it’s not just a jumping and whining Chris Martin that knocks 2008 down. In a comparison of the Kanyes we have 808s vs Graduation, Graduation wins. Finally, and perhaps most shamelessly, I’ll take Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago (2007) over pretty much any record from 2008, or from most other years for that matter.
Thus, with a clean conscience, little pain, and not too much obnoxiousness, I can claim that 2007 does indeed advance to the meaningless final.
2013 vs 2019
Yeezus (Kanye West), Trouble Will Find Me (The National), Acid Rap (Chance The Rapper), Random Access Memories (Daft Punk), Pure Heroine (Lorde)
VS.
Psychodrama (Dave), Kiwanuka (Michael Kiwanuka), Immunity (Clairo), I,I (Bon Iver), MAGDELENE (FKA Twigs)
What to do? Well, I’ve got two massive years for different reasons.
2013 was an unreal year for prime early teenage angst. I’m talking early 1975, 21 pilots, The Neighborhood, etc. That none of those bands came anywhere near the list isn’t the point. Rather, it was something of a high water mark for indie pop music — the kind of stuff that still dominates frat boys’ “alt” playlists.
Sidenote: the best conversation I’ve ever had with a human was at a college function when a large inebriated man asked me if I “Fuck with Tame, bro?” The natural response was to respond to his query with equal vigor, and a “Hell fucking yeah bro!” before asking him what he thought of Kevin Parker’s songwriting on cuts such as “Love/Paranoia” or “Nangs.” He seemed confused. I think about him often, and wonder if he still “fucks with Tame.”
Anyway, the records chosen for 2013 have nothing to do with my pseudo-indie ramblings. Certainly there’s a slight edginess to them, but there’s also a bit of a creative, fucking crazy boom. Justin Vernon, Kanye West, AND Chief Keef on one song? SURE! A seven minute broadway musical inspired tune made by sad robots and featuring production from Nile Rodgers? WHY NOT?
2019, in many ways, draws on some similar practices. There is a clear line, for example, from Lorde to Clairo. The same goes for The National to Bon Iver. And I suppose every rapper has drawn on Kanye in some way. As I sit here, though, writing on a rather pleasant Friday evening, something about 2019 feels more relevant, more important. 2013’s music is still wonderful, but it doesn’t have that same impact that 14 year old Tom valued. But when I click play on Immunity or Psychodrama, there’s still something new and interesting going on. I’m still captivated. I want to stop aimlessly tweeting or texting or browsing Steven Gerrard highlights and actually listen.
Perhaps that can be attributed to the fact that I’ve listened to my 2013 selections to death. Maybe I’ve even grown up!! But, more likely, 2019 is just better, more complete, and, honestly, cooler.
And it’s definitely not because 2019 had a Bon Iver record and 2013 didn’t…
2019
FINAL next week and Jesus Christ I can’t wait to be done with this.
It’s 2013 vs 2019, I suppose.
Livvy song of the week
It’s my sister’s birthday tomorrow. She has a so-so taste in music. But we listen to this song a lot in the car.
Anyway, cheers for reading. I’ll be up at 6am Sunday in anticipating, then lolling around the house in existential dread and regret by 8.
Have a smashing weekend.
What’s this Euro style bracket music thing? Must have missed it over recent weeks. I wish. It’s more convoluted than the football Thomas. End it all now. Well, not literally. Obv.