bloomsday

AWAKEN YOU DREAMERS: THE STORY OF A COMPILATION
By bloomsday

Im getting married in six months. My fianc and I were talking about wedding plans, when I seized an opportunity to create a CD of recorded music for guests as a wedding favor, whatever that is. The benefits of this endeavor are manifold: I get to pretend Im working awful hard researching the project by, ahem, sitting around listening to music; I get to create a mixed tape for a great occasion; I get to talk to Molly about a favorite subject; We feel were accomplishing something wedding related when we engage in each, above. Added to this list is this: I get to write about it. I often think I have interesting or observant things to write about, but I dont. Nevertheless, here, in all its Jungian glory, my essay about why I picked these songs.


New World by Bjork. The overture to a somber movie, it embraces the beauty of observancy, an essential point of departure. It is optimism. Im holding my breath. Im wondering what happens next. The full orchestra helps. A modern day These Are A Few of My Favorite Things. Chicks dig that. In fact, it is interesting that the disc starts out with a brides perspective.

Wrapped in Grey by XTC. A song that begins in the realm of dull monochromes. The sleigh bells slay me. A good preamble to a celebration. A little preachy, perhaps, but this is a wedding, after all.

Ahead by a Century by The Tragically Hip. Starts out a little Peter, Paul and Mary, but then gets more sophisticated, more modern. Hornets sting. The memory becomes a part of a life lived. Canadians are observant people too, you know.

Far Far Away by Wilco. Simple, beautiful American music. They are the only band all cool kids will talk about in the future. Interesting footnote: Jeff Tweedy shares Molly Blooms maiden name.

Sweet Child O Mine by Luna. A lush and methodical remake of a noisy favorite. Somehow, more poignant than the original.

Strawberry Letter #23 by Shuggie Otis. Many may remember this 70s song by a forgotten artist. Bohemian, but respectful. It also happens to be an inside joke (this is strawberry letter number 11, after all.) More sleigh bells? FM-Stereo at its finest.

Im Not in Love by 10cc. Whoa, is it still the seventies? Irony is the lowest form of humor. No, wait, thats sarcasm. Irony is a good thing. Blow the headphones on the Hi-Fi, dude.

Electrolite by REM. A tough call, since the band is so important to us. I guess its one of their least moody, most happy works. A good wedding song. Everybody loves Martin.

Sweethearts by Camper van Beethoven. Overtly political, but sweet. The West Wing it aint. Visintainer, where are you? (Probably funding the trilateral commission with loopy philosophy.) Simplicity isnt always a good thing.

If You Were The Woman by Cowboy Junkies. Thats John Prine singing with Margo Timmins. A sweet, slow waltz.

We Are Each Other by The Beautiful South. An indictment of marriage, or a clever tribute?

Walking After You by Foo Fighters. The second film overture. Mulder is Scullys true love, after all.

Life is Sweet by Natalie Merchant. Bittersweet and archetypal. It does seem to nudge us to a choice. A bridesmaids anthem, perhaps.

Saint Simon by The Shins. Saint Simon went to Christ, worried about the burdensome temple tax. Christ told Simon to go throw a line in the river. The first fish he caught would have a coin in its mouth worth twice the temple tax.

Dont Talk by The Beach Boys. An overlooked 60s gem. Forget the songs they forced us to listen to. A musical epiphany. Listen, Listen, Listen.

Road to Nowhere by The Talking Heads. If nerdy intelligencia losers can take the plunge, so can we. Oh, wait, we ARE nerdy intelligencia losers. At least, I am. Here we go!

Here We Go by John Brion. The third film overture to a goofy love story. Brion also scored Magnolia. A final wedding schmaltz, I mean, waltz.

The Tourist by Radiohead. As the baggy clothed cleaning lady sweeps up the spotlight, everyone drives home safely. Or, is that the bleary eyed ding of a hotels front desk?

I tried to pick songs that would appeal to the broadest possible audience without being annoying. I wanted songs that were accessible, but not too familiar. They are all happy songs, but some show happiness in a broader modern context. It is often mellow, rarely noisy, background music for a road trip. And, yet, it also, somehow, tells a story. Of a lovely lady. And her very thoughtful fucker.

Love, Shuggies ghost.