Computer troubles mostly fixed, but it looks like I'll stay stuck with OS 10.2.8 for a while yet.

The Weakerthans - "My Favourite Chords". A sweet, deceptively drab song from The Weakerthans' 2001 Left and Leaving. Fingers pass over strings like a comatose John Darnielle, nothing but voice and acoustic guitar till the drums, electric and lap steel appear in those last minutes. John K. Samson is as good a poet as Winnipeg's produced, and this is an urban love song that invents all sorts of new cliches; that paints new scenes instantly familiar. A pair descend upon an empty construction site. She brings her "swiss army knife" and "a bottle of something"; he, "some spraypaint and a new deck of cards." They write "notes to tape to the heavy machines." "'We hope they treat you well.' 'Hope you don't work too hard.' 'We hope you get to be happy sometimes.'" It's beautiful, soft and strong, full of treasured moments for the glow of dawn. While the Weakerthans often tend toward a sort of folky emo, this is a plain open hand, a slow waltz, an honest smile. [buy]

Brown Feather Sparrow - "Shadow Queen". This wonderful Dutch band was introduced to me by Sjaak. Brown Feather Sparrow do blippy folk-pop, reminiscent of Lali Puna or a female-fronted Notwist. "Shadow Queen" is deliciously light, like sun through leaves. It lifts into your ear and then flickers away. Organ synths wander about Lydia Wever's voice, horns calling from down the street. The band exercises terrific restraint, letting the emotion be expressed in the mutedness of the notes, the quick fade. Why wail and flail when there's nostalgia in the pauses between words, passion in the gaps? [buy]