Thank You For The Music! (02)

So, although not necessarily a 'new album', it's one that I know I can never, ever get tired of -

'Feeling Strangely Fine' - Semisonic

I'll start bluntly here, this album is absolutely fantastic. It's one of these rare CDs I own that has absolutely everything I want on it - it has the slow stuff, the upbeat stuff, the acoustic stuff. If I had to say what my favourite song was on this album it would be a tie between 'Singing In My Sleep' and 'DND'. Singing In My Sleep has always been a favourite - the wee keyboard intro brings back tons of memories. This used to be one of my dad's favourite CDs (I think, don't quote me on that one), and I remember one time, before Easter, my family and I drive down to Oban for the weekend, and we listened to this CD on repeat the whole way. And I loved it then. Their next album (All About Chemistry) wasn't so spectacular (save a few songs) but this one is brilliant. Key tracks would be the two i've mentioned and, also, 'Closing Time', 'Made To Last', and the one everyone probably knows 'Secret Smile'. Although totally and utterly comercialised out its nut, Secret Smile is still brilliant - bringing back even more memories. I remember listening to that song with my old friend from Primary School at his house - and his wee brother asked his mum 'whats a secret smile?' Although it may seem very odd, and random, it's good, because little things like that open gateways to other memories - and my memory isn't fantastic, so it's even better.

And Made To Last is amazing - it's slow, and Wilson's vocals fit it so perfectly. It's one of these songs I quite enjoy singing when no one's around, albeit the high notes are sometimes hard to reach. (I've never said albeit before, i'm pretty sure that isn't right)

In short, 'Feeling Strangely Fine' is a great album, with good tunes, and good memories.

Mark, out.

xxx