Track 14

I have a difficult relationship with the band The Walkmen. I have two albums by them and there are only two songs on them that I unequivocally love. This song and "The Rat" off Bows + Arrows. I saw them live in Austin and had one of the worst concert experience of my life. You probably remember that. I kept trying to call you on a payphone. Why I didn't immediately go and buy a fucking cell phone the very next day is beyond me. Damn my obstinacy. I blame my mother. Actually quote: Won't the wi-fi in the park be an eyesore?

So, obvious question: if I'm only head over heals for two songs by the Walkmen, why do I own two of their albums. Good question. Not that there's only two songs I like and the rest I hate. There are about a half dozen other songs I kind of like and am pleasantly surprised to hear when I put my music player on random.

First, iTunes and online music didn't exist in their present form in the early aughts. Yes, there was Napster or other file sharing, but I'm actually am one of these "I will buy the music to support the artist and the record store" people. (I miss you ear X-Tacy. I could have done more...) 

Second, this award winning Saturn commercial:

If Don Draper were a real person, he would have made that ad. I'm sucker for good music in a car commercial. Unfortunately, for the car manufacturers, I buy the music and not the car. I also bought Nick Drake album based on the use of "Pink Moon" in this award winning Volkswagen ad.

I also remember The Go! Team being used in a car commercial, but I already owned that album. Not that The Go! Team is wistful and nostalgic like the music in the commercials above, but The Go! Team reminds me of Pittsburgh in the most wonderful way. This song is all melancholy to me. The lead singer doesn't really sound that happy that he's older. Verbal Irony.

The third reason? It's a recurring theme. My brother said they were cool.