Mason Jennings - Use Your Voice
Whenever I listen to Mason Jennings, I have to ignore the college rock signalongs like “Keepin It Real” in order to appreciate his Dylan-inspired folk-troubadour tracks. But when the songs hit the mark they’re great. The album starts with “Crown,” a dismissive, but confused response to a cheating lover, where he comments “I don’t want to be together / I don’t want to be apart / I don’t want none of this love for you, honey / Deep, deep down in my heart.” The regret continues, occasionally off topic, probably hitting a high point during the bridge on “The Light (Part II)” in the plea, “Please don’t forget how much I meant to you / When you are redefined by someone new.” Oh Mason, I think ‘the light’ isn’t the only thing that’s breaking.
The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow
I love the angry, hurt accusations that occur occasionally on Chutes Too Narrow, particularly on the opening yell of “Kissing The Lipless.” But the breakup highlight of the album has to be the country-tinged “Gone For Good;” “I find a fatal flaw in the logic of love and go out of my head / You are the sinking stone that’ll never elope / So get used to the lonesome.” Pow! Right in the kisser! It’s hard to leave those moments behind.
: Mason Jennings - Crown :
: The Shins - Kissing The Lipless :
: The Shins - Gone For Good :
