On Our Way To Crazy

11 Cardigans, 4 Sufjans, 7 Joshua Radins and one Joseph Arthur. This is what I’ve been listening to over and over all afternoon.

The first two are courtesy of Geof. The Cardigans are just the kind of band I need to be a fan of. I’m not terribly familiar with their stuff, even though we have a bit of a history: I was already kind of a fan during the Lovefool Romeo and Juliet days, also known as my sophomore year in high school, when I was slightly obsessive about that movie and Leonardo in particular (I had been in love with him since the Growing Pains days, that, my friends, is a TRUE FAN) and every time Lovefool came on the radio I cranked it up and danced my fool head off, earnestly encouraging Leo to just say that he loved me, go on and fool me, because I can’t care bout anything but you and your floppy hair. But instead of buying the Cardigans’ album, I bought the R+J soundtrack, which had that beautiful Kissing You song AND what turned out to be one of my favorite songs ever, “You and Me Song” by The Wannadies, so I never heard any more Cardigans goodness until last week when the CD came in the mail. (Whatever happened to the Wannadies? Were they any good, really?)

So all week I’ve been listening to the Cardigans’ Long Gone Before Daylight album, and it is wonderful. I’ve also been listening to the four Sufjan tracks that are available on Rhapsody from various soundtracks and compilations. I haven’t heard enough of him to really know how I feel about him, especially because I love the track Geof sent but I’m meh on the others.

Joshua Radin sings a song called “Closer” that Susan hooked me up with, and I love it with my whole heart. He’s got an EP on Rhapsody that is just enough to make me want more. There’s just something in his voice. It’s good stuff.

The Joseph Arthur song, “In the Sun”, is a song I have loved for a long time, and was recently covered by Michael Stipe to benefit… something or other. They play his version on the radio every now and then, and it makes me crazy because he misses my favorite parts of the melody and in general makes me want to change the station. I heard it at lunch today and immediately came in and played the Joseph Arthur version both because I love it and to cleanse my aural palate. It’s such a great song.

Anyone else find some good new stuff lately?