I Want To Take A Chainsaw To The Walls Between Us

Basia Bulat “Before I Knew” – The first song on Basia Bulat’s debut album is gorgeous, but frustratingly short, trailing off to a conclusion after making its point rather than to repeat itself like a normal pop song. Even though it sounds very sweet and pretty, this isn’t the sort of “I’m in love with you” song that is intended to flatter the object of the singer’s affection. In fact, I’m not sure if this is the sort of sentiment that is meant to be shared with anyone at all. “Before I Knew” is an expression of quiet fear, and of feeling overwhelmed and trapped by an enormous love that barely makes sense and threatens to erase parts of the singer’s past, present, and future. (Click here for Basia Bulat’s official page.)

Gene Defcon “Liz” – It’s actually hard to tell whether this song is being addressed to an actual girlfriend or an unrequited crush, but given the hyperbolic nature of the lyrics, I wonder if a love like this is even requitable. “Liz” is big-hearted and sugary, but also sort of frantic and urgent. Gene Defcon’s voice is thin and boyish, and his words betray a naive and unrealistic notion of romance that veers back and forth between over-the-top fantasy and bleak melodrama. He sounds extremely desperate to will his concept of a perfect life with Liz into existence, and to drown out his doubts and fears. He’s mostly successful, though every now and again, the negativity reveals itself. (Click here to buy it from Buy Olympia.)