The Only Mirror In The Room

AK-MOMO “Greasy Spoon” – Okay, I think I have this figured out now: I dig nu-folk when the folky elements are recontextualized and obviously postmodern (like, say Cocorosie, or Stephen Malkmus and Mary Timony’s appropriations of Ren-Faire Brit folk psychedelia), but whenever it seems that the artist is aiming for authenticity (Joanna Newsom, Devendra Banhart, etc, etc), I am turned off, big time. AK-MOMO fall into the postmodern camp, setting their beautiful lullabies to a distant backdrop of vintage optigans and melotrons that imply a nostalgic past. It’s like the musical equivalent of Guy Maddin’s vaseline-lensed movies (ie, The Saddest Music In The World), but less academic and more poignant. (Click here to buy it from Parasol.)

Relaxed Muscle “Sexualized” – I can’t believe that I’ve never actually posted this song – in my mind, this is a big Fluxblog classic. (A direct result of putting it on so many mix cds, I suppose.) This is Jarvis Cocker’s frantic, in-the-red anthem of sexual frustration. The character in the song sees sexuality in every facet of life and pop culture, but it is always inaccessable or forbidden, which drives him mad. The guitars are overheated and manic; the vocals convey a palpable anxiety and desperation. This is the sound of futile lust and horny impotence, and it fucking ROCKS. (Click here to buy it from Amazon UK.)