Robbie is more noted for bringing a wicked sense of humour to his tunes but this one certainly is an exception. He may have origionally conceived of it as humourous but I think it was producer Steve Albini who convinced him to play it totally straight. What they got was one of the most harrowing listening experiences ever.
from Country Love Songs (Bloodshot BS011), available on CD
An outrageously ambitious number by a 24-year old - an opening awash with horns, before a ridiculous set of lyrics in which Neil goes up in a big wheel with his girl, only to meet God at the top of the revolution, whereupon he tries to argue with him. Neil is on sparkling form, crying with disgust
and the couple in the car above
well I suppose they think that we're in love
Before continuing (his eye must ache with all this winking)...
Then without warning, as we approach the top
The wheel that turns us all comes to a sudden stop
This song also has the greatest cliffhanger ending in rock. Go and listen - you'd be crazy not to. THe rest of this album is brilliant too.
Super-dark-sexy...This song is an honest portrayal of the paradoxes involved with desire; happy/sad, pleasure/pain, love/hate...etc. I find it terribly gloomy yet wonderfully uplifting at the same time. Just beautiful.
Slow and intimate song, heavenly melodies and what I think is a perfect harmony. One of the songs on the "Weeps" album from the shamefully underrated band Daryll-Ann. Just about anything from this band is great stuff, obvious references to the Byrds and other sixties' jangle-pop, but strong enough to survive.