So in the spirit of easy categorization and quirky things that linger in my mind, I present for your approval and disapproval: "Kyle Reardon's Top Ten Favorite Album Openers." Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I present for your discussion, my favorite "track number one's" around. So far. These things are always evolving and changing, meaning that in the end they can be viewed as little time capsules of thought, or completely and totally worthless.
Let's start at number ten (even though I don't think I'll really be counting them down in any real order aside from perhaps the number one!)
#10!
"U.R.A. Fever" from Midnight Boom — The Kills
I'm a sucker for sound effects before tracks, but let's be honest, they can get blown out of proportion, but lucky for you and me, U.R.A. Fever's dial tone is a seductive intro into the heavy bass and drawling lyrics.
#9!
"Concrete Bed" from The Weight is a Gift — Nada Surf
A single note that jumps into an energetic rhythm gifted with poignant lyrics: "To find someone you love, you got to be someone you love." Makes sense to me. "Like yourself!" they say over a rushing melody. I'll do my best, Nada Surf, I'll do my best!
#8!
"Concerning the UFO Sighting near Highland, Illinois" from Feel the Illinoise! — Sufjan Stevens
I can't get over Sufjan Stevens. This song, however, might be his best intro into any of his albums. The melancholy flavor peppered with hopeful note progressions not only makes for a beautiful track, but also gives a hint toward the fascinating concoction of tones throughout the album.
#7!
"When The Lights Go Out" from Rubber Factory — The Black Keys
No song— I repeat no song puts me in a different place as quickly and effortlessly as this one. I get flung into some kind of romanticized alternate American South, one that works hard on being dirty. Shoot, son, I love it.
#6!
"Sentimental Heart" from Volume One — She & Him
I'll admit, I was excited but nervous that one of my favorite musicians, M. Ward, had teamed up with one of my favorite actresses, Zooey Deschanel. Could it be as good as I hope and pray it to be? Thirty seconds into Sentimental Heart and I realize that it's better, better than what I had dared to hope for.
#5!
"Plead the Fifth" from Five Score and Seven Years Ago — Relient K
Say what you will about the bubble gum pop that is my favorite band from High School! But know this: a great opening track has to get you excited to listen to the rest of the album, and that first humming note joined by that thumping bass pedal... you don't want to stop listening.
#4!
"Things that Scare Me" from Blacklisted — Neko Case
This song is an attention getter. You almost have to stop and say to yourself: "What? What's that? And more importantly, what's next?"
#3!
"Gobbledigook" from It's Icelandic, I'm not even going to try. — Sigur Ros
This song feels like coming out of a dark cave, an introduction into running through whatever wonderful images play through your head for the rest of the album.
#2!
"Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car" from The Shepherd's Dog — Iron & Wine
People have a tendency to say the same thing about every Iron & Wine album. "Well It's not The Creek Drank the Cradle." You know what? Shut up. This first track seems to say, "Look how exciting this evolving sound is. Won't you stick around?" How could I not?
#1!
"Marching Bands of Manhattan" from Plans — Death Cab for Cutie
Sorry, Haters. Say what you will, Death Cab has a pretty solid run of first tracks. Plans isn't even my favorite of their albums, but I don't think any of their first tracks said what this one did. With a rather strong following after the melancholy Transatlanticism, Plans scarred a few die hards and brought in a whole new crop of radio fans. In my opinion, "Marching Bands of Manhattan" was a beautiful announcement. It begins with a touch of that familiar sound from previous albums, but builds and builds into a hopeful parade of hoping progressions and simple, clear hope.
Well, love it or hate it, this is kind of how I think this list looks for me, as of this single moment in history. I even changed it as I was writing it. I suppose it will never be finished, as long as albums keep coming out, but isn't that part of the fun in life? Evolving opinions show that we're willing to listen to new ideas, not that we're weak minded. In other words, you should change your opinions to adhere to mine.
kidding!
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