Friday, March 21, 2008

Nothing but faith to keep me warm

I was walking down a city street a few days ago (no, D'luv, not that kind of walking on streets) when my iPod, on shuffle, turned up the following song. I know it's already got a pop classic kind of status, but something about the timing and atmosphere was just so right--late night, big city, streets empty of traffic but with just enough people on the sidewalks to get you wondering where the night is going to take each of them and you--that I fell in love with it all over again. This may be more a case of "let's appreciate this song" than me introducing you to a song you don't know but might like, but either way, I need to get this out of my system.



In My Pocket--oh, Mandy Moore, as Adem has asked, why on Earth would you ever forswear a back catalogue that includes a song like this? If this is the result of the Western exoticizing of Eastern cultures, bring it on--rarely is a song this tantalizing, this slinkily invigorating--striking just the right balance of danceable forwardness and taunting come-hither-ness--this able to get under your skin and into your head, or, to get more to the point, this perfect. Maybe it's not a song very much suited to (American) radio, but I bet it'd be a killer getting ready to go out song...or dance around the house by yourself with no other concerns song--take your pick.

To buy Mandy Moore's self-titled album, go here (physical) or here (digital).

Next up: something Swedish, I imagine--many dance music.

11 comments:

Unknown said...
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Robpop said...

This is just weird. I was having the same experience today. The second album came on. I've always adored it. I had to play You Remind Me 10 times. And then Yo Yo thrice.

Turn the clock around is simply gorge. I too loved in my Pocket. But i also think One Sided Love also screamed out to be a single. The chorus just builds and builds! Altogether a very very strong album from Mandy.

Stu said...

I had a similar experience with this exact month about a month ago...yet sadly, I was upset when I discussed this with a friend who made me like this song a little bit less due to the fact that he proved to me that Mandy is NOT in fact stating that she has "nuthin' but panties in my pocket." After that the song lost a little bit for me...however, I still pretend and stay happy...

Adem With An E said...

What a truly amazing song. If only it had been performed by someone who could appreciate it. Probably my favourite Western-inspired pop song of all time. That breakdown still sends shivers up my spine.

Myfizzypop said...

I'm still completely mad at Mandy for dissing her back catalogue and a little embarrassed with myself for saying dissing. She completely blows Jessica Simpson's back catalogue out the water. Remember Cry? That was lovely. Boo you whore Mandy Moore. Ooo it rhymes

AcerBen said...

This should have been a monster UK hit. Maybe it could still could for somebody

Poster Girl said...

Weird, Robpop and Stu! Mandy Moore is in the air, I guess! Robpop, you're right about the album--it really is strong. Ha ha, Stu, you can just keep singing your version anyway ;)

It really is amazing--why on Earth Mandy can't see that, I don't know. It's a very shiver-inducing song, really, throughout!

Paul, you need your own talk show. And I agree!

It really should have been!

Richee said...

This is was a really interesting lead song from an album I felt it didnt fit or by an artist that it didnt suit. Perhaps because in the UK we only got her initial stuff, then all of her ballads but I loved it! If I remember correctly it was around the time of Holly Vallance Kiss Kiss, and I thought this would be huge if released off the back of that, but it never was which was disappointing. This song would still be big in Europe.

Adem With An E said...

Back to what Acer was saying; who could cover this now?

I'm in such a September mood at the moment that she's all I can think about right now, so maybe her? What does everyone else think?

Poster Girl said...

I had no idea that "Kiss Kiss" was released at a similar time (since we didn't get it in the U.S., my chronology of where U.S. and UK/Australian pop fits together is pretty messed up), but hearing you say that--they do kind of make sense together! It really deserves massive success.

Oh, INTERESTING idea, Adem! I love Petra's voice and basically everything she does--and now that you say that, I can imagine it...

Mandy's voice does suit the song so well and having always heard her on it I'm having trouble trying to imagine other singers' voices--I'll keep thinking about it, but I think I'm liking the September idea!

D'luv said...

I figured you were off duty, babe, since you flipped me off when I drove by and catcalled you.

As for Mandy, somehow people have just never truly latched on to her, either as an actress or a singer. Practically every movie, save for minor indie hit Saved, she's been in has flopped, and her biggest hit "Candy" didn't even go Top 40, though the single was certified Gold status.

I think "I Wanna Be With You" actually charted in the Top 40, but wasn't available as a commercial single, maybe?

Anyway, I remember her singles off the second album getting play on TRL, but it was to no avail.

Oh well, at least she's got a hot rack.