Two new songs I heard on the radio today reaffirm how exceptional and artful The Sunset Tree is as a memoir of adolescence. Yes, it risks sap and cliche. Yes these are subjects others have tapped. But, my god, look at the competition.

Simple Plan "Untitled":
I open my eyes
I try to see but I'm blinded by the white light
I can't remember how
I can't remember why
I'm lying here tonight

And I can't stand the pain
And I can't make it go away
No I can't stand the pain

How could this happen to me?
I made my mistakes
Got no where to run
The night goes on
As I'm fading away
I'm sick of this life
I just wanna scream
How could this happen to me?

Everybody's screaming
I try to make a sound but no one hears me
I'm slipping off the edge
I'm hanging by a thread
I wanna start this over again

So I try to hold onto a time when nothing mattered
And I can't explain what happened
And I can't erase the things that I've done
No I can't

How could this happen to me?
I made my mistakes
Got no where to run
The night goes on
As I'm fading away
I'm sick of this life
I just wanna scream
How could this happen to me?

Note: I will BEAT anyone who compares these guys positively to Good Charlotte. Or at least spank.

Better Than Ezra "Lifetime":
Allie woke up 8AM
Graduation day.
Got into a car,
And crashed along the way.

When we arrived late to the wake,
Stole the urn while they
Looked away,
And drove to the beach
‘Cause I knew you’d want it
That way.

And you were standing
On the hood of the car
Singing out loud
When the sun came up.

And I know I wasn’t right,
But it felt so good.
And your mother didn’t mind,
Like I thought she would.
And that REM song was playing
In my mind.
And three and a half minutes
Felt like a lifetime

It felt like a lifetime

And you move like water
I could drown in you.
And I fell so deep once,
Till you pulled me through

You would tell me
“No one is allowed to be so proud
They never reach out
When they’re giving up.”

And I know I wasn’t right,
But it felt so good.
And your mother didn’t mind,
Like I thought she would.
And that REM song was playing
In my mind.
And three and a half minutes
Felt like a lifetime

"Fall On Me"? "Everybody Hurts"? "What's The Frequency, Kenneth?" "Catapult"?

Can someone explain to me how Better Than Ezra could leave a single off their new hits comp? I saw a video for "I Like It Like That" on CTN back in college and its not on the comp, despite the unrecognizaiblity of about half the other tracks. Do they not realize my reaction to a mediocre best-of tracklisting will not be to purchase their full-lengths? Is it pride or capitalism that makes them leave off obvious inclusions? Argh.

Anyhow, The Sunset Tree makes me ashamed of ever wanting to humiliate another person. The only reason "This Year" may not be my song of the year is that I may not need it. Someone else will. I'm not ready to reject the musical expression of affection, fear and discontent on principle quite yet, especially when its specific, direct, warm and plausible.

This week's singles on Stylus. I couldn't get my hands on a copy of the MCR/Used Queen/David Bowie cover in time but I've heard it since: it sucks.