For some artists, love means not wanting to live anymore. And while they give us the reason to live with their heart on their sleeves, I am always emphatic towards their sadness. It is that ambiguous question – do I want them to finally be happy or stay sad and make good art?
There are several facts about the Best Of album by Counting Crows. The first fact is that Counting Crows are one of my all-time favorite bands. I know this comes off as a subjective fact, but that doesn’t make it any less factual. Second fact is that all the songs on Films About Ghosts – The Best Of are the songs I would also select for the ultimate collection. Ok, maybe I would also add Raining in Baltimore or Sullivan Street. Altogether, it is impossible for me to rate this album objectively. So, let’s dissect this week’s Throwback Thursday record.
Few songs from this compilation are brand new, but most of them are from the album August And Everything After. This might be the saddest album ever recorded. Nowhere is love failure described as precise as on this Grand Album Of Love, thanks to Adam Duritz. Of course, this is my humble opinion. None of this would be plausible If Adam Duritz wasn’t an overly affectionate artist, and a little bit of fucked up person. I thank God for these people everyday.
Round Here was always fighting for the top spot of my favorite Counting Crows songs, but the competition is strong. For example, there is Anna Begins with verses
She’s talking in her sleep, it’s keeping me awake
Anna begins to toss and turn, and every word is nonsense
but I understand,
and oh Lord, I’m not ready for this sort of thing.
And don’t get me started with Long December. No matter which month of the year it is, this song is the best song for that month. I consider it one of the best ballades ever written. All the words I would use to describe that song would be futile. You need to dive into it and surrender all of your senses. Hanginaround and Big Yellow Taxi (that features Michelle Branch) cheer up the atmosphere a little bit, but the true fans of Counting Crows know that Adam can not write a happy song, no matter how hard he tries. Maybe the problem is in his genetic code. But, no one expected him to ever write an exuberant song.
On Rain King, Adam claims
I belong in the service of the Queen
I belong anywhere but in between
And it is not difficult to agree with him. His Highness, The King Of Love Songs.
Still, it is one thing to write a love song, and it is completely other one to write a good love song. This thin line is known only to Crowning Crows and all of us who let them suck us in their world of ballades, perfection and despair. I will forever love Counting Crows, and I hope this Throwback Thursday will help you fall in love with them too.
