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"Special" by Angel Olsen is song of the day on Battlestar Eclectica. For the first time, I've picked a song that makes me feel challenged and ambivalent.
This tune—off Olsen's new album Phases—is eerily low-fi, minor-chorded and minimalist, not to mention slightly off-key in the vein of Kim Gordon, Nico or Karen O. I think I like this song, but I'm not ready for it. Keep in mind I have a penchant for Journey and Boston so my taste is questionable and runs to tuneful pop.
The vocals are cool, sort of like if Mazzie Star and the Cowboy Junkies and Courtney Love produced a track by the Beach Boys, but the Beach Boys are girls and also on heroin.
When it comes to rock music, Angel Olsen is peeling off all the old wallpaper layers. For an upbeat palate cleanser, giver her pouty, tremulous "Shut Up, Kiss Me, Hold Me Tight" a listen.
Oh yeah, and I'll update you if my assessment of this song progresses from one thumbs-up to two. It's about the journey, people. (The life journey, not the Steve Perry one.)
—Sarah Torribio
