We interrupt this tsunami of anticipation to bring you something completely different

As the owner of precisely zero working computers since April, my music appreciation has stagnated. CrimeNotes was kind enough to burn me a CD (I know: so 20022) of The Hold Steady's "Boys and Girls in America" and my reaction to it was similar in amplitude to his. Had he not already published multiple excellent treatises on the matter, I would have happily added my two cents. It's made me giddy with glee ever since CrimeNotes slapped his headphones over my ears and pressed play, Marty McFly-style, while we were drinking on my roof late one night after a cookout.

Strangely enough, that's how I first came across the song "O Valencia!" from The Decemberists' latest album The Crane Wife, although the circumstances were different. My co-blogger was not present. Instead of 3 a.m. on a Saturday morning, it was more like 11 p.m. on a Sunday night. And although my friend and I were plenty drunk, I had been having a monumentally shitty day (never you mind the reasons why). My friend handed me his iPod, cued up to the song.

I sat there, nursing my beer, contemplating my life and listening to Colin Meloy's rollicking and tragic tale of star-crossed lovers. It's story of thwarted happiness resonated with me, although for the wrong reasons. Whatever ill fate had befallen me that day, at least I hadn't just had the love of my life shot to death in my arms.


The lyrics are arresting:

Oh Valencia!
With your blood still warm on the ground
Valencia!
And I swear to the stars
I'll burn this whole city down

I've since been listening to it nonstop on the Decemberists' website. If this song doesn't make you want to shed a tear for every missed opportunity at happiness in your life, you either have a dusty opening where your soul should be, or need to take more risks in your life.