Waking Ear

The Mountain Goats/"Tallahassee" -- John Darnielle gets the most props for his lyrics, and they're way better than his voice. But he deserves credit for his guitar work, too -- songs such as this one rely on anxious bass lines and rich strumming. Repitition builds tension, and this album is all about tension in the fullest sense of the word -- that push and pull between opposing forces, affection and abuse, the very best and worst of people in love.

On the absolute other end of the spectrum, this 80-something guy in my office keeps forgetfully opening an e-mail that has a MIDI file of Jimmy Cliff's "I Can See Clearly Now," inadvertently playing the Muzak for the entire office. It would be annoying if it wasn't so fun watching the poor old guy try to figure out how to shut it off every half hour or so. But I'm stuck with that song in my head for the rest of the day, thank you.