Interlude #4: What Could Have Been (AOTMs that nearly made the cut)
The Walkmen – You & Me
Okay, so this
really could have been the pick, but I figured it would just be too obvious (probably a good call, given how early
@Indymisanthrope guessed it). The Walkmen are one of my all-time favorite bands, and
You & Me is their high water mark. Probably best known for their blistering single "The Rat", there has always been a different side to The Walkmen: melodic, haunting and atmospheric, enveloped in a blurry nostalgia that feels like a dream.
You & Me nails it with the opener "Dónde Está La Playa", and never lets up, with a sprinkling of anthems (scroll down for the video of "In the New Year") mixed in.
To borrow from the Pitchfork review, "This is the sound they've reached for since the very beginning, and they've never played it as gracefully or confidently as they do here." When I first heard the album, it was akin to meeting an old friend that I never knew I had. It's mostly a slow burn, but one that burns bright with confidence, pulling you in deeper with each listen. The album just flows, creating a cohesive atmosphere with that haunting, melodic tone a through-line. I could go on, but suffice to say that like all great albums this one rewards repeat listens. Okay, so now I kinda regret not picking this.
In any case, after 10 years of "extended hiatus", The Walkmen are getting back together for a 2023 tour. No west coast dates as of yet, so I am still contemplating an east coast trip in May. If they are coming to a town near you, don't miss the opportunity. Their side projects are also worth checking out – Hamilton Leithauser has put out a string of excellent solo albums, and Walter Martin has been prolific, even releasing a pair of albums geared toward the younger set. When my daughters were young,
We're All Young Together was a roadtrip staple. I kid you not, every family member (yes, even my wife) singing along to every word. So good.
In any case, the Sun Studio edition from below includes alternate takes recorded at Sun Studio in Memphis (which led to the early guess).