distorted heart

The Magnetic Fields' Distortion is an album I have a lot of trouble growing tired of. It may be because it is so deeply entrenched in my good memory bank. Distortion is Chicago to me. This would make more sense if the Magnetic Fields were from Chicago (they're from New York) or if we saw them live there (we didn't). But, when I travelled to Chicago in early 2008, I was really into Distortion, it was a brand-new release and my then brand-new friend Tanya handed me a burnt copy of it a week before. I put it on my iPod for the trip. I listened to it most of the bus ride there & whenever music was to be played in my ears. Our tour guide/host, Matt, played the album once, too.

Some songs occasionally skip this memory, but others do not have that luxury. Namely, Xavier Says is the one that can't escape that fate. The first few seconds of the song bring up the thought, the dream of Chicago so SHARPLY it is undeniable, inescapable.

It's almost as if I associate a distorted guitar tone with the City of Chicago.

oh my distorted, fuzzy heart. how i infatuate you with places & things.