The Good Life are a band I've had a tricky relationship with, but it seems recently it's all come good. In 2008 I bought three Good Life albums but didn't find myself drawn in to any of them particularly. I'd gone into each album expecting to hear more of the Tim Kasher I'd been used to from Cursive (a band who I adore and have written about extensively here) but that wasn't what I got. The Good Life is a much more reserved, quiet affair but there are certain consistencies; Album of the Year is a concept-album based on 12 months of a relationship from start to end (making the title a brilliant play-on-words), and broken relationships and concept albums are very familiar to Cursive fans (see Domestica and I Am Gemini, respectively).
Of the three Good Life albums I own, Album of the Year is definitely my favourite. It was the one I enjoyed the most back when I wasn't so keen overall, and it's my favourite now that I've rediscovered them. I guess it's partly because I'm a sucker for a concept album, but mostly because it's got some incredible songs. The title track and opener is an excellent song (and, I recently discovered, stunning live) and Lovers Need Lawyers is also quite a highlight. The whole record examines the relationship from a level that's never possible when you're actually in one and I'm sure everyone can relate to songs like Inmates (with it's lovely dual-vocals) and Needy. There's something pleasing in the way the record starts with "The first time that I met her..." and ends on "...that night we last spoke".
I'm glad I rediscovered this album. Some records are slow-burners and it's great when you get to the point where they truly shine. Years and years ago I decided to never sell any of my records, even if I got no enjoyment out of them - essentially my record collection is a one-way function where records come in but never leave (meaning all those embarrassing ones I bought as a teenager remain in the racks). I can't say whether I'd have kept this one the first time around but the fact I enjoy it now is testament to benefits of a one-way record collection. Who's to say what records you'll be listening to six years after you bought them?
Format: 12", insert
Tracks: 12
Cost: £7 second hand
Bought: Selectadisc, London
When: 15/09/08
Colour: Black
Etching: none
mp3s: no
