Ex-Supermodel
Regardless, the real debate is this: is the song made more interesting for the inclusion of Robert Pollard's buddy Gary Phillips' snoring, or is it a distraction that mars an otherwise decent song? I can argue either point depending on the day.
On the "more interesting" side, the snoring is kind of like the blasts of noise and other song snippets that are dropped into some of Pollard's more experimental work. The jarring juxtapositions are intriguing as they snap you into focus during an otherwise pedestrian song. Hearing the snores does just that for a pleasant but unremarkable song.
On the "distracting" side, it's a good song, though certainly not in the top tier of the album. Nice moments abound: The lyrics are minimalist; if I had to guess I'd say it's about pleasuring oneself to the image of a supermodel in a magazine (key line: "I exploited her, became the groom"). Not sure what the following lines have to do with it ("I write music for soundtracks now") though Pollard's vocal on this bit is transcendent. The snoring detracts from all of this, causing the listener to focus more on the one incongruous element rather than the parts that work.
Verdict? Today, I deem it a distraction.
Labels: Alien Lanes