Why do I love this album? Because not going to art school is as big a mistake as having done so, which is why it's a good idea for those in the first instance to follow paths ghost-lit by other will-o'-the-wisps, so they can hear silvery turns turns such as this before everything get fed to the silver eggheads.

Why do I love this album? I wasn't going to say, but I'm going to anyway...that is if I can get out of bed and step outside and away from this weird feeling following me that even though nothing's going to change, everything's not the same as it was, you know? Like maybe all my hair has gone, but that was in the past and maybe I don't want it back? I think I like it for some reasons like that.

Why do I love this album? As long as I have things to hang on to when I'm starting over again, I'll stick with what has reached out to me from the safe home of these two strangers from The Nightblooms.

Why do I love this album? Because everyone should have an inner Richmond to stroll around. Ours is across the border and far to the east, not quite at lands end. It's a railway stop that boomed and busted and mingled its languages along the way. Everyone struggles, even if just to keep up their mansions and nasturtium beds.

Why do I love this track? Because after a very long walk listening to this album, I have to agree that there's no escaping the illusion, the confusion, or the comforting realization that I'll always be down...and that that's ok. So, even if the guest list for the funeral isn't nailed down yet, there's lots of down time to be filled with downness and music.

Why do I love this album? Because despite all the time, love and snowfalls I've put into life since the 90's, it's long since been driven home that Claire will always hate me...probably...maybe. The only thing for certain is that there's no such thing as black orchids in a natural setting...probably...can't make out the words. Aside from dull lyrical certainty best avoided where shoegaze is concerned, there's nothing that will ever spoil this album for me, not even Claire. Especially not Claire.

Why do I love this album? Because who needs their rules and their dirty looks, the dusty haze hanging over trains that run on and on at the end of our days? Who needs that when you can jump off and run the outskirts from door to door and let the rain run in behind? Actually, we do, because we kinda need the money.

Why do I love his album? Because zombies do march in this world. Because this is indeed a war. Because hope won't die if the dead still dance their eerie dance.

Why do I love this album? Because every time I get set free, this album finds a way to put me back over its knee.

Why do I love this track? Because they were writing more than errant trivialities, so maybe if I give them a little kick, the stage won't completely swallow them up. Any new song will be pre-loved round these parts.

Why do I love this album? Because this "modern" videogame soundtrack is an invitation to get lost in familiar woods, a secret tunnel out of a rat lab life, an escape into a roomful of musical diamonds. Interrupt this seance at your peril and to your everlasting lament, said the spider to fly.

Why do I love this album? Because when our hobgoblin was little, with eyes that brightened every sky, a waiter at Cafe Santropol said, with complete earnestness, that we had a very well-combed child.

Why do I love this track? Probably for all the same reasons this cover got made, ya think? I mean, at this point, after all these years, does anyone still ask the question? We all just know, those who know, so many more than were around or even born when I fulfilled my Columbia Record House Club obligations and they fulfilled my order for, yes, this one, please!