My Top 1000 Songs #962: Fun & Games

[I've been writing up my Top 1000 songs on a daily basis--you can see them all in descending order by hitting the All My Favorite Songs tag.]

For their follow-up to 1987's nearly untouchable Boylan Heights, which gave the sweet jangle of R.E.M. and the Smiths a gentle, melodic sheen, the Connells added just a touch of the ol' amplifiers. 1989's Fun & Games doesn't stray too far from its predecessor, but there's a little more buzz on top of the jangle. The dichotomy is best heard on the title track, which pivots from a hushed, pastoral opening verse into something far more anthemic, tranquil beauty shifting into a rousing chorus that's almost arena-friendly without losing the band's softly chiming touch. This song alone should've helped move them from college radio faves into more mainstream-friendly confines, but it's a cruel world.

Live 2020:

Acoustic live in the studio: