2000 Great Songs #1307: At The Sea

Irish indie act Pugwash are one of those tremendous pop bands I'll never understand aren't better known. Their intricate baroque pop music draws, of course, from the well of McCartney and Wilson, but also Elephant 6 acts like Apples in Stereo. (See also, e.g., Beagle Hat.) They've got a ton of great songs spread over their half-dozen records (making it kinda surprising that this is their first entry on the list--shame on me!).

"At The Sea," from 2008's fantastic Eleven Modern Antiquities is, and pardon my critical laziness here, the Great Lost XTC song. Which I guess comes as no surprise, since that band's Andy Partridge co-wrote it and plays on the track. Which doesn't detract from its own merits as a Pugwash song, from the catchy whistle hook and circus playfulness, to the delirious, infectious melody and harmonies, to the bouncy ska exuberance. Your new favorite song, perhaps?

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