songs that are almost too slow, but in fact are quite perfect.

It is my belief that there is a very fine line between a slow song and a boring song. I’ve been thinking about this list for awhile. Few songs have found the perfect balance. Here are nine that I think have…

1. Re: Stacks by Bon Iver – I’ve listened to this song for over two years now, and I have to say… there hasn’t been a single time that I haven’t been completely engulfed by how amazing it is. I always stop to listen. I always almost get teary.

2. The Water by Feist – by far my favorite slow song of hers. It might sound trite, but I love listening to this song in the rain. Her voice is spot on… powerful, but not over-bearing. And on top of her beautiful voice, this is also lyrically one of my favorite songs of hers…. actually probably of all time.

3. Almost There by Pedro the Lion – This song is everything wonderful about when I was 14. I can remember how obsessed I was with Pedro the Lion. I remember screaming along with him in a car with my friend Jennifer, and practically weeping as we did so. And I can remember re-listening to it as an adult, and how it felt to let all those emotions rush over me once again. It’s hard to describe, but the best way I can put it is that hearing it was like falling in love all over again.

4. One Less Addiction (Acoustic Version) by Embodyment – this should be expected because Sean’s voice is perfection. This song hasn’t left my repertoire of songs that I listen to… I think ever. I’ve always had it on a mixed CD or playlist. To me, it’s a classic.

5. Half Life by Imogen Heap – She is a lyrical genius, and this song proves it. This song also proves that she has an upper register to her voice. Very girly sounding, and I love it.

6. Though I Have Wronged You by J. Tillman – so most of J. Tillman’s songs would be on this list of perfection, but I decided to pick just one… which was not an easy task, lemme tell you! The first time I really listened to this song was when I saw him live last year. On the album version it stays very slow and steady, and is extremely heart wrenching. But live… oh my. At the end of the song, him and his band just went off. It was very much the same as a very good musical moment in a worship service…. spontaneous and full of passion.

7. Bell by The Acorn – Again, The Acorn has a few great slow songs, but this one stopped me when I heard it for the first time. The harmonies are amazing. It is such a beautiful song.

8. Say It To Me Now by Glen Hansard – If you haven’t seen the movie “Once”, stop what you are doing and watch it. Now. Or… at least watch the first fifteen minutes. You will find this song there, and it will blow you away.

9. The Blower’s Daughter by Damien Rice – I know this song might have some people wondering what random pile I pulled this song out of… the truth is, the first time I heard this song, I cried. I thought it was perfect. So perfect in fact, that I played it over and over again. Really… I don’t overplay too many songs, but this one got overplayed. And now I hardly listen to it anymore, but it would definitely be on this list because of the impact it had on me before I overplayed it. I think this song, more than any song, taught me that there is such thing as “too much of a good thing”. But it still holds a special place in my heart.

Reading over this, I realize I’ve used a lot of dramatic overly-complicated words to describe music. Oh well… if  you don’t get it that’s fine. I just love music so much, that I get ridiculous about it… often.