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From The Desk Of Rick Moody: “Stare At The Sun” By Eleanor Friedberger (From “Personal Record”)

RickMoodyLogoWriter, singer, composer and poet Rick Moody first gained widespread acclaim with his 1994 novel, The Ice Storm, a portrait of dysfunctional suburban life that plays out over the course of a long Thanksgiving weekend. In 1999, The New Yorker named Moody one of America’s most talented new writers, with a voice that constantly pushes the stylistic boundaries of modern literature. He has published five novels, three collections of short fiction and two nonfiction works. He also performs with the Wingdale Community Singers, an acoustic band that blends the sounds of old-time folk, gospel and bluegrass, with hints of rock and baroque chamber music to augment their arch, literary lyrics. Their most recent album is Night, Sleep, Death, released only on LP by Drag City. Moody will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our brand new Q&A with him.

EleanorFriedberger

Moody: I am well acquainted with Wesley Stace, who wrote this song with Friedburger, and in this capacity I have also heard Stace’s recording of it, which comes out in the fall (on his first album since retiring his normal moniker John Wesley Harding, Self-Titled), and which is not only much quieter but in a different time signature. The tug in different directions has made this song a rather sublime thing, a referendum on what a love song might be. I think Friedburger’s recording is satisfying in a power-pop way. Her voice is so assured, off-handed, so full of loopy good feelings. I admire her singing a great deal. Wait for September 17 and you can hear the other version, which is a lot sadder, but no less admirable.

Video after the jump.