'Athene,' Hercules and Love Affair
From 2008's 'Hercules and Love Affair'

I love this song so much, it's my new puppy's middle name. Seriously.

When I found out Brooklyn's Hercules and Love Affair were on the bill for the Hideout Block Party in my homebase of Chicago this Saturday, I was a bit shocked, mostly because it didn't seem like a good pairing given that one of the fest's big names this year is Neko Case. (No offense to Case, but you can't exactly party to 'Deep Red Bells.') But then I realized that HLAF was only playing a DJ set. Not that I'm knocking DJ sets, either. It's an easy way to get up close(r) to artists you like, discover new, obscure music and possibly make a fool out of yourself by sharing that you, too, just love Salt-N-Pepa.

While I'm sure Andy Butler has great taste and can deliver some hot jams, it looks like I'll sadly have to wait a whole month to see and hear the real deal, since Butler and Co. aren't starting their official tour until Oct. 2 (and thus not playing in my city until the 17th). Until then, I'll just be playing 'Athene' ritualistically.

Though I'm completely in love with the whole HLAF debut, 'Athene' was the immediate stand-out track for me. Being that HLAF are all about Greek mythology, it's no surprise that Butler wrote the track in reference to the Goddess of Wisdom. But it's Kim Ann Foxman's voice here that actually evokes all those magical, mythological feelings. Her softly, elongated "Atheeeeena" ebbs and flows, and wraps around the beats as rhythmically as one of those decorative wave machines that were big in the '90s. Those were completely tacky, but it's the same idea: capturing just a little bit of grandeur to experience whenever you want.

What song do you freakin' love? Write our next IFLTS. Send it to us at spinnereditor@aim.com