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IFLTS: 'The General Specific,' Band of Horses

'The General Specific,' Band of Horses From 2007's 'Cease to Begin' I'm a lyrics girl; I prefer a clever turn of phrase to a clever hook. Sure, sound is important but it's secondary to me. To that end, the perfection of 'The General Specific' are the lines, thanks to their rambling, open-ended wistfulness. Whatever sadness, confusion, heartache, ...

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IFLTS: 'Breakin' Up,' Rilo Kiley

'Breakin' Up,' Rilo Kiley From 2007's 'Under the Blacklight' If songs came with nutritional guidelines, this one would be all empty calories. Judging by the label alone, it sounds awful for you -- a disco-tinged breakup anthem written by two former flames? Pass -- I'm on a diet. But when the exes in question are Rilo Kiley members Jenny Lewis and ...

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IFLTS: 'Right Hand Man,' Joan Osborne

'Right Hand Man,' Joan Osborne From 1995's 'Relish' Your eyes and ears don't deceive you. Yes, this is Joan Osborne, the very same woman who you more likely remember singing about God being 'One of Us.' While she waxed philosophical on religion, Osborne also put her raspy vocals to work, telling the tale of a wickedly naughty one-night stand. ...

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IFLTS: 'Ghostwriter,' RJD2

'Ghostwriter,' RJD2 From 2002's 'Dead Ringer' I love coincidences. To me, they're just a quick shout out from the cosmos saying that you're in the right place at the right time. So imagine: It's September 2004. My then-boyfriend had just made me a mix CD. 'Ghostwriter' was track six. We were on our way to the movies to see 'Wimbledon' (no, I'm ...

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IFLTS: 'Fidelity,' Regina Spektor

'Fidelity,' Regina Spektor From 2006's 'Begin to Hope' When I first heard this song, Regina Spektor seemed poised to become the Next Big Thing in Girlie Music, garnering comparisons to Fiona Apple and fellow well-buzzed chanteuse Nellie McKay. While her vocal quirks and hiccups may ruffle some folks, it's those eccentricities that offer up some ...

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