Carina Round :: Backseat

So, I've been a big fan of Carina Round for some time now. She's influenced by the likes of Patti Smith and PJ Harvey (but hates the comparisons) and hails from Wolverhampton in the UK (though chiefly operates out of L.A., now).

Her discography is checkered - not by quality, but by politics. After her 2001 debut EP "The First Blood Mystery", she produced her first full-length album, the critically acclaimed "The Disconnection" in 2004. Despite the accolades, Round had trouble building up a fan base and moved to L.A. to team with Glen Ballard for her next LP, 2007's "Slow Motion Addict". The album featured a more produced, more accessible sound and was released through the Sony label. Round became disgruntled with the big-label, big-producer methodolgy and a year-long delay in releasing the album and used the time to add one last track lamenting the decision (the song's chorus screams it's very title "I took the money! I took the money!").

Choosing to return to the more difficult but more rewarding self-produced route, Carina has just released this short 5-song LP "Things You Should Know" with a creative pricing structure that includes an option to buy the album for $1000 and have her play at your house. The funds are going to the production of the subsequent full length album later this year. A very worthy cause indeed.
(Note: I will gladly pony-up $100 if nine more of you will. Not kidding.)

From this EP, please enjoy "Backseat", one of the most hopeful songs about desperation I think I've ever heard. Or is it one of the most desperate songs about hope?

And no, the lyrics are not lost on me.