damageisdone:

More requests! This one comes from Jennifer via, well, AIM. Maybe the “via” part isn’t important. Send more requests!

The Features
“Dark Room”
Live @ The Red Rose
February 28th, 2003

Right now I’m pretty hard-pressed to think of a more universally beloved Features song. Right now. I’m sure when I write the entry for “The Beginning” or “See You Thru” I’ll claim the same, but right now it’s definitely “Dark Room.” It’s a classic song in every sense, with it’s perfect pop song structure and instantly catchy opening riff. It does seem like a lost Kinks gem from 1965, just shot through the quirky post-pop-punk prism of the Features. Trying to describe why this song is great is like trying to describe why (…wait for it…) love is great (boom, cheesy!). It’s just understood that “Dark Room” is the best song for this band to play live. Singing and clapping along live in concert was always a true joy.

“Dark Room” debuted in 1999 around the time Rollum joined the band, I’m pretty sure. It was demoed among its very distinguished peers, the very relevant “Exorcising Demons,” “See You Thru,” “Kari-Ann” and “Circus.” This batch of songs almost went on to become the band’s debut album after sessions with Matt Mahaffey in 2001, but those recordings were never released. “Dark Room” went on to become a live staple and fan favorite (beloved, remember?). This version comes from a stellar show at the old Murfreesboro coffee shop the Red Rose and features my dear friend Susie’s squeal of glee at the start of the song. That’s the reaction this song had on people.

Do yourself a favor and listen to this song eight times through.

I knew there was something I was waiting for them to play last night that they didn’t. This will have to suffice.