Super Fancy Good

Every rock star needs an astronaut song.

As with many of the bands I’m desperately in love with, I experienced The Long Winters’ discography in reverse order. Putting The Days To Bed was current and grabbed me immediately, but Ultimatum was the real beginning of the infatuation. A large part of that is this opening track.

Airy synths give way to a marching piano line and one of John Roderick’s finest - if not most straightforward - melodies. It’s all hook, hanging on each syncopated beat of the piano part. I spend every listen waiting for the inevitable bridge or chorus, but the song pulls me along to the eventual, tragic climax.

Yes, the song is about stranded astronauts, but there’s not much else Bowie-esque about “Commander.” For starters, even though “Space Oddity” is melancholy, it’s not sad. Major Tom wants to find his home, while Roderick’s commander will never reach his. “Space Oddity” is also simplistic in its peculiarity, built around Bowie’s simple guitar structure and brilliant vocals. I’d like to think Roderick started off with that simple piano line (I’m not allowed to loiter outside John’s house and yell these questions at him anymore…) but he throws a cacophony of keyboards and a basic but emotional drum beat into the mix.

Nothing else by The Long Winters sounds like this, and none of their songs pull the heartstrings the same way. “Commander” is forlorn in the perfect way, sorrowful without being miserable.