4. "All About Chemistry" - Semisonic
Themes: Getting over someone/Loneliness/Looking for love
Some have claimed this album actually broke Semisonic up, since it's their last studio release, but to me, it was worth it. Though not as successful as their prior album "Feeling Strangely Fine," which featured "Closing Time," the late '90s hit you could not escape, "All About Chemistry" boasted a tremendous amount of artistic growth. The album's themes start from the beginning, reflecting on lead singer Dan Wilson's past relationship history: "I remember when I found out about chemistry...," and then the listener is taken on a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs through his tumultuous love (or lack-of-love) life, most notably on the rollicking "Bed" and gentle piano ballad "One True Love," a song about searching for love at a noisy, crowded party that was cowritten and sung by Carole King. "One True Love" features the best line in the album, which also perfectly encapsulates the album's concept: "In this world I can see/many millions waiting in the sun/So I'd love to believe/there'd be one of us for everyone." But of course, when all else fails, there's always...the hand ("Get a Grip"). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGytDsqkQY8&list=PLC7CE8FCA5D6E75CF My absolute favorite, though, is the last song, "El Matador," a sad, mournful coda about the destruction of a relationship. Supported by a dark, almost club-like backbeat, Wilson pleads with ultimate vulnerability: "Please don't go away/Stay awhile, stay awhile." Just beautiful.