Back in the early days of the Internet, before Amazon.com was the dominant e-commerce engine, it was super easy to get deals online.
I used to buy CDs and DVDs at ridiculous prices, taking advantage of coupons, special promotions and introductory offers. I would boast about my successes, saying things like “I got the Rushmore Criterion Edition for twelve dollars, shipped.” It was always more impressive when the cut rate price included shipping.
Beth Orton’s second album, Central Reservation, represents one of the sweetest deals I ever got. I don’t even remember the site, but some company (probably long since out of business) offered a free CD of your choice just for registering.
Their available CDs were plentiful but not exhaustive, and I remember scrutinizing the list for the perfect title. I didn’t want to pick something I would happily pay for, but I didn’t want to go too crazy and wind up with something I’d never listen to, either. I wanted something safe but a little bit out there.
That something was Orton’s second album. I’d enjoyed her debut, Trailer Park, well enough and I’d heard good things about this one. But it wasn’t the kind of album I’d run out and buy. It was something I’d have to luck into, and luck into it I did.
The truth is, I haven’t listened to it much since then, but it did feel great when I received that free CD in the mail. These days you have to spend $25 at Amazon just to get free shipping. I long for the Wild West.
I couldn’t help but notice
A light that was long gone still burning strong
You were sitting
Your fingers like fuses
Your eyes were cinnamon
You said you stand for every known abuse
That was ever threatened to anyone but you
And why should I know better by now
When I’m old enough not to?
While every lie speaks the language of love
It never held the meaning I was thinking of
And I can’t decide over right or wrong
I guess sometimes you need the place where you belong
Some may sing the wrong words to the wrong melody
It’s little things like this that matter to me
Others feel that you should stand
For every known abuse to hand
And all the things that they could never see
You said you stood
For every known abuse that was ever promised to anyone like you
Don’t you wish you knew better by now
When you’re old enough not to?
When every lie speaks the language of love
And never held the meaning I was thinking of
And I can’t decide over right or wrong
You left the feeling that I just do not belong
One drink too many
And a joke gone too far
I see a face driving a stolen car
Gets harder to hide
When you’re hitching a ride
Harder to hide what you really saw
Oh, yeah, you stand
For every known abuse that I’ve ever seen my way through
Don’t I wish I knew better by now?
Well I think I’m starting to
When every lie speaks the language of love
And never held the meaning I was thinking of
And I’ve lost the line between right or wrong
I just want to find the place where I belong
Why should you know better by now
When you’re old enough not to?
I wish I knew better by now
When I’m old enough not to
Meet Me In Montauk 
I like Orten’s sound, in this song, and a few others i have heard by her. Sounds like you got a good deal to get this CD for free, but was it free “shipped?”:)
Indeed it was!
Nice to get something totally free, especially something good. I really like her sound.
This is one of the best things I’ve read in days. I had forgotten your “…. Shipped.” boasts. The wild west, indeed.
Orton does have a great sound, but this is another one of those songs/entries that makes me twitch. Who has the time (clearly not you) to listen to what appears to be a musically and emotionally satisfying album such as this one when there is so much other music in your collection that you’re likely to reach for first.
Yup, I still think I’d rather just be in the dark about what I’m missing 🙂