"8 Ball"'s an interesting one...when it was released with "The Beach" soundtrack, wasn't there some degree of complaint that it was too "upbeat" for UW? Then came AHDO, and the good vibes continued (well, sunnier than say most of Beaucoup Fish before it!).
i think "8 Ball" captures the wonderment and awe of walking around town and appreciating your surroundings. Karl's obviously very attuned to what he see and hears (hence his notebooks and photos), but i think this track is one of his more straightforward examples.
Also, it's a great complement to "King of Snake" on the 1992-2002 compilation...such a nice comedown track.
Holden
p.s. the other "BEach" single..."Beached" by Orbital has the same uplifting vibes and similar message (though with Leo DiCaprio delivering it, for right or wrong!)
