Westword: Best of Denver Best Recording (2008) Ian Cooke The Fall I Fell Self-released www.myspace.com/iancooke Next to death, unrequited love is perhaps the cruelest of life's inventions. Few things are as euphoric as the rush of endorphins you feel the first time someone truly steals the breath from your lungs — or as soul-crushing as later realizing that the one you love doesn't love you. On The Fall I Fell, Ian Cooke does a masterful job of articulating the poignancy of such a scenario over the course of a dozen tracks. From the chamber-heavy instrumentation to Cooke's unique vocal style, this disc is as compelling musically as it is thematically, and its packaging was both unique and perfect. Hands down, Fell was the best local recording of the past year. Westword - 4/5/07 Ian Cooke Heartache still produces some of the finest art. By Dave Herrera Published: April 5, 2007 Next to death, unrequited love is life's cruelest invention. Few things are as euphoric as the rush of endorphins you feel the first time someone truly steals the breath from your lungs -- or as soul-crushing as later realizing that the one you love doesn't love you. For Ian Cooke, this agonizing situation was especially torturous. "It was difficult," he confesses. "When we met, we just really hit it off. I felt at peace in his company. We hung out all the time. He became my main companion. Even though it wasn't like we were dating or anything, it was nice. I could pretend." Cooke's quandary was