So, I just got back from a mini midnight adventure and I don't really have a desire to sleep. But I do have a desire to ruminate on some lyrics that I think are just nutritious for the soul. And to narrow it down quite a bit, I'll stick to lyrics from one of my very favorite bands - Modest Mouse. In conversation a couple weeks back, a relation of mine, when confronted with some loud MM, said that s/he did not like the band's music because "he [Brock] just always yells and doesn't actually say anything." Luckily I'm not the violent type. (just kidding). (like, just kidding on the implication that I would have gotten violent, not just kidding on not being the violent type). (you get it). And I recognize that people glean different amounts of meaning from words, and different strokes, and all that diplomatic stuff, yeah yeah.
But, I mean, c'mon now. These are some solid turns of tongue right here.
Hey so you know what. I'm over here reading lyrics to excellent songs and trying to find individual parts that excel. . .and it's not working out. Because I think that's what I love about the way Brock writes songs - there's a certain rhythm, even when you're reading them, that creates part of the magic. So while there are clever twists of terms and interesting conceptual allusions, there's not many short excerpts I could put up here without taking something away from the effect they'd have on you as a listener. So. Go listen to Modest Mouse.
Especially these songs, which I think really demonstrate that lyrical rhythm that I just went on about.
"Spitting Venom"
"Life Like Weeds"
"Dramamine"
"Third Planet" GOD I LOVE THIS SONG.
"Missed the Boat"
"Parting of the Sensory"
Side rant - the whole "old MM" vs. "new MM" debate is enormously annoying and unnecessary. They're still good - just a bit more accessible and with a bit more money in their pockets. It happens, especially when one band member literally changes and another makes a life change.
Oh, and someone will probably try to convince you that every song is about drugs. And that might be true, but have an open mind for other meaning as well, yeah?
