everything is exactly as it seems
In the absence of a wireless connection here at the Euro Cafe in Wyndhurst (curse their ill-conformity!), I will write this in a stickie to be later posted as circumstance (and wi-fi range) allows.
My drives to work are very repetitive. In the past, my past jobs, I mean, I never listened to music on the way to work. Perhaps I was mentally preparing myself for the end of the day by chastising myself for the morning (this may make no sense, but think of it as deferred gratification, if nothing else), but it was my habit to only listen to tunes on the return trip. However, the habit was dropped since I began my co-op, and, maybe without surprise, I’ve been enjoying the entire day now rather than just the afternoon. (Even I’m confused by that former routine, so don’t ask… ::shrugs::)
I listened to The Postal Service album today and suddenly I found myself connotating the lyrics. Some people are aware of my deficiency, but I have a difficult time of remembering lyrics to music. It could be that I am overly focused on the musical composition or perhaps I just zone out on the words, I’m not sure myself. Anyways, I was surprised to hear the lyrics and note the characteristic motif.
In several of the songs, there are mentions of an end or completion to something. Namely, of the end of the world (or of mankind). “We Will Become Silhouettes” has a striking resemblance to the possibilities of a nuclear world disaster (the silhouette idea coming from the now-famous picture of a human shadow permanently cast on a well-constructed wall post-a-nuclear-blast; I believe this was following WWII, but I am not positive).
“Sleeping In” has several references to the ultimate fate of the world coming, in this case pleasantly to middle-minded America, by the hands of global warming. “Now we can swim any day in November…” is a notable line. “…thought we were being rewarded…” carries the implication that the warmer weather was a gift for human goodwill. Even the song title suggests the results of a warmer environment, deep slumber being caused by progressive laziness of the heat.
Somehow though, The Postal Service puts a positive, if not uplifting, spin on the whole idea of utter, resulting disaster. “Brand New Colony” is almost upbeat regarding the rejuvenation of the whole world. “Recycled Air”… hello, that title is full of meaning from every angle.
Anyways, I have found this album to be most provoking lyrically - something I find a rarity in other modern musical compositions. Top-40 music is generally total crap and a waste of my hard-earned time.
I wanted to share my newfound wonder in the lyrics of music. I will purposefully refrain from ever seriously analyzing rap lyrics though, but will leave that up to one of my favorite lines from About A Boy - “most of the time they’re just angry, but some times they just want to have sex”.
March 10th, 2005 at 2:12 pm
Interesting bit about The Postal Service. I’d never noted that myself; of course, I’ve never actually listened to the album in any order. Though it’s not nearly as deep as the other songs, “Nothing Better” is my favorite thus far.
March 10th, 2005 at 6:52 pm
Some of the remixes they have released to the iTMS are great. Their “We Will Become Silhouettes” EP is very nice, and the new song on it is nice as well. I am hoping for a follow-up album, crossing my fingers!