I backed my car into a cop car the other day.
Well he just drove off, sometimes life's OK.
I ran my mouth off a bit too much, oh what did I say?
Well you just laughed it off, it was all OK.

And we'll all float on OK. And we'll all float on OK.
And we'll all float on OK. And we'll all float on anyway.

Well, a fake Jamaican took every last dime with that scam.
It was worth it just to learn some sleight of hand.
Bad news comes, don't you worry even when it lands.
Good news will work its way to all them plans.
We both got fired on exactly the same day.
Well we'll float on, good news is on the way.

And we'll all float on OK. And we'll all float on OK.
And we'll all float on OK. And we'll all float on.
Alright already, we'll all float on.
No don't you worry. We'll all float on.
Alright, already. We'll all float on.
Alright, don't worry. We'll all float on.

And we'll all float on.
Alright already, we'll all float on.
Alright, don't worry even if things end up a bit too heavy.
We'll all float on.

Alright already, we'll all float on.
Alright already, we'll all float on OK.
Don't worry, we'll all float on.
Even if things get heavy, we'll all float on.
Alright already, we'll all float on alright.
Don't you worry, we'll all float on.
We'll all float on.

After reading a book called The Mark on the Wall in which the author describes the working middle class as “modest, mouse colored people” Isaac Brock of Issaquah Washington decided upon a name for his band “Modest Mouse” in 1993. Not finding much success with their early music Modest Mouse was off to a rough start, but in 2000 they released their first major CD after several years of trying to release a hit. After the release of a few records and hit singles, in 2004 Modest Mouse found success in the release of their newest album “Good News for People Who Love Bad News.”

This record had two hit singles “Float On” and “Ocean Breathes Salty.” Of these two songs I found that the song “Float On” was simple but seemed to have a lot to say. In an interview Isaac Brock spoke about all of the garbage that was going on in the world. He voiced strong opinions about politics, and his opposition of the president. Modest Mouse decided because of the pain, violence and hurt that they wanted to make a CD that was easy to listen to and was light hearted.

The words of this song are very simple and repetitive, yet they still covey a strong postmodern message. The first line of the song says, “I backed my car into a cop car the other day. Well he just drove off, sometimes life's OK.” This is followed by the description of several other bad situations in life, but if any of these things happen to you, don’t worry, just float on with your life this is the essence of the chorus, just float on. It really does not matter in the end.

Even if you get ripped off and have every last dime stolen from you, just float on, move on with life as though nothing has happened to you. Another line states, “We both got fired on exactly the same day. Well we'll float on, good news is on the way.” No matter what there is which is bad in your life, don’t worry good news will follow.

Modest Mouse’s earlier music seems to be more depressing, and has somewhat of a nihilistic tone to it. This record seems as though it might be an existentialist attempt at finding the good in life, because no matter who you are there will be things in your life which don’t go your way.

[writen by] Alycia

Three Days Grace’s second, and newest, album One-X is an intensely personal album that the band wrote in the seclusion of a cabin in Ontario, the home province of the band. All of the songs on the album carry the message that anyone who feels like they are the only one who feels like they do (lonely, enraged, pain-filled, rejected, judged, etc) is not really alone. The album and respective band members represent an existential perspective. They believe the world is full of hurt and things are unpleasant, but everyone should just go on with life because there’s nothing anyone can do about it. Adam Gontier, the lead vocalist and lyricist states in one of the songs, “Pain,” over and over that, “Pain, I like it rough, ‘Cus I’d rather feel pain than nothing at all.” Even pain is something to do as opposed to “feeling numb.”

The lyrics on this album are very raw and bring up many “adult issues,” laced with profanity. But the main message of the album is that everyone feels let down and needs to recognize that everyone else feels the same way.

“Riot,” the sixth song on the One-X album, portrays this perspective by stating plainly that if you feel “angry,” “stepped on,” “let down,” etc., then you should do something about it because “you’re not the only one, so get up, let’s start a riot.” Rage, like pain, is another way to deal with the fact that this life is what it is and we must respond.

Other songs on the album:

“It’s All Over”
drugs to deal with what life gives
but they do not help the problem
because it’s all over anyway

“Animal I Have Become”
raw lyrics that deal with the nightmares
of the band members:
that they are just animals
and that is reality

“Never Too Late”
suicide and being unable to
help those around you
because no matter
what you say, ultimately it’s
up to the person with the problem

[writen by] Adina C.

The song title on the initial track of Bright Eyes’ 7th album I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning, which was released simultaneously with Digital Ash in a Digital Urn (2005), fits the description of exactly what singer and songwriter Conner Oberst is trying to get to: the bottom of everything. What is at the bottom of everything? Ironically enough, it seems as though Mr. Oberst is arguing his case that indeed nothing is at the bottom of everything.

The song starts out with a story being told about a young girl with a seemingly promising future, sitting on an airplane becoming extremely bored. Everything changes when some mechanical failure causes the plane and everyone in it to begin their premature descent toward their rapidly approaching death. Moderately concerned, the girl turns to the previously uninterested older man sitting next to here and asks him, “Where are we going?” He happily replies to her by saying, “We’re going to a party. Its a birthday party. It’s your birthday party. Happy birthday, darling. We love you very… much.” After the prelude of this beginning scene, the instruments begin and the song is underway.

The verses of the song seem to convey Conner mocking the patronized and somewhat meaningless actions of most people today. He cleverly plays on words and makes it quite clear that he believes that many of society’s frivolous actions are done because they are parts of a routine life. In other words, these actions are done because “we must” do them—they constitute who we are.

We must blend into the choir, sing as static with the whole;
we must memorize nine numbers and deny we have a soul
and in this endless race for property and privilege
to be one we must run, we must run, we must run.

In the first chorus, Oberst comments on the stereotypes of Mom and Dad and their roles, the fact that death supposedly brings you to “God,” and he ends with saying that death is just as commonplace as, and no more significant than, the sun returning to the lonely ocean.

Oberst is writing from a Nihilistic worldview, indicated further by the last chorus of the song,
Oh my morning's coming back, the whole worlds waking up.
All the city buses swimming past, I’m happy just because
I found out I am really no one.

It appears to me that Oberst is claiming sarcastically to have found happiness in the fact that he is no one, implying that nothing really matters. Overall, it is a catchy tune that ironically conveys an overriding message that is negative and hopeless.

[written by] Joe L

Although Death Cab For Cutie has been around for nearly 10 years, it is their 2005 release “Plans” that has gained more attention than ever.  Fans of DCFC appreciate their melodic indie-pop, combined with imaginative lyrics.  Lyrics, especially in this album paint the picture of an existential worldview.

One of the most recurring themes throughout this album is death.  In their single – “Soul Meets Body” there is an expressed fear of losing someone they love to death, and they declare “if the silence takes you then I hope it takes me too.”  Death is the end.  There is no afterlife.  It is “the silence.” 

We see this in even more detail a few tracks later in “I Will Follow You Into The Dark.”  Here, death is described as “The dark”, “the time for sleep”, and  “the blackest of rooms.”

There is an overall tone of hopelessness throughout the album, yet a resolve to go on anyway.  Their answer, most often seems to be love.  They sum this up in the song “What Sarah Says”:  Love is watching someone die.

[written by] Melanie G

Alkaline Trio is a band with measured success throughout its long career. In this most recent release, they combine their very punk roots with a cloud of poppy-ness. It seems a wise move for the three: it retains the blacks and reds and crack melodic sense that old-timers are used to, but it's also much more accessible with its measured aggression, rich piano, and a new production team. Alkaline Trio has always had a knack at saying the profound and thoughtful. They are not afraid to say it like they see it. Crimson follows the same formula.

"Time To Waste" is the opening track, which once again proves that this distinctive indie-punk Chicago-based band really knows how to start off an album.

The ominous, sinister chords, performed perfectly on a piano, launch off what becomes a rocking, catchy tune that is definitely one of the best on the CD. Lyrically, however, things are much darker. “Time to Waste” hits on the topic of meaninglessness with lyrics like “All eyes fix on the death of tomorrow, and you found everything you need to make a life complete: completely revolting, and they have safety and relief for sale down the street”.

Tracks like “Mercy Me” and “Deathbed” tell the tales of self-hate and angst, the former done in an ironically bubbly fashion. The song “Sadie” tells of the real-life tragic tale of Charles Manson's family member Sadie Mae Glutz, who was brainwashed by Manson to assist in multiple murders. It is hard to keep your foot from tapping out the beat to this song, even as the lyrics get increasingly darker.

The pictures within the CD booklet offer testimony to the view of this band. A bird and a wolf are both displayed stuffed. There are also a plethora of skulls from various animals hanging on walls. This supports the lyrics which Alkaline Trio sings focusing on death. The entire ensemble presents a fairly melancholy, depressing picture.

Alkaline Trio is a group of young men who have seemingly just given up. A lot of things have disappointed them. They’ve grown tired of what they see here on earth, and therefore say “send us ‘Back to Hell’” (one of the tracks on the CD) This view is very pessimistic. They see a lot they don’t like in the world, and they do not have hope for anything better.

As bands go, the Trio is very talented. Their musical prowess is great, and their lyrics are profound. If only they were a bit more optimistic, I feel that they could have a positive impact into lives of those who listen to their music. Instead, the CD comes across like gift-wrapped toilet paper. At first glance it looks really well put together. When you really start looking at it, though, it’s quite a downer.

[written by] Peter G

“Slick”. “True genius”. “Profound”. “Gorgeous”. “Emotionally rich”. “An excellent album”. After just one listen to the album “Chutes Too Narrow” by Alternative/Pop musicans The Shins, most music lovers will want to add their own superlatives to the commentary surrounding this band. The Shins seem unable to produce anything but addictively beautiful music- crossing genres creatively and easily, and seeming to have a whole lot of FUN in the process.

FUN. I think that is the key word in regard to The Shins. Their music sounds fun. Their lives look fun (especially the time they all dressed up as superheroes and paraded through a shopping mall, see the picture). Even their worldview is centered around fun…

            Ah yes, their worldview. One word- existentialism. Existentialism. EXISTENTIALISM!

What is existentialism? Here it is in a nutshell: When some consistent atheists realized that their belief system condemned them to a life that was ultimately and utterly devoid of purpose, they got very sad. They then started calling themselves “nihilists”, a name that comes from the Latin word for “nothing”. However, you can’t really live as a nihilist forever because you don’t have anything to stay alive for. So the nihilists came up with a coping mechanism for their purposeless worldview- they would pick something that made them reasonably happy (that’s where the FUN comes in), and make that the purpose for their lives. And we now call that point of view existentialism.

Some existentialists chose painting for their purpose. Others chose trombone playing, social work, or comedy. The Shins apparently chose music.

Song to song, the nihilist/existentialist message comes through. Look at the lyrics from the song “Young Pilgrims”

“Young Pilgrims” by James Mercer

“A cold and wet November dawn, And there are no barking sparrows.
Just emptiness to dwell upon.

I fell into a winter slide

And ended up the kind of kid who goes down chutes too narrow.
Just eking out my measly pies.
But I learned fast how to keep my head up 'cause I
Know there is this side of me that
Wants to grab the yoke from the pilot and just
Fly the whole mess into the sea.
Another slow train to the coast
Some brand new gory art from way on high
I sink and then I swim all night.
I watch the ice melt on the glass
While the eloquent young pilgrims pass
And leave behind their trail
Imploring us all not to fail.
Of course I was raised to gather courage from those
Lofty tales so tried and true and
If you're able I'd suggest it 'cause this
Modern thought can get the best of you.
This rather simple epitaph can save your hide, your falling mind
Fate isn't what we're up against. There's no design no flaws to find.
There's no design no flaws to find.”
This is just one song- “Chutes Too Narrow” has 9 others. And each, in its own way says the same thing; that life is hopeless and meaningless, and that forward looking lust for life will help us cope with that.  Fun, huh? Not so much…

To wrap up, this album is a good listen, not just from a musical point of view (and it is incredible musically!), but also as a window into the hearts of people who are spiritually empty, and know it and don’t like it. It is definitely worth your time to hear what The Shins have to say, and how they say it.

[written by] Paul P

Innocent

Oh, Johnny wishes he was famous
Spends his time alone in the basement, With Lennon and Cobain

A guitar and a stereo while he wishes he could escape this
it all seems so contagious Not to be yourself and faceless
In a song that has no soul, I remember feeling low
I remember losing hope
And I remember all the feelings and the day they stopped

We are, we are all innocent
We are all innocent
We are, we are... (x2)
 
Tina's losing faith in what she knows
Hates her music hates all of her clothes
Thinks of surgery and a new nose, Every calorie is a war
And while she wishes she was a dancer, And that she's never heard of cancer
She wishes God would give her some answers And make her feel beautiful
One day, you'll have to let it go, You'll have to let it go, No...
One day, you'll stand up on your own, You'll stand up on your own
Remember losing hope, Remember feeling low
Remember all the feelings and the day they stopped
We are (one day), we are all innocent
We are all innocent (you'll have to let it go)
We are, we are (you'll have to let it go, no..)
We are (one day), we are all innocent
We are, we are (you'll stand up on your own)
We are, we are all innocent (you'll stand up on your own..)
We are, we are all innocent.

 

In the song “Innocent”, Canadian band Our Lady Peace is arguing that because there is no God, (or at least no God involved in our lives,) we are all innocent. After all, without a divine plan or Planner, how can we humans be blamed for the conditions we find ourselves in? There is no guilt without a Judge, and ours is a Judge-less world. There is no plan for us or our world, no answers for our questions, and the way to cope with our lives is to go through a progression of feeling low, losing hope, and eventually losing your feelings to “stand up on your own”. This world may be messed up, but it’s sure not our fault. Because of these messages, the worldview promoted by this song is atheistic existentialism.

Several clues point to the worldview. The singer associates himself with two stories within the song—the story of a (young?) man named Johnny, and a (young?) woman named Tina.

 Johnny “spends his time alone in the basement,” fruitlessly seeking escape from reality through music: “…while he wishes he could escape this, it all seems so contagious; not to be yourself and faceless in a song that has no soul.” The message is that there doesn’t seem to be any way out for poor Johnny—he is his faceless self “in a song that has no soul.” That the song that has no soul is a metaphor for a world without purpose, an especially powerful figure of speech coming from a musical group.

 Tina’s troubles are causing her to lose faith in God. She hates everything about her life, even her music. She is losing faith, and wants a relationship with God, but is getting nothing in response.

The singer associates himself with both Tina’s and Johnny’s feelings, saying, “I remember feeling low, I remember losing hope, I remember all the feelings and the day they stopped.” The answer then, for the misery of a hopeless, Godless world is numbness. Just stop feeling, and you won’t hurt any more. It is this coping mechanism that turns this message from Nihilism to Atheistic Existentialism.

 The chorus and title emphasize the theme of innocence. Since God isn’t around to convict us of anything, we are innocent by default. Our feelings of guilt are ultimately absurd, and eventually we will “advance” as far as the singer has, to stand up on our own and feel nothing.

I believe that there are not only other ways to explain this evidence, but better ways to explain it.  Most importantly, the evidence examined (Johnny and Tina) is selected in a biased way—what about other people who are living joyful and purposeful lives? Why focus just on negative examples of humanity? Looking at only part of the evidence will lead to at best an incomplete conclusion. I think that Our Lady Peace needs to look farther than Johnny and Tina, and instead of claiming a false innocence to clear themselves of guilt, find forgiveness, hope and purpose with the God of the Bible.

[written by] Paul P.

Comedians make their living by pointing out the absurdities of life to an audience and making them laugh. Brian Regan is no exception. Brian uses observational humor about life and its various irrationalities. He begins his Live album by saying, “I’m just trying to go through life without looking stupid…it’s not working out too well.”

Brian keeps his performances relatively clean by refraining from off-color jokes, sexual references, and obscenities. He uses real-life, up to date events and activities to spark familiarity with his audience. From topics like dogs barking, birthday parties, spelling bees, school, and other, Brian points out from his exaggerated experience to give his audience a laugh they can relate to.

Although he is very a very talented and animated comedian, like many other in his profession Brian lets his existential views come out in his comedy. In one of his bits about musical chairs, he is reminded of the first time he played and pointed out that there were not enough chairs for everybody. An adult responded, “That’s right, Brian, there’s never enough in life. You’ll always be miserable. There’s no cake there’s no ice cream. Happy birthday.”

People are afraid to say what they mean, or keep on talking if it's not about them
I don't say I hate them before they hate me, I’ve just shut down cause I know what we're all thinking
We're just going by the numbers, dragging along
We’re just clinging on to someone, anyone suck the blood and leave the carcass, Now we're full. 
Lie to not disrupt the balance, it balances.
We're all fake
We want to understand the point, let us drive it through your naive head
Murdered by self-righteous, we've killed humility dead
So is the flesh weak and the spirit willing? Or is Jesus inside a building?
The rituals, rules and things we make up,
It takes so much to wake us up to trade the funding and turn the cheek,
to exchange the proud in for the meek
to say to our reflections "I deny you," feel the splintering wood on my back, and follow
You love the men who drove nails through your wrists
I know enough to know that love does exist if you bled for the fakes that are just like me
Why do i want to make all the fakes bleed?
Jesus, forgive us... we know not what we do
Jesus, have mercy on us, I am what I hate, but I want to be just like you!

             Showbread is a new Tooth and Nail band. If you don’t know the production company, this is one of the leading “Christian” labels. Their music could be classified as hardcore, mostly screaming and pretty much no singing. The title of their CD is No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical. The band would appear to be a pretty strong Christian band.  If I were to categorize them from their song titles and lyrics I would consider them theistic existentialist Christians.

            From looking at the lyrics we can see where their hearts are. The last line alone is probably the most powerful. “Jesus, forgive us… We know not what we do. Jesus, have mercy on us.  I am what I hate, but I want to be just like you”. These guys are not just that cheesy Christian music known to most Americans rather they are a strong sound with equally strong lyrics.

            “So is the flesh weak and the spirit willing? Or is Jesus inside a building? The rituals, rules, and things we make up…” These lines do reflect a sort of cynicism towards the American church. It would appear that this band is not fond of what we have become, with merchandising, commercialism, and fads. But they do appear serious about their faith.

From the opening banjo line and haunting melody of Seven Swans you can tell that there is something, well, different about this album. Not that that fact should necessarily surprise anybody, coming from folk musician Sufjan Stevens. Sufjan himself is plenty different. To use a well known example of his “different-ness”, he’s out to record a concept album for every one of America’s 50 states. Yes. Every state. Probably even Idaho! But I digress…

Every track of Seven Swans is fundamentally about God. And not just about “god” as some great ephemeral thingy out in the great ephemeral somewhere, but a pretty specific idea of “God”. After digging through some obscure idioms, the listener realizes that this is a God that Sufjan seems to know. A God who is a lot like a father, who speaks from a cloud, who provides a sacrifice for his faithful ones. A God who went up on a tree for his people, who gave his ghost, who all the trees of the field will clap their hands for. Sound familiar? It should for those who have read the Bible.

The worldview of Seven Swans is definitely theistic. Frequent references to biblical themes and the work of both the devil and Jesus reflect a distinctly Christian point of view.

To sum things up, Biblical imagery, creative music, and introspectively spiritual lyrics makes Seven Swans a fascinating album that will quietly nudge hearts and minds closer to the God of the Bible.