Pop is cheesy, and so am I Lois.
Red House Painters – Have You Forgotten
This all started when I was walking downtown and realized something – I look at as many people as I can see. As a basic human level of interaction, I think we all should all work at that. I then proceeded to make fun of myself for how much that sounded like a poorly-derived and likely over-delivered Snow Patrol lyric (or something as equally unfortunate). Cheese and corn are often a key part of pop music. We all know pop is pop because we all feel alienated by the more difficult concepts we don’t understand. But that shouldn’t be a reason to downplay its value. It may not challenge one’s tastes, but it at least still connects people with something outside themselves.
Lyrics that are direct, barely veiled, with those feelings we’ve all felt. The universality at the exact same time as the inherent intimacy. The classic epic contrast. That’s where the power comes from. It’s where music carries the fire.
The brooding voice, that heartfeltiveness, perhaps some warm nostalgia, and some self-indulgent creative confessions. Welcome to pop music, self-indulgence. The water is balmy. In a way, self-indulgence and cheese go hand in hand – a drum solo, an Usher song with exaggerated swagger, a disingenuous declaration of love, and every song Motley Crue ever wrote. Annoys some people at certain times, but comforts many.
Mark Kozelek and his offshoot groups (Sun Kil Moon, Red House Painters, solo) have been winning hearts and minds for a long time. This song was my first introduction to the man. Hope you enjoy, and explore more of him if you like his voice/vibe. Lots of goodies.
