As people, we can all find common ground in the things that make us precisely human. 'Just Like Sunlight' is a blog dedicated to examining what we think these things to be. These can range from Music, Arts, Technology, Language, and Human Rights issues to name a few. In order to fully appreciate the world we live in, it is important to illuminate the fact that love and beauty are all around us,
just like sunlight.
"Sit in a room and read- and read and read. And read the right books by the right people... When you find an author who really grabs you, read everything he has done. Don't say, "Oh, I want to know what So-and-so did"- and don't bother at all with the best-seller list. Just read what this one author has to give you. And then you can go read what he had read. And the world opens up in a way that is consistent with a certain point of view. But when you go from one author to another, you may be able to tell us the date when each wrote such and such a poem- but he hasn't said anything to you."
- Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth
For the past few weeks I have been reading 'The Power of Myth', which is basically a written form of a lengthy conversation between Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers, done for a PBS special many years ago. The entire book was fantastic and really illuminating to read, but the quote above really resonated with me. I found myself relating this quote to our current music culture and how we view artists today. The introduction of radio in the 20th Century brought about the idea of radio hits, and singles. However, artists generally tend to produce their music in the form of albums, as a completed work. The combination of this quote and the contemporary status of the music industry led me to look at musical works in a different way. Specifically, it led me to critically analyze the three albums by the band Arcade Fire, in a way that I had never done before. I sat down, and listened to each song, read each lyric, and opened myself up to the meaning and message behind each album. What I found was an incredible display of poetic and musical talent. Now granted, not every band tends to have philosophical, political, or social commentary in their music, but I found all of the above in each of Arcade Fire's albums.
My findings could possibly be the foundation of my Senior Research project for college, and I'll consider it. If you have any questions at all about a certain song, album, or overall message that Arcade Fire represents, please ask and I would gladly have a discussion. Delving into each album would risk doubling the content of this blog with one post, so I will refrain from doing so. However, I will summarize what I have found. Joseph Campbell's quote can not only focus on literature, but musical artists as well. After really going through each Arcade Fire album and thinking about what they have to say and why they have such a perspective, it has really opened me up to the fact my way of looking at the world can be enriched by examining what others have to say about it. Really great bands have a way of reaching people through music, but oftentimes the lyrics are swept aside. Open yourself up to what your favorite bands have to offer, and hopefully, it will speak to you. I would highly recommend purchasing any Arcade Fire album and really dedicating yourself to its content on all fronts.
There are now only 5 days left on my Bonnaroo countdown before I make my way to Manchester, Tennessee, and I couldn't be more excited. This will be my first (of many, I'm sure) Bonnaroo experience so I am not quite sure what to expect. All I know is that I will be camping with my girlfriend for 4 days, listening to amazing bands all week long, and sweating my ass off in the blistering heat. In fact, only those first two matter-- all other details really go out the window. But for the past week now I have been researching and preparing for which bands to see and when. I'm so pumped to see so many names, but I have done my best to make a list of the TOP 5 ARTISTS and I am most looking forward to see play. This list really doesn't mean anything, as I'm also drooling to see Florence + the Machine, Beirut, The Black Keys, Ratatat, The Strokes,etc. and even Eminem. But these select 5 artists and their accompanying songs/videos are what I have been most recently been listening to in order to mentally prepare myself for what is to come. I will most likely post here again before leaving to Bonnaroo, but I doubt I will post updates during the festival, although I will provide an extensive report of course when I return, covering all and everything that is B'roo.
5. The Decemberists
I had not been familiar with several of the bands in this year's lineup, and the Decemberists were admittedly one of them. In researching their stuff though, I was insantly struck by their amazingly poetic lyrics. It continues to baffle me how bands can combine such deep and meaningful words with beautiful melodies, and it is why we all love music so much. I have heard stories about the Decemberists live shows, and how they are fun and that audience participation is often encouraged. This is my favorite video of theirs, and 'Sixteen Military Wives' is a fitting example of the Decemberists' impressive lyrics. I also think I like it so much because I happen to believe the song's criticism of U.S. foreign policy is pretty striking.
The Decemberists - Sixteen Military Wives
4. My Morning Jacket
Despite having been around for a while, My Morning Jacket is another indie band that has managed to slip under my radar, until now. I caught a glimpse of a live YouTube concert they did to promote their latest album, and was pleasantly surprised. I believe this video captures everything about the band, as well as Bonnaroo itself, as it's of a performance from Bonnaroo 2004. If bare feet, long haired musicians, and an atmosphere anything like this vieo is what's in store for this year, then I'll be completely satisfied.
My Morning Jacket - One Big Holiday
3. Walk The Moon
I had been contemplating dedicating an entire post to Walk the Moon, and their debut album, 'I Want! I Want!' for some time, but this will have to do for now. I don't know how I came across this band in the first place, but am so glad I did. (Come to think of it, it was probably hypem.com). The band is made up of a bunch of guys right out of college, who happen to make infectious and addicting indie pop music. Don't let the word 'pop' scare you away, this is good pop I promise. They are my new favorite band, and their sound is just full of energy and fun. The facepaint you'll witness in the video is also mimicked my the band when they play live, and fans get involved in the paint madness as well. I really can't contain my excitement for this one.
Walk The Moon - Anna Sun
2. Mumford and Sons
I had heard of Mumford and Sons in the past, but never really set aside the time to listen and give them a chance. I hope to never make such a grave error in the future. They sound just like any good English indie band would sound, until the banjo kicks in. The Irish twang is instantly recognizable and somehow mesmerizing. The more I listen, the more I like, and the more excited I become to watch them jam out live. I have varied between official band videos and live performances just to mix it up a bit, and here's a performance of one of my favorite M&S songs.
Mumford and Sons - Thistle and Weeds
1. Arcade Fire
Until I heard that Arcade Fire shocked the Grammy world by winning Album of the Year earlier this year, I had not given them a real chance. If this makes me just another bandwagonner, I don't care. I bought the album on iTunes (a rarity these days for me), and never looked back. I spent hours reading the lyrics to each song carefully, when I should have really been writing papers and reading for class. Whatever, I got a 4.0 this semester so my technique works! (Cool brag, right?) Anyway, I fell in love with Arcade Fire and their album 'the Suburbs'. Their subtle theme of childhood nostagia and a concern for our increasingly technological society really fit into not only with how I felt at the time, but even what I was studying! I would read a lyric and think to myself, "that is totally postmodern, I need to tell my Comm&Tech professor...") P.S. If that makes me a nerd then at least i'm a cool nerd that likes good music. Buy their latest album. Seriously. In fact, I would recommend buying each previously mentioned band's newest album. This video was directed by Spike Jonze and the song really is beautiful.
