Better Days
I was dismayed and discouraged this week as I went to make this, the first three rap songs I went to use I had to scrap after I realized the featured artist had committed physical or sexual assault against their former girlfriends. So instead of some news I’m going to include a great quote from a recent Esquire interview with Bruce Springsteen on how he raised his sons:
“I do have two good men. And I would say their qualities are, they’re sensitive. They’re respectful of others. They are not locked into a 1950s sensibility of manhood, which I had to contend with. Consequently, their attitudes toward women and the world are free of those archetypes, and that frees them to be who they are and have deeper and more meaningful relationships. They know themselves pretty well, which is something I can’t say for myself when I was that age. They know—and can show—love. And they know how to receive love. They know what to do with their problems. I think they have a sense of process as to how to work on themselves, which is something that I certainly didn’t have at twenty-five. These are the things that I’m proud of my boys for. They are quite different from my generation…. The funny thing is . . . if you’re present from when they’re young and if you comport yourself even reasonably well, they pick up a lot of healthy habits. And that discussion happens implicitly. By your behavior at home and how you treat your partner and what they see. I by no means have been perfect. But if you give a reasonable presentation of yourself, a lot of that occurs implicitly.”
Also in an attempt to cheer myself up, here is a video of a classical pianist who performs for blind elephants in an elephant sanctuary in Thailand. most of the elephants were abused and used for work or entertainment in miserable conditions in service to humans. They are calmed and drawn by the piano music that is played for them.
Album of The Week
Good News for People Who Love Bad News -Modest Mouse (2004)
There is probably not an album title more that has aged more aptly than this one. This album varies wildly from track to track, with pop music hits sandwiched between experimental pieces that are closer to a folk spoken word piece. Featuring Tom Waits and some sound mixing from the The Flaming Lips it is clear where the band got their weird influences for this album. While the whole album may not be for everyone, it’s hard to give it a listen and not find a section that sticks with you.
“Ice age heat wave, can’t complain
If the world’s at large, why should I remain?”
“Well take what you want from me
You deserve it all
Nine times out of ten”
Best New Track: All I Want
“Sometimes you gotta keep a little bit to yourself
A little something to keep believing in”
Take Shelter
“In my mind it’s all the way things were
I remember how the family heard”
Little Dog Mind
“What you think you ever gonna find over that next ridge?”
Barcelona Boots
“But you’re pulling me in
Into the night
Tick of the clock when you caught my light
Lust hurts, could you bear it for me?”
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