I’ve always liked this band. Their lyrics often betray a sort of optimistic nihilism. They remind me of Douglas Adams in that respect. Happy atheism seems rare, it probably isn’t, but it just seems rare. Anyhow, here’s a somewhat haunting song off Modest Mouses’ new album. My favorite lyric is probably this:
Expulsion from an exoskeleton
Of our mothers we arrive
Soft sticky cold we arrive and then start to cry
It’s a stark description of birth that reminds me of how fragile we are.
Lyrics:
I’d hate to be shit in your cut
But the package it’s gonna be late
I buried it in an abandoned lot for
When I was young, this was where I’d played
Dug under the fence with my claws
Smelled the cool dirt on my face
I’m waiting ’til the hands fall off the clock
Spending dollars at the nickel arcade
I think I’ll ride this winter out
I guess we’ll ride this winter out
Alone
You echo from side to side
Pacing in your clumsy ballet
Based on the books and clothes on your floor
I don’t think that this is even your place
When the doctor finally showed up, oh boy
His fur was soaking wet
He said that this should do the trick
We hadn’t told him what the problem was yet
Kaw kaw kaw kaw
We’ll have to ride the winter
This time we’ll ride the winter out
With the strain and the comforting
You know everyone needs to go
But don’t everyone go
Don’t everyone go at once
Expulsion from an exoskeleton
Of our mothers we arrive
Soft sticky cold we arrive and then start to cry
All those insects that I sent are trapped
In my window once again
Empty their pockets out and I’ll sort it at the table
Line up then shoo ’em off
Sure as hell they’ll all get caught
In our window pockets full as they are able
The signs all flicker and buzz all night
Passing by you could hear them say
“Hey, please won’t you just come on in”
“Won’t you please just go away”
This time we’ll ride the winter out
I guess we’ll ride this winter out
I think I’ll ride this winter out
Alone
With the straining and the comforting
I know everyone needs to
But don’t everyone go at once