Geoff's Miscellany

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