They say the work is hard,
but when I get younger.
Even as the lights dim low,
even as a high winds blow.
I'm writing this as the lights dim low, after a long couple days work, with quite a few ahead of me. Woodlock is a Melbourne-base folk/pop outfit who've got a really pleasant, fun sound. I don't know too much about them, but "Sirens" is an earworm that's been in my heavy rotation for a few months now and well worth your time to check out.
All these words I try to find to say to you
I can't stand a thousand dreams I dream of you,
while you stand beside me,
while you move into my arms.
Driving home Saturday night, listening to the "Safety Dance" set on 1st Wave/SiriusXM, I heard a remix of this song and couldn't believe it. I used to wear this cassette out back in 1988 (or probably '89-'90, wasn't really an early an adopter back in 8th grade). Anyway, despite it's time in heavy rotation on my boom box, I didn't repurchase Voices & Images on CD, and subsequently didn't think to purchase (or otherwise) the mp3s, and just completely forgot about anything other than The Great Commandment. Until this weekend. So, when I saw Keith picked a song from 1988 for Monday, it felt like an invitation for me to do the same. Great minds, and all that jazz.
I am a patient boy
I wait, I wait, I wait, I wait
My time is water down a drain
Everybody's moving
Everybody's moving
Everything is moving,
Moving, moving, moving
Please don't leave me to remain
In the waiting room
1988. The year before I graduated from high school. Also, the year famed post-hardcore band Fugazi released their self-titled EP. 1988. It was a good year.
I was walking far from home
Where the names were not burned along the wall
Saw a building, high as heaven
But the door was so small, door was so small
I saw rainclouds, little babies
And a bridge that had tumbled to the ground
I saw sinners making music
And I dreamt of that sound, dreamt of that sound
I was walking far from home
But I carried your letters all the while
I saw lovers in a window
Whisper want me like time, want me like time
I saw sickness bloom in fruit trees
I saw blood and a bit of it was mine
I saw children in a river
But their lips were still dry, lips were still dry
I was walking far from home
And I found your face mingled in the crowd
Saw a boat-full of believers
Sail off talking too loud, talking too loud
I saw sunlight on the water
Saw a bird fall like a hammer from the sky
An old woman on a speed train
She was closing her eyes, closing her eyes
I saw flowers on a hillside
And a millionaire pissing on the lawn
Saw a prisoner take a pistol
And say join me in song, join me in song
As this is posting I'll have arrived in Australia. For the second time this year. Yep, I took the longest non-stop in the world from Dallas to Sydney. I love to travel but, if I'm being honest, this year has been a bit much, and we're only half way through! I'm sure I'm missing Kerri something awful, and I don't even want to think about my poor cat, Danger.
But enough of that! Travel is a joy. It's probably the best way a person can learn and become more at one with the world. My favorite thing to do when I'm away is to walk. I love exploring and getting lost in new places. I love making up stories about the people and places I see. I love listening to music in a new environment, finding art and taking photos and breathing far away air.
"Walking Far From Home" one of my favorite songs, and easily my favorite from Iron & Wine, who've got a lot to choose from. I included a fair bit of the lyrics because they're so damn good (Samuel Beam is an amazingly gifted songwriter) and evoke almost exactly my own feelings as I'm walking far from home.
I’m an angel in the evil
I’m a child in my mind
I’ve been searching for salvation
I’m my own valentine
I’m a baby
Without you
Nice as Fuck are, well, I guess you’d call them an indie super-group (starring Rilo Kiley’s Jenny Lewis) with a funky vibe and a silly name. Their self-titled album fun and feels a bit like a low-fi Fleetwood Mac tribute. It’s also catchy and a great listen for a summery afternoon. If you make it to the end, and you should, you’ll get a kick out of the NIF theme song. Good luck!
