I think you see Modest Mouse first as philosophers (Sorry for judging you and I could be wrong but that is the feeling I get). In thinking about these three songs, I have started to see the band more as amazing musicians, in spite of his voice. He is no Josh Groban. (And I sure you see their musical viability also). I think I have a problem with the philosophy in their music/lyrics because it goes over my head for the most part but I still love them. I think it is because of their amazing use of rising action and climax. It is like musical literature. I see them as story tellers because I follow each song emotional in the rising action and climax. But like true philosophers (I think, I don't really know that much about true philosophers)--at least in these songs--there seems to be no resolution, only the posing of a question or some other thought provoking device.
Parting Of The Sensory - "Some day you will die somehow and Something's going to steal your carbon" If this doesn't make you think then... I don't know.
Little Motel - "That's what we're waiting for aren't we?"
Etc.
In "March into the Sea" I think there is some playing with reverse evolution. "Our tails wagged and then fell off but we just turned back, marched into the sea."
"Let's shake hands if you want but soon both hands are gone, ha-ha-ha!"
It seems as though he could be talking about losing our humanity, hence the reverse evolution.
"Well treat me like the sea oh so salty and mean"
"Treat me like the disease like the rats and the fleas."
"Cut me down like a tree like the lumber or weeds, well discard who you please like the leaves off a tree.
"Well we all stumbled round tangled up in the cords from our phones, V.C.R. and our wordly woes.
March on!"
Now this line:
"Drag me out of the sea and then teach me to breath. Give me forced health till I wish death on myself."
I really don't know what it means. But it seems like an important line.
So basically I am saying I don't really know what this song means. But I love the feel of it. The rise in emotion the peak and then the abrupt ending. All the yelling that goes along with... I like it all.
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2 comments:
ok, so I totally agree with your assessment of the rise and fall of the emotion of the song. It's like when I was listening to the song and reading what you wrote, I had known what you were talking about this whole time, it was just never articulated. In other words, your assessment is dead-on for me.
I actually haven't figured this song out much. I've kinda thought (in light of the rest of the album) that with the whole Evolution thing he's lamenting that crappiness of society...like he's saying, "Evolution has led us to this?! Well then, take it back--I don't want to be part of this!" Anyway, that's all.
"Drag me out of the sea and then teach me to breath. Give me forced health till I wish death on myself."
I'm reading all your old posts :)
I think that line has something to do with being obliged to do what an anuthority figure says. Be it the government, a teacher, a parent.
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