Almost Not Quite 4: Shell Games

   Again, before I get into this, I would like to say all the artists I have featured are ones that I really enjoy listening to. Its just that I have a love for well done music videos and I get disappointed when the video doesn't live up to the song that it goes along with. This also reminds me that I've been meaning to start a segment where the video is just outstandingly wonderful.

  Connor Oberst, the man behind Bright Eyes, started as a young song writing virtuoso.  He recorded his songs himself on cassettes and toured close to home while he was still in school. through the years he has been a part of more than a handful of bands and has had a successful solo career as well. He's used his slightly nasal voice to weave melancholic lyrics through rock, blue grass, electronic, and strange avant-garde landscapes.

  I really liked the last album from Bright Eyes entitled "The People's Key". The album was released back in early 2011. It features a spoken word intro and outro by a shaman giving a few kernels of wisdom on life. Also there are songs that bounce along, some that rock, and others that just seem to strike the right chord

   The song "Shell Games", the first single off the album, is about the general futility and mystery that are experienced through life. One of the prevailing themes of both the song and the album as a whole is that this whole thing called life is too difficult to do alone. We all need help now and again, we all need companionship. There's a line in the song that goes, "My private life is an inside joke/ no one will explain it to me". I love that line, even if I can't quite articulate why. Maybe its because that line portrays how we think everyone else seems to have it more together, but really, inside we're all just as lost.

  And that's why I like both the song and the album. The video for "Shell Games" in my opinion, is a little underwhelming. Shot on 8mm film, the video is dim from lack of any real lighting. To add to the lack of clarity, there are several long cross fades, with one shot hazily running over top of another. For the most part the video consists of the band playing the song in a living room, then playing around in the snow outside.  On one hand, I'm a bit thrown off by the confusion that is created by the fact that you cannot really tell what is happening. But on the other hand, maybe , maybe that's the point: using the lack of lighting and overlaid shots to illustrate the uncertainties of navigating the waters of life. things are murky, mysterious, and constantly changing.

Bright Eyes
Shell Games


video directed by Nik Fackler

I believe

I believe in a thing called love. I believe you encounter it a number of times during your life. I believe that dinosaurs existed. I believe that there might be a god or there might not be a god. I believe oatmeal-chocolate chip cookies are awesome and that night bike rides are divine: especially if you turn off your light for a few seconds. I believe life is hard but we can make it easier on each other. I believe people can smile more, its not that hard.

I believe my dreams only get crazier, and I'm not sure they have ever meant anything. I believe that Kurt Vonnegut might have been right when he said that we're all here to just fart around. I believe exercise heals the body and mind, and music heals the soul. I believe nothing is stronger than imagination. I believe that if I hold my thumb up to the sky long enough someone will pick me, and with my towel in hand I could hitchhike across the galaxy. I believe the secret to flying is forgetting to hit the ground as you fall.

I believe everything changes, but at the same time nothing ever does. I believe that there are monsters in the closet and under the bed; if you spend a little time with them you can toughen up a little. I believe that I listen to way too much music but by no means am I going to stop any time soon. I believe that in my head I am a master swordsman, as well as a ninja, wizard, pirate and various super heroes depending on the day.

I believe that turning 21 is kind of anti-climatic. I believe that sunshine is necessary and outdoor naps are wonderful. I believe life goes by in the blink of your eyes, so never close your eyes or you'll miss it. I believe in campfires and ghost stories told late at night. I believe in steel drums in the summer time. I believe the best way to stay young is to go dancing and no one really cares how ridiculous you look while flailing your limbs about. I believe cartoons and animation in general are awesome and that you're never too old to watch them.

I believe we have one life to live and we should make the most of it while we are here...but there are also days when I feel like I've lived 20 times already. I believe guys cry too sometimes and that's okay. I believe some people know exactly what they want to do and some people take a very long time to figure that out. I believe we should travel as much as we can, even if its only to the edge of the city limits: get to know the world. I believe everything will be alright.

Surviving College (and maybe life?)

In the past two years of college I believe I have gained some experience and learned some tricks which may help you make it out alive. I'm going to try to split this into a few running segments. Some of these things are going to sound dumb or commonsensical, I do hope it helps though, if nothing else hopefully a little entertainment can be derived.

Where to start..? Don't Panic.

The Weakerthans
Our Retired Explorer



More to come!