Illumination

Music is one of my great loves.  Coming of age in the 80's I was cursed with hitting puberty at one of the worst musical eras in history.  Sure there were some exceptions: Elvis Costello and the Attractions, Talking Heads, The Clash, Neil Young (who rocks in every decade) The Police, U2, Joan Armatrading, Peter Gabriel...but for every one of them there were 10 Kajagoogoos.  Rock 'n' Roll was on life support.  Nirvana was the Great White Hope in the early 90's so naturally Kurt Cobain killed himself just as the band was really getting interesting.  We're in another lull now.  There just isn't anyone out there who is making much in the way of music that's really important at the moment, with a couple exceptions. Gnarles Barkley is one.  What's not to like?  But Gogol Bordello takes the cake.  This is rebel music.  If you don't own Underdog World Strike you really owe it to yourself to get a copy, and more of their stuff.  Get familiar with them because I'm booking them to play my inaugural ball.

How about this as an opener?  It's good advice for the now as well.

Don't believe them for a moment

For a second, do not believe, my friend

When you are down, them are not coming

With a helping hand

Of course there is no us and them

But them they do not think the same

It's them who do not think

They never step on spiritual path

They paint their faces so differently from ours

And if you listen closely

That war it never stops

Be them new Romans

Don't envy them my friend

Be their lives longer

Their longer lives are spent

Without a love or faithful friend

All those things they have to rent

But we who see our destiny

In sound of this same old punk song

Let rest originality for sake of passing it around

Illuminating realization number one:

You are the only light there is

For yourself my friend

There'll be no saviors any soon coming down

And anyway illuminations

Never come from the crowned

Illuminating realization number one:

You are the only light there is

For yourself my friend