LM: Oh, please, allow me to retort. For those of us younger folk who love, y'know, punk... we've all learned that less really can be more. From the Sex Pistols and The Ramones to right here in "Hello Operator" — which is a whole different brand of music, but with a little punk dribbling down the side like extra hot fudge — simple arrangements have been proven to produce some of the most fantastic songs, well, ever. And as for difficulty factor... well, anyone who's seen Jack bust it live can testify that the boy can play. But please, continue. You're the expert. I just add the spices to taste.

GA: Meg gets some of that meaningful rather than difficult dynamic in the classic percussion gimmick of this record. Twice, all the guitar stops, leaving just a few taps on the rim of her snare. The childlike simplicity of this little move comes straight out of the Jonathan Richman playbook.

It's really quite clever. It's a catchy hook itself. Also though, it brings it all down, and cleanses the palette for Jack to come charging back with the big guitar chords.

LM: There's more to the playful aspect than just the music, too. As a child in the 1980s (along with Jack and Meg themselves), I remember a little playground rhyme: "Miss Susie went to heaven / Her tug boat went to HELL-O operator / Give me number nine." The first time I heard "Hello Operator," that old rhyme floated back up into my memory and it was stuck in my head for days. But even more than that, the words "hello, operator" are a cultural staple, something we've all heard in old movies or old television shows. Even those of us who grew up long after direct dial are familiar with the phrase. It prefaces a plea; the connotation is inescapable.

So what is the plea here? It seems to tie in with Jack and Meg's well known disdain for over-produced records. Look at these two lines: "Find a canary / a bird to bring my message home." What happens when the phones fail? Or, the deeper message... without technology, where is music? How many bands out there could function and produce anything worthwhile without a producer cleaning up the vocals, or hell, without anything more than an old guitar and a set of bongo drums?

The Clay Aikens and Nickelbacks of the world would be in a sad, sorry state. And why, dear music fans?

'Cause they ain't got soul.

GA: Or basic talent. Up against the wall, Clay Aiken!

LM: Yes, Al. Time for your meds.

VIVA LA REVOLUTION!
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LegendaryMonkey Alisha Karabinus provides the inner voice of sweet reason for evolved primates at Sudden Nothing.

Al Barger plots the overthrow of the government and his continuing crusade for Moorish dignity at More Things.

THIS IS WHITE STRIPES NATION!