I guess it’s a lot like writers of classic literature. I’ve often heard it said that James Joyce’s “Dubliners” or “Finnegans Wake” are sublime, masterful works. And I’ve tried on several occasions to give Joyce’s work a crack to not much avail. I’m sure there are some great and wonderful human truths in there but to date they elude me. Faulkner is another one, while I read and enjoy his work, I can’t help but feel there’s more going on there then I’ve fully grasped. But I keep trying. I keep coming back to these authors and musicians hoping that perhaps, with me at a different time and space, I’ll finally gain that insight that I’ve been missing.
Ultimately, that’s my point – intellectual pursuit. Nothing worth having is easy right? You have got to work at it, whittle away at the edges until finally that moment of break through occurs and you sit back, somewhat smug in satisfaction of the effort expelled.
I’m not really sure how, but it seems to me that we’ve become a nation that looks down on those who are super smart, maybe we don’t like the way they make us feel. I don’t know, I just know that it’s a dumb position to take, instead of denigrating those who have put in the time to academic pursuits, us joe six-packs should be spending a little more time trying to follow in their footsteps because I just can’t believe that the image of the “joe six-pack” is one any of us aspire to.
Article comments
1 - R.P.M.
I used to love that song and that album back in the mid 90s.
There is a cover by a band called The New Amsterdams of that Afghan Whigs tune and I really love the sound of their guitars and their take too.
They are a that kind of remind me of The Shins and they even do a lot of work besides their rock that focuses on albums and music for children. I think that is pretty cool to see, I know that Ziggy Marley and Bob Marley released children's albums this year too.
Nice write up. The Afghan Whigs song probably one of the all-time harshest break up, love hurting songs ever. There are a few on that album.
R.P.M. :: Riddled Phantasms Magazinet
2 - coss
Nice piece on one of the best bands rock has known. I just happened to google Afghan Whigs for the hell of it and found it. My last name's Cossel as well. Perhaps we're related.
Hey cuz...
3 - zingzing
"gentlemen" is a great album, as is "1965." out of all the junk that came out of grunge, afghan whigs are still the ones i listen to. that said, i would recommend almost every other song on the album over "when we two parted," but now i'm doubting myself.
as for joyce, just read "the dead" from dubliners. that'll give you a short (40 page) idea. he's powerful. and "portrait of the artist" is an amazing book that opens you up to a lot of his ideas while still remaining accessible. faulkner is just as difficult, but definitely give sound and the fury and as i lay dying a try. if those don't do it for you, "a rose for emily" is a nice story that contains some of his more interesting ideas in embryo stage.