Archive for category God
Review: mewithoutYou “Brother, Sister”
Posted by Justin Whitcomb in God, Music on March 22nd, 2009
mewithoutYou: Brother, Sister
It’s no surprise that mewithoutYou’s most recent album, “Brother, Sister,” offers a heady dose of unusual and unsettling music, but this album is still beyond this band’s typical realm of shouted poetry and spoken-word intensity. The first two albums, “[A-->B] Life” and “Catch for Us the Foxes,” both possess a capturing sense of closeness, with detailed, poetic lyrics and a clear struggle to gain control over life’s many situations. However, “Brother, Sister” seems to take that emotion a step further.
In this album, singer Aaron Weiss seems to unlock a slightly darker side to his already mystifying observations on both the simple and complex things that put life into perspective. With thick metaphors and even thicker analysis, Weiss weaves the stories of lost sailors, curious children and confused adults into an almost seamless quilt of human existence. The opening phrase, “I do not exist,” is uttered at the very end of the record as well, but the mood changes dramatically in the two identical statements. From “Messes of Men,” the listener gets the impression of man’s hubris while also discovering how clouded our view of this world actually is. It’s a song about the sea, but it is quickly seen as a metaphor more than anything else. From there, the listener goes through a kaleidoscope ride of images, including God’s fury, His love, and the blessing that this life can bring.
It’s hard to describe the purpose of this record as a whole, but the interlude-like songs that join together the different major sections of this album tend to put out a very apparent picture of our curiosity, the contrasting view of our right to this world’s treasures, and the final picture of our dying days. In between, we see our struggle with the concept of freedom (the metaphor of the peacock in the zoo in “A Glass Can Only Spill What it Contains” is especially poignant), our hope to coax others into our control (“C-Minor”), our fear of damnation, and our consequent realization of God’s ultimate power over us. It’s about faith, it’s about acceptance, it’s about objecting to the wrongs of the world, and it’s about finding love in all things.
But that’s just the lyrics. The music itself is exploratory and introspective at the same time, reaching to new realms with its instrumentation, but without leaving the comfort of the band’s typical formula of build-and-release. However, the shout-out-loud feeling that the past albums held has been hushed slightly, leaving only a couple truly high points in the music that go beyond a completely chilled volume, including the ending of “C-Minor” and the close of “O, Porcupine.” This may disappoint some listeners, but the album shows so much growth and development as a whole that no one can fault mewithoutYou for trying something unique. Still, fans of the old albums should feel comfortable with this one for its use of melodic layering, intimate arrangements and focused lyrics. It’s almost trance-like at times, leaving the listener drained by the time the final track fades out with a softly plucked harp.
But the message is clear: find hope and love in the world, knowing that God is the ultimate being, leading our lives into the right places through His love and passion for us. And this is what comes of the last few lines:
“I do not exist,
Only You exist,
I do not exist.”
An Update on Professional Expectations
Posted by Justin Whitcomb in God, Reflections: Others, Reflections: Self, Social Issues, Updates on October 8th, 2007
So, long ago, I made a post about how disappointed I was when I entered the teaching profession–how cynical, sarcastic and downright apathetic students are. I talked about my disappointment with their attitudes and their efforts. And I mentioned how the whole world was essentially going down the drain. But I need to revise these statements.
Needless to say, I was not in the right place all last year. I found out in about March that God had better things for me to do. That’s when I learned why I was struggling so much to get my students to do anything. At that point, I began looking elsewhere, and Wham! I found a job. So here is my revised reflection on the state of the youth in this nation.
While still naive and somewhat selfish, I have discovered that students who really wish to accomplish something simply do so. Teenagers (and younger) are not little monsters with nothing better to do than play video games. I was wrong about that assumption. They are intelligent and willing to try just about anything with the proper coaxing. I now know that if you are seen in the right light, you can help students achieve amazing goals. And you can do it quickly. It doesn’t take centuries for it to happen–not even decades, years or months. A matter of weeks is all you really need.
Essentially, my conclusion is this: the youth of America are not truly dying. They are living the same lives that I lived when I was in high school (except with cell phones and iPods). They are exploring and discovering, they are wisely choosing to do more than just get by. And even the ones who seem reluctant really do want to make themselves better–they just want to look cool when doing it. All you have to do is disarm them enough and then give them confidence to make up for the possible embarrassment. Give them something to really indulge in. And now I know how that works, and I know what can come of it. Future teachers, don’t give up. Don’t be disheartened when you find yourself deep in fear. That first year is hell, and the sooner it’s over, the better every other year will be.
And if everyone hates you, just remember: it’s not always going to be your town.
You Know You’re In Nebraska When…
Posted by Justin Whitcomb in God, Reflections: Others, Reflections: Self on May 25th, 2007
Ah, weddings. Those monumentous times when two people are joined forever in what may be the longest civil war known to history. That magic moment when man and woman decide that no matter what their faults, they’re going to be screwed up together. It may sound cynical, but often that’s the case. We’re not perfect, and that’s fine. Sometimes it’s much better to be imperfect together.
And while we love our spouses dearly, we married folk know very well that we’re not in any way perfect, but that we compliment each other in ways that no one else ever could. I love my wife because we’re not perfect separately, but much closer to perfection together. She helps me when I have absolutely no clue (which is quite often), and I help her when she has absolutely no clue (which is much less often). That’s the beauty of it.
So today, I will be watching my good friend Mary and her fiance get married, and I know that those two will work perfectly together for the rest of their lives. Amazing! God blesses us so much, and sometimes we don’t even realize it. Those two will only grow stronger together–that’s what marriage is about. It’s like bridges designed to become stronger when weight and pressure is increased. We’re designed to withstand and grow even closer to God as we go through hard times together.
So, just a little reflection, but I thought it was time I said something on here–and something meaningful. Godspeed, good readers.