Listening to Explosions in the Sky will change your lifeAs the busy days of the election rapidly approach, it’s important to remember the issues. I’m not referring to Sarah Palin’s alleged clothing budget (seriously Democrats, let it go – no amount of blogging and SNL joke-writing will force it into the public consciousness). I want to bring attention to a much overlooked proposition that pertains to the well being of all U.S. citizens. Proposition 141 states that it should be mandatory that all citizens listen to the band Explosions in the Sky, everyday. You might be scratching your head, thinking, “Hey, I read plenty of neo-conservative political blogs and I’ve never even heard of Prop 141.” I can’t blame you as it’s something I’ve just drafted tonight.
If you’re wondering what my #3 all time, most listened to artist on Last.fm is, then you’ve come to the right place. It occurred to me, while listening to the The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place EP on repeat, that there are seemingly infinite reasons to listen to them. Not in the least are:
- They are featured in countless movies, providing emotionally gripping scores and soundtracks (“Your Hand in Mine” starts at 1:18)
- They perform amazing, moving live concerts (as blogged by me on a different site. Sorry Henning, I was in college… experimenting)
- They are Made in the U.S.A. (more specifically Texas; maybe there are creative, open-minded people south of New Jersey!)
Sometimes music has the power to move you, like Madonna’s “Like A Prayer” or Eric Prydz’ “Call On Me.” Explosions in the Sky is that power. But let me guess: if you’re a hipster and you’re still reading (and scoffing at the sheer banality of my reporting on their greatness), you’re searching for that lost b-side mp3. It’s not here. You can email your complaints to the RIAA c/o Lawrence Lessig.
In my opinion, this country could do well with a little relaxing, tonally simple, yet emotionally complex musical journey once a day. If you don’t believe me, get ahold of some of their music and sit down with a glass of strong red wine and turn on your iTunes Visualizer. Don’t be afraid if you find God, the Devil, or anything in between. Their music is that good, hence Prop 141. So when it comes time to vote, make sure you vote “Yes!” on Prop 141. When the country goes continues to go to shit, you’ll be glad to have something that will stimulate all your senses in a way that not even XTube can.
Tags: Election, Explosions in the Sky, Red Wine
Lifting Fog 
October 25, 2008 at 3:03 pm |
Since it isn’t likely I’ll listen to them, I’ll take your word for it. But really, can anyone be forced to listen to music?–even by voting? I tried for years to force you to listen to stuff (think musical sound tracks) and all you ever got out of it was, “Running down the drain!”
October 27, 2008 at 9:27 am |
Methinks Gom says more about Gom than about you in that comment.
As you know, I’m in the Explosions corner already. Coincidentally have been working, off & on, on a blog post about “thought music” — music to occupy the sense of hearing while the brain is busily engaged in something or other in the foreground. The progression goes: classical, (non-vocal) jazz, and Explosions in the Sky.
October 27, 2008 at 1:32 pm |
Like angels of the airwaves, Explosions get me every time with their powerful, evocative music. I agree that they’re a banner act for “thought” music (along with, for me at least, the “Amelie” soundtrack) but work just as well as a foreground activity. More often than not I find myself disengaging from everything else when an EitS track comes on.
October 28, 2008 at 7:14 pm |
“Angels of the airwaves”: wish I’d said that. (Although I think I deserve at least partial credit for having read it.)
Saw “Amelie” but for the life of me can’t remember a thing about the soundtrack. (And what the hell was she doing in “Da Vinci Code,” anyway?!?) Will look into it. Thanks for the rec.
November 15, 2008 at 9:10 pm |
EitS Random Update: “The Only Moment We Were Alone” is featured in the second trailer for the upcoming movie, Australia.
November 16, 2008 at 5:25 pm |
its usage in the trailer was the reason I was compelled to write the post. I thought it was totally weird in the trailer but it inspired me to write about them