Reply To: JoCo in the Media
Nice find, @mtgordon. I always love hearing about the creative process / influences.
Funny, waiting in line at the Seattle show, I struck up a conversation with the guy in front of me, and then it turned out we were going in the same direction when we were leaving. Neither of us had really listened to any Roderick before, and I was saying that I thought I saw Artificial Heart (the album) as kinda trying to go a little more towards Roderick’s style, with fewer direct narratives. I guess that’s canon now.
Artificial Heart is a little difficult to wrap my head around for that reason, I guess. I like every one of the songs, and I love a lot of the things that come out of this evolution, especially “…Arsonist” and (not on this record, but try and keep up) “Always the Moon,” which off the top of my head may be the most beautiful thing he’s written. But I’m drawn towards, and my own creative impulses tended (past tense necessary) towards, the clear elegant narrative. I don’t actually give a damn for monkeys or robots or zombies or whatnot; the craftsmanship of the narrative, and the humor and melancholy, are what keep me coming back.
But I’m happy Artificial Heart was made. I love “Nemeses,” I love “Arsonist,” more than anything I love “Down Today” (which delights me more than I can explain, and for no reason I can explain). I don’t relate to it so well, because I like narratives and lyrics that fit constraints, and because it’s been a while since my age ended with a zero. But it’s not a betrayal to me, it’s not really like Dylan going electric or something — I’m excited for the new direction. It’s just that the old direction was so good.
(People who are relatively new to the forums probably haven’t had much chance to understand why I chose my avatar. This is why.)