Roots for a Troubadour

By Ashlee

When in a rage for being criticized about your poetry just write a poem about it.

“Written Advice”

He tells me my writing is ideal

But it’s too sweet

Making him sick like after eating

His mother’s rhubarb crisp

That we can smell now

Warming the house

Tart and deep red

While my mouth waters

And the buttery aroma

Makes my teeth tingle

 

He tells me I need to be specific

With concrete examples

Rock solid stairs

Like the steps and sidewalk

In front of the house

That he can walk on and trust

That it will hold his weight

Even when there’s a corner crumbling

Or a crack and only there

Can a sweet flower blossom

 

Companion Song: The Elected’s “I’ll Be Your Man”

You’ve got to learn to lie to make everyone happy
and you’re going to have to cry to make it on your own

but I can’t see you now, put down your hands
no, I can’t feel you now, give me your hands
cause I’ve been waiting as long as I can stand
so if you ever need someone, I’ll be your man
yeah, I’ll be your man
yeah, I’ll be your man

you don’t have to go and die
to show people you’re hurting
and you’re going to have to try
put out the fire if you’re burning

but I can’t see you now, put down your hands
no, I can’t feel you now, give me your hands
cause we’ve been waiting as long as we can stand
and should you ever need anyone, I’ll be your man
yeah, I’ll be your man
yeah, I’ll be your man

now, I read through your poetry
yeah, every last one
felt like I ate too much butter
and drank too much rum
cause it made me feel sweet inside
warm, proud, and young
I’ve been sick inside
and angry at everyone

and I wish I could touch you
if I wasn’t miles away
we could talk it all out
in your clean white place

now I’ve done all the waiting I think I can stand
and I want you to know
yeah, I want you to know
I want you to know
I think you’ve found your man
yeah, I’ll be your man
yeah, you’ve found your man
come home to him

This week on the internet: 050809

Compiled by Ryan

The links:

-Some White Stripes news: Meg’s getting married, and Jack says things with the band are back on track, and that a new album may be out next year.

-Check out the poster for the Woody Allen-directed Whatever Works, starring perhaps the best personality in the world, Larry David:

-This Slate piece on the politics of 30 Rock was well-written, well-argued, and very interesting; a must-read for fans of the show.

-A Will Forte interview is always a treat.

-Is Mindy Kaling (The Office) a big enough talent to carry her own show?  We’ll soon find out.

-Total dork pieces are the best: this Guardian article explores the possibility that Van Gogh’s ear was cut off by fellow artist Paul Gauguin rather than by VVG himself.

New music spotlight:

Akron/Family – Set ‘em Wild, Set ‘em Free

Akron/Family are an experimental type of group, so describing them is somewhat of a tricky task.  I liken them to a more rootsy Cloud Cult, a more-acoustic Animal Collective, or a sort of backwoods version of The Flaming Lips.  Either way, good stuff.  You can pick up any of their albums, know it’s them, but not have any idea where the music is going, which is a pretty nifty trick to pull off with any degree of success.  I really like this song from their new one:

Akron/Family – “River” from Set ‘em Wild, Set ‘em Free, out now on Dead Oceans

Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band – Outer South

No matter what he does, Conor Oberst will always sound like Bright Eyes: that trademark warble just isn’t going anywhere.  Since he’s abandoned that moniker, Oberst has tried to move in a new direction:  less squeamish lyrics, an increased emphasis on music, but, ultimately, a more generic sound.  Here’s the opening cut from the new album:

Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band – “Slowly (Oh So Slowly)” from Outer South, out now on Merge