so, when i first heard helplessness blues by fleet foxes, i kind of just sat in my chair, stunned.
because, peeps, it’s an epic sort of song.
fleet foxes is one of those darling indie bands that everyone wants to be compared to. i’ve received tons of music submissions lately saying “…sounds like fleet foxes,” to the point that i wonder, is there anyone out there who isn’t digging this stuff? but it’s fair that people are, because fleet foxes is pretty rad.
helplessness blues showcases this concept, like a huge slap in your face, or fireworks, or taking the first bite of something amazing. it starts out quiet and then swells and grows until it surrounds you, demanding the volume to be turned way, way up. and then the bridge kicks in, and the song completely transforms into a new song. the melody and lyrics swirl gracefully around like the death of a tornado, until you, as a listener, are placed gently back down to earth.
seriously.
did i mention the lyrics? gah. amazing.
i was raised up believing
i was somehow unique
like a snowflake distinct among snowflakes
unique in each way you can see
and now after some thinking
i’d say i’d rather be
a functioning cog in some great machinery
serving something beyond me
but i don’t, i don’t know what that will be
i’ll get back to you someday soon you will see
what’s my name, what’s my station
oh just tell me what I should do
i don’t need to be kind to the armies of night
that would do such injustice to you
or bow down and be grateful
and say, “sure, take all that you see”
to the men who move only in dimly-lit halls
and determine my future for me
and i don’t, i don’t know who to believe
i’ll get back to you someday soon you will see
if i know only one thing
it’s that every thing that i see
of the world outside is so inconceivable
often i barely can speak
yeah i’m tongue tied and dizzy
and i can’t keep it to myself
what good is it to sing helplessness blues?
why should i wait for anyone else?
and i know, i know you will keep me on the shelf
i’ll come back to you someday soon myself
if i had an orchard
i’d work till i’m raw
if i had an orchard
i’d work till i’m sore
and you would wait tables
and soon run the store
gold hair in the sunlight
my light in the dawn
if i had an orchard
i’d work till i’m sore
if i had an orchard
i’d work till i’m sore
someday i’ll be like the man on the screen
listen to and download the song from the band below:
Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues by subpop
fleet foxes’ new album, helplessness blues, will be available on may 3, 2011. go HERE, to their subpop band webpage to download more free songs.