Soundtrack to the late 90s

I can’t complain and all my bills have been paid.
Thank you so much for all the wonderful…

Link: PlankEye

This weekend, I visited the 90s through the portal of my compact disc collection and discovered that some of my favorite, modern, alternative, somewhat indie, but mostly obscure bands released their creative energy upon the world around 1995. Most of them didn’t survive the threshold of Y2K. Those who did survive Y2K, panted, sputtered, and collapsed shortly after 9-11. As I listen to some of the old tunes I recall how some of these songs resonated with me. Room Full of Walters came out with a song that articulated a message I didn’t have words for. At the time, I lived in the gun-totting, bible-thumping, concealed-arms permits Southern state. First time I heard the song, I said out loud, “You read my mind!”

Jesus Christ would never carry a gun
but you defend your right to bare one….
What’s up with you?
Why do you do the things
you do in the name of God?

Link: Room Full of Walters

Straight out of the university with a degree in graphic design, I had a passion for art. During the day I’d work at a small publishing company designing newsletters and booklets for residential and commercial properties, but at night I was painting, writing and reading. My goal was to have a solo show with at least 20 paintings. That’s when the music of Dimestore Prophets hit me like a two by four.

Truth is getting so hard to paint
Just chasing the wind, no place to begin
Mister, you’re not the first
Try working with dirt
Yeah sure ok Monet

Link: Dimestore Prophets

By the time the curtain closed on the 90s I finally had that solo art exhibit.

Another Dimestore Prophets song that stung me like a bee and wouldn’t let me ignore it was a tune called “Soothsayer.” At the time, I was recovering from the effects of being in a Christian fundamentalist environment and I just couldn’t stomach religion anymore. “Soothsayer” complicated my thoughts about God and faith and life in a way that still haunts me today.

Kneel down to the
system, hail religious
grind

Now jump like a
circus
dog through my hoops of fire

You won’t find a
back door to
heaven

Link: Dimestore Prophets

And then there are girls. Futile attempts at romance. Negotiating various relationships. And this song sometimes captured those moments at night on the patio, drinking coffee, smoking a cheap cigar, trying to read a book about two lovers who just don’t quite connect because of class or taste or some other issue that complicates life (but makes great novels).

Better off if things were left unsaid.
Tomorrow’s sorrows waiting there once again.
The silver pinholes of the night
refuse to sing their starry song tonight.

Link: PlankEye

And I realize that these songs are kind of like milestones. Some chosen, others placed in my way, but markers nonetheless to surviving the late 90s and progress on to the new century — new millennia.