I feel better

My wife convinced me to buy the new Gnarls Barkley album. Convinced is probably too strong a term actually, since I too had been very impressed by their live performance on SNL. They did a song called Who's Gonna Save My Soul, a deep stirring ballad that seemed to be a union of Donnie Hathaway and Portishead. The performance brimmed with sincerity, despite the fact that Cee-lo donned a white tuxedo and wig (I hope it was a wig), paying homage to Sammy Davis Jr. or Elvis - the latter years.



I sampled a few more tracks on ITunes, but didn't need much more proof that the album was worth buying. Nothing quite like having new music to listen to on a road trip, especially one spanning 10hrs and over 500 miles (Phila to Toronto). The Odd Couple is a great album, far more complete and mature than their first album, St. Elsewhere - though they may never again capture the recognition they received for their first debut single Crazy off of that album. I rode the roller coaster of emotion through each track on the album and enjoyed every minute of it.

I could be writing this review about Going On, Run, Blind Mary, Neighbors, or any of the thirteen masterful tracks. For today, I am focusing on the last track on the album, A Little Better. This song has one of the simpler musical arrangements on the album, pairing Cee-lo raspy tortured voice with bass chords, drums and shaker. The lyrics speak of hope and joy in the aftermath of pain. He reveals his emotional burden from deep-seeded hurt, betrayal and loss, but expresses a commitment to overcome. I found the second verse particularly moving:

Ohhh it's probably plain to see
That I got a whole lot of pain in me
And it will always remain in me
So cold, it's a cryin shame
Yet here I am, tryin again
Cause I refuse to die in vain
The circumstances put soul in me
And there ain't no holdin me
I've got a heart made of gold in me
Hah, can you believe this is where I've been?
And when adversity comes again
I'll deal with it then

There is a distinct message of spirituality in this song. In the last verse, Cee-lo thanks the morning son, and a "friendly ghost" that cared for him. This is a new-age gospel song of sorts, testifying to the resilience and tenderness of life, and to the compassion and grace of God. It reminds me of a passage in my favorite poem, Desiderata:

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life
keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Life is tragic and beautiful, and so often we are overwhelmed by the tragedy, that we forget or miss the beauty. Here's to life in all of it's forms. Here's to rain and sunshine, plumbing problems and having home to have problems in. Here's to illness, recovery, and taking health for granted. Here's to everyday highs and lows, and to everyone brave enough to embrace them.

Cheers.