9. In Your Honor
With a mind bending cord, this song begins and ends, reminding us of continuity. This song is about all of us. Even though there will always be a hierarchy, a way for things to be done that we cannot control, what we can control is how we connect/behave/intertwine. When I hear this song, one of my favorites, the combination of the harsh drums and tough riff make me feel surrounded, as if the music is around me. I feel a part of the collective, in a good way, with Dave prepared to be that leader to try to make things right. It's just a song of course, and just a feeling. But isn't that what music has tried to do since the beginning? Connect us? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtRcYMV1DU8 Dave quote: "This is for people who are suffering under the Bush government. The song itself was just inspired by going out on the campaign trail and experiencing such a strong sense of devotion and belief. People were getting together to make a difference, for the sake of something honorable. It's that overwhelming feeling of connection with something. It could be love, it could be football, it could be music, it could be anything. I'm trying to keep it general so people don't focus on one specific thing. It's not political at all."
8. Stacked Actors
For a change, this song is exactly what it's called, and says exactly what it wants to say. Dave is usually one who likes lyrics to be ambiguous, but no such attempt is made here. In fact, it's surprisingly candid, to say the least. Dave has no qualms with speaking his mind about important things, as we have seen so far. Politics, Rock music, and other subjects that very black and white to him. This is one of them. It's a double meaning, of course - stacked (boobs) and stacked "to the rafters". The never-ending LA machine of women and men who look alike, act alike, and (according to Dave) suck alike. On the one hand, as an actress (though in NY) I totally agree. I could never live in LA. On the other hand, I have very good friends who are doing the actor thing in LA and they could not be included in David's raging words/yells. The song is beautiful and beats you over the head. But we want it to, so it's ok. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U5TPJwb80I Dave quote: "I wrote 'Stacked Actors' about everything that is fake and everything that is plastic and glamorous and unreal, so if that pertains to anyone that comes to mind then there you go. It's about having nothing better to do than trying to be other people, it really grossed me out. Truth be told, I fucking hated Hollywood, hated the whole life, hated most of the people we met. That's what I'm saying in 'Stacked Actors'."