So sparked some of my own thoughts in the now:
First and foremost (just to acknowledge my relationship history with Bright Eyes), I hate to admit this for various reasons, but I had mildly resented my sister and brother-in-law for choosing the vogue-but-indie nuptial song to walk out of their wedding ceremony, First Day of My Life. In high school, I affectionately laughed when I first heard Conor Oberst's shaky little voice. Then in my senior year of college, seven years after the song was released, I circled back to it and cherished the song with a new lens (one may call that lens "rose-colored" or even, "Love"). My sister, and especially my brother-in-law, are nowhere near what I would have ever considered "indie," although, arguably, the moment the song was released, it entered the complicated and paradoxical domain of "mainstream indie."
Secondly and more importantly (note: a shift in tone), upon reflecting on some of the despondent energy of the album, I, like most everyone in this world, can't help but think of the current health climate. I am anxious like we all are about what is to come, but so far, mainly angry at this country. What has been problematic is only being highlighted, bolded, and underlined. To be less opaque about my indignation yet still remain rather vague (I am not ready for the transparency of my thoughts at the moment), I despise the economic disparity that has been ignored and all the problems that come with it. Now we are left drowning.
So when you're asked to fight a war that's over nothing
It's best to join the side that's gonna win
And no one knows how all of this started
But we're gonna make them certain how it's gonna end
Oh yeah we will
