Thursday, March 17, 2005

Absolution by Muse: Reckless and Powerful

I’ve just listened completely to the “Absolution”, album by Muse and I am awed, struck by their music, And to think that I’ve kept deferring listening to it, thinking how uncomfortable I might feel about the dark themes they chose to explore. I was totally wrong. I think they dared be like evangelists, ‘cause you can just sense in the tremolo-laden voice of the vocalist, and the dramatic, goose-pimpling deluge of emotions of the guitar, piano and drums, the urgency of the message that they wish to convey, or at least unintentionally conveyed.

The first song declares an emergency; about changing the course of history. Just stop a while and savor the song. Indeed, the end is coming, and where shall that bring us? The second song, Time is Running Out reinforces that. Our time is running out, you can’t push it underground; you can’t stop it screaming out. It takes a believer to Sing for Absolution, that says the following in the end: “our wrongs remain unrectified, and our souls won’t be exhumed.” Even Stockholm Syndrome puts to reality what Solomon learned about life, when he said, “Vanity, everything is vanity!” Maybe, that was exactly what they had in mind when they penned these words: “look to the stars, let hope burn in your eyes, and we’ll love and we’ll hate, and we’ll die, all to no avail….”

Grossly for you, Falling Away With You, does not at all contradict the first songs, as it emphasizes the preciousness of time and something of more value in “all the loves we threw away, all the hopes we cherished, making the same mistakes again…all of the love we’ve left behind, watching the flashbacks intertwine, memories I will never find.” I mean there can’t be a more beautiful way of saying, “we screwed up, we should have known better!”

Oh, and Hysteria, it vividly describes the confusion of a man within as something bugs him, twists him around, endlessly caves him in and turns him inside out. It’s clearly turmoil in a man’s being, a battle that only he can choose to win, if and when someone asks something of a man, described in “’cause I want it now, give me your heart and soul. I’m not breaking out, last chance to lose control.” The response is hysteric, “I’ll feel my heart implode, I’m breaking out, escaping now (transition of which is wonderful!) feeling my faith erode.” And can you really afford to be in a total Blackout even when you’re young? It says “don’t kid yourself, and don’t fool yourself. This life could be the last (can’t be more true!) and we’re too young to care.” Oh well, no one is too young or too old to die.

The theme gets better with Butterflies and Hurricanes as it talks about “changing everything you are and everything you were.” What is meant by “Your number has been called?”. For me, it has something to do with the final judgment, when we all give account of ourselves in the great white throne on that exciting day. “Fights and battles have begun, revenge will sure come, your hard times are ahead…your last chance has arrived”. Oh, isn’t materialism epitomized in The Small Print? It’s about the devil deceiving people, compensating their greed with broken hearts. He is bending the truth but if one believes him, he only has himself to blame. Endlessly, well, for me it’s a promise that only God can keep. He just won’t give up on us, no matter how stubborn and bad we may be. His love is endless and if one believes Him, he won’t be let down.

Lastly, “Thoughts of a Dying Atheist.” This follows up on Hysteria, where the battle has been previously told. Who is it that is said to be “in this room” and “floating in between where our worlds collide”. Talk about life on earth, hell and heaven and the reality of these all bombarding the thoughts of a dying person. Dying is only physical ‘cause it is but a transition from earthly life, which is not even a fraction of eternity. Truly, it should scare the hell out of any unbeliever.

So much so that I think, that just like U2, Creed, Lifehouse, and Switchfoot, this band Muse is actually out to influence the world in a positive way. Watch out, they’re powerful, reckless and out to save and who knows who responds?
BING L. HERNANDO slept soundly at 3/17/2005 03:27:00 PM

Friday, March 11, 2005

Trust: the Bridge Over Troubled Waters

Sometimes, it is pretty annoying when my kids watch me while I dress up for something. Like last night.

“Mommy, take off those pumps, they don’t go well with that kind of formal dress”. I was almost done when Han said this. I said, “Really? Get me what suits this dress then.” She sped off downstairs while I tossed off the unwanted shoes. Anjo then asked, “Mom, why do you have to wear a hosiery? “ I said “Because it’s an evening affair, and a hose is usually appropriate.” Watching me while lying on my bed with arms under his head, he said “Umm, I don’t like them. You look formal enough with just that dress.” I looked in the full length mirror. “Hmm, let me see.” The hoses were gone in time for the set of not so conservative pair of shoes Han got for me! I hurriedly went down and joined Sam in the car before my kids could see what bag it is I brought. It’s incredible how things have changed. Just yesterday, it was me telling them what to wear, how to dress. Now, I actually respect what they have to say. It’s a good thing alright ‘cause when they dress up, they ask me if they look okay, and I would comment and they might change this and that, so I guess it’s mutual trust and respect.

It would be awful not to have your kids trust you. Yes, especially with the important things in their life, like when they seem to be swooning over someone you haven’t even seen or talked to. Wise mothers would know if their kids have big crushes or serious loves. Frankly, I wouldn’t worry about them getting this exciting feeling as long as I see they’re right in their heads. I would be more worried if no one takes interest in my kids. And so as far as I know, I’m pretty informed of what is and who is new. I’m glad they’re pretty normal and have these crushes, that they fuss about looking good and friends, and new technologies, even parties, go gigs and “walks”.

I’m all out to support them and let them enjoy the fullness of youth. Like when no matter how many times I’ve initiated grounding Anjo over games addiction, still I pushed Sam to buy him the latest slim type PS2 with two genuine controls plus 20 games so he’ll be updated. Like allowing Han to the different parties and “groupie walks” Hmm. At first, there were debutante parties (girl’s 18th birthday) where she had to wear either a gown or any classy formal wear. Then there was this different debut, a pyjamas party which she skipped attending because she heard there were guys coming and what would they be wearing, boxers? Han’s pretty suspicious about what else might happen. Then most currently, her invite is for a “Chucks debut party” where everyone’s to come in their ‘chucks’. What on earth are they going to do in there, wiggle-waggle their Converse shoes? But still, it’s ok, she can surely go with her old faded chucks.

And they can have their music, and bring over their friends, they can yell and quarrel like normal people ‘cause for all I know, they naturally make up later. It is fun to be a parent and be able to bridge the gap, to learn from your kids as you try to make them learn from you. Bridging the gap is pretty exciting, and so is knowing that while doing so, amidst the many series of opening ups and closing ins, you all keep pretty balanced, enjoy similar or non-similar stuff and are thereby guided on to a hopefully, brighter future ahead of you which is your common focus. It’s all very good, so let it be!
BING L. HERNANDO slept soundly at 3/11/2005 01:47:00 PM