AM
Radio is one of those songs that just about everyone
has to like. As a tribute to my columns tone, it wasn't
a traditional Everclear song, but it still was pretty
damn good. As with all his songs, Art's biographical
pieces were well placed, and if you hear them when you
are feeling good and rocking out, you can't help but
to feel a bit sad. True Art had started using illicit
substance by the time he was nine and in 1975 "got
busted getting high in the back of my [his] friends
van". The somber moments of Art's life contrasts
with the high powered, good times melody of the song
producing a unique listing experience. I personally
find Art's comments about the VCR and DVD kind of funny,
although that wasn't the intent. The song also mentions
that the radio was an escape for Art, I quote: "There
isn't any place that I need to go/There isn't anything
that I need to know/I did not learn from the radio".
Coupled with drugs music can be a powerful escape and
something that can change the way you look at the world.
He also says "Yeah when things get stupid and I
just don't know/Where to find my happy/I listen to my
music on the AM radio". Art may be very well revealing
where he finds solace in times of trouble. We should
congratulate Art on liking the radio better than TV
and wanting to watch Chico and the Man, which was a
fantastic feat of Hispanic and American cooperation.
One of the best things about the song, and in fact the
album, is that is heartfelt. When I played the CD for
my dad he loved AM Radio even more than his favorite
bluegrass. I find it great that older people can enjoy
this new fangled rock and roll. Remember, if you want
to say anything to me, e-mail me at atcavage@yahoo.com.
