I've been told that the philosopher Stanley Cavell opposes literary and artistic criticism on the grounds that it is violence. To critically analyze a work is to do it an injustice; criticism is derivative, secondary, and inferior. In many ways I disagree with Dr. Cavell's position, except when it comes to Iron and Wine. I don't know how you can speak about Sam Beam and his music. Seeing him in concert last night reiterated this belief.
Sam's set reminded me of a church service, for it is only in such a service that I have seen so many people so utterly silent, listening to one man and a guitar. The music, so simple and so pure, mixed with his unbelievably haunting voice, filled the room like a spirtual presence. I feel like I could have stayed there forever.
As outstanding as his original recordings are, Beam had no problem abandoning the arrangements from the albums for new ones. Not necessarily better, but just different, and equally remarkable. The confidence to do this shows, I think, his commitment to his art and his understanding of it. Of course, there was his voice to provide a sense of continuity. His sweet, sweeping, voice like a ghost from another world. High, low, silent, driving, whispering at times. It gives me chills.
His music is only surpassed by his poetry. And that is where my criticism falls particularly short. Beam's lyrics are captivating, can stand independently of anything else, and yet are remarkably performative -- no one sings them like he does. Moreover, they are the best sort of poetry because the transcend any common definition of poetic meaning. We can detect themes, forces that run throughout, threads of cultural and aesthetic narrative, but we cannot capture these forces. The significance is always outside/inside you; they possess you. Every time I listen to his songs, a new labyrinth of metaphor strikes me.
But I can't talk about it. How can we talk about words that themselves are beyond complete understanding? I think I am being intentionally theological here; Beam is, I believe, a secular prophet of the highest caliber. All good poets are.
Go listen to his albums. I have nothing else to say.
My demanding public is clamoring for a post. I feel like a rock star (Where's the new album?) or a serial novelist (What's going to happen to Araphashel and the magic Coat Hanger?) Actually, I am none of these things. I am, instead, a lowly student who is about to finish up his last day of class. So, needless to say, I am very busy.
Today I read my students a brief, blatantly ideological piece I had written as a "send off" for their next four years of college. I was stressing the different interpretations of a college education and then offering my personal interpretation as a challenge. Some parts were obviously cheese-ball. But I guess that's ok. I think I'm starting a tradition with this one; it might be a cool thing to end each course with a brief essay written specifically to that class. Sure, some things may sound the same, and it probably has a "graduation speech" feel, but it was also kind of cool.
In other news, I turned in my first seminar paper. That was scary. But I feel ok about it.
Also, Capria and I are going to see Iron and Wine on Sunday night. (Andrew, are you interested in coming with us? Tix are $15. I got mine at Rudy's here on the Ave. It's at some club in Capitol Hill . . . ) So that should be very cool.
OK, I'm going to do other things. I'll try to post more regularly, I promise.
It's been over a week since I last posted. We had a good Thanksgiving with Capria's family. The drive to Montana was long, but safe. Just before we left, I was quite depressed over my performance in graduate school and anxious about the last few weeks of the quarter. But I think I just needed a break, because I've been feeling pretty good as of late. I'm actually caught up. [Incidentally, Capria, her sister, father, and I stayed up late one night doing a personality quiz based on the four humors of Renaissance thought. I (surprise surprise) turned out to be strikingly melancholic].
But the reason I am posting is because it is my lovely wife's 25th birthday today. We are going to dinner tonight. It will be a lot of fun. I thought I'd let you all know in case anyone wanted to drop her an email or leave her a message on our machine.
I hope all of you had a good holiday.