No Place to Hide

Matthew Ryan has long been one of my favorite artists and songwriters.  He just sees the world from a slightly different angle that makes so much sense to me - a voice of sanity in this insane world.  So when I am down it's his catalog that finds its way into my cd player - my wife would tell you this is insane - Ryan's music is so depressing - but I disagree - I find it honest and ultimately hopeful. 

So here is the scene - Here in Houston there has for so long seemed so so much apathy towards our country's slide into someplace I do not even recognize.  It was early 2008 and I was starting to have some hope (mixed with alot of fear) that maybe things could get better.  I have to say - Obama and his run at the white house had really inspired me that maybe we can see some positive change - moving away from the division and politics of fear (call me a dreamer but I do think it is better for your soul to have hope for the future).  But one day in early 2008 - I was starting to feel like it might slip away - I did not consciously know that is what I was feeling but I put From a Late Night High Rise in my car CD player and proceeded to let the tracks roll by.  Then Babybird hit and raised all of the fear and hope that I had been feeling just below the surface - it was a powerful moment in the middle of day - and here I am choked with emotion driving my car to school.  Matthew Ryan seems to be one of the few that can put my feelings to words and hit me when I least expect it and I thank him for that.  The verse that hit me hardest was:

Baby, baby, please
Get up off your knees
This ain’t the time or place to grieve all you grieve
I’m declaring war on arrogance
It’s always been the worst and the fall of men
Just look at rome, look at the old south
It’s the oppressed that show you then and now
How sheer will can turn the world on its side
And when they do it again
Your luxury
Suvs
Won’t be
No place to hide