This explanation makes the most sense to me.
steve wrote:(...) In a position to just knock out the old favorites, Will is still making music in a way that keeps him interested in the moment and uncertain of the outcome. This is totally laudable, and I envy him. He is fearless about his music, and that means a lot to me. One can quibble about the results, but he is totally genuine (even when he is making nonsense or a disheveled mess), and he often makes sublime, crying-in-public-worthy music that can come no other way.
I am not being told how to feel when I listen to Oldham's records. I appreciate that. The songs are unique to him, and I can draw the similarities between he and I myself. This makes for enjoyable listening. Every time it's new.
A dear friend of mine hung himself on April 12, 2003 in an almond orchard. Those of us remaining, the friends of the dead, have spent much time talking. There is a current of depression that runs through our little group, and those of us remaining often discuss how we're surviving it. Some better than others.
The day-to-day aspect of living with this is not so poetic or charming. I am often offended by those songs that make this sort of living sympathetic in song. I am thankful that Oldham's songs don't try to tell me how to feel, or cover everything with sap.
I've spent a lot of time in the last few years talking with my remaining friends about this
darkness and what it's done to our lives. I don't think anyone has ever said it better than this:
Many times
We've been out drinking
And many times
We've shared our thoughts
But did you ever, ever notice
The kind of thoughts I got
For that, I have an eternity of NOT CRAP.
Damn those branches that refuse to break.
.0000000000000000000000000000001 For never fucking playing here.