Jesus Hits Like the Atom Bomb

This is going to be a really odd choice. I used to be a big listener of alternative rock from the 90s (before I got sick of the depressing lyrics) and still do enjoy the strange sounds such bands can play around with. For some reason, this song from the band Tripping Daisy (whose lead singer went on to form The Polyphonic Spree, who are far more well known) from their excellent album "Jesus Hits Like the Atom Bomb" released in 1998 when the mainstream was done with rock bands that didn't sound like third rate Nirvana rip-offs.

The album is not religious, despite its title, but the title is very apt for what the album feels like. An alternative rock explosion of positivity and whimsy stuck somewhere between child-like wonder of the world, typical '90s teenage irreverence, and the ultimate acceptance of growing up. The best way to describe it is a bomb of life. The lyrics are pretty hard to decipher if they're not being outright silly, but there are a few gems in there that point to more than the obvious.

One song in particular still comes to me so many years since mainstream music has flat-lined, and that is the opening track. Unfortunately, the album is out of print, the band no longer exists (the guitarist died after their following album-- praying he's with the Lord now), and the world forgot about any alternative rock not made by Nirvana. But these guys were way better than Nirvana and were quite overlooked. Check these lyrics out and see if you can get from them what I do so many years later.

The second half of the song, especially, when the song hits its peak, I think the excitement of the unknown really shines through bright and strong.

Field Day Jitters

(Music: Tripping Daisy, Lyrics: Tim DeLaughter)

Wondering jets inside of me.

I've got the field day jitters-- wet matches and a bottle of Mr. Clean.

I'm a nervous wreck in the shape of a test

I figure it's all about giving.

 Causing all of the brain to slip into frame

and visit the space that it gives me for sleep.

Wondering jets inside of me.

I've got the field day jitters (jitters, jitters) . . .

I'm an open nest, a paper address

I can get lost in just living.

Blowing thoughts of regret, you'll never forget,

the feeling of falling and breaking.

This is me, your glue gun's dream.

A map of every road.

A friend that drops his nose.

But this can't be.

I'm a cracking machine!

My will is to hold, and my creed is to be the unbreakable me.

Now it's time to fill up the cracks in me

(no stopping, no stopping, no stopping)

It's what I want, it's what I see,

that I'm unbreakable, capable, breakable.

Now it's time to fill up the cracks in me

(no stopping, no stopping, no stopping)

It's what I want, it's what I see,

that I'm unbreakable, capable, breakable.

Bye-bye.
 

Never any doubt in me

(no stopping, no stopping, no stopping)

It's what I want, it's what I see,

that I'm the unbreakable, capable, breakable me.

Bye-bye . . .