roger wilco

My absolute favourite band right now - and they have been for a while, and I don't see that changing - is Wilco. My favourite musician is Jerry, with whom I've been playing music since high school, also likes Wilco, but I'd wager not as much as me.

The thing is, though, they're really sad. And of course, when there's something awful going on in your life (your dog dies, you get sick, your best friend tells you they never liked you and you're ugly, etc.) the music to which you listen has a profound effect on your mood. Some might say that this is cathartic, but they're probably wrong.

Now, this does not mean I will stop listening to Wilco to improve my mood. Rather, I will listen the sh*t out of Wilco until it stops being sad. I call it "the Sad Test". If you can endure something heartwrenchingly tragic with a smile on your face, then you've passed. Congratulations: you're a monster.