Since Flock of Dimes took the stage at Rough Trade on Wednesday November 9th, it feels like everything has changed.
The Warriors lost to the Lakers. The Packers lost to the Titans. Chicago Cubs are World Series Champions. Donald Trump is the President-elect
But, alas, one thing stays the same: Flock of Dimes’ songs continue to play in my head.
After feeling down, somehow the chords of “Everything is Happening Today” find their way into my day, sparking some energy.
When I feel like I need a beat, something to help me complete work, the rhythm of “Birthplace” sneaks its way into my morning or my afternoon, providing a backbone to my day. The electronic horns sometimes even induce a skip down a New York City sidewalk. I swear.
Perhaps now, more than ever, we need someone like Jenn Wasner, the singer-songwriter behind Flock of Dimes: Reliably amazing at her craft, creative, humble, awesomely dressed with matching guitars to boot, and most of all, nice! At multiple times during her show on November 9th, she was genuinely surprised to see everyone there. She was the last person on the floor, saying hello to guests and signing autographs while the rest of us, security included, started watching the World Series.
Perhaps now, more than ever, Flock of Dimes’ 2016 masterpiece “If You See Me, Say Yes” feels like one of the most impressive records of the year. Could that performance at Rough Trade have used a stripped down acoustic number? Maybe. A few fans seemed to point that out, particularly those new to Flock of Dimes. But that wasn’t the goal of this album, performance, or Flock of Dimes. Now is the time for pop experimenting and letting those gorgeous vocals find their home amongst the synthesizers.
Perhaps now, more than ever, those of us who are struggling right now should take seriously the book endings of “If You See Me, Say Yes:” Sometimes It Is Right … To Have No Answer.
And, perhaps now, most of all, the wisdom in “The Joke” rings true:
The child I’ll never have
The stranger on the sidewalk
All who’ve ever lived
Now are waking up
To wish us luck
And for all of this, I want to thank Jenn Wasner.
And good luck to us all.