Daydream believer

Given that I'm now working full time at the European Parliament, rather than 3 days a month like I have been for most of the year, you might think I'd have no end of intellectually stimulating and politically cutting-edge tidbits to share with you. Not so.

I did to go a working group meeting (can't remember exactly what the name of the working group was, but it was mostly liberals so it was almost certainly something about rights of some sort) which the president of the EP Hans-gert Poettering had also been invited to, to talk about the place of religion in the EU (apparently a result of Poettering's recent invitation of the Pope to the EP which some members took exception to).

A couple of representatives of the British Humanist association were there aswell, which was very insightful. There's nothing like being presented with the voice of reason every once in a while. Would recommend a look at that, definitely.

Religion for me is a bit like patriotism in its various formes - flags and national anthems. In certain circumstances, and on certain special occasions, their appeal just proves too much to resist, especially where large groups of fellow beleivers/patriots are present, but common sense generally prevails in the end. I would rather describe myself as a fervent beleiver in the virtues of secularity, rather than a God-denier. Although I'm no agnostic. They're almost as bad as centrists (who as we well know, can barely make up their minds which side of bed to get out of in the morning).

One (religious) woman made an interesting point. Separation of church and state does is to be distinguished from the separation of religion and politics which, she claims, is impossible. Presumably because, we cannot remove religion from our politics, because it is one of the fundamental contributing factors that determines these politics, the convictions we hold. Unfortunately, I think she may be right.

But other than that brief foray into the murky world of the metaphysical, I've been mainly concerning myself with what I'll be missing this summer at all those festivals I won't be going to. So far, the investigation has been short of devastating. But here's one thing I came across which might be worth a look.

This is Kate Nash, 19, we'll call her baby Lily Allen. The similarities are rife. That strange gritty sweetness, an ethereal voice with a "butter wouldn't melt" melodious quality - but with words that are frankly rude, crude and unkind. Both representating the East London massive with their refreshingly sharp cockney diction, and both products of the Myspace revolution, not that that's anything to boast about (we'll refrain from recalling the horrors of Sandi Thom, also generated by the same cyber-process).

I can't speak for anything else she's done but as far as this track goes - I just can't stop playing it. I'm a big fan of believable lyrics, as in - sounding like they mean it. It's such a simple formula tune-wise, but it's the words, as if being sung through gritted teeth, and with a breaking voice, which manage to convey a kind of urgent sadness, of humble everyday existential angst. It doesn't have to be anything melodramatic, but songs that convey a particular mood and a feeling, especially an uncommon one are never without some merit. I dont have to identify with them either, just be drawn into it.

The fusion of a light-ish upbeat melody with lyrics that betray the tone entirely, that evoke implicitly or explicitly an acute sense of distress - is something we've encontered recently in James Morrisson's "Wonderful World" - ironic to the extreme. And in addition to the contrast, the words themselves. Tunes are one thing, but in my opinion one cannot over-emphasise the lasting impact of brilliant lyrics. Perhaps this is partly down to the reflection and acting that generally accompanies them, but I also think the language itself is pretty vital. Words that are continually a pleasure to hear and to say, that evoke and that surprise. Songs like "Rehab" by Amy Winehouse, most stuff by the Kaiser chiefs, and anything by Lily Allen - are made by their lyrics, and where the tunes are weak - are saved by them. Clever, witty, unexpected, often funny, & sometimes charming lyrics that roll off the tongue, that remind you that just occasionally music meets character, substance and story-telling.

And it doesn't have to be grandiose or momentous, moralising or philosophising, it can be about the most trivial of occurences as long as it strikes a chord with those who hear it. Songs that endure, for me, endure by their words and by their conviction.