“The whole idea of civilization as an understandable narrative is a bit nuts. It's the most problematic of delusions.” Quote by Carey Mercer
“One thing I've always been proud of is that vicious dichotomy between the pretty controlled, angular playing of the band, and my - I don't want to talk about myself as a 'wild man' or anything, but I have trouble staying on the beat.” TroubleProudDichotomy Author:Carey Mercer
“It's sort of cheesy to introduce that to the drums - those dings and dongs and bell sounds. That's definitely one of the reasons people are like 'oh yeah, they sound like Tom Waits, with those trashcan drums.' But at the same time, it sounds so good! And it introduces this... I mean, it's not tuned, but somehow it adds this extra layer of melodic texture.” PeopleMeanReasonWaitingExtrasIntroducingCheesy Author:Carey Mercer
“Bruegel has these paintings of people just... interacting with each other. And there's this special wink - it's not a celebration of nature, it's people that are mongrels, and half-wits, and they're doing terrible things. I don't know, it just seems like something worth singing about.” PeopleSpecialPaintingTerribleSingingCelebration Author:Carey Mercer
“These are things that I continue to enjoy speaking about. The woods. Boats. Greeks. I think the real heart of it, is really being in love with these Dutch paintings over the last several years.” ThinkingHeartRealEnjoyPaintingBoatGreekBeing In Love Author:Carey Mercer
“I find listening to music in terms of influences, and trying to keep up with what's going on, is sickening! I mean, I'm not deliberately musically illiterate. But I have a pretty serendipitous approach to it.” TryingMeanTermInfluenceListeningListening To MusicIlliterate Author:Carey Mercer
“It's like, symbolic language, the way that people approach dense poetry... it always bugs me, because that approach suggests that it's like a mystery novel, and that if you can put together the clues, you can come up with one singular answer.” PeopleTogetherLanguageNovelMysteryClue Author:Carey Mercer
“People are intended to resist symbolic interpretation, as well. At times, they break through - there are little hints of 'this song is about this,' but if you were to come here and be like, 'well, I've got the lyrics right here, let's go through 'em,' that wouldn't really work!” PeopleSongBreak Author:Carey Mercer
“We hate our heroes, you know. That's one of the great things about this whole deconstruction thing - there's no more heroes. It's always been there, you just look at people's reactions, and when the good guys are skunks, those parts stick with us.” GuyHateHeroGreat ThingsGood Guy Author:Carey Mercer
“Do not follow vain desires; for verily he who prospers is preserved from lust, greed and anger.” DesireAngerGreedLustVainCaliphsLust And Greed Author:Abu Bakr
“An acceptance of your cultural inheritance, and at the same time a dislike of it, is a building block of good art.” ArtAcceptanceBuildingBlockDislikeGood Art Author:Carey Mercer