"FOREST WHITAKER"-BAD BOOKS
I first listened to this track last October, but mistakenly dismissed it as novel. A second, third (eventually 14th) listen yesterday got me seriously hooked.
"Forest Whitaker" is the best track from the second collection of songs (II) from a side-project called Bad Books, a collaboration between alternative folk-singer Kevin Devine and indy-musician Andy Hull with his Manchester Orchestra.
The simple but slightly somber lyrics -- delivered in a perfect matter-of-fact way by Hull -- are about loathing and self-loathing all set over a contrasting light, up-tempo, synthesized background. Favorite line of many: “I bought a bird that repeats what I say but ‘I’m lonely’ is all that he’s heard.” It's fun, forlorn and feckless all at the same time.
Most often the title of a pop song can be found as an integral part of its hook and sometimes an extremely succinct synopsis of the lyrics. "Forest Whitaker" -- which isn't even about the actor -- fails on both counts. And the hook isn't lyrical at all… it's an infectious happy-go-lucky whistle that'll have you puckered-up in minutes.
"'Forest Whitaker' was the last song written for the album," Devine tells Rolling Stone." Andy came up with the bones and basic structure and fattened it up instrumentally with (lead guitarist) Robert (McDowell) while I was finishing up my spring tour with Say Anything. I came in and we dug into those harmonies and Strokes-y synth/video game guitars, which was super fun and expansive -- different for us texturally. I love the lyric and melody ear-candy with a twist of darkness to keep it off-balance -- save it from being saccharine. Feels like the missing piece to the record."
By-the-way... if you thinking of purchasing your own copy of "Forest Whitaker," be sure you download the full version which opens with a brief wicky-wicky, beat-heavy, electronic, hip-hop intro that gives this already unique Bad Books tune a special extra dimension.
My advice to you: "Play Forest, play!"
