Everclear: “Fire Maple Song”

I stumbled on Everclear’s album “World of Noise” at some small pro-audio shop that also sold a random assortment of CDs shortly after I bought “Sparkle and Fade” upon its release. “Sparkle and Fade” was catchy as all hell, and was so polished around the edges that it was impossible not to love the album front-to-back, especially when you’re too young to really grasp the depth of a popular band’s earlier, darker, edgier recordings. BUT! I somehow managed to love “World of Noise” more, especially “Fire Maple Song” and it stuck there in my 3-CD changer for the better part of three years. When it wasn’t in the stereo, it was in my friends’ stereos, because this was the one album that I was always introducing to my friends. It was my ace-in-the-hole to prove that, hey, dude, I like underground stuff too, even if it’s by alt-rock radio staples.

No seriously, check this CD out, it’s nothing like “I Will Buy You A New Life”. It’s dark shit.

What? No, I have never heard of Hazel. Just listen to this CD! 

Fast forward to about 8 years ago from today. Art Alexakis was playing a solo acoustic show on my campus as a fundraiser for a democratic senatorial candidate. After the set, I hung around to let Art know how much “World of Noise” meant to me, and to proudly display my badge as a legit Everclear fan from way back when. 

Shaking hands, shaking hands, taking pictures, shaking hands. My turn. 

“Hey, Art. Great set tonight. I just wanted to let you know that when I was younger and just starting to get into music, I picked up ‘World of Noise’ and just fell in love with it. Seriously, that’s an incredible album and I just wanted to let you know that it influenced my taste in music so much.”

“Really? Thanks, but ‘World of Noise’ sucks.” 

End of conversation. He turns and walks away.

What a dick.