How do I begin to describe one of my straight up and down favorite tracks of all time? "Trader" (sung by Carl Wilson) is on a proto-Animal Collective tip...seemingly years ahead of it's time with it's use of harmonizing backing vocals, cryptic lyricism, and lush, multilayered production. I'm sure you'll agree that this just sounds so unlike anything else in their catalog. The Beach Boys ain't all about "Surfin' USA," "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and the other bubblegum melodies we (regrettably) associate them with. If you pare away the disposable pop, you'll see that their underlying aesthetic reflected something much deeper (and in some ways darker) than what people perceive.
Watch for the thematic shift at around 2:21. This has got to be one of the most beautiful, arresting, and sublime moments in music. To me, at least...
Making it softly Like the evening sea, trying to be Making it go Creating it gently Like a morning breeze, a life of ease Eyes that see Beyond tomorrow, through to the time without hours Passing the Eden of Flowers Reason to live. Embracing together Like the merging streams, crying dreams Making it full Begging intently For a slight reprieve, a night of ease Hands to touch Beyond the sorrow, on to the force without power Piercing the crust of the tower Reason to live. Hoping Like a budding rose, humbling shows Making it. Struggling lonely Like a desert field, break the seal, make it real Ears to hear Beyond the showers, on to the suns of tomorrows Burning the flesh of all sorrows Reason to live. Reason to continue Reason to go on Reason to live Reason to live Reason to live
To me, they are so ahead of the curve it's not even funny. Through their music, the Collective tap into feelings and emotions primal in nature. At the same time, there is a certain elegant mystery to the melodies...suggestive of a childlike wonder and a supernatural innate goodness in our world.
