Birthday from p 18 tions statewide for years to come. But if we’re just focusing on the song, then it’s still a mostly perfect fit for this state. Be- cause over the years, a lot of great rock mu- sic has emerged from Arizona, and not an insignificant amount has the same mix of swagger and silliness as this classic rock standard. In that sense, then, it feels like a perfect musical encapsulation and a song that helps us understand the tendencies of so many people and artists that call Arizona home. Sure, it’s not exactly Bob Dylan, especially with good-bad lyrics like “Got the fearing, power steering.” But much like with the Real McCoy entry, it’s another instance of providing great vibes, and a mix of sonics and emotions that tell a story about weirdness, unfettered joy, and a certain machismo. Or, a song that’s actually perfect as Arizona’s unofficial state anthem. Leonard Cohen, “Stories of the Street” There’s been a not-insignificant amount of fun so far in exploring Arizona’s multifac- eted makeup. And while there’s a certain joy to the unevenness of Phoenix, there’s also a tragic undercurrent when you have, say, a sick pizza spot next to an abandoned tire shop. But that’s part of the story of cit- ies like Phoenix, and it’s one this unsung Leonard Cohen tune can fully celebrate. “Stories of the Street” is, in theory, about feeling totally lost in any city, contemplat- Rama/Creative Commons Leonard Cohen in 2008. ing your insignificance amid the skyscrap- ers and yearning for a prompt escape. But the city’s all there ultimately is, and we all have to live there and tell our own stories. And there’s quite a few stories being told here that align brilliantly with Phoenix: the sense of tension between past and future (“All these hunters who are shrieking now/ Oh, do they speak for us?”); the yearning for simplicity (“We will find that farm/And grow us grass and apples there”); and our mix of big city and small town vibes (“And lost among the subway crowds/I try to catch your eye”). None of this actually makes up for suffering and inequality statewide, but the song does unite us all in this singularly existential experience. The Mattson 2, “Obvious Crutch” If the aforementioned “Armada Latina” is the song for driving across Central Phoe- nix, than this neo-jazz number from the twin brothers of The Mattson 2 is the soundtrack for walking down the street. The surf rock elements result in a sound- scape made for moving down the road to one’s own personal rhythm, taking in whatever sights may pop up. And that’s one of the best parts about cities across Arizona: you can find so much joy and per- sonality just by cruising up the galleries of main street Sedona or the shops of down- town Scottsdale. Unlike other songs on the list, there’s zero lyrics to gravitate toward (whereas “Panama,” for instance, has lyrics that are best ignored). Instead, it’s all about the vibes — more specifically, an- other profound stream of nostalgic ener- gies and the anxious hum of what comes next. It’s a song about being unafraid to catch those vibes, and even if that sounds hokey or somehow difficult, this song’s en- ergy makes that process seem all the more thrilling. Sure, you’re almost entirely forced to drive in Arizona, but take the time to hit the streets with this tune swim- ming in your ears. The Pack a.d., “Everyone Looks Like Everyone” Life in cities dotted across a vast desert landscape is a genuinely weird experience. It can be beautiful but also kind of monoto- nous, as if you’re living in a kind of surreal cycle of light, heat, and imagery. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing — if you have the right soundtrack. “Everyone Looks Like Everyone” is very much about this “repetition,” and how living in the modern world can feel like you’re a sitcom charac- ter without much stage direction. (See the lyric, “I’m paralyzed into you/And plans are makin’ me.”) It’s ultimately about being OK with that idea, or at the very least, rec- ognizing that it’s the pattern of this day and age (“Everyone looks like everyone/Pass- ing days just likes batons.”) Embracing the truth can be freeing somehow, and it’s a way to keep sane amid all the noise. More than that, though, when you understand the game of it all (like local politics, for in- stance), there comes a chance to have fun with that knowledge and live your life a different way. I can’t think of a better man- tra for life in Arizona in the 21st century. Pedro The Lion, “Model Homes” Technically, we’re cheating by including this song. Frontman David Bazan lived in Arizona as a boy, and this song, from 2019’s aptly-titled Phoenix, grapples with said ex- periences. Still, that doesn’t mean that Bazan didn’t capture something substan- tial about Arizona. Namely, as much as model homes are a blight on the >> p 22 21 phoenixnewtimes.com | CONTENTS | FEEDBACK | OPINION | NEWS | FEATURE | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | PHOENIX NEW TIMES FEB 10TH– FEB 16TH, 2022
