It’s been five years since the “supergroup” Monsters of Folk released their self-titled debut album. I don’t know if Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, Jim James and M. Ward have plans to ever record together again but I sure hope so.
I fall in love with this album all over again every time I hear it. The blend of voices and perspectives is spot-on, elevating the material above most of what I’ve heard from these guys doing their day jobs.
Jim James, front man of My Morning Jacket, is particularly well-served by this lineup. His delicate vocals are a sublime match with these acoustic tracks.
Today’s random SOTD, ‘Magic Marker,’ shows James and Monsters of Folk at their melancholy best. Based on the opening verse, I assume it’s about a kid who’s gay or otherwise different from his peers. I’m not sure about the significance of the Tootsie Roll pop reference later, unless it’s a metaphor for the pain you go through in adolescence to get to the “sweet stuff” later in life.
Doesn’t mean it ain’t alright
Just another frozen kid who’s
Tryin’ to make it through tonight
Ordinary pens and notebooks
Ain’t no ordinary life
All the freaked out measures
I took tryin’ to make you sickos smile
Ordinary don’t mean nothin’ no how
Look what’s ordinary now
It’s got a magic marker stain
On its face and it needs a shower
There’s something sweet waiting in the center
Taste and see
There’s something sweet waiting in the center
Don’t nobody look at me
Don’t nobody look at me
Ordinary don’t mean nothin’ no how
Look at ordinary now
It’s got a magic marker stain
On its face and it needs a shower
How many licks does it take to get
Taste and see
How many licks does it take to get
To the center where there’s something sweet
To the center where there’s something sweet
Ordinary don’t mean nothin’ no how
Look what’s ordinary now
Ordinary don’t mean nothin’ no how
Look what’s ordinary now
Ordinary don’t mean nothin’ no how
Look what’s ordinary now
Ordinary don’t mean nothin’ no how
Look what’s ordinary now
Look what’s ordinary now
Look at ordinary now
Meet Me In Montauk 
Well, I suppose the tootsie roll could be a sexual reference, but let’s go with your interpretation, which is probably more on target.
You could both be right.