The Walrus - Music With Big Fuckin' Teeth!

09/30/2007

In the Face of Despair

Jose Gonzalez is one of those artists who spends most of his time writing songs that reflect the uglier side of the human experience. The reason that his songs are successful is that he disguises all of the complicated ugliness in a beautiful and
simplistic sound.

The first single from his newest album, In Our Nature, is an urgent tale told through two voices. The one voice, is cynical and jaded, whereas the other is the voice of reason trying to help the former.

The video for "Down the Line" directed by Andreas Nilsson (he also directed several videos for fellow Swedes The Knife) depicts the anti-hero in symbolic "pig-face" as he dwells on his great loss and the reasons why it occurred. Despair leads him to acts of reflection, unsuccessful attempt at escape and eventual fury. All the while, the voice of reason tries to console him.