This is belated, in more ways than one…
I’ve had many feelings about an artist with whom I only had a passing familiarity until the day after she died.
Lately when a famous musician dies, I have spent at least part of the evening playing their songs, as a small tribute and remembrance. Eddie Money got some love, though after his hits, I kinda lose interest; Tom Petty (I crank up "Won’t Back Down" every time I hear it on the radio); Dolores O'riordan’s death reminded me that while I used to really like the Cranberries, I think I only retain affection for a small number of their songs.
Kim Shattuck died a few days ago at age 56 after a long bout with ALS. And so I started listening to the Muffs, the band she fronted and a band I was only acquainted with thru Spotify playlists.
And now I have been listening to the Muffs (and nothing else) for 2 days straight.
Suddenly this band that I only knew for two great songs (Lucky Guy and Honeymoon) has taken on a spot in my heart. Starting with the 1993 self-titled album, and just playing the albums available on Spotify straight through, I have been blown away by this music that somehow previously escaped my attention. These catchy, short, pop punk gems that usually culminate with a fantastic scream (sometimes they begin with it…or sometimes she throws it in the middle) all have something to love. I have found myself singing the songs even though I’ve never heard them before, such is the simple structure of the songs. I don’t even say that as a bad thing. It’s awesome. (Even songs I maybe don’t like quite as much are short enough so I don’t have time to really dislike them.)
And I have belatedly come the inescapable conclusion that this band was something special.
In two days I know my favorite song is “Outer Space” from the “Happy Birthday to Me” album, and that many of these songs are as deceptively simple as they are brilliant. Like the Pixies (who she was in for a minute in 2013) and Daniel Johnston, the Muffs made honest music that was uncomplicated. There is not a truly bad song in the lot of them.
Kim Shattuck knew what the fuck she was doing when she wrote her songs.
And I am in it, nonstop. I don’t want to listen to anything else right now. This band that existed right under my nose and poked their head out into my life in the last year or two on Spotify, enough to make it on to a few of my playlists, is now finally receiving my full attention.
I am so sorry that I wasn’t on board with them before, when I could have gone to see them live. But in 2 days I have belatedly realized the true awesomeness that this band brought to the world.
Better late than never, right? And now I love the Muffs. And maybe you will, too.
