ALBUM OF THE WEEK: Blind Man's Zoo - 10,000 Maniacs

 Obligatory beginning, I must confess my absolute love for Natalie Merchant and her voice. In case you were unaware, she is the lead singer of 10,000 Maniacs and went on into a solo career. You may find a review for some of those at a later date. But today, we are going to focus on a particular favorite of mine lyrically in the 10,000 Maniacs discography. Blind Man's Zoo was released in 1989, and confronts social issues of the timeframe including racism, war, and poverty. The songs are a compelling discussion of the world without being damning - which in the modern day seems to be the only thing anyone wants to do when discussing a political guideline. In this sense, it is refreshing to be able to hear someone speak on a topic without also banging the rest of it down your throat. The album title seems very fitting as well. I feel it captures the essence of the album - people being blind to the animalistic zoo running outside with war and suffering. We often turn a "Blind eye" to such things from not understanding - or being afraid to. The album musically follows a bit of an indie-pop vibrancy of their earlier works, with few upbeat takes. Some may find the album a bit too "depressing" but that means it is up my alley. 

The album opener "Eat for Two" can be applied to commentary on unwed mothers, teenage pregnancy, or unplanned pregnancies. The song follows a mother who appears filled with shame and regret as she struggles to make things work for her and a baby both. The delivery seems to have a smidge of anger within it on the chorus - a sense of bitterness that she must hide in shame. Wondering what will happen when she begins to show. 

This leads into the song "Please Forgive Us", which seems a sobering reminder of how humanity continues to fail each other. In Jesus like terms of "Please forgive us, we do not know what was done". There is a plea for forgiveness, and also an acceptance this forgiveness may not be warranted. This plea could certainly be applied to many concepts today involving war and segregation, in which people involved, the regular civilian, may not always realize or be aware of what is happening in "our name". 

The next song brings the topic of war to a bigger head with "The Big Parade". It references the Vietnam war and a mother who seems to have lost her child amongst the wreckage, and the "parade" of reference involves a funeral procession to the memorial. All she has left of her child is a purple heart, but is it worth as much? 

"Trouble Me", also one of the biggest songs of the band's career, is actually an ode to Merchant's father. He was ill at the time and Natalie wanted him to trust her and be able to come to her. This sort of trial of the child seeing their ailing parent is a timeless one which follows every generation, which I think makes it a very relatable piece. The parent does not want to burden the child, but the child wants nothing more than to be able to care for them. 

We switch back to commentary with "You Happy Puppet", which appears to discuss the way people are easily manipulated by what is shown or taught to them. Whether it be media or schooling, it seems few want to teach people to critically think and merely "tug at the threads" which pull your brain along. It is important to really think about what is being shown to you, as in the end, nearly everyone has an agenda. 

This then leads to "Headstrong", a song where a firm Merchant says she is headstrong even when wrong. She thinks a lot with her feelings and does not budge easily. She suggests the easiest way to handle this is to call a truce, and "call a draw". There's something particularly special I think many people could use to hear today, because I believe we have forgotten as a society how to "Agree to disagree". Not every disagreement in life must lead to separations, banishment, or "cancellation". There's little room for growth, discussion, or relationships when we require everyone to follow the same life beliefs and morals as we do so specifically. 

"Poison in the Well" refers to the issues of clean water and pollutants effecting everyone. This sadly is not an old story anymore, as Flint, Michigan's water issue still lurks in the front of memory. It is more depressing that over 20 years later this problem still exists and is not taken seriously. 

"Dust Bowl" is my personal favorite on the album, the song is such a deep take on how poverty looks. Struggling to keep the children going but having no food to eat as the savings grows smaller and smaller. Her voice has a natural ability to sound pleading and desperate, and it works amazingly with this track. But it makes it all the more heart-wrenching. Upon first listen, it may bring tears to think of the suffering family at the topic.

This is a perfect lead in to "The Lion's Share" in which she refers to how the rich lead over a poor land - seemingly uncaring to those who are struggling to survive. They live on top until something comes to eat them and take the power next, but the socio-economic struggles sadly carry on. Leaving many to suffer unhappily while the "lion" greedily continues to take and take without shame.

The next song is a powerful take on a history filled with crimes against humanity. All these are stories we hear from the history textbook, but put into the context of "Hateful Hate", should we truly celebrate a legacy filled with destruction, genocide, and death? There are reasons to grow, reasons to be patriotic, but perhaps we should reconsider these parts of history and see them for the ugliness they can grow. 

The album closes with "Jubilee", a song which gives us insight upon a person who feels they are doing right by God in destroying a dance hall where people of different races intermingle. In their mind, it is justified to fix the defilement of the world. It is a reminder as well that sadly, some will weaponize the Word of God to promote and defend acts of "hateful hate". 

LYRICS: 9/10 

The main feature of this album is the strong storytelling and lyricism within it. The stories, many of them still ring true today. The way it is written makes it timeless for generations to come. 

MUSIC: 6/10

The music is more simplistic, but I do feel this enhances the songs by allowing Merchant's voice to shine with all the ragged emotion she can put into it. 

OVERALL: 8/10

This is an album I would say you want to listen to when you have time to digest it. It is not an album for background noise while cleaning around the house. It is meant to be heard and listened to. You may also need to be in the "mood" for it, in a sense that the content is very dark and sobering. But the best kind of art often makes you think, and this album does just that. 

Did you like this album? Are you going to try it? Sound off in the comments.