The Cliks

One of the most obvious tried-and-true methods in rock'n'roll is that of writing about dark experiences in life. This is exactly what Lucas Silveira did for his band's sophomore album, Dirty King. Silveira and band-mates Jen Benton and Morgan Doctor wrote from the deep pit of anger and disappointment about the deceit they experienced in a long bout of touring. But instead of masking the pain in too many metaphors, they let the listener in, at least a little bit, to try and identify with them. Silveira uses his trademark drawl on the "Red and Blue," singing: "I'm not changing for anybody else/Cuz every time I do/It seems I lose myself." Thus is the message: there will be vulnerable and upsetting times but finding yourself is the best course of action, and the one that will make a good album. But Dirty King isn't all tangled webs and unhappily never afters; it serves as inspiration.