“Misako and the Angel” was written as the title track for Misako and the Angel, itself a response to a very infamous incident that took place at Anthrocon 2010. An artist by the name of Angel Blanco managed to get into a pickle regarding how he treated his roommate, Rose (or Misako). While the actual details of the incident will not be divulged within these liner notes, how Angel went about trying to gain Rose’s forgiveness regarding the incident can be considered disingenuous at best. Claiming that his faith immediately forgave him and therefore making him clean with Rose made him look like an unrepentant son of a bitch who didn’t want to truly earn forgiveness on a non-metaphysical level. The song is organized as a dialogue between Rose and Angel regarding forgiveness.
lyrics
When I first met you in 2003,
I didn’t know how you would alienate me.
You were just another artist on the Internet
To realize my visions that were stuck in my head.
As the hands went right, I grew to you more.
You let me lodge when the con came forth,
But then again, a few minutes ago,
The glass went Memorex and I let you go.
So you cried in the building, awakening the other attendees,
And you claimed you found grace, but you will never recover me.
Two days ago, you were just a simple seller,
Tearing pages from the pad you had; well,
You have your smile to the patrons.
I thought you were something special.
But then I took my nap,
And I heard a noise from the back
And I saw you, my shoes in your hand,
Whispering repetition – you were afraid.
I’m sorry Rose, I’m sorry Rose, I’m so sorry Rose.
It’ll never happen again.
I thought I was doing the right thing.
I thought I was in a safe place,
Until you showed me my deeds.
You deserve to shun me.
But I found newfound joy.
I found His blood in the hall.
I found the thing that will keep us glued together furthermore.
So why am I now a pariah?
Why am I the Jesus of the Internet?
I don’t know if I can stay anymore.
I can’t accept the past.
Oh, don’t you start with that shit
Even if you did rediscover your god,
You still abused my presence.
You don’t deserve my forgiveness.
I want you to stay away from me
I want you to shut your mouth,
So please leave me alone FOR GOOD.
That’s okay if you want me gone forever
Because Jesus will change your mind in the end
And when you put that joint in the trash
You’ll run back to me.
We’ll be good folks in the middle of the desert
And you’ll be happy that you never left me
And well, let’s say Jesus does great things
With something as pathetic as me.
You’re not an exactly beautiful bronzed Adonis.
You’re probably a lonely man who sits at home
Living off of others’ urges to fuck
Staring into the void of your TV screen.
You never seemed to improve yourself
In the seven years that we were friends
So when you told me you still lived at home
I cried a little inside.
But maybe that’s my Divine destiny
Is something that would lead me to bigger things
Making the world a better place for you and me
All to the perfect plan of the Creator’s will
Soon, all will be like children of this world
No one would want to tolerate the sinners anymore
And I can place my colorful pictures
upon the refrigerator buildings.
You stop it right there
You’re letting your dreams get the best of you
Have you seriously questioned your own faith?
Have you thought of other possibilities?
You know I saw you in the midst of heat
And you were so happy that you were that way
Why were you so driven?
Why did you go that low?
I don’t want to hear anymore fucking excuses
I don’t want you to say that you’re sorry
You were born an asshole
And you’ll die like me in Hell.
I’m sorry Rose
I’m sorry Rose
Please let me into your life
Please don’t abandon me
I thought I did the right thing
I abandoned my shameful past
I starting over a new page
In the notebook of my life
But you don’t understand
I never felt so clean in all my life
I feel that I can forgive myself
Or at least I did once
And now the dream’s gone
Time to stare into the charcoal tickles
But they’re all gone
I got rid of them
And now I crumble into the floor
Shut my eyes
Think of another time
Before my dream fell apart.
Beautiful reflections on family, grief, and indigenous identity from CHamoru-American indie rock/post-punk artist Rosa Bordallo. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 24, 2019
Proceeds from this live Pinegrove album, recorded during their last tour, will go to benefit the Southern Poverty Law Center. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 23, 2017
Prior to touring with Modern Baseball, Pinegrove release a twang-tinged debut starring Evan S. Hall’s evocative vocals. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 13, 2016