[FM] (no subject)

[Southwick, Tom [JJCUS]]

Lucy, thank you for the review. 
Yes, it's dark, dark, dark with not one word out of place.  Well said.  As
to the darkness, there are examples to the contrary, like "Happy Endings"
and "Tractor Song" and others that are mostly upbeat, but they are
outnumbered rather badly.  I would prefer to call them harsh and
uncompromising, where the sugar-coating of pain is rejected, rather than
labeling it dark.  That's my own prejudice against going ahead with this
consensus about darkness, against the thought that it is his deepest truth,
some kind of final word.
    I know him to be a kind and generous soul who appreciates the struggles
of ordinary people and commiserates with their desperation, yet... still is
compelled to sing about them with beautiful words and music, lovingly
crafted and deeply respectful.  That is more light than darkness, and it is
present in just about everything he does.  

Tom