Cool Hand Luke - Of Man

Day 3

Artist: Cool Hand Luke
Album: Of Man
Label: N/A (Independently released)
Year: 2011
Genre: Indie/Post-Rock

For fans of: Copeland, The Joy Formidable, Radiohead, Sigur Ros

On this Good Friday, I thought it would be fitting to recommend the last full-length released by Cool Hand Luke's before Mark Nicks took a six year long hiatus. This was their first and only concept album from start to finish with songs written from different perspectives of the life of Jesus from His entry into Jerusalem to the crucifixion. 

"Are You Coming?" offers the cries and prayers of a suffering citizen (who would end up sharing his upper room for what is traditionally known as The Last Supper) dealing with loss and uncertainty of faith. "His Eyes" sees the suffering of Jesus through the eyes of a bystander who mourns not knowing why no attempt was made to save Himself from the agony. "A Garden in the Dark," coming from Jesus' perspective, re-purposes lyrics from the band's previously released song "The Incomprehensible Sleep" referring to the sleeping disciples at the Garden of Gethsemane. 

I could go on and both extol and analyze the entire album; but I'll leave some of that to you, the readers. That said, the last track that I'd like to highlight is "The Silver," which offers a solemn and sobering take from the perspective of Judas that could just as easily be a prayer for anyone who has ever known the pain of feeling unworthy of love (PS: you're absolutely not!).

"If You saw just who I am
If You knew all my deeds
Would You let me share this bread?
Would You still wash my feet?
I have walked with You miles
And I believe what You say
But You don't know who I am
A man who can't be saved

I'm not a Peter and I'm not a John
I'm just a thief and a coward of a man
All that I wanted was to sit by Your side
But the silver won out because of my wounded pride"

Have a blessed Easter weekend!

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