Okay, let me be clear about this. Here is a list of things I am not mocking:
01. The troops.
02. The troops.
03. The troops.
04. See numbers 01-03.
However, it's impossible for me not to have a comment or two about Saosin's recent move to dedicate "You're Not Alone" to the troops. It's a nice gesture, but... come on. Let's be honest: this is a fairly transparent marketing plan. It's not like the band wrote a song specifically for the troops -- they took their single from the summer and said, "by the way, this is for the troops." They made a new video for it -- an online one -- that is all heart string jerking... completely ignoring that the original video isn't remotely a "go troops" video. Compare:
Let's take a look at two of the song's verses:
"That's just like him
To wander off in the evergreen park
Slowly searching
For any sign of the ones he used to love
He says he's got nothing left to live for
(He says he's got nothing left)
And this time I think you'll know"
-and -
"She's just like him
Spoiled rotten, confused by the lies shes been fed
Shes searching for no one (but herself)
Her eyes turn to green and she seems to be happy that she is here
And this time I think you'll know"
Again... not terribly troop-like. Or even all that inspiring. Actually, the song is pretty depressing.
It's a nice gesture and all, but let's face it: this is just a fairly easy way to get some extra mileage out of the band's last single. I don't really care; it's a dog eat dog world and you have to take some strange steps to get where you want to go. But, as my friend TomZ just pointed out, "you're supposed to support the troops, not have the troops support you."
And really, do we need the troops to go all emo? The emo hair would get in their eyes, blocking the view of the enemy. Their makeup would run if they started to sweat. And the uniforms? What self-respecting emo kid, troop or otherwise, would be seen in camouflage?
I guess it's the thought that counts, though.
