I hesitated to submit anything here, because when I try to think back to those times, I mostly just feel detached.  My brain put a lot of effort into sealing those kodak moments and a lot of that pain away, and the end result is that I don’t really remember a lot of details and I doubt my ability to genuinely convey the difference this album made to my tiny little world, Obviously in the end I decided to just blurt that out and let you all make of it what you will, because whilst 25 years later I might not be able to explain how I felt back then with any eloquence, I can confidently say that having that music to connect to, and giving me one small private space where it was ok to feel pain and rage and resentment and hurt and honesty and tenderness and hope and even just pleasure in the pure beauty of sound, that made all the difference in the world to me.

And I do believe that being fortunate enough to have the option of an emotional outlet that acknowledged and reflected the full variety of feelings that make up life, left me better off as a person. Life isn’t made up of just anger, or sadness, or happiness. It’s not just tender, or harsh, or warm, or cold. It’s all of those things and a million more and I think that’s something that MCIS demonstrates beautifully.  I will always appreciate having the escape, and having that emotional outlet, but I think looking back as an adult I have a new found appreciation for the honesty and integrity of that larger statement, and for the personal investment it must have required to create a single work that encompasses so much.

Mellon Collie takes you by the hand, and leads you through, then tucks you safely into bed.