Ivan and Alyosha

Nicholas and I have been delighting in our reading and discussion of one of our favorite books, The Brothers Karamazov, by one of our most admired authors, Fyodor Dostoevsky.  (Read recent posts on The Brothers Karamazov).  We were, therefore, pleasantly surprised when our friend George Grant recently mentioned on his website that free downloads were available from a singing duo named Ivan and Alyosha.
(Free Noise Trade download of the fantastic Ivan and Alyosha EP: (http://bit.ly/j65dPJ)

In The Brothers Karamazov, Ivan is the probing atheist who asks the most serious questions and raises the most serious objections to a belief in God.  Unlike all too many atheists, he realizes where his position leads.  "If there is no God, then everything is permitted."  Alyosha, in the novel, is one of the most powerful Christian characters ever created in fiction.  He is the angel, or the messenger, to all the other characters in the story.  His faith is pure and deeply held, but his Christian living is not filled with fluff, syrup, or sugary sweet answers.  His is a powerful Christian love, motivated and taught to him by Father Zosima.

We have enjoyed getting acquainted with this talented young group--which actually includes two other musicians.  Their music has a harmony like that of Simon and Garfunkel, with a very comfortable feel, even for a fellow deeply rooted in country music, like me.

I will let Nick take the helm and further describe the music and the musicians.



Ivan and Alyosha

Ivan and Alyosha is an indie rock band from Seattle. Their music ranges from driving indie pop in songs like "Father's Be Kind" to the symphonic indie of "Everything is Burning." Their lyrics range from traditional love songs ("I Was Born To Love Her") to songs that deal with less traditional themes, such as having a child ("Living For Someone"). Their most defining song to date is the Bob Dylan-esque "Glorify." The song, like good poetry, is heavily ironic and open to multiple interpretations. I'll let the song's lyrics speak for themselves.

I left my family and my home
to fight the battle on my own
I stole a car and drove away
but in my hate St Paul did say

Glorify the Lord above
with your drink and making love
Glorify the Lord, my son
with your whiskey and your guns

I shot my foe, now I feel bad
I beat my wife, now I feel sad
I curse my brother and my friend
I broke my mother's heart again

Glorify the Lord above
with your drink and making love
Glorify the Lord, my son
with your whiskey and your guns

And I'll tune my heart and tune my strings
and see what giving thanks might bring
For all I have was always thine
but I was fool to think it mine

We'll glorify the Lord above
with your drink and making love
Glorify the Lord, my son
with your whiskey and your gun

Well if you stay or if you go
or if you stand or you're brought low
We'll drink the wine, we'll eat the bread
But don't forget what Jesus said

Glorify the Lord above
with your drink and making love
Glorify the Lord my son
'till your work on earth is done

I said to glorify the Lord above
oh if you've plenty, if you've none
Glorify the Lord my son
with your whiskey and your gun

Much like The Brothers Karamozov, the song doesn't seem to provide any easy answers. It seems to be about how people are supposed to do everything to the glory of God, but instead do wicked and awful things, like beating their wives. However, it does not seem to be an attack on Christianity-- notice the lines "For all I have was always thine/but I was fool to think it mine." It seems like the band is recognizing that people are not glorifying God like they should.

We hope to learn and share more about this group in the future.