Soul Asylum is one of those bands that has the unfortunate distinction of reaching the mainstream, but still generally only being remembered because of one song. Albeit, Runaway Train IS a great song, but no matter how many other singles they released, it seems as though that's the only one people truly remember. It's a shame, really.Musically, Soul Asylum, while being a quite solid band, is nothing overly special. Their songs are consistently good, but not as unique as one might like. Lyrically, however, they surpass most modern bands by a long shot. Oh, and did I mention that they're pretty darn good live, too? I've had the pleasure of seeing them twice now...once back in 1993, and again in 2006 or 2007. I was a bit nervous that they wouldn't still have that indescribable IT that sates the wild music craving beast inside me, but I was quite pleased to discover that they're just as fresh and energetic after all these years as they were back in their initial break-out period.Enough about that, though...back to the wonderfully poetic and clever lyrics. If you truly pay attention to Soul Asylum's lyrics, you'll appreciate almost every one of their songs just a bit more. In fact, my life motto ([if] you can't believe in yourself, you can't believe in anyone else) comes from the lyrics to New World.One of the best examples of the absurd, but empty thought provoking lyrics Dave creates is the song featured here, String of Pearls. The song is four minutes and fifty seconds long. It contains 374 words, with no chorus whatsoever. Yet, not a single word is extraneous. Virtually every verse contains at least one clever little play on words, and as the (wonderful, fluffy, sweet buttercream) icing on the cake, the whole thing weaves together into a wacky, twisted Crash style story. A story that seems so simple at first, but will later make you stop and say 'wait just a minute!! Late LAST NIGHT?'For your convenience, the lyrics are "here":http://www.lyricsfreak.com/s/soul+asylum/string+of+pearls_20127893.htmlIgnore the lack of punctuation...I'm too lazy to search for another lyric site at the moment.Anyway, the point is this: Don't judge a book by its cover. Or, more appropriately, don't judge a train by the graffiti on the cars. Give Soul Asylum a chance. Just be sure to truly listen. Dave's beautiful, witty lyrics are far to good to be resigned to background noise status.P.S. I often wonder exactly how much pot he smokes when he's writing. Or...if I'm misjudging him and he writes sober, I wonder what his writing would be like stoned. =)