The piano sets a hauntingly sad mood. Followed by lyrics of self reflection. In my opinion, Trent is an amazing lyricist and musician. This song is one of my favorites because it reminds me of this illusion we have of our perfect little lives but how blind we are to the realities of the world around us. That we choose not to see those injustices, the starving, the poor, the abused, the genocide and instead live in a make believe world where everything is fine and the worst thing that happened today was that you received a parking ticket or snagged your nylons. We choose to ignore suffering because it is easier. We think that a new dress is the key to happiness. But in reality it would be more rewarding to donate the clothes to those in need. An illusion of freedom yet we are bound in a cage that we ourselves have created. Lyrics are below.

"See the animal in his cage that you built

Are you sure what side you're on?

Better not look him too closely in the eye

Are you sure what side of the glass you are on?

See the safety of the life you have built

Everything where it belongs

Feel the hollowness inside of your heart

And it's all

Right where it belongs

[Chorus:]

What if everything around you

Isn't quite as it seems?

What if all the world you think you know

Is an elaborate dream?

And if you look at your reflection

Is it all you want it to be?

What if you could look right through the cracks?

Would you find yourself

Find yourself afraid to see?

What if all the world's inside of your head

Just creations of your own?

Your devils and your gods

All the living and the dead

And you're really all alone?

You can live in this illusion

You can choose to believe

You keep looking but you can't find the woods

While you're hiding in the trees

[Chorus:]

What if everything around you

Isn't quite as it seems?

What if all the world you used to know

Is an elaborate dream?

And if you look at your reflection

Is it all you want it to be?

What if you could look right through the cracks

Would you find yourself

Find yourself afraid to see?"

The harsh beauty, truth and pure honesty of this album made me realize the life I was living was a lie. The strength of a single song to bring about clarity and change is rare. This song and these lyrics encapsulate and bookmark a profound change of honesty in my life and would guide me into the life I live today.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Slower

It's been so long since i've been by myself

and i need this more than you will ever know

people like you and me never feel the breeze

people like you and me will never know the easy way

i scream into the wind and laugh

as the words slap me in the face

i would gladly trade

a lifetime of convenience

for an honest day or two

it's just not the same

when you're staring into a perfect golden sunset

and thinking about how you sold your soul to send the rain away

it's been so long since i've stood on my own two feet

i'd really rather lay here and pretend

but people like you and me never get that peace

it comes from denying that everything is so screwed up

it's so screwed up

i stand on a building and throw up my arms to the sky

i swallow my pride

and admit that it's not always best to understand the reasons why

it's just not the same when you wake up in the morning

with a smile on your face

when you know you lied yourself to sleep

to make it better

make it better.