The band's founder and singer Craig Minowa has a degree in Environmental Science, and his environmental, political, and social awareness is reflected in much of Cloud Cult's music. (Note: Craig Minowa actually has stated he intentionally doesn't sing about environmental awareness because he lives it...he doesn't need to preach it) The band's self-created non-profit record label, Earthology Records, uses the most environmentally friendly methods available to ensure minimum damage to the environment.
After two solo LP's, The Shade Project (1995), and Who Killed Puck? (2000), Minowa's sudden loss of his two-year-old son and subsequent separation from his wife, Cloud Cult emerged with They Live On The Sun in 2003, combining concepts of Minowa with performances by cellist Sarah Young and drummer Dan Greenwood, who shortly became members of the band. This album was deeply personal and painful album for Cloud Cult and you don't often hear songs from it in concert.
Minowa continued to use music to cope with the loss of his son on the following album Aurora Borealis. This album did begin to branch out more into exploration of pain and loss instead of just feeling it.
Minowa reunited with his wife, and the next album is widely considered their crowning achievement. Advice From The Happy Hippopotamus involved collaboration from a variety of musicians and has garnered praise from critics, even being acclaimed as "a work of insane genius". This album is capped off with the "happy-go-lucky" song, Lucky Today. This album was selected by esurance to be animated into a commercial. This was a contest for the most environmentally sound band because esurance labels themselves as the paperless insurance provider.
On April 10th 2007 Cloud Cult officially released their sixth LP, The Meaning of 8 (although it was available for sale online in late January): the first single was titled "Take Your Medicine." In April 2008, the band followed it with Feel Good Ghosts.
In 2009 band announced a break till 2010, though they released limited re-releases of their albums Lost Songs from the Lost Years, They Live on the Sun and Aurora Borealis (the last two as a double-disc).
Their concerts are certainly a sight to be seen. Along with Minowa on Guitars (and other fun things), they have got bass, drums, violin and cello. There are two official band members who actually do very little music during the shows; Minowa's wife Connie and Scott are painters. They create original works of art during the show (breaking only occasionally to sing or sometimes Scott plays Trumpet). Then, at the end of the show, they silent auction these paintings off to the highest bidder.
Their official website is www.cloudcult.com.
Story of the Grandson of Jesus
Cloud Cult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A miracle is a miracle, even when it's ordinary.
We will walk on the water even though it seems scary,
if someone will show us the way.
I shook hands with a man who honestly thinks
he's the grandson of Jesus with a penchant for pinchies.
He served us communion of cola and Twinkies.
He stood on his soapbox and told us a parable
of a man with eye-glasses so small they're unwearable.
And the moral of the story is that it all looks terrible,
depending on what you look through, what you look through.
He said
"Do unto yourself as you do unto your neighbor;
it's not an eye for an eye, it's a favor for a favor,
and it's okay if this world had a billion saviors,
'cuz there are so many things to be saved."
"Take my words with a boulder of salt,
or blame it on your devil, it's always the scape-goat's fault --
we all point fingers when it comes to a halt.
Will somebody show us the way?"
The first verse of Cloud Cult's "Story of the Grandson of Jesus" introduces the idea that miracles can come in the form of the ordinary, and that sometimes we need guidance or someone to "show us the way" in order to achieve these miracles. The second verse describes an encounter with a man who proclaims himself to be the grandson of Jesus and offers a humorous take on his interpretation of communion. The man delivers a parable that suggests that our perspective on the world and its problems depends on what we choose to focus on.
The final lines of the song emphasize the importance of compassion towards others, as well as taking responsibility for our own actions rather than placing blame on others or external forces. The singer questions who will "show us the way" once again, suggesting that the search for guidance and meaning is ongoing and perhaps never-ending.
Line by Line Meaning
Today is a good day to flex the muscles of the weary.
This is a time to summon the strength to face adversity.
A miracle is a miracle, even when it's ordinary.
Things that seem commonplace can still be amazing.
We will walk on the water even though it seems scary, if someone will show us the way.
We can do anything if we have help and guidance.
I shook hands with a man who honestly thinks he's the grandson of Jesus with a penchant for pinchies.
I met someone who believes he is related to Jesus and likes to pinch people.
He served us communion of cola and Twinkies.
He offered us a non-traditional version of the Christian sacrament.
I guess everyone has their own view.
Everyone has a different perspective or opinion.
He stood on his soapbox and told us a parable of a man with eye-glasses so small they're unwearable.
He shared a story about a man whose view of the world was limited by his small glasses.
And the moral of the story is that it all looks terrible, depending on what you look through, what you look through.
Your perception of things can make them seem bad or good.
He said "Do unto yourself as you do unto your neighbor; it's not an eye for an eye, it's a favor for a favor, and it's okay if this world had a billion saviors, 'cuz there are so many things to be saved."
Treat yourself and others well, don't seek revenge, and the world could use more helpers since there are so many problems to solve.
"Take my words with a boulder of salt, or blame it on your devil, it's always the scape-goat's fault -- we all point fingers when it comes to a halt. Will somebody show us the way?"
Don't take my words too seriously, or blame someone else when things go wrong. It's common to play the blame game. We need help to move forward.
Contributed by Daniel B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.