Natalie’s voice has only gotten better with age. It’s lost that edge of brightness and gained more in the way of world-weariness. It’s an improvement, or perhaps it’s just fitted to its era — just as her 90s voice was.

I can’t believe I first listened to a 10,000 Maniacs song in 1989 or so.

I don’t put on many 10,000 Maniacs songs these days — old or new. They don’t do much for me now. They are artifacts of a time long past. But I’ll always watch Natalie perform if it’s well-recorded.

Compare and contrast with this:

I watched that live in 1993. IMO one of the best live performances ever. And that outfit is amazing, too.

Everyone was just so damn perky and optimistic in the 90s. It was such a different time, so much so that I look back on it — contemplate living through it — and I can hardly comprehend how much has changed, and how quickly. The person who was me in 1993 in many ways is barely related to who I am now.

I can’t listen to 10,000 Maniacs songs anymore because it’s like a dissimilar alternate universe that I no longer understand.

Just look at Natalie, look at them all: they have no idea what’s coming and how that optimism will be replaced with the narrative of diminution, of loss, of decline and dissolution.

Look at who we were. My god.