The merch line at a Dessa show often contains people with lyrics tattooed on their forearms or ribs or shoulder blades. The strength and quotability of her lyrics-from rap punchlines to elegantly tooled extended metaphors-is a hallmark of Dessa's work. "Camelot" is one of the few explicitly political songs in her catalog. In 2 minutes and 53 seconds she sketches the contours of a troubling American zeitgeist, delivers a chorus that's both haunting and catchy, and comments on the tendency of consumer culture to breed apathy (That's the thing about the lap of luxury - the lap of luxury can't stand up). "Camelot" calls attention to the irreconcilability of two facets of the national self-concept: a) America is a miraculous shining city on a hill; and b) the neighbors are dangerous and crazy. The song doesn't scold or preach, which was important to Dessa who says, "I hate being lectured. I assume most listeners do too. This song doesn't aim to teach anybody anything-I think most of us know better already. It's about trying to rally the nerve to act on our best impulses. "
- 1. Tough Call
- 2. Camelot
