Musical Thesis: Moby “All Visible Objects”

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At the center of every album is a musical thesis. This thesis can be the driving force behind the album, a theme that interweaves songs together, or a feeling you are left with after the very last song plays. With some albums, the thesis is easy to find. On others, it is hidden and requires you to be more than a passive listener. These reviews are not about rating an album. Instead, it is about uncovering a musical thesis.

One of these days
Gonna rise up singin‘, yeah
One of these days
Gonna rise up in love

Back in 2020, I named Moby’s All Visible Objects my Album of the Year. After some time away from the album, I returned to it, hoping to discover something new about myself and the record.

The chaos and drama of 2020 feels both present and like an object growing fainter in the rearview mirror. As we settled into the reality of a COVID Christmas, my thoughts turned to what we had collectively experienced over the last 12 months.

In my estimation, my country had missed a genuine opportunity to lead the world on issues such as community health, shared sacrifice, national pride, and collective effort. Instead, we ended the year more divided…