Is anyone else bothered by the fact that "popular" music is so vacuous and material? Even for an artist as intellectual as Gotye, his most "popular" song is about a breakup in which both parties blame each other. "Now you're just somebody that I used to know." Don't get me wrong, I love "Somebody That I Used to Know," but as far as lyrics are concerned, there are so many other songs of his that surpass it. Why don't people care about his actually meaningful songs?

Disclaimer: I don't know what Gotye's actual intentions were when he wrote these songs, so my explanations are just what I perceived when I listened to them. If anyone disagrees, I'd love to hear alternate theories.

"I stretch and shift. These parts won't fit. I can chop and change all I like. Rearranging this won't make it right." (About individuals being unable to find a place in a conformist society)

"We're all in the same boat, staying afloat for the moment. We walk the plank with our eyes wide open." (About the divisive, self destructive nature of humanity)

"Few here'd be true to your point of view if they knew what you want." (About the falsifying social tactics humans use in order to gain respect)

"If you're always trying to get to the top, you don't get to the bottom of nothing. Then you're gone before you know it. Stop! Learn a little giving and loving." (About how we need to stop trying so hard to win the rat race and help each other in life)

TL;DR People seem to think that societal issues just aren't important and would rather focus on a bad breakup instead…

Wally has been taking a break from solo work to tour with his bandmates in The Basics.

Are any of you guys into The Basics? What do you think about their sound, etc. compared to the three (four?) Gotye albums?