“Did you think I’d never know? / Never wise up as I grow?” Those are the questions that Australian musician Kevin Parker, the brainchild of psych-rock, alternative pop / rock collective Tame Impala, directs towards his late father, Jerry. The narrative constructed on “Posthumous Forgiveness” (The Slow Rush) isn’t fictional. Parker had a childhood encompassing drama, thanks to the divorce of his parents, and a troublesome relationship with his father. “I always thought heroes stay close / Whenever troubled times arose,” he sings on the first verse, continuing, “I didn’t know / Ain’t always how it goes.” “Posthumous Forgiveness” hence, seeks to atone for a troublesome relationship that a son has with his deceased father.
In many instances, sons have a great admiration for their fathers. Kevin Parker felt the same way about his own father, singing on the second verse, “Every single word you told me / I believed without a question, always.” That said, return to the opening quote of the write-up, and he changes his tune as maturity unveiled the truth. A bridge, arriving prior to the second part of this lengthy, six-minute-plus cut, finds the protagonist upset that his father died without apologizing or atoning for the miscues in his own right. The tone of “Posthumous Forgiveness” is amplified beyond the lyricism, set in a minor key, and embracing something of a neo-psych sound that Tame Impala has been lauded for. That distinct tenor of Parker is a treat as well.
Part of the atonement for Kevin Parker seems to be getting his frustrations with Jerry off of his chest. The thing is, the key part of the title “Posthumous Forgiveness” is ‘forgiveness.’ The second part of the song finds Parker ultimately forgiving his father despite the mistakes. He regrets the fact that there is no more time for reconciliation. “One-on-one with each other / Just a boy and a father / What I’d give for another,” he sings, later voicing, “I wanna tell you ‘bout the time / Wanna tell you ‘bout my life…” Takeaways? Understand that life is fleeting; cherish your loved ones and strive to reconcile differences dividing you before it’s too late.
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About The Curator - Brent Faulkner
Slightly eccentric with interests that seem to know no ends, restless ‘Renaissance Man’ is the best way to characterize Brent Faulkner, a native of Kentucky. A certified music educator, multi-instrumentalist, and composer known for his incredibly sharp ear, he lives and breathes music of a variety of styles. In addition to passion for educating, performing, and writing music, he’s equally passionate blogging and writing about it, managing his own site, The Musical Hype (https://themusicalhype.com). When he’s not intensely analyzing music, you can find him reading or watching a movie, reality television or some sporting event.
