Hoi Polloi were an “alternative gospel band”, and indeed “Rest Tonite” starts with a gospel choir. But then all that is swept to the side for some Christian pop, with a lead singer who sounds like an overexcited Margaret Urlich.
She’s even more excited in the music video, ripping out her hair band and shaking down her hair, vigorously strumming her guitar and singing so hard she bends over with the exertion.
Footage of the band’s performance (in a warehouse – edgy) is cut with literal depictions of the lyrics. “Fields on fire” is a burning newspaper, “breaking china” shows a coffee cup smash, “child cries” is a baby crying. This leads me to belief that the song isn’t metaphorically about someone wanting a break from the stress of the world, but someone who just wants a good night’s sleep without their cat coming in and walking on their face, meowing to be fed.
There’s also some outdoor footage of the singer at a beach, and she’s wearing a white peasant blouse. That’s the third one I’ve seen so far. Even I had ditched my peasant blouse by ’92. If I see a fourth one, I’m taking a drink.
Best bit: the lead singer gets so overcome with singing the song that she doubles over.
Next… Mikey is a twisted fire-starter.