When pondering fitting Advent tunes to post here at R&T, it didn’t take long for “Waiting” by The Rentals, featuring ex-Weezer bassist Matt Sharp, to come to mind. Technically, though, the song is about the process of waiting that is often a part of good songwriting. Perhaps the experience of that kind of waiting might offer insights into the “spiritual” waiting associated with this liturgical season.

The Rentals, by the way, were at least a decade ahead of their time and far underrated during their initial run as a band from 1995-1999. Which may explain the current rediscovery and popularity of the band since they reunited a few years back. In addition to the live video above shot in 2007, hear the studio version here (you will have to sit through a commercial before you do, courtesy of Warner Music) and see if there isn’t something eschatological going on with the song’s freshness even fifteen years after its initial release.

Michael Iafrate
Parkersburg, West Virginia