Although the Swell Season recently confessed to us that the their new album 'Strict Joy' was written more apart than together, they also took the time to explain to us the meaning behind the seemingly oxymoronic album title. In fact, they borrowed it from James Stephens, whose collection of poems has the same title. However, it turns out they're thinking well beyond than just an homage to their favorite poet.

"The poem is about when you go in and address your sorrow. It's a transformative thing that happens," Swell Season frontman Glen Hansard tells Spinner. "When you pull it out of the inner and give the words voice, there is a weird thing where the coal turns to diamond."

Hansard takes it even further, saying that people essentially are truth seekers and no matter what's being said, if it's true, it's a source of joy. "We all know that there is truth in people and when we hear it, we respond somehow. Generally speaking, I think that term can be a joyful experience. Like that guy that is singing the blues in the corner of the bar -- he's singing about how his life had not worked out quite as he hoped. Why do we find joy in that? Essentially, that's what the poem's about. The more honest you are with your sorrow, the more your sorrow will actually lift you."