2 posts tagged “music”
A review, by the venerable music enthusiast, Crush:
Death Cab for Cutie's (DCFC) new album, Narrow Stairs, is due for release next week. Even though this isn't technically indie music anymore (the band signed a major contract a few years ago), DCFC has its roots firmly planted in the indie arena.
I wasn't a fan of this band until recently. They've drifted on and off of my personal music radar screen over the past few years, as they've grown in popularity, but always escaped my interest. Yet, I can't get enough of their latest single, I Will Possess Your Heart. This is a song you'll either love or hate, in part due to the 4 minute plus instrumental "intro". In my opinion, the intro is what makes this song so unique and likeable. There are haunting keyboard chords pounding feverishly, between a stiff and memorable bass line. It builds to an emotive crescendo once the lyrics do finally kick in. There aren't many lyrics to begin with. What few words are included, seem simple and sophomoric on paper. Combine them, though, with the musical indulgence of each of the band's musicians, and you have a modern day masterpiece, albeit not one made for radio play or mass appeal. (Was indie music ever destined or desired for radio waves?)
There's also plenty of echo and reverb that offset the melodic tones, giving it an edginess that almost feels misplaced in this song....almost. They clash with the enunciating velvet voice of Ben Gibbard, the band's singer and keyboardist, but somehow it all works. In a few words, I'd characterize it as hardcore emo-indie. And, its good.
The video aint too bad either. You can feel the song's "author" stalking the subject femme fatale. (Does anyone recognize the actress? She looks familiar, but I can't place her.) The video goes a long way to justify the 4 minute intro. You can feel her angst and confusion; his frustration and hope. He's in her head, but he wants more. He wants to possess her heart, her being. She feels him, as she journeys in far reaching corners of the world. She is depicted in day and night; cold climes and warm; north, south, east and west....traveling the world alone, and yet she's not necessarily lonely. He's with her in spirit, but is she happy that he accompanies her in this way or is she attempting to run from his grip? Is she sullen or determined? Is she content in her solitude? Depressed or merely contemplative? That's up to your interpretation, and may be dictated by the station of your own personal love life, I'd guess.
The first time I heard this, I wasn't sure if I liked it or not. It took a second and third listen to know I did. You don't have to be an indie music fan to appreciate this, but even if you are, you won't necessarily like it! Its unique and eclectic and catchy and maybe even a little annoying, depending on your mood. It is emotive, if nothing else. I like it. Hope you do as well. My guess is that the musicians in my hood will enjoy it. The music enthusiasts that might not have ever "played" music, may not... Meh. Just a hunch. Its a good 8 minute distraction from your workday or a great lead-in to your music-filled weekend...Enjoy!
the album is to be officially released on Tuesday, May 13
...for the Dropkick Murphys. I drank Guinness with them in the mid-90's in a dark, Back Bay of Boston bar (alliteration not really intended) and now they've made it. From their roots, which might be described as 'Celtic thunder punk', they've emerged as a crossover into (somewhat) mainstream rock. Their airplay-unfriendly tunes are reminscent of the Clash; and the gravelly, alcohol fueled choruses of Sid Vicious or Bon Scott. Talent? Meh. What good is talent if you can't get an audience to listen or appreciate it?
These guys represent the working class hero, the third shifter, the unsung duplex-dweller working two jobs to support his ex-wife (s) and 3 kids. They sing about unions, drinking, lost loves, Ireland, street fighting, Irish culture and...did I mention drinking? How else could they get away with the "noise" of a bagpipe and expect to sell records to the masses? Not since Jethro Tull introduced a flute to the hungry FM radiophiles, has this type of ground been broken.
Well, they didn't expect to sell to the masses. These guys can barely sing, but man, can they light the fire of enthusiasm into a crowd! They are selling records, and I couldn't be happier for this ragtag group of guys that play because they love to play; not to be chart toppers. The end of their anonymity started when the Red Sox adopted their song "Tessie" in 2004, the year the Curse of the Babe fell after 86 years. Next, Jimmy Fallon's Fever Pitch in 2005. Then, you could almost hear bells ringing in an emerald colored field far across the pond when The Departed used 'Shipping up to Boston' in a handful of its scenes and as the credits rolled. I still wonder if hometown boy, Matt Damon had anything to do with that. Martin Scorsese could hardly know the true color of Boston's Back Bay area.
Now, as I was putting 2007 to bed, almost literally, while I read the Year End issue of Rolling Stone on New Year's Eve...there they were...almost on the very last page of the 2007 Year in Review issue.... Name in print, in the (arguably) preeminent mag of music, as # 49 on a list of the top 50 best albums of 2007. From the comfort of my overstuffed leather chair, I cracked a wry smile, miles and years removed from the cold, dark streets of a Boston winter...
Ok, so they didn't crack the top 10 or 20, and their music may never make it onto any popular chart. But, just seeing these guys on ANY list of top 50, warms the core of my being. Strangely, I feel proud for my beloved city of Boston, and to have known them "back in the day" when they played to crowds you could count on both hands. And, most of the "crowd" could barely count on ANY hand by the time they took stage, ifyouknowadimean. I admire them for having made it in the music industry, without a single aspiration to do so. All they wanted to do was pay the bills, and have some fun while doing it. The music industry, as a whole, should take note. So, Slainte, America! Listen and just try not to wanna drink a Harp, watch a hockey fight or sack your boss !!!
