I never forget (mostly because I write everything down), and am finally there - time for a good request album.
"Pining" starts right up, real load, and real hard. Already, I kind of love this band because they post lyrics on their play site along with the song - and we're not talking repetitive crap lyrics - these are ones to really take some time and read. This first one reads as a plea to be alive and maybe take some stupid chance. There's this turn later that only makes me see a relationship too danger to be in but too tempting to ignore. Hey, we take what we want from music, right? The music itself is really kind of awesome, with just enough of a rhythm to jam to and feel.
The next song up takes a different turn: "The Emerald City." The guitar moans in the background, reminding us of where we came form, but the piano leading things takes on a whole different tone. I have to say, as much as I want to equate this with metal I've heard, the sole fact that this voice register is where it is makes it easier to enjoy this all. It doesn't just taper along slowly, or even become too much - the band manages to quicken the pace without suddenly throwing you for a loop. It's tough to get a good intensity build, and the approach here is really admirable. Even with the odd electronic sound over top I can't help putting far too much notice onto.
"With Envy" turns the heat back up full blast right away, then does that slow-down thing with the verse lyrics to pack whatever impact the story's meant to. Oh a song about jealousy - actually, this is sort of interestingly refreshing. Jealousy's a crazy emotion, yah know? And I'm telling you, the way these guys have with lyrics is really very cool. Their musical handle is just this mix of metal and almost pop/classic rock - it's really hard to put my finger on it this time. Something's equally thrilling and interesting about the overall package.
Slowly we go in to "Jaded," with a deep bass drum keeping time and bringing us in. This is the haunting side of metal rock, where things are slowed down and graceful, but you're almost a little afraid of the containment of the music. Luckily, the piano comes back in with urgency and emotion. While the whole track is deeper than the previous ones have been (melodically), the music keeps the heart racing just enough to entrance the mind into trying to wrap itself around the words. Did any of that make sense to anyone else? This is why I can't listen to music that makes me think too much - I'd never be able to sleep to something like this, but luckily that's not the point this time around.
"Anything But Green" brings my first realization of a title theme to this album - all revolving around green, shamrocks, etc. Huh, interesting choice. Light guitar, comparatively, going on for this one. Sad subject, especially when you only catch the line "soon the world around will be anything but green." Well, awesome - let's just look forward to the sadness, shall we? Oi. Not that it's a bad thing, given a mood. I can understand it. I don't love it, but I can understand it.
Final song time, folks. "Shamrocks," aka the title track. Okay guys, come on, finish strong. And… hey, they don't disappoint! This is actually a pretty steady, more typical rock song, but of course give Short of the Sun their due - they maintain a personal sound regardless. I can't place right away the point of the song, but it's got elements of love and longing, but more so working through it all emotionally and mentally (so much more important besides). The slow down part doesn't help anything at all - so I'm going to try to ignore that happened and get back into it… ah, there we go. It picks back up. I think my favorite line might be "well all this should have been said long ago, but rather than tell, I tried to let it show." Yeah, that doesn't always work, and we wind up blurting out all of the words too late.
Added to My Playlist:
- "The Emerald City"
- "Shamrocks"
I really enjoyed this! Usually I might try for some other flowery description of how much I liked something, but something simple seemed appropriate, given the complexity of the lyrics. Really though, this was interesting and a cool thing to hear overall. I'm glad I got the chance to know this new music. All from a little Facebook promotion of a good friend. =) Thanks Erin.