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Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Some Music for the Masses

So, it's been a while, eh?  I've been busy with school, and friends, and writing.  Plus, and I'm not really going to go into detail on this, due to people things, I've kind of gone into an emotional withdrawal, and I haven't really felt any desire to talk to anyone.  Ever.  For any length of time.*

*EDITOR'S NOTE:  This is hyperbole.  She is not a complete hermit.  Yet.

But all this emotional recovery time builds up some stuff that needs to be said.  Deep, emotional stuff.   Stuff that would change your perception of me as a person.  Stuff so dramatic and life-changing that I can say, quite seriously, that I will literally never be the same.  Stuff that you have to chew on for a little bit in order to fully understand the effects of it.

Naturally, I've opted out of talking about any of that stuff, and am instead choosing to share some songs with y'all.

Some of these songs you will probably know.  Hopefully at least a few will be new and likable additions to your listening list.

Desperado - Rihanna

I found this song while looking for songs about running away, for the book I'm currently writing about a girl who runs away.  I liked the song because it's got a fairly distinctive feel that pulls you into its dark and moody, yet rhythmic, atmosphere.  It ain't the Eagles.

Love is a Wild Thing - Kacey Musgraves

What really caught my attention about this song is not the pretty singing, and the mild tempo, but the fact that in the chorus the melody really gives a voice to the wildness this song talks about.  Not in an out of control, chaotic way, but in a natural, beautiful way.  Like wildflowers.  That's what this song reminds me of.

Runnin' Just in Case - Miranda Lambert

It's another song about running, only in this case, she's tired of running, but she'll keep doing it anyway.  I'm a fan of that kind of raw, painful honesty.  I like how the sound of the song echoes the words, but what really sold me on this song are the closing lines: I carried him around with me, I don't mind having scars / Happiness ain't prison, but there's freedom in a broken heart.  

There is.

Teach Me How to Dance with You - Causes

The first song I heard by this band was Sinking Ship, which I liked a lot, but is much more of a downer.  I'm okay with downers.  Sad music is good for the soul.  But I find "Teach Me How to Dance with You" very interesting, if a little repetitive.  It's sung from the perspective of someone who's not fantastically great at love, and doesn't really know how to feel.  But they'd like to learn.  Just listen to the song, I'm terrible at explaining this.

Alcohol - Shannon LaBrie

It's pretty dark.  It's about a woman whose husband is an alcoholic, and he just slowly drags them both down.  But as far as composition and music quality go, this song is pretty up there.

Take What I Can Get - Matthew Mayfield

The songwriting is good.  It's creative, and it conveys a lot of depth and character.  But what I absolutely love is how Mayfield's singing carries with it both a loneliness and a grit, and just makes the words that much more effective.  It's a fairly short, simple song, but it's definitely worth a few listens.

Just my Soul Responding - Amber Run

I love Amber Run.  I think the lead singer's hair is cool, and I like his voice too.  Also, he has pretty eyes.  This song is a little complicated for me.  It shows a lot of conflict.  His want to be there, and to love her; and the problem that for some reason they're just not working out.  But he can't stop reacting to the fact that he loves her.  Also, the song is kind of upbeat and fun to listen to.  

Corners - Dalton Domino

Now look, I'm not going to say that this song is totally correct in everything that it may say or imply.  But it's an honest insight from a man who's made a lot of mistakes.  I have a hard time describing the effect "Corners" has on me.  It  reminds me of me a little bit.  It leaves the mistakes in the past, but doesn't deny that they happened, and that bridges were burned.  Overall, it makes me...content, which is the purest form of happiness that I know.



Have a listen to these, and please, tell me what you liked and didn't like, which songs you knew before reading this and which you didn't, and just how terrible I was at describing them.

So long,
Anna