It’s all well and good listening to music that makes you think as if you are floating away and into something better, but sometimes you’ve got to violate your ears in the most pleasurable way possible. Something loud is needed. Not the kind that makes your ears bleed, but the kind that makes you glad you’re breathing. You dig? Alright.
I don’t need to write some bullshit prose as to why you must get yourself turned onto Popstrangers; their music justifies fully why you need them in your life. However, it’s 11.10pm on a Friday night and I’ve spent my evening re-writing my CV and applying for jobs. All I want to do is fall asleep, but it won’t happen. Instead I’m finding bands that are waking up the dead parts of me. Popstrangers are doing that. They’re doing it better than most. I function when I’m really tired, but I feel this may turn into some awful rant. I’m going to try stay on track, but my attention span is all over the place. I’m not saying sorry for it. It adds a bit excitement to my mundane life.
Popstrangers are three exceptionally talented guys from Auckland. I’m not a fan of New Zealand for one reason only- my best friend moved there a few years ago, and I now only see her once a year. Aside from that, I’ve got nothing against the place at all. So let’s discuss music.
I firmly believe that, when you find a band that play with such heart and passion- you fast find yourself loving them with all you have. That’s why I believe music writers need to stop being silly you know? I don’t care if you hate a band, I want to hear about what you love. There’s enough negativity in the world; please don’t add to it. Music writers or anyone else. Just don’t be that asshole who carries around negative vibes.
This is why I adore Popstrangers. They play with such heart and it’s almost like a riot brewing in their music. The force and brutality are enough to make you want to throw stuff around your room and tell everyone to go fuck themselves, but as I’m a peaceful person- that won’t be happening. Although, I did nearly throw my phone into the road this afternoon. Stupid piece of shit. But, yes. Popstrangers have this ability to make you want to brawl or something. I’m a calm person, so feeling like this is new to me. It’s an alien concept but one I am enjoying because the music is just amazing.
So these three guys mix this out of this world dreamy feel with something noisy and bold. You think “Oh this cannot be!” But it’s real, and it exists. It’s heavenly and wonderful. To find fault in it would just make you entirely silly. Don’t be that person. If you don’t like it; move along and find something else.
The ferocious guitars, the furious drums and the feral bass sends you wild. It makes you shut your eyes and just go somewhere. I can’t tell you where it takes you, you’ve got to make that journey on your own. But when you get there, you’ll never want to leave. That’s the power of music; it makes you feel things you never thought you could. And it takes you places no plane could ever take you. It’s a magical journey that feeds the soul.
Their new song, Heaven is just gorgeous. It is one of the best songs around. It is hypnotising and soothing. It makes you feel like you are on some ethereal trip. Utterly divine.
Everything about Popstrangers is why I care so much about music. They make the kind of music that makes the most passionate person overwhelmed with emotion because it is THAT good. Hell..the word “good” doesn’t do this band justice. I think I’ve rambled. I’m sorry for that, but my love for Popstrangers? I cannot say I’m sorry about that. It’s the kind of love that stays with you. I’m hooked, in every way possible.
Last night I went through all my stuff that I finally got out of storage. It had been in there for the past 11 months. It had been left in a place that I wouldn’t wish my worst enemy to go to (it must be added that I personally don’t have one, but I’m sure there are enough that hate me.) It was a place that’ll drain your soul and probably catapult your self-hate to a whole new level. I mean sure where I am living now does just the same, but I can hide from it easily. Places that ruin you cause you to go in on yourself. They also cause you to loath the skin you are in; but what can you do about it? Whilst I was going through all my stuff; I found some books that I’ve put to one side that I just need to re-read again. I’ve got a few books that I can read over and over again, and every time I do I find something else to love about the author and the book. Anyway, amongst all my stuff was an old mobile phone. I charged the phone for a bit, and I switched it on. My gut was saying “Why are you doing this?!” Turns out my head did the same too. So, I went through old messages. That wasn’t a smart move. But something clicked. Maybe all the texts from certain people were a lie; but things are different now. Maybe I had more than than I do now. Or maybe what I have now is a billion times better than it was. Truth is- I have nothing. I really don’t. I don’t mean this in a “woe is me” kind of way. Far from it, I’m not that kind of person. Self-pity is one of the worst things in the world. I mean, I don’t really hold onto things. So I went through some messages and turned the phone off. Sure it made me sad for a few minutes but then I saw some messages on the phone I have now. You compare the two and what I have now is more believable. I don’t know what it is, I may never know- but it’s working. It’s fine. I may have nothing going for me in a “job” sense but I’ve got other things that you cannot put a price on.
I know I am far too sentimental and sensitive for my own good. I know I need to toughen up; but if I did, that’d mean I was going against all I am and all I stand for. I don’t stand for much. Just the basic rule of being gentle and kind. That’s all I’ve got, that’s all I am. I feel like a boomerang and I need a home. I need something permanent. I’m nearly 26; I just want to settle anywhere but here. The year is nearly done, and I’ve done nothing of worth. Maybe I can change that next year. I tried to change it this year, but I didn’t get very far. Some of us are meant to succeed, some of us just waste our time trying. I need to figure out what I’m doing, but I feel sometimes that it’s too late. Should I have gone to uni? Should I ever have started writing? Should I start again? I have no idea. The only thing you can do is carry on in the hopes a solid answer just smacks you in the face. The things I want to do are constantly being shunned and told “oh you’ll never do it, you can’t do that.” In my head I think, “Fuck you.” But I just lower my head and carry on. What else can you do? I was told recently by a stranger, “The bands you love, they all started out with nothing and now they’re something. Use that.” A total stranger believes in me. Strangers are kind; they’re not all bad. She also said I had “lost eyes” but I’m not sure what she meant by that.
So anyway, my point is- leave the past in the past. It is okay to have self-doubt. It is okay to not be your biggest fan. It is okay to have shit days; but don’t forget the good ones. It’s okay to walk away and leave things/people behind because they probably didn’t realise you had gone anyway. To hell with what anyone tells you; do what makes YOU happy and for shits sake- put YOURSELF first because no one else will. Let them say you’re selfish if they must, but they’ve got it wrong. Try a different point of you, and be kind.
“Until the sun goes down you’ll be the one for me. Until my brain burns out you’ll be the one.”
I’ve decided that bands from New York are the ones that truly own my heart. Obviously I have so much love for bands from the West Coast. I’m just basing this all on my love for New York Dolls, Velvet Underground and Ramones. The level of love I have for those three bands is ridiculous. Maybe borderline psychotic obsessive, or something. They can’t lock me up for that. Not yet. I just love them, that’s all.
Certain places have a specific sound. You just know straight away when you hear them where they are from. Or you THINK you know where they are from. It becomes like a guessing game. You don’t win anything though, such is life.
When I first listened to Dumb Talk no part of me knew where they were from; I was just blown away by their songs. And you know, that’s just how it should be. To hell with where a band is from, all that matters is the music. But if you must know, they’re from New York. They don’t sound like a “typical” New York band at all. Instead they mix a dreamy feel with brutal distorted sounds. Think along the lines of Wavves meets Beach House. Hyper meets calm. That kind of thing. Basically, they’re awesome.
Dumb Talk got together late last year, and this August put out their debut self-titled record. Now, this year has seen some amazing releases. Some were highly anticipated records from established artists and some were debut records that have put others to shame. Dumb Talk have done just that.
Dumb Talk do not sound like a band that have been together for a short time nor does their debut record sound like one. They sound like a solid band that have been around for at least 5 years. You see, when a band can do that; that’s when you know you have found something truly promising. Their songs just ooze the innocence and uncertainty of love. When you love someone, you want to keep it as pure and as precious as possible. I guess that’s one way of approaching Dumb Talk’s music too.
My favourite track so far (I’ve played the album on repeat over the past few days) is Princess but I also love Cry Baby. I’ll change my mind as soon as I hit “publish.” I can’t help it, it’s just a bloody good record.
Dumb Talk make ethereal garage rock music. I know that is seems like something that shouldn’t work. That garage rock music is brutal and bashes you in the face with every listen. Dumb Talk take the backbone of garage rock and add dreamy tones to it. It is utterly perfect and works in the most stunning way possible.
So what you should do is listen and get yourself a copy of their record here : http://dumbtalk.bandcamp.com/ and if you don’t want to listen to anything else but them for a while; then you’re listening right. Enjoy.
I think because my life is so utterly boring and dull, I have to listen to music that makes me feel like I am part of another universe. Part of a world that I actually feel some connection to. Have you ever walked around and thought, “This isn’t right, this isn’t for me.” It is almost like everything around you, you feel utterly disconnected from. I don’t mean this in a depressing way (Sundays are shit anyway, so no harm done.) I just mean, it makes you see that there is more to what you know than what you know. And you know this, and you just want to find it. You’ll find it eventually. I had a talk with a stranger last week, and she made me feel at ease that I don’t know what I want from life. She told me that people over the age of 40 feel the same. So, I guess it’s alright to remain lost. She said I had “lost eyes.” I’m still trying to figure out what she means, and how to take it. What you’ve got to do, what you must do is ignore all that is expected of you and put your own happiness first. Invest your time and being into what works for you. You’ve spent enough time being miserable. Let it go.
This is why we have bands like The Holydrug Couple. They send you off into a different universe. The colours and shapes take over your mind. Your eyes light up, and everything becomes clearer. You feel like you’re in some kind of haze, but it’s alright. It is like they have held out their hands for you to grab. You grab it, and you gently go with them on this mind-altering trip. They’ve got a song called Ancient Land, and it is 11 minutes of genius and perfection. One of my weaknesses in life are songs that go over 5 minutes. Songs that make you feel a sense of euphoria all over; they’re the best kind. It’s all well and good thinking “This songs sums up my LIFE.” But sometimes you just need to be taken on some euphoric trip.
The Holydrug Couple are two amazing musicians from Chile. Again, another band proving my biased theory that duos are the best. Everything about them leaves you wandering around in a daze after you’ve listened to them. I just got up to make a cup of tea, and I feel like I’m floating. They are a perfect headphones kind of band. Some bands are just made for that personal experience you know? When you find a band like that, your connection with the music just deepens. Your feelings towards the music heightens, and nothing can really compare to it. You gaze out of the window on the bus or fall asleep listening to it. You feel part of it.
I know it sometimes takes a lot for one to truly love a band from first listen, but when you find gems such as The Holydrug Couple you cannot help but fall recklessly and completely in love with their music. This feels like something from the 60s, and that alone gives you faith in “modern” music.
I know the second I publish this I will want to change everything. I hate that I do this, but maybe I’ll write this and not look back on it. I hate looking back on anything I ever write because I always find fault. It is like looking in the mirror the second before you leave the house, and you think “I’m actually going to go outside with this face, and people will see…shit.” But, some things you have to do. Of course I don’t have to do this, but I want to. Mainly because I may be slightly bored. I don’t even know.
Lyrics are hugely important to me. I won’t care for a song unless I feel something for the lyrics. Lyrics can make you feel less alone, less shit and just give you comfort that you cannot get from a person. Yes it is all well and good knowing you are loved and can love; but at 4am when you’re alone and you feel like you’re hitting rock bottom- sometimes all you have is a song. You may turn on the radio and you catch a part of a song that just sums up how you feel. Or you may play your favourite song of all time to just get a piece of mind. So you can fall asleep without anything disturbing your mind.
There are so many songs I could have chosen for this. I know I have missed some out, and that alone pisses me off. I’ve limited myself to ten lyrics, but I know I could easily listen a lot more. These aren’t lyrics that I thought were clever or sounded good. They are lyrics that just mean a lot to me. Okay, so maybe the Swim Deep lyric I chose may not mean a lot- but the innocence behind it means a lot. Oh and they reference Warpaint so obviously I needed to mention it. One of my main issues was choosing which Dum Dum Girls lyric to use. Mine Tonight, Lord Knows and I Got Nothing have all got lyrics that mean a lot to me. All of End Of Daze is so pure and beautiful. But I went with Season In Hell because this specific line just grabbed me a bit more, I guess. I’m writing this listening to End Of Daze, and I’m close to changing my mind… I’ll try to refrain from doing so.
So, in order..here are my favourite lyrics of 2012 (I know it’s October but the world may end on 21st December so I’m just being prepared.)
10. Swim Deep-King City : “And fuck your romance. I wanna pretend that Jenny Lee Lindberg is my girlfriend.” When I sing this, I always change it to all members of Warpaint. Sometimes I just use Emily Kokal’s name instead. I remember hearing this song for the first time and just being utterly in awe of the dream-like atmosphere they create with their sound. They are truly one of the best bands to have come out of Birmingham in a bloody long time. If their debut record comes out next year, I reckon it’ll easily be one of the best things we hear.
9. Mystery Jets-Someone Purer : “I was gripped with a bit of fear. Worried the one thing that I loved back when I was just a kid, might now never be enough.” Radlands is one of the best records of the year, that is so obvious. The opening of Someone Purer is one of my favourites of the year. Blaine’s delicate voice makes you cling onto every single word right from the start. You tremble and identify with every word. We’re told that, as we get older we should be more sure of ourselves. Thing is, I think someone of us get older and become less sure of ourselves. It is seen as a bad thing, but I don’t believe it is. We’re all works in progress and you cannot progress if you think you are above change and being honest with yourself. You can adapt to your surroundings, but at some point you know you want to be more. You want to see more. Someone Purer echoes adult frustrations through child-like innocence. It is just beautiful.
8. Willis Earl Beal- Monotony : “Could it be malaise? Or am I depressed? Just a life-long phase. I am not indirect, don’t consider me blessed. But don’t consider me cursed, in this chaotic mess. I guess that it could be worse.” Willis Earl Beal is the year’s greatest solo male artist. Sure he’s been around quite some time now, but his debut record came out this year and when I listened to it, Monotony was the song that gripped itself around my heart and head. These lyrics alone just show the sheer genius of Willis. His music hits you right in the soul.
7. Saint Lou Lou-Maybe You : “And if you’ve got an emptiness inside, you should let our worlds recollide.” I’m fairly sure Maybe You is my favourite song of the year. All year I had been waiting for a song to have this hold on me. I have to listen to it about 20 times a day or I just feel a bit sad. The lyrics are quite sad, but the music is so soothing and gentle. Yet, when you truly listen to it- you feel your heart-break. I know nobody ever wants to feel sad. But the sadness you get from listening to Maybe You is the kind of sadness that can be created and cured by the same thing. Music does this a lot, it’s not a bad thing. Sometimes you just have to feel sad; to remind yourself. However, the song also offers some reassurance and any wrong that has been done to you doesn’t have to matter. One person will get you through, even if their eyes are sad.
6. Garbage-Beloved Freak : “People lie and people steal. They misinterpret how you feel. And so we doubt and we conceal.” Garbage are my life so whatever I say about this song, I have more than likely said about their songs a hundred times before. They’re one of the few bands that, when I mention them or if anyone mentions them to me, I just feel instantly better. Not Your Kind Of People was the only record this year that I had truly truly been waiting for. It was all I wanted, and had been wanting for so long. I guess this year everything I wanted/had waited for, had actually happened. Some are music based, but the most important thing wasn’t music based. But I’m not telling you. You don’t need to know. What I love about Garbage is how vulnerable Shirley’s lyrics are. One every record of theirs, they have at least 2 or 3 songs that just ooze vulnerability. Or songs that are for those who aren’t sure and a bit lost. Run Baby Run to Medication to The Trick Is To Keep Breathing to Tell Me Where It Hurts and all in-between. Beloved Freak made me bawl when I first heard it, and I still get teary-eyed when I play it. It is the perfect end to a wonderful record. It just makes you feel less horrendous and allows a small dose of self-acceptance to creep in. Something we all need.
5. Cat Power- Always On My Own : “I want to live my way of living.” Everything I just said above about Garbage, I feel about Cat Power. Sun was another record I had been bursting to hear this year. Highly anticipated and greatly loved from the first listen. I cannot pick a favourite song off Sun, but I can easily pick my favourite lyric. This line is just so utterly perfect and so fucking true. When you have to change your way of living because of your surroundings, it gets you down. It breaks you and ruins you. Then you leave; and you’re happy. Then you come back, and you’re just a shell of who you are. Yet, the only good thing is that the ones you love don’t get to see that. Imagine if they saw you at your lowest. No thanks. Cat Power has always provided comfort for the soul. My love for You Are Free is insane. That record is like a guide for life. I guess most of her songs can be seen as that. I just love her so much.
4. Beach House-Myth : “Can’t keep hanging on to what is dead and gone. If you build yourself a myth, you’d know just what to give. Materialise, or let the ashes fly.” I remember where I was and the day when I first heard Myth. I needed it. I was just about to leave here to try start my life again somewhere else. My life consists of false starts; this eventually would turn into a massive false start, but I had to do it. I’ll probably keep doing it, and I may never get it right. Beach House are good for the soul. Beach House mend you. They put you back together again. They make every part of you feel warm and loved; even if you are without love. They make you feel as if you are in love, even if you’re not with anyone at all. The power in their music constantly leaves me in awe. So delicate and ethereal. For me, Myth is the process of letting go. Let go of the bad, and create something better. It may be make believe for others, but who cares? So long as you believe, nothing else matters. This specific part of the song just means the world to me. You know when something is so personal, no words can actually describe it and all it means to you? That’s how I feel about it, and how I feel about the vast majority of their songs.
3. Metric-Artificial Nocturne : “I’m just as fucked up as they say. I can’t fake the daytime. Found an entrance to escape into the dark. Got false lights for the sun. It’s an artificial nocturne; it’s an outsider’s escape for a broken heart.” Oh Emily Haines. How you manage to unleash a fraction of my thoughts in one verse. You’ve done it again. You always do it. This is another example of a perfect album opener. Hearing this was enough for me to know Synthetica was going to be an incredible record. I’m still going through my phase of playing this song about 5 times before I play the rest of the record. Artificial Nocturne just shows that Emily Haines is more than a song-writer. Her words are poetry. Her words are life, her life, your life, my life- everything. There is something so vital about this song. It provides a lifeline. It gives hope. It makes you feel as if she is projecting all your ugly feelings and making them into something beautiful. We all need that, sometimes we need it more times than we care to acknowledge.
2. Crocodiles- No Black Clouds For Dee Dee : “No more lost girls walking from you. No more sickness sleeping in you. No more fools spit judgements on you. No more dead birds raining on you.” Quite possibly the best love song of the year. Endless Flowers is probably my favourite full length record of the year. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love them. After FINALLY seeing them live this year, and this song too; my love for them just grew. I didn’t think it could, but it turns out after waiting over 3 years to see a band that mean more than the world to you, causes your love and admiration for them to just explode. I could pick any song off Endless Flowers, but I chose No Black Clouds For Dee Dee because it is such an honest yet simple love song. It just oozes devotion and the urge to look after the one you love. When you listen to this, you cannot help but think of the one you love. The keeper of your heart. Romance and love isn’t expensive gifts and pretentious prose. Romance and love is being totally honest and gentle actions. This song just portrays this in the most beautiful and open way possible. I love everything about this song.
1. Dum Dum Girls- Season In Hell : “A confession’s not a cure. There’s always darkness to endure, on the path to be redeemed.” At first I wanted to go with something from Lord Knows. Then I went to Mine Tonight. I decided on Season In Hell because I just really love this lyric. I cannot tell you how many times I have played End Of Daze since it came in the post last week. It’s on constant repeat. I play it EVERYWHERE. Season In Hell is just perfect. It makes you feel GOOD. The line I chose to use is so true, so apt. Dee Dee is one of my favourite song-writers easily. I personally feel she is my generation’s Patti Smith. Her words are so powerful, even when they seem quite frail and delicate. You take such strength from it because you know someone else has endured the same battle as you. I could quite happily write a thousand more words on this song, this lyric but you just have to listen to it, to fully understand how important it is. The whole song just lifts your spirits. Not everything stays shit forever. You won’t feel like this forever, because nothing in life is permanent. Not even life itself. I love the ending too, “Lift your gaze, it’s the end of daze.” It is just wonderful. There are so many words I could use to describe the lyric I chose, but none are good enough. All I know is that it is my favourite I’ve heard all year, pretty much speaks for itself really.
Kind of getting annoyed with a lot of female singers trying to be like other female singers that aren’t that good, you know? They use auto-tune because they can’t hold a tune. The same redundant and plain lyrics every single time. I know that some people like this; some people think songs about getting drunk in a club are actually of worth and have depth. But hey, each to their own. I’d rather hear something dark and a bit creepy. You can make of that what you want. You may be wrong though.
Rainy Milo is a fantastic singer from London. Yeah I know, roll your eyes and think “Oh another one.” But not this time. Rainy not only has a beautiful name; but a truly beautiful and heartbreaking voice. When you can hear the pain and every emotion in a singer’s voice, that’s when you truly connect to them.
Age isn’t important (unless you want to buy things that need ID) so we don’t need to mention that. No idea how old Rainy is, but she gives you that same feeling Amy Winehouse gave you when you first heard her. How can someone so young have such a powerful voice?! When I try to sing, I sound like I am..well, doing anything but singing. Rainy’s songs are easy to relate t. It doesn’t matter who or what you are; you’ll identify with her songs. She’ll make you feel like you’ve found someone who is telling your story. You can’t get the words out, but she can. She does it in a way that you wish you could. Keep trying, you’ll get there.
Come Up And See Me is so so beautiful. Rainy’s vocals are so pure and heartfelt on this song. You give yourself over to the song, and you put yourself in her position. You take the pain in the song, and you truly feel it. Rainy just has an exquisite and passionate voice, this really cannot be said for so many around. She’s got something different to offer so err..don’t be stupid and TAKE IT.
Our vices and habits can sometimes be the things that destroy us, or are sometimes the only things we have. And what do we have? Do we ever own anything? I own nothing of worth. The most expensive thing I own are my Docs, they were £50. Material things mean nothing, but I really did need a pair of shoes at that time. They’re close to being ruined now; but they’re all I have. The more money you have; the more you want. I have no money. I panic when I find change in my pocket because I don’t know if it is mine. Like Bob Dylan sang, “When you got nothing, you’ve got nothing to lose.” Bobby provides the soundtrack to my life, always has. Always will. Pour out what makes you vulnerable, and don’t let anyone tell you that you’re wrong.
When you listen to Myla Smith’s EP, Drugs you cannot help but think about all the things that make you weak. The things that make you a mess inside and you can only unleash them when you’re alone. A person could be your weakness, I think for most that is the case. One of mine is animal programmes. Watched a programme about a zoo yesterday and pretty much cried all through it. I may look like I’d mug you or something; but I’m too sensitive for my own good. My (fake) leather jacket is my shield. The song, Chemistry shows how a person can sometimes take over our minds and god knows what else with one look or one word. Sometimes this is a good thing; sometimes this is a bad thing. I don’t think I’ve ever let anyone get that close in order to fully relate to that though. But I know what it is like to have someone in the front of your mind. Always. That isn’t a bad thing.
This Time I Mean It is almost like letting go. You realise you need to let go of all the bad surrounding you. We’ve all got things in our lives that make us weak and make us think we’re dependent on them. Truth is, letting go is one of the strongest things a person can do. When you can turn your back on something or someone who is no good for you, it’s like you become a different person. You can become all you want to be. All you know you can be. Walking away is not always a bad thing.
As someone who is massively into lyrics; I simply cannot find any fault in Drugs (the album, actually substances? I do have an issue with. HUGS NOT DRUGS.) Not that I listen to anything to find fault in them. I’m not that kind of person. I’m too kind, I always must see the good in things and people. It’s a vice of mine, or maybe I’m just stupid. It’s alright.
What I’ve noticed this year is that a lot of strong EPs have been more evident than LPs. You can sure put Drugs up there in one of the most honest and beautiful EPs you’ll hear all year.
Drugs is released on the 16th October. Memphis is the home of many inspiring artists from Aretha Franklin to Otis Redding to Howlin’ Wolf, It is just the home of great music, and great musicians. Myla is easily one of them.
Have you got End Of Daze yet? You should. It’s the best EP you will hear all year. Okay, so after what seems like an eternity the video to Lord Knows is finally here.
Before I declare it as VIDEO OF THE YEAR (which it is) you must watch it with a clear mind. Maybe feeling a bit week and lost; because when the video has ended, you will feel complete again. This basically is what happens when you listen to Dum Dum Girls anyway. They give you everything you need, and much more in order for you to carry on. I know it is hard at times; I know more than I should. Lest we try to forget. Fight to forget it, and you end up wearing everyone else’s scars. What a bastard it is. But anyway, Lord Knows is like a call to change. To stop the hurt; to just be better. If this song was around a few years ago, I may not have been such a horrible person to a few. Maybe that all had to happen. I am without them, and I feel much better. Dum Dum Girls make it okay for you to have vulnerable and unsure feelings. The way Dee Dee writes is nothing short of great poetry. I’m talking the genius of Rimbaud. Mixed with the heart of Patti Smith and the soul of Lou Reed. She’s the Patti of my generation for sure. Don’t turn a blind eye, you’ll be missing out. You don’t want to miss out.
Lord Knows is dark and will ease you into self-discovery. If it doesn’t make you emotional then you are watching it wrong. The fragility of the video and song just hits you right in the gut. Christin Turner ( http://www.christinturner.com) has truly directed the best video of the year for sure. It is just 4 minutes and 19 seconds of pureness and honesty. The song and the video are nothing short of beautiful.
In my mind, eyes, heart, soul, body, everything; Wes Eisold can do no wrong. If you want to be vague, call him just a song-writer. If you want to go to the very very core; call him a poet. A poet is what he is, but he is so much more.
My love for Wes, like most started with American Nightmare. Cold Cave became an immediate obsession of mine in 2009. Love Comes Close, hands down one of the greatest debut records of all time. I’m putting it on a par with Psychocandy. It means that much to me. It got me through a shit time, and now I listen to it; it just carries me through life. As does Cherish The Light Years. Wes’ lyrics describe everyday frustrations, vacant love and painful lust. Clinging and clinging with your blood-red hands onto something you struggle to recognise. It happens to us all, but people like Wes make us feel less vile about the whole ordeal.
A new single has just been put online by Cold Cave, A Little Death To Laugh which is inspired by the poet, Tristan Corbiere. One of the great French poets who died from TB aged only 29. Personally, I feel Wes writes like the true great French poets such as Corbiere to Charles Baudelaire (my personal favourite.) He manages to convey romance and darkness together in a way that just makes YOU want to pick up a pen and notebook, and set free your own feelings. I guess sometimes we need to do that. I do it everyday, but no one sees it. My lack of self-confidence in my writing stops me from getting my shitty poetry seen. Bedroom writer I guess.
A Little Death To Laugh will no doubt please Cold Cave fans everywhere. Hopefully it’ll get more people into the band. It’s about time. It is always time. Cold Cave are almost like a way of life. Wes projects your darkest and most inner thoughts in a way you strive to. He gets to the very heart of what is spinning around and around in your heart and head. A Little Death To Laugh is obviously a prime example of that.
I could honestly praise Cold Cave/Wes’ lyrics and general being until I turned blue in the face and my mouth dried up from talking too much. It is impossible at times to meet fellow Cold Cave fans. No one really knows what you’re on about, I think it’s about time more made an appearance. We’re a lovely bunch.
I’m totally fine with someone getting me one for my birthday. You’ve got just under two months. In the meantime, play the song loud and indulge in Wes’ haunting lyrics and vocals, as always. And forever more. I think this year my birthday present to myself will be a Cold Cave tattoo. It is time.
Sometimes you hear a song that becomes everything to you. This song may come at a time where everything is wrong, and you just need something. Or, you may have heard the song in passing a few years ago, then something happens for you to love it even more. You associate it with a bad time, yet as time passes you, you can link the song to happier times. To a different person, to a different situation altogether. You feel quite foolish for not being so open to it in the beginning. Why on earth did it take something so horrific to make you truly get the meaning of the song? Well, the thing is we never really understand something or truly GET it until we have to face it. Until we are alone and need something to provide the answers. Seek answers, not approval. This one song is your ultimate crutch. This song is the one that makes you think of someone you love with all you have. Someone you want to protect. Is it the song that saved your life, or is it the song that gave you life? The song is your life.
I remember hearing Teen Dream by Beach House when it came out in 2010. I played it almost ritualistically. I regarded it in my soul as one of the best things to have happened in 2010. Every song felt like Alex and Victoria were delving into their souls, and into the listeners. It is a record that you play when you just want to find some inner peace. Beach House make you feel like you are in love even when you are loveless. Even when you are without all the positive emotions possible, they still feel you with such hope. Their music is like a massive warm cuddle to the soul. It is pure, innocent and wise.
Take Care is my ultimate favourite Beach House song. Close second is Saltwater. That’s as far as I can go with saying my favourite Beach House songs, because after these two songs- I’m pretty much in love equally with every single one. My love for Take Care was always there, it just came alive because of a really shit time.
Go to February 2011. I find out my mum has cancer (she’s totally fine now.) She flys over to tell me. I then go to my best friend’s house..and we cry. I never cry in front of anyone. I leave, get on the bus home and play Beach House. For some reason, Take Care starts playing. I try not to cry on the bus. No one wants to be that person crying on public transport, ever. EVER. So I keep it together. I get home. I’m still playing Take Care. The lyrics are becoming more and more apt. Victoria’s voice is easing the crying. I fall asleep listening to it. I seem to have to play the song every day just to keep myself as sane as possible. A few months after, I played the song for my mum. She’s now a huge fan of Beach House.
I now listen to the song with no sadness. The song reminds me of another. A totally different situation. But the sheer love and wanting to take care of them is there. It will always be there, and they know it.
What I love about Take Care is how simple yet wonderfully stunning it is. It isn’t just a love song. In fact, I don’t think it is a love song. I think the song represents the purely selfless act of wanting to place someone above you, and protect them. To just love them, be there and look after them. There’s only a few people in our lives we can dedicate such feelings to. When you find that person, that’s when you know everything bad you’ve done before, every bad feeling you’ve felt and every ounce of hurt that you’ve felt no longer means a thing because of this person. It doesn’t have to be in a romantic sense; it can be in whatever way you wish.
I can easily sit for hours listening to Beach House. I can quite happily have Take Care as the only song I listen to all day and not want to listen to anything else. A heavenly sigh comes out of you as you listen to it, because you know everything is going to be alright. Take Care goes beyond reassuring you. It becomes almost like a mantra. As you close your eyes and sway your body to the song, you feel yourself being transported elsewhere. All that is there is you and another. You choose who you want to take, and you dedicate this song to them. This song was written for them. A partner, a friend, a relative- it doesn’t matter. You just feel utter love when you listen to this song.
Then you have the flip side of it. When you feel low, playing Beach House makes you feel instantly better. Playing this song makes you feel like you can carry on. It is the piece of advice that you’ve been searching for. The song makes you feel complete, that you have enough in you to keep going. It is just a simply powerful song that makes you feel more than you can wrap your head around.
Take Care is easily one of the very few songs I know in 10, 20 years time I will listen to and still feel this way about. I’ll remember the day I first heard it. I’ll remember everything surrounding this song. It is the purest form of love and devotion. I think it is a song that everyone needs to have a moment with. Whether it be alone indoors or outside wandering around until everything feels better. You may feel lost, but Beach House always manage to find you and put you back together again. The heal you better than any form of medicine could.
Not everything in life lasts, not everything can leave you in awe. This is why I love Beach House, because they’re like no one else. Take Care is like nothing else I’ve ever heard, and may ever hear.
Beat In My Bones. 