Side note: Call me petty or whatever, but even though BNL still exists as a band with four out of the five former members, I just can't bring myself to embrace them as before. Their first release as a foursome was the first BNL album that I didn't purchase. Ever. I've listened to some tracks online, and honestly, I was disappointed in what sounded like less complex lyrics and music, and their first track kinda elicited a pissed off reaction in me because I saw it as a lyrical attack on Steven Page. It just didn't work for me as an appropriate song, and certainly not as the first, and hence highly publicized, release. Alas, I guess I'm Team Steve in the break-up.
Okay, getting back on track. As for Page One, call me one very, VERY satisfied customer. This man's voice is as delightful as always, and his songwriting is still in top form. There are two songs of the twelve that I'm still trying to get used to, not that I dislike them, but they're not my favorites. Let's see about those others, shall we?
In Over Joy, Page has again created a happy-sounding song with lyrics that don't match the mood. I always feel a kinship with him when he makes songs that touch upon the darker emotions, because I can so relate from my own personal experiences. (And because I'm a dork.) The tone is significantly peppier in Marry Me, which features a cool use of repetition in one part that confused me at first until I heard the part that follows. (Second verse- see how he changed the meaning with one word at the end?) And I definitely appreciate near the end with the assessment of "normal people." With If You Love Me, one could perceive an optimism and happiness in the lyrics, or it could go the opposite way and sound more than a bit cynical and much like "settling." I'm pretty sure that I prefer the latter for the song... angsty songs by Mr. Page seem to resonate better with me! And finally, a song that is quite close to being my favorite on the album, Indecision, an unabashed "pop" song that makes it impossible for me to sit still. I just adore this song. And the wacky video, too.
As for the top pick? Oh, it's just fabulous. This man's voice makes me melt. (The person taking the video of the live performance from this summer is a bit shaky with the camera, and if you want to skip the bantering at the beginning, the song starts around the 0:50 mark.)
Album: Page One
Year of Release: 2010
Song: A New Shore
Words & Music by Steven Page and Craig Northey
As captain of this band of merry sailors I'm a black mark I'm a failure
But before you watch me drown
I'm relinquishing command for something I don't understand
This man's about to turn his whole life upside down
I set a course for a new shore
It looked the same as the one before
And I forgot what I'd been sailing for
And why I thought this time would be different
I do most of this by feel and let go of the wheel the constellations
Do the navigation on their own
Whilst yearning for adventure, dreading censure in absentia
I would rather be at sea than be alone
I set a course for a new shore
It looked the same as the one before
And I forgot what I'd been sailing for
And why I thought this time would be different
Off the charts we drew
They said there wasn't anything but fairy tales
I showed them it was you, I told them you were everything a fairy tale could be
The boat sails by
The shore remains and so do I
I swear this time will be different
I settled here on a new shore
My lips were blue and my legs were sore
And I forget if I was pushed or I jumped overboard
And after all this time, what's the difference?
Land-Ho!
Land- Ho! (Land-Ho!)
Land- Ho! (Land-Ho!)
Land- Ho! (Land- Ho!)
Land- Ho! (Land- Ho!)
Land- Ho! (Land- Ho!) (Land-Ho!)
Land- Ho! (Land- Ho!) (Ho!)
Okay, so feel free to call me a hypocrite, because while BNL's first release could very easily be construed as a reaction to the departure of Steven Page from the band, so could this song be Steve's perspective. I'm sure they both would separately deny these inspirations, but much of this song's lyrics seem poised perfectly to address this-- "And I forget if I was pushed or I jumped overboard / And after all this time, what's the difference?" So yes, their song upset me, but this one is my favorite pick off Steve's album. Whatever. It's a fabulous, fabulous song.
The best part of listening to these songs as I write this post is that later tonight I will be heading to DC's own 9:30 Club to see Steven Page in concert! WOO-HOO! Looking forward to these songs tonight, and I'm even very hopeful for a few BNL songs to be performed. I haven't been to a concert in such a long time, so this will be a grand evening!
Anxiously awaiting tonight's show,
No comments:
Post a Comment
Whatcha thinking?