Headphones On, Volume Up!

This thought is probably the furthest thing from true, but I like to believe that there are certain songs that need to be listened to through a pair of headphones. I don’t know why, or what it is but these songs just sound better this way. I think it’s the fact that the music is going directly into my ears; it makes me feel like I can hear the music and lyrics better but also that my brain and body are feeeeeling the music as I listen.
Sometimes, music just gets lost through speakers. For example, when I am cleaning my room, I’m so preoccupied that the music playing from my IPOD falls into the background and I forget it’s even on. Or in the car, I’m so busy trying to get to where I need to be that I don’t realize my favourite song is playing on the radio.
But not with headphones. They allow you to feel the music, hear the words and have them BOTH rattle your brain… in a good way. The song “Not Out” by Greg Laswell must be heard through headphones in order to really appreciate its greatness.

I should mention that I’ve been a long time fan of Mr. Greg Laswell. I believe it was his spectacularly unique rendition of the classic “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” that captured my attention, and frankly, he’s managed to produce nothing but unique and meaningful music ever since. Aside from the fact that I think he’s adorable and has that sarcastic humour going for him on Twitter and at his concerts, he’s also just real. His lyrics are genuine, heartfelt and honest, which is truly refreshing when it comes to music these days.

Soooooo, why do I die for this specific song? I’ll tell you.

For starters, this song offers up two different but awesome music tempos, which in my opinion should have you people obsessed with the song right off the bat. We are introduced to the first tempo at the beginning of the song… the sweet and simple sound of the acoustic guitar. That, combined with his soothing voice creates an instant state of tranquility for the listener. The guitar riffs and the quick addition of the piano (0:26 in) make the song sound clean and intimate that it allows you to really focus on what the lyrics are saying and the emotions that are coupled with them.

It’s at the 1:03 mark that we get a hint of the second tempo, and we can hear Greg’s voice starting to rise passionately. This change of pace and the addition of the violin and electric guitar causes our auditory system to perk up and listen to every minute detail in the first chorus. He gives us that small taste of musical power (that we just know is coming) by ending the chorus with the emotionally significant words “I’m Not Out.”

Then, another gentle verse satisfies our ears, but this time he includes the main ingredient to any fabulous song…a harmony. More specifically, a subtle harmony. Trust me, you want to listen for it. This musical tool is the absolute key to my heart and the fact that he uses it in this song only enhances my love for it. Now, it’s at this second chorus that we really get to hear this “other tempo” in full force. This change in rhythm is made loud and clear as his voice starts to power up, the vocals get stronger, the violin chords are being drawn on faster and the piano is being slammed on a bit harder. It’s specifically at 2:10 that every word, every beat, and every musical note vibrates your entire body with a yearning for more. He once again repeats the words “I’m Not Out,” which at last, sparks that orgasm that is about to take over.  

Like I said before, this song is unique and a perfect way to prove that is by paying attention to the way that he skips the typical musical interlude. instead, he continues to sing the words  “I’m Not Out”  over and over again, in order to build momentum. It’s at the moment where the music starts to amplify that he lets us in on his most private, most ‘diary-like’ thoughts and feelings.

At 2:37,  we finally get to hear the reason why this song was made in the first place. It’s that initial bang on the drum and the smack of the tambourine that forces your heart to jump out of its routine beat. While at the same time, taking notice to how his low and sultry voice has gained so much rage and intensity. I don’t know about you, but it felt like there was a weight on my heart at this point; it was as if he was transferring the energy in these lyrics onto me, causing me to think about a sensitive subject of my own that I finally just wanted to freak the fuck out about

You can actually hear how worked up he is gets as his raw emotions are blasting into your ears and finally, FINALLY you get to experience the most truthful words I think I’ve ever heard.
    “And I’m sure that I am tangled up in things you’ve said out loud to me,
    so recklessly.
    And its easier to sing to the things that I wanna say to you, so I’ll sing…”

And now… for the ultimate climax of the entire song that causes even your bones to tremble:
     “you’re losing me, my love
     you’re losing me, my love
    are you losing me my love..”

I mean, fuck! It just doesn’t get any better than that, people!


So, how has this song changed my life? Well, it somehow managed to give me the exact words that I had been searching to say to a particular person in my life. Did I eventually end up saying them? No. No I did not. But the fact that I then knew what I wanted those words to be just made it better… Well that and the fact that I belted the shit out of them in my car on the daily.. that made me feel better too.

Come to think of it, I can only imagine how I looked to other drivers on the road as I gave my steering wheel a serious beating trying to unleash my fury while shouting those lines.

So bottom line:
1.    If I had to make a playlist of 5 songs to listen to for the rest of my life… this song would make the cut.
2.    I’m truly devastated that I missed his October 30th show considering my dear friend Tiffany told me he played this song.
3.    I would like to have a witty banter war with him
4. Oh, and listen to this song.. it'll change your life

I Need To Marry A Brit

There are a handful of songs that I wish I could listen to for the first time again, just to get THAT feeling. You know? That initial “wow, this song is fucking amazing” feeling. It’s that song that you know you don’t need to listen to more than once to assure yourself you like it. You were just instantly obsessed with the first verse or the guitar chord so much so that in a matter of minutes, you became a die hard fan of the song and band as a whole. It’s as if that one song had already proved the band’s authenticity, so regardless of what their other songs sounded like, you were automatically in love with those too. It’s that song that just GETS YOU. For me, that song is: Little Lion Man by Mumford and Sons. 

Let's get right into dissecting it and its awesomeness. That’s right people, “awesomeness” is going to be seen as a legitimate word in this blog.

So, when listening to the first 15 seconds of this song, one could assume its just another singer/songwriter strumming on his/her guitar (not that I don’t love that, because I do.)  But it’s at the 0:16 second mark where the drums, ukulele, piano, and electric banjo kick in, causing your heart to start thumping a bit faster with more intensity... that's when you know you’re going to be listening to something incredible for the next 4 and some odd minutes. It's a few moments after those instruments are introduced that… ahhh… yes ladies and gentlemen, the Brit, Marcus Mumford lets us hear his ridiculously attractive and raspy voice, which I swear will comfort you and break your heart all at the same time.
And let’s face it, any guy who can sing the word “fuck” with that much passion is automatically a total babe. 

Shall we also take a minute to acknowledge the sound, the actual music? Hell yes, we shall. The pace, the breaks, the pauses, the rhythm, all these elements can either  add to a song’s greatness or completely weaken it. In this case, it only added. If I had to choose, it would be the music—the various sounds meshing together so well, at such a quick pace that initially got me hooked. The speed that these instruments play in unison is so fast that it literally stimulates a body rush sensation every time they are heard at the chorus.
*Side note: It is necessary that we appreciate the electric banjo in this song. There is a sense of complexity and beauty that is added to a song when electric banjo is playing in the background. Take a minute and listen for it…you’ll see what I mean. It just makes the song sound cleaner and pleasing to the ear. 

Now, for my favourite part of any great song: the orgasm. Or, in other words the true climax of a song. It's that point in the song where it just gets so god damn good that you want to freaking melt listening to it. Little Lion Man plays its climax perfectly. I’ll explain:

 At 2:20, the song slows down into its musical interlude where each band member begins to tap on his instrument softly. And then… just a few seconds later…the build up begins. The instruments' sound gets a touch louder, and it builds and builds, with Marcus’s “ahhh’s” joining in perfectly. Then, it ALL gets louder and the momentum builds as the instruments get strummed faster and louder and your heart starts to pound to that same intense rhythm and all you can do is anticipate what’s next to come until finally! At 3:30 it all comes together in the most powerful chorus of the entire song. All you can think to yourself after that is “oh yaaaa, ummmm that was un-ha-real.” 

That my friends, is the orgasm.

On a more personal note-- this song was and forever will be the soundtrack to my Asia trip this past summer. Not sure how it really came to be my "Asia go-to song". I could've stumbled upon it on shuffle for the 2 seconds that I was up during a car ride, or I could have subconsciously played it right after my three friends and I met our first pack of Brits in Chiang Mai. Regardless of what it was, it stuck with me after the first listen. On any and every bus, plane and train, that was the first song I played and every time I fell deeper in love with it. I'm not sure how or why, but for some reason whenever the interlude started, that would be my time to start going through the memories of my trip until that point. At first it would start slow. Either an image of our elephant ride, or us at the Laos bar popped into my head. And then, I’d try to get each memory to change to a new one at the same pace the song was going as if I was quickly flipping through a photo album of images. Try it. It’s hard to do. But so fun.
Songs have a way of transporting you back to a particular place, or scenario even if only for a few minutes. This is where this song takes me. I know, it's a fab song choice to do that.
 

So, here's the bottom line: 

1. This song is simple and complex all at the same time. The point is clear and the message is relatable. Sometimes that’s all you need for a song to be great.

2. I need to marry a Brit so I can stop swooning over Marcus Mumford… unless he reads this and wants to marry me. That'd be cool too.
 

Oh, and 3. listen to the song. It’ll change your life. 

P.S. Rebs.. I hope this got you excited for their concert Nov. 13th