First off, let me say how much I love the new album. Got the limited edition so, obviously, have this track. I was, the first time I listened, flattened by how simple, gorgeous and sincere it is. Listening to it several more times, I got several distinct impressions.
~ At its most basic level, this is a love song. In the usual fashion of GasAnth, the love song has a morose and unusual twist to it, expressing longings and conveying emotions that are vague when put into words but powerful in their pure emotive form. The characters of "Romeo" and "Juliet" further reinforce the love theme with the added layer of trouble and eventual tragedy.
~ Another major factor in this song, it seems, is the religious imagery. "Sisters prayin'", "disciple," and "sermons" among others. The repeated line about "navigating seas" conveys the old archetype of the journey, which is featured heavily in any religion and is even older and more basic than religion itself. The feeling of losing and being lost is intimated by the chorus, and, once again, the Romeo/Juliet dichotomy furthers this.
~ One more thing I noticed, which interested me very much, was the actual singing by Brian. He's one of the more powerful singers I've heard in recent years, but in addition to his great voice is the subtle precision he uses. Several phrases -- While Union Avenue " Well you knew I never knew" is the most distinct example -- are rather slurred and really indicate a sort of mood, intentional. Perhaps drunken sorrow, and this supposition is backed up by the mention of "bars." My favourite instance of subtle singing, though. "And if tonight, my true love did belong to me"...each time he says "did", it sounds close to "dead", a powerful statement. It would explain the slurred "drunken" singing, and the fact that he calls his love "Juliet." A similar sentiment was heard in the song '59 Sound. These guys write some powerful stuff.
First off, let me say how much I love the new album. Got the limited edition so, obviously, have this track. I was, the first time I listened, flattened by how simple, gorgeous and sincere it is. Listening to it several more times, I got several distinct impressions.
~ At its most basic level, this is a love song. In the usual fashion of GasAnth, the love song has a morose and unusual twist to it, expressing longings and conveying emotions that are vague when put into words but powerful in their pure emotive form. The characters of "Romeo" and "Juliet" further reinforce the love theme with the added layer of trouble and eventual tragedy.
~ Another major factor in this song, it seems, is the religious imagery. "Sisters prayin'", "disciple," and "sermons" among others. The repeated line about "navigating seas" conveys the old archetype of the journey, which is featured heavily in any religion and is even older and more basic than religion itself. The feeling of losing and being lost is intimated by the chorus, and, once again, the Romeo/Juliet dichotomy furthers this.
~ One more thing I noticed, which interested me very much, was the actual singing by Brian. He's one of the more powerful singers I've heard in recent years, but in addition to his great voice is the subtle precision he uses. Several phrases -- While Union Avenue " Well you knew I never knew" is the most distinct example -- are rather slurred and really indicate a sort of mood, intentional. Perhaps drunken sorrow, and this supposition is backed up by the mention of "bars." My favourite instance of subtle singing, though. "And if tonight, my true love did belong to me"...each time he says "did", it sounds close to "dead", a powerful statement. It would explain the slurred "drunken" singing, and the fact that he calls his love "Juliet." A similar sentiment was heard in the song '59 Sound. These guys write some powerful stuff.