I have a strange, intense relationship with music. It affects me so much that there are periods where I choose not to listen to any at all.
Some music from my past is so special that I deliberately avoid it; I don’t want the potency of the memories eroded by constant exposure.
Other albums, tracks and voices can unlock memories so dangerous and painful that I prefer them to stay locked up in deep, dark, distant caverns, never to be visited again.
If I listen to new music during moments of intense emotion, it will be coloured forever by that moment. So I like to be alone, to choose where I am and what I’m doing the first time I listen to a new CD.
I enjoy music on the radio because the playlists are out of my control. Music comes and goes as the charts change. I take the good with the bad and the DJ banter. But sometimes, I hear a track that makes me want to rush out and buy the whole album.
That happened with the single ‘Mykonos’ by Seattle band, Fleet Foxes. I now own the CD, the eponymous ‘Fleet Foxes’.
‘Mykonos’ is haunting. It made my ears prick up the first time I heard it; so unusual, so uncommercial, refreshing and different. It had a unique haunting ’sound’ of its own, a distinct colour that had nothing to do with the lyrics. To be honest, I didn’t even register the lyrics. The harmonies and travelling rhythms made it a soundtrack for a ‘road trip’ movie yet to be made!
The CD hasn’t disappointed me either. More weird, unusual, difficult to define tracks that connect straight to the soul and bypass the brain. Guitar pieces reminiscent of early Leonard Cohen; a whisper of pan pipes; effortless, vibrant vocals and harmonies that reminded me of Gregorian chants, church spirituals, Neil Young, Aztec Two Step, Blue Grass music, British folk, the Beach Boys and something poignantly late 60’s early 70’s. Folk rock, bluesy ballads, a bizarrely timeless and eclectic yet somehow contemporary symphony.
Some of the sunny, soaring choirboy vocals and harmonies feel like they have…halos!
What can I say. It’s the first time in months that I’ve been moved to blurt to my husband “I’m going to get their album!” before even listening to sample tracks. He bought me it to celebrate my blog launch.
Maybe I’m way behind everyone else here, but I just wanted to share it with you in case it’s new for you too.
Please give it a try. You can listen to sample tracks from the Fleet Foxes album or download it on MP3 here You can also download ‘Mykonos’ for free here. Just scroll down to the ‘listen to samples’ section.) I’d love to hear what you think.
I’d also love to know what your last spontaneous ‘must have’ music buy was!
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Cindy is the same. Her ties to specific pieces of music are so strong she must leave the room if a certain tune is spinning. I love music deeply, but I absorb it all. Mykonos sounds wonderful.
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Thank goodness someone else has to leave rooms! If Cindy ever has a chance to listen to the overall ’sound’ of the Fleet Foxes album, I’d be interested in her response. I’m wondering if maybe it sublimenally triggered off all sorts of sound memories from my super sensitive growing up years.
Hi Janice,
When I get home, I will listen to the sample tracks since I am unable to do so from work.
I have always believed that certain songs just speak to me considering what I am going through at that time in my life. Recently, I was thinking about how fortunate I am to have the people that I have in my life and then I heard this pop song called “My Life Would Suck Without You” and I loved it. Granted it is not the most intellectual of lyrics but I liked the message.
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I hope you enjoy them. Maybe it’s just me, the age I am, I don’t know. When I used to sing, I did weird ‘compilations’, basically anything I liked got added to the repertoire!
I saw that song done live on American Idol – the way she delivered it made it good for me. Brilliant voice.
Inspiring post! I like how you are shaking it up. I cannot wait to give your suggestion a listen. Music is embedded in my soul. I started studying when I was 7. I play the clarinet, oboe, piano, recorder, and violin and I majored in music when I started college. I was given a full ride scholarship based on my abilities and then I broke my elbow and wrist…my road changed to elementary teaching. Those who can teach, can teach music also. Our daughter started violin at 3. She is not prodigious( well in my eyes of course), but music gives children an acute ability to listen and differentiate. It is emotional, connective, and a universal language. My mother listened to Pasty Cline relentlessly…sometimes I will hear a Pasty song and find myself in a puddle of tears and sometimes I rejoice that it floods my soul with memories I struggle to keep her alive in my mind. Sometimes I seek out a song because I need to remember because I feel a part of me slipping away. Music equals Empowerment.
Cindy´s last blog post..Being Honest Prevents Roadblocks
This made tears roll down my face, Cindy. I can’t imagine what you felt after that accident. I don’t know what I would have done. I know our life journeys are meant, they shape who we’re meant to become, but that one must have made your soul howl at the time.
Thank you, everyone. I am loving this blog, hearing the voices of the strong, passionate people who are breathing spirit into it.
Hey Mum!
This is a great post. I know how much music means to you, and it’s really nice to see how happy the Fleet Foxes CD has made you. Yet again, another piece of very inspiring writing.
Good luck with the rest of your blog!
You have no idea how much this means to me!
(But you still need to tidy your room
…)
Aww, maaan.