matt’s music blog

Another amazing song from our friends at The Incredible Machine. This song is the opening track, and works really well to that effect, because it really sets the tone for the whole album.

We start off with a nice little harmonizing bit and then jump right into the song, with acoustic guitar.

We’re finally taking on water
Turns out I was the Captains’ Daughter
Personify us as sinking
Like the Loveboat with less drinking
I know I shouldn’t say it
But I feel the metaphor’s appropriate
Seems I just spend all my time
On a sinking ship that never hits the land line

“Personify us sinking, Like the love boat with less drinking” Is a really great line. The the song suddenly changes directions, and we get a bouncy little piano part, that reminds me of a song from a musical.

Okay,
I can say,
That this metaphor is probably sounding quite cliché
That’s okay,
It’s exactly how I felt when I was standing on the blue
Next to you,
And It feels just like there’s absolutely nothing I can do
Absolutely nothing
Absolutely nothing I can do
Absolutely nothing
Absolutely nothing I can do to get through to you.

I think that it’s safe to say that’s probably my favorite part of the whole song. “I can say, That this metaphor is probably sounding quite cliché, That’s okay” Is pretty amazing all on it’s own. The whole talking to the audience style. Then the epic build up during the “Nothing I can do” section is also really good. We move then to the next verse, which is similar to the first, in instrumentation.

In truth we were nothing like a sinking ship
Sinking takes a long time, plus you get a little wet
And even though we’re both sick of untrue metaphors
We keep repeating the same old shit we’ve said before

“Sinking takes a long time, plus you get a little wet” Very very true words. I really like having two people sing two different things at the same time, in a song. I think that it’s a really good technique to use, and if implemented correctly, can really dad depth to a song. This time it works very well. Marissa sings the first verse, while Jordan sings the second over top of it, coming to the climax at

I’ve got to jump ship to make this work,
I’ve got to jump ship to make this
work, I’ve got to jump ship to make
this work,
I’ve got to jump ship!

Then some intense instrumental sections, all ending, like the beginning, with some nice vocalizing harmonies. Like I said, this is a perfect way ton start out a album. It sets the bar high, and then easily clears it.

-James Out

I’m sure no one is surprised to see that I’m doing another post on an Owl City song. But this one is REALLY good. Okay, so they’re all really good. But I like this one especially for a few different reasons. So, let’s get into it, shall we?

We start off with a nice little guitar intro bit, that is back by a little string synth. Then, drum intro into the verse, which is pretty much the same, except for the addition of a a little xylophone mirroring the guitar part.

I opened my eyes last night and saw you in the low light
Walking down by the bay, on the shore, staring up at the stars that aren’t there anymore
I was feeling the night grow old and you were looking so cold
Like an introvert, I drew my over shirt
Around my arms and began to shiver violently before
You happened to look and see the tunnels all around me
Running into the dark underground
All the subways around created great sound
To my motion fatigue: farewell
With your ear to a seashell
You can hear the waves in underwater caves
As if you actually were inside the saltwater room

Okay. So, I’m not really sure if I can point out singular lyrics that I like, in particular. They are all pretty good. Poetic, and they paint a nice picture. We move on then, to possibly my favorite part of the song, the chorus.

Time together is just never quite enough
When you and I are alone, I’ve never felt so at home
What will it take to make or break this hint of love?
We need time, only time
When we’re apart whatever are you thinking of?
If this is what I call home, why does it feel so alone?
So tell me darling, do you wish we’d fall in love?
All the time, all the time

I don’t know why, but every time I hear that part, it always send shivers down my spine. Literally. The trading off between the female and male vocals, is implemented PERFECTLY. We then move back into the verse.

Can you believe that the crew has gone and wouldn’t let me sign on
All my islands have sunk in the deep, so I can hardly relax or even oversleep
I feel as if I were home, some nights. When we count all the ship lights
I guess I’ll never know why sparrows love the snow
We’ll turn off all of the lights and set this ballroom aglow

Something that you’ll fine a lot in Owl City’s lyrics, which I find really interesting, is the travling theme. So once again, here is referenced a ship, and voyage. Also “I’ll never know, Why Sparrows love the snow” is a really interesting lyric, and I like it a lot.

We move back into the verse a few times, and it fades out. Another masterpiece of Owl City’s song writing ability. As always, I’d heavily encourage you to check out the rest of his music. As it is all amazing.

-James Out