END! Begin – I Want to Be a Flower
The more you listen to rock n’ roll, and, especially, to the music of the older musicians who’ve “made it,” the more you get the sneaking suspicion that the songs might … not mean anything.
That in itself is a little disappointing and were the artists to say this directly, it’s something that would likely, negatively impact record sales. Judging by the number of crazy conspiracy theories, people’s passion for folk tales, and appetite for new religions, typical listeners are looking for meaning.
And, in truthfulness, the greatness of musical pieces contains, typically, a great degree of mysteriousness, an enigma that might never be solved, a thing that can’t be easily put into words.
END! Begin’s “I Want to Be a Flower” is an impressive piece of post-rock music. Yes, it’s well-designed and nicely played. But it also sounds as if it was commissioned by some secret society with the purpose of being used during secretive rituals. An anthem for a militant, international vegan organisation? We can only assume it’s something this grand, but the music makes it easier for us to think something like this.
Animal, Surrender! – Misswanderer
Music promises the impossible. And for a lot of the people still buying new records, making an effort to discover new artists, or blowing off their family so that they can attend a concert on a Saturday night, that’s vital.
On the other hand, music-making, just in the same way as leading a regular, balanced life, can become a routine. Just think of the majority of the world’s best-paid musicians and how many times they’ve had to play the same song. That’s brutal for one’s soul.
Animal, Surrender! is a band looking for the unusual, the beautiful and the mesmerising. It’s a good thing, too, because, frankly, not many bands are still on this search or possess the skills to uncover these truths.
It’s unfair to solely describe “Animal, Surrender!’s “Misswanderer” on the virtues of musicianship. Sure, this is work done by skilled musicians with a good grasp of technique. The song truly shines when it delivers that swirling, repetitive theme that feels dipped in moonglow. This is music to climb mountains at night while hearing. There’s no teacher to explain how to achieve that. And, yes, for this kind of music, making a great effort of discovery is still worthwhile.
