John Lennon used to say that it’s impossible for a songwriter not to write about themselves, however hard they tried. In interviews, he would point to put-down songs he had written about his rivals and reveal that, upon thinking back on the words and sentiments, he realised he was merely detailing his own actions and psyche.
And, in some ways, this is what the Philadelphia songwriter, Devon Michael, does with “Grant Me the Serenity (Original Short Film Soundtrack).” Yes, this is the musical accompaniment to a movie about an old man duelling with his inner demons. Michael, however, is clever enough to track the character’s story, but also leave room for herself.
I’ve reviewed Michael’s work before, writing about the excellent “Even NASA Loses Satellites,” a record that focused on the need for shelter and serenity in a world which rarely allows anyone the opportunity to regroup and reassess. At that time, I called the work “pleasant, hopeful pop of which there is a shortage.” Has anything changed?
On “Grant Me the Serenity”, given the subject matter of the film, Michael might well still be obsessed with the idea of moving forward, and also contemplating the importance and difficulty of obtaining redemption.
However, the project shows Michael providing ideas from a novel place. The “Grant Me Serenity – Score Suite” is a strong instrumental piece that acts as a murmur of quiet discontent, of bad dreams and false starts. It’s the story of the movie articulated in just a few simple bars of music.
Meanwhile, “Embers” returns Michael to the ethereal pop sound that she’s worked to master over the years. Only this time, the hopefulness is buried under the weight of regrets. It’s a song about one person’s poor choices reverberating into the lives of those closest to them.
Where does it all leave us? Possibly closer to finding ourselves, just as Devon Michael has done while telling the story of “Grant Me the Serenity” through music.
