The Shadow Lounge show boasted quite the turnout. The room was full of many familiar faces there to support Luke, as well as a bunch of new folks who got to enjoy his sundry riffs and rants.He didn't play this song at the show, but I want to talk about my favorite Eller song from the new CD.
The song is "World on Fire, Man Forgotten." The backstory comes from Martin Luther King, Jr.'s book, "Why We Can't Wait" in which King voices his struggle for freedom, including his immortal "Letter from Birmingham Jail."
One of the chapters begins by telling the story of a young black man (only 19 years old) on death row. A new gas chamber was being introduced in the state of North Carolina for executions, and to help research it's effectiveness, they outfitted the air-tight chamber with a microphone. As King tells it, the witnesses to the execution heard this young black man's final words. They heard him cry out, struggling through the asphyxiation, "Save me, Joe Louis! Save me, Joe Louis".
A dark story (almost as dark as the Tale of Mark), but I thought Eller was able to beautifully capture the intensity, despair and nuance of the brutal event. The death penalty is a controversial issue especially because it is such a horrifying experience for the executed and executors alike. This young man had every right to feel scared, lonely, and forgotten. Even still, he had hope. Maybe it was curiously misplaced - asking help from a professional boxer? Eller's music toes the fine line between hope and hopelessness.
The song starts slow, but builds to a heartbreaking crescendo. First, there is a haunting piano melody. The subtle heartbeat of the bass drums kicks in next. Drums will continue to be a driving force behind the music. On this track, however, I was most impressed with the violin strains. They soar high above the dark and dingy subject matter of the song, which is portrayed interestingly by some lonely, echo-effect vocals. Ever piece works together beautifully.
Bottom line, this song sets my ears on fire...in a good way.
There are many good songs, but this one is my favorite. What's yours?
So let's hear some responses. What's your favorite song from Eller and why?
it's too hard to choose just one... here are my top four, in order of track number:
ReplyDeletedepressing rain song - i only wish it was longer! but a great opener to the cd.
i hear hearts - this is the one i find stuck in my head the most. pretty heartbreaking.
tale of mark - just... interesting. i love that it's unpolished. a nice contrast.
world on fire, man forgotten - has an epic/experimental facet that is unlike a lot of other music i've heard.
great job, eller. i've shared with some friends and they're quite impressed.
-sau
Hey Boys. Great post Josh! That song has been very mystical to me. It's good to hear the backstory.
ReplyDelete::My favorite eller songs at the moment::
1 I Hear Hearts
2 The War At Home
3 The Music Man
4 Patchwork Song
I will explain why and post the track by track review Steve Stew and I did the other night, while trapped in the snow. Hopefully soon.