Aiden and Isaac are both sophomores studying Media & Communication. Their similarities end at their taste in music.
Isaac Fick: Full Bloom
Full Bloom by 311 is the greatest music release of 2024. 311, a band formed in the 1990s, combines pop music, rock and reggae. Over the 30 years, their music has undergone a lot of changes, their message not being one of them. The group has always promoted positive energy and unity, and they especially emphasize this in their 14 album Full Bloom. I will be discussing my thoughts and interpretations of my favorite songs from Full Bloom.
The album begins with “You’re Gonna Get it,” which stands out as being more aggressive than the rest of the album. This song speaks on the passage of time and accepting that you will get what’s in the future, and rushing will hurt that. “Need Somebody,” the second on the album, is quite a bit faster than the rest of the album. The contrastingly slow vocals explain the need for someone when troubles arise, as they will only get worse otherwise.
“Mountain Top,” the fifth on the album, describes the need to keep working and getting the next tasks done. They suggest that on the surface, it is easy to do this, however, they question where all the compassion went. In difficult times moving too fast, they say it is better to not wallow and rather keep moving forward.
“All You’ve Seen,” the ninth on the album, is my favorite as its message connects deeply with me. This song talks about the journey of moving forward and leaving home, whatever home means in the necessary context. The lyrics feel like a blueprint for listeners to address their past, present and future. I specifically enjoy this part of the chorus:
“Close calls and the stumble and falls
And the way you react with your back to the wall
In your mind there’s a silver screen
Another frame out of all you’ve seen.”
In this part, they are explaining that it’s your reactions and your mindset that count, through the present difficulties. Under pressure and negative times, it is important to recognize the screen through which you are viewing the world. Overall, the album is a masterpiece spreading positive messages that have helped me. I encourage anyone to at least read the lyrics of this album, music taste aside.
Aiden Croghan: PRELUDE TO EXTINCTION
prelude to Extinction (stylized as PRELUDE TO EXTINCTION) by Final Resting Place (stylized as FINAL RESTING PLACE) stands out in my mind as the best heavy music release of this year, with little to no competition, and my personal favorite record of the year. The music itself toes the line between Hardcore and Death Metal, without having many of the elements that make up the lovechild of the two genres, Deathcore.
The EP’s intro, SUFFERING, is a strange electronic mashup of ambient sounds and completely muffled voices that sets an eerie tone for the rest of the EP. After this short introduction, the listener is launched into chugging Hardcore grooves, and rang out power chords. The instrumentals hold close to the instrumentals of most Metallic Hardcore, the instrumental work is not overly complex, and is generally at a moderate tempo, while the vocals could be straight out of a Brutal Death Metal release. The blending of these two genres makes for a more crushing experience than either genre on its own, the slow hardcore riffs and breakdowns providing a heavy backdrop with only an occasional Death Metal blastbeat, while the vocals deliver a distinct harshness, not made possible by any other vocal techniques.
Many bands combine Hardcore and Death Metal, however, no band does so as seamlessly as Final Resting Place. The EP’s lyrics are not intelligible, however, the themes present on the record seem to be that of an earth which is outgrowing its need for humans, providing a parallel to the environmental destruction humans unleash upon the earth. Occasional dissonant guitar chords ring like sirens warning us of this impending doom if we do not change our ways. This album offers countless other interpretations, which only adds greater value to it in my eyes.
By Isaac Fick
ihfick@vwu.edu
&
Aiden Croghan
accroghan@vwu.edu
