Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Song I ♥: Departure by Mt. Desolation

imported from My Life Is Like A Song

Mt. Desolation's album was released yesterday in the US and Canada. I am presently listening to it in its entirety for the first time. I first wrote about Mt. Desolation last April when I read that Tim Rice-Oxley of Keane was forming a supergroup. You can read that post here.

In June, Mt. Desolation offered a free download of one of the songs, State of Our Affairs so I know this one quite well, but it was a slow building love. It didn't immediately jump out at me, but the more I heard it, the more I loved it. It's now one of my favourite songs of the year.

I first heard Departure a few weeks ago when they released the video which I LOVED. I also immediately loved the song.




I'll be trying to listen to the album as much as I can before seeing them in concert at The Drake Hotel on October 28th. For me, a concert is always better when I know the songs.


(lyrics as copied from the Mt. Desolation forum)
I can sense departure in the air
Now it's only the past that we share
Divided at a parting of the road
Where I could ride on or lighten the load

I've been dreaming of a town
Where the lost and found
And wrongway round are bound
For departure
I've been comfortably numb
But a change is gonna come
Like a storm
Driving down through the streets
From mount Desolation's peak
To make you pure
For departure
For departure

Lover, we have fought and we have laughed
At every obstacle thrown in our path
The things have gotta change before I crack
Before I get so lost I can't get back

I've been dreaming of a town
Where the lost and found
And wrongway round are bound
For departure
I woke up at the mouth
Of a river in the south
Of this land
Where the tide and the stones
Strip the troubles from your bones
And make you glad
Of departure

I'll treasure 'til I'm dead
Everything that we have said and done
For the voice in my head
Is telling me I'd best be moving on
Cause the decent folk don't want me
Everywhere my missteps haunt me
But the fears that always stalked me
Seem to fade away

When I start dreaming of a town
Where the lost and found
And wrongway round are bound
For departure
I woke up at the mouth
Of a river in the south
Of this land
Where the tide and the stones
Strip the troubles from your bones
And make you glad
Of departure
Where the tide and the stones
Strip the troubles from your bones
And make you glad
Of departure

The death of love
The death of love
It's nothing to be scared of
It's just a light switching off

Friday, October 15, 2010

Gorillaz mixing it up



Gorillaz mixing it up Originally uploaded by PJMixer


The Gorillaz concert at The Air Canada Centre was everything I expected it to be - video and groove heavy, melodic at times, performing most of their hits with a large ensemble (25+ members, including rappers and hip hoppers, back up singers, Bobby Womack, Chicago horns, guest Arabic instrumentation, two drummers and a string section).  Clash guitarists Jones and Simonon were perfect stewards of rhythm with Damon moving between piano, guitar, melodica or just being a warm singing host and enticer.


The large video screen (see other shots) was in constant use, playing full length accompanying videos at times and comic book stills and animation with a splash of culture and historic footage.  It would have been nice to get some live action close ups of the performers.  And the backdrop logo added a strikingly colourful backdrop throughout the show for the varied sets and ensembles.  


The near capacity audience (1/2 ACC format) was enthusiastic throughout.  From my vantage point, the majority  of the audience were standing for the whole (almost 2 hour) show.


Damon didn't introduce all the performers, but I think I saw a few of them on the Demon Days DVD from their Manchester show.  I'd really like to see a DVD/BD released for this tour.


If you've read this far, you're perhaps of fan of the Gorillaz too, so If you still have an opportunity to see one of their shows on the remainder of their North American tour or world wide tour, I'm sure you won't be disappointed and you'll be singing and moving along to their wonderful beats, rhythms, raps and melodies for days afterward.


8.5/10