If you look back at my March Favorites post, I addressed why I wasn't doing a separate post for the new Fireflight album, Now. I just wasn't interested in it enough, though Fireflight has been among my favorite bands for a couple years. But this summer I modified my opinion.
I really should have written this follow-up post two months ago, after I finished reading How It Ends and had an emotional moment that allowed me to truly hear what Now offers. Like I said in the Favorites post, Now isn't so much about emotional uncertainty and confusion; rather, it has reached a higher plain. It is a half-breathless keeling out from atop a cliff, a cry for strength that in itself makes you feel strong enough to rise up into the wind--to become stronger than your physical self. To understand more than your physical mind. It's more about resolution, if you will.
And I can't believe I didn't at least mention before the song "Stronger Than You Think." Yes, this is one of the louder songs on the album (and therefore a bit more like previous Fireflight songs), but I liked it from the start. It's terrifically empowering; I'm constantly finding the chorus rising into my mind when I need it to. And the opening song, "Stay Close," I also can't believe that I didn't overly like this song at first--the emotion, the emotion. It's a desire, it's a breath, it's a prayer--all captured in three and a half minutes.
So sorry for my earlier ambiguity. I just wasn't in the right emotional mood to understand this album. For this album has a better understanding of the world than I perhaps did when I first listened to it. Love you, Fireflight, and sorry I didn't get to see you when you were in Phoenix this month.
Showing posts with label Now. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Now. Show all posts
Monday, September 17, 2012
Saturday, March 31, 2012
March Favorites
1) Primeval - I really shouldn't keep starting new TV shows--I just end up addicted until I've watched all available episodes. This particular one is British sci-fi; although the first season is from 2007, I think I am among many Americans just now discovering it (which likely has something to do with it streaming on Netflix). But I have, in fact, so much to say about this show that it will have to wait for a later post.
2) Revlon's Lip Butter - Having heard much about this product, I finally picked one out in Sweet Tart. Although the shade is perhaps a darker pink than I need, it's a nice product. It works much like a tinted lip balm, but is more pigmented, yet not at all like a lipstick. It has a small sheen or luster, but not high gloss--a positive for me. My complaint is actually about the container: the top/lid/whatever-you-call-it is too tight--it should be easier to remove.
3) Crafty painting - Sometimes I like to do things with my hands, whether it's pretending to sew or paint. Now, I have a black jewelry box that I have never particularly liked, but just used because it was convenient (it used to be my mom's--she didn't like it particularly, either). So while listening to the audio for a book for class (I don't do this often), I covered it in coats of acrylic craft paint and added some flowers. I had to be sure and not go overboard with the craftiness; a little offbeat is fine, but I didn't want it to be too much. I think I found the right balance.
The top section:
And the side:
4) Graphite pencil sculpture - I actually got this one for Christmas, but kept forgetting to add it to the list. I first spotted it at the Phoenix Art Museum's gift shop, but you can also buy them online. They're beautiful, and you can write with them if you so desire. Yes, the entire piece is graphite.
5) Barse silver and pearl necklace - I have had this necklace for years--there is something in it that I find both delicate and sturdy. The pearls provide the former and the silver piece the latter.
6) Belt buckle necklace - At least, I suppose that's what it is. I found it at a craft table at an event last month and instantly befriended it. Things like this remind me of what labels like Lucky Brand try to recreate--but why pay their prices when you can buy a $10 piece like this that is both unique and repurposed?
7) Fireflight's Now - My intention had been to do a separate post for this album, but I never had enough incentive to. While it's nice enough and has some good songs, it isn't my favorite overall of Fireflight's work. I find their music most inspiring when it is loud and, frankly, confused/unsure (before being drawn back into comfort--the way the songs in Unbreakable work); if I want a quieter, more methodical sound, I can turn on Philip LaRue. Still, it's an album worth getting, and I think the weaker songs (every album has them, whoever the artist) are stronger than they were on For Those Who Wait.
8) The sun - As I was riding my bike yesterday, I started to smile at the feel of the sun, the feel of warmth. As I have said before, heat is a force that is endearing and attractive because it is impossible to ignore. The temperature has yet to reach ninety, but we're moving up into the eighties now; summer doth begin to speak.
9) Noah's ark - Not the actual ark, but a picture I found at an antique store. It has an interesting artistry to it and makes a nice addition to my over-packed walls (although it's actually hanging in a fairly empty space near my desk).
10) Fingerless gloves - These are in thought only as it is much too warm by now to wear mine, especially since they are elbow length. But I so much want to; you will recognize the influence if you have also watched the aforementioned TV show, in which a certain character often wears such gloves (in the first three seasons, that is).
2) Revlon's Lip Butter - Having heard much about this product, I finally picked one out in Sweet Tart. Although the shade is perhaps a darker pink than I need, it's a nice product. It works much like a tinted lip balm, but is more pigmented, yet not at all like a lipstick. It has a small sheen or luster, but not high gloss--a positive for me. My complaint is actually about the container: the top/lid/whatever-you-call-it is too tight--it should be easier to remove.
3) Crafty painting - Sometimes I like to do things with my hands, whether it's pretending to sew or paint. Now, I have a black jewelry box that I have never particularly liked, but just used because it was convenient (it used to be my mom's--she didn't like it particularly, either). So while listening to the audio for a book for class (I don't do this often), I covered it in coats of acrylic craft paint and added some flowers. I had to be sure and not go overboard with the craftiness; a little offbeat is fine, but I didn't want it to be too much. I think I found the right balance.
4) Graphite pencil sculpture - I actually got this one for Christmas, but kept forgetting to add it to the list. I first spotted it at the Phoenix Art Museum's gift shop, but you can also buy them online. They're beautiful, and you can write with them if you so desire. Yes, the entire piece is graphite.
5) Barse silver and pearl necklace - I have had this necklace for years--there is something in it that I find both delicate and sturdy. The pearls provide the former and the silver piece the latter.
6) Belt buckle necklace - At least, I suppose that's what it is. I found it at a craft table at an event last month and instantly befriended it. Things like this remind me of what labels like Lucky Brand try to recreate--but why pay their prices when you can buy a $10 piece like this that is both unique and repurposed?
7) Fireflight's Now - My intention had been to do a separate post for this album, but I never had enough incentive to. While it's nice enough and has some good songs, it isn't my favorite overall of Fireflight's work. I find their music most inspiring when it is loud and, frankly, confused/unsure (before being drawn back into comfort--the way the songs in Unbreakable work); if I want a quieter, more methodical sound, I can turn on Philip LaRue. Still, it's an album worth getting, and I think the weaker songs (every album has them, whoever the artist) are stronger than they were on For Those Who Wait.
8) The sun - As I was riding my bike yesterday, I started to smile at the feel of the sun, the feel of warmth. As I have said before, heat is a force that is endearing and attractive because it is impossible to ignore. The temperature has yet to reach ninety, but we're moving up into the eighties now; summer doth begin to speak.
9) Noah's ark - Not the actual ark, but a picture I found at an antique store. It has an interesting artistry to it and makes a nice addition to my over-packed walls (although it's actually hanging in a fairly empty space near my desk).
10) Fingerless gloves - These are in thought only as it is much too warm by now to wear mine, especially since they are elbow length. But I so much want to; you will recognize the influence if you have also watched the aforementioned TV show, in which a certain character often wears such gloves (in the first three seasons, that is).
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