so, i’ve talked in the past about the excellence that is the new pornographers. today i want to highlight kathryn calder, one of the members of that diverse band.
calder has one of those super sweet voices that can lull you into a false sense of complacency. surely something so lovely and delicate couldn’t be talking about such harsh emotions, could it? but that’s what calder does – her songs are bits of poetry interlaced with devastating emotions, and her voice is the sweetness that dulls the sharp edge that threatens to overwhelm the listener.
arrow is just such a song – disillusionment, dysfunctionality and bitterness are found within. but with calder’s light voice and steady piano beats, you can’t help but be swept away in the story.
a hollow metal arrow
fell to the water
it must have come down from the blast
i gave it to you
and i watched as my sandcastle
slowly was turned into glass
it lit up like a beacon
the shine was so strong
that it took me awhile to adjust
it took up my house
and split me apart
so i found a place on the grass
fire away, i’m still here in phantom waves
fire away, i still have my better days
fire away, what more can i do but say
fire away, fire away
a shallow river by the road
smoothed the tensions and turn them to skipping stone
and me by the shore
i noticed that day made me older than i was before
you say i’m too sad, well i happen to like it
i happen to like you too
fire away, i’m still here in phantom waves
fire away, i still have my better days
fire away, what more can i do but say
fire away, fire away
fire away, i know all your tricks and your foul play
it won’t work on me anymore
fire away, what more can i do but say
fire away, fire away
(mp3) arrow by kathryn calder
check out the absolutely gorgeous and sad video:
and here’s another song extremely worthy of your attention – slip away:
buy are you my mother, the album arrow and slip away are off of, HERE.