The CD opens with “All My Heart,” a song with a gorgeous
and powerful chorus. The line “When I
love, I love with all my heart” is so simply stated that you know it to be
true. Laura then sings, “When it’s over, this hole here might tear me
apart,” but then goes back to focus on the positive “When I love, I love with all my heart.” And I love that, that the
focus is on the positive, and the end gets only a brief mention, but is not
dwelled upon. It’s a song of passion without illusions or regrets. This is such
a great song, and it digs its claws into you, and will likely stay with you.
(It’s one I’ve been listening to over and over.)
The Mynbirds follow that with “Believer,” which feels
loosely linked to the first song by its opening lines, “This hole/So tired of filling up.” The character of this song
doesn’t seem to have the strength or fortitude of that of “All My Heart.” She
sings, “I don’t know what I’m doing/I
don’t know what to say/When you ask what’s in my/Heart these days.” But it
is the next lines that really hit hard: “You
say you’re a believer/But you don’t have any faith/Not even in me.”
“Semantics” is the first track I heard from this album,
and is the song that turned me on to The Mynabirds. It’s a wonderful, pretty
pop song, with some gorgeous vocals that at the same time feel friendly. It’s a
relationship song, and it’s interesting because you don’t know which way things
will go with this couple, but you certainly want to share her optimism. She
sounds positive even as she recounts what her lover told her: “But in the light of a thousand suns,/We’ll
still dry up.” In fact, she begins the song be singing, “You say you always feel half empty/And I’m just
a little fool.” The song is actually a conversation between the two, as she
addresses him directly rather than bringing the listeners in as confidants or
something. It’s almost like we’re overhearing a private moment between
long-time lovers. “You know I always feel
half crazy/And I’m still here.”
“Velveteen” is a song that gets right on top of me, from
its opening a cappella moment to its haunting vibe and emotional and intriguing
vocal performance, with pained and desperate lyrics. The way it reaches out (to
a lover, to the listener), asking “Am I
real yet?” The question, in the way it’s asked and repeated, makes us feel
like that the person asking really needs an answer, and you might find yourself
wanting to respond. And what response can there be to that, or to a question
like, “Can you put me back, put me
back/Put me back, right back?” This is a truly engaging song and
performance.
“Shake Your Head Yes” is another of my favorites. There
is something kind of surprisingly playful here, even as Laura sings lines like,
“You ask me how I am/I’m always such a
mess/Hiding a heart attack/Under a party dress/Shake your head yes.” And
check out these lines: “Wear your
mistakes/Like they’re your greatest disguise/And if it tears you apart, it’s
fine.” Have I mentioned how great the lyrics of this CD are?
Another highlight of this album is “Hanged Man,” mainly
because of Laura’s vocal performance. This song slowly creeps up on you and
takes hold. It’s beautiful and haunting, even stunning at moments. Here is a
taste of the lyrics: “August looked up,
said,/‘September will keep you/Good company/You must treat her with
kindness/Even though you may miss me.’/If not for the dawn,/Oh, if not for what’s
gone/We’d have nothing/And as sure as the sun/Oh, as sure as it comes/Is its
going.”
CD Track List
- All My Heart
- Believer
- Semantics
- Say Something
- Orion
- Velveteen
- Shake Your Head Yes
- Wildfire
- Omaha
- One Foot
- Hanged Man
- Last Time
Lovers Know is
scheduled to be released on both CD and vinyl on August 7, 2015 through Saddle
Creek.
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