1 post tagged “garden”

1. Affirmation :: This is where the album gets its title.  In the process of looking up the song, I found out that this duo originated in Australia, which would very much explain why their status always slips under everyone's radar here in America. The opening is very welcoming.  It reminds me of the feeling I get when I watch the opening sequence of a show- perhaps some anime thing.  Whatever my point was, the end result is that this song makes a good opening.  This song also establishes that this is yet more pop music.  The beat is a reminder that this is made in the 90s.  I dunno about you, but certain songs in different time periods have distinctive drum beats - especially music from the 80s in which the snare sounds like it is being hit with a bat. 

2. Hold Me :: This song seemed to be a continuation of the opening at first. It wasn't until the chorus that I realized that I have heard this song before, but I just did't remember it.  The opening had a mellow, yet determined mood.  The song's energy picked up once the chorus came up.  The song still has a sense of strong determination in it.  There's a bit of a half-time feel about two-thirds into the song and the song wraps up after that.  It's an okay song.

3. I Knew I Loved You :: This was the first Savage Garden song I've heard and this was the one that popped up in the rotation.  I remember getting a Now that's What I Call Music Collection back when those were good and I was really young, it was the third or fourth one I think, and this song was on it. I listened to that CD a whole lot on trips and in my room so it just gives back memories.  The lyrics don't make much sense to me, but it makes for a nice love song.  The only thing bad about this song is that it could be boring for some.  Its probably one of the few songs that I listened to by Savage Garden that I at least like.

4. The Best Thing :: I've heard Savage Garden being called "soft rock" or "pop rock," and to me, that has meant pop music with a few rock elements in it- sorta what Avril Lavigne used to be or Ashlee Simpson stuff. I never really believed it until this song.  There's no hardcore guitar solos and stuff, but there's the drums and the guitars alright.  There's a reason why its called "soft."  Anyway, the song makes me think of older stuff from the early 90s with the way the background music starts and I don't really like that since I don't like that kind of music, but if you like that kind of thing, this song should be good.  The lyrics are sort of fun to listen to for the first time also.

5. Crash and Burn :: There's a broken synth in the background, which gives me the feeling of far distance.  Its a really nice atmosphere of the song... I already liked it.  The chorus has some guitars and the like to create the soft rock sound that they had.  There's nothing truly special about the song,  but it is very soft and pleasing to the ear.  Its nice to listen to anywhere and this is another song that I like and would recommend. 

6. Chained To You :: The opening is just a drum beat... a very popish drum beat. Then the soft rock comes in once the singing starts.  The song has a constrained feel to it; the singing feels held back and the instruments play in a very choppy way.  I supposed this is all supposed to bring out the "chained" feel the song is meant to have.  Not entirely sure if I really like that. I'll probably upload it sometime and let you decide.

7. The Animal Song ::  The drums are played low to seem very... uh jungly.  After the chorus starts, everything is lifted up.  I found the song to be rather cheesy in its call to be more like animals.  Listening to the lyrics put you in a very silly mood.  Whether that's a good thing or not is up to the person. Personally, I don't really like it.

8. The Lover After Me :: The song starts as another ballad and it snaps you out of the silly mood the previous song puts you in.  It's reminiscent of Crash and Burn since it has the distanced soft rock feel.  The lyrics are really moving, especially for those who have been hurt being in love.  Lyrics like that really connect with people and that's what makes songs popular... well most of the time.  I found the chorus rather catchy to boot. 

9. Two Beds And A Coffee Machine ::  Once again, this song makes the album more to the serious side.  It begins with a beautiful piano sound.  Once again, the lyrics are beautifully spelt out and people can relate.  The chorus is a bit catchy despite the fact the song is a bit to the down-tempo side.  The entire piano part makes me think of Simple Plan's Untitled, though I think the two can't be compared further than that since the songs are about two totally different things. 

10. You Can Still Be Free ::  The song is very slow moving at first.  However, about halfway through- the song dramatically picks up.  The feel of this song gets you out of the depressingly sad/serious ditch that the previous two songs put you in.  The song is okay to listen to though in terms of songs that are pleasing to the ear.

11. Gunning Down Romance :: The beat is very ambient, yet there are some dark feelings in there.  Its a refreshment in the album since the mood and the instruments make this song stand out.  It totally makes up for the boringness of the first-half of the song. 

12. I Don't Know You Anymore ::  The song reverts you to sadness.  Its beautifully played on the piano, the lyrics are meaningful like most of their stuff, and it's beautifully sang.  The whole mood makes you ill in a beautiful way.  Its really nice.  However, its not the best song to put at the album since it just means that the album makes you sad because that's where the album left you.  Its probably one of the reasons why I won't listen to this album as a run-through.  However, this is one of their better songs so its work looking at.

Conclusion: The album isn't special.  Its worth a look if you like pop or soft rock, especially if you liked 90s music.  Also, there are some strong songs and I suggest that perhaps you get them individually since other songs are extremely dull.  Unless you're like me and you like getting full albums just for the sake of having music.  If that's the case, go for it.