MP3: The Swell Season, “In These Arms”
Here’s my breakdown of the last five minutes:
Blog blog blog.
Search the web.
Read RSS feed.
“New Swell Season song?”
Squeal like a 12 year-old girl.
Download song, waiting impatiently.
Press play.
“Glen Hansard’s voice is so good. It’s like a warm blanket.”
More listening.
“Oh, Lord. This is so pretty.”
Lower lip quivers.
“I may cry.”
Markéta Irglová’s voice joins in.
“That’s it…dammit, I’m gonna cry.”
Tears, sniffles.
Mix tape song of the year. Right here. Seriously. “Maybe I was born to hold you in these arms” is the sort of sentiment that seems ridiculous when written down, but when you hear these two sing it together — oh, I pity the poor bastard who doesn’t get moved by this. The Once soundtrack had its moments, but I’ve loved the Frames for ages. Seeing them play “Star, Star” at the Granada is one of only two times I’ve ever openly wept at a concert. The other was hearing John McCutcheon do “Christmas in the Trenches” with the Winfield City Orchestra.
This song, though, makes me think Strict Joy could be a serious contender when it comes out on ANTI- this fall. It’s very much what the Swell Season’s done thus far, just guitars and piano at first, with swelling instrumentation in the song’s middle, but there’s so much damned emotion here that its power is undeniable.
