As I sit here on the train from London Bridge moving slowly back to the slightly redundant Hastings, looking out the window listening to Porcupine Tree. One of yesterday’s Metal Masterpiece’s many excellent albums as the final notes of “Collapse The Light Into Earth” are ringing out it strikes me that, why is it that particular music is particularly poignant at certain times of year?
What I mean by this is certain albums have certain sounds, certain connotations that when listening seem to fit the mood perfectly or stick out like a jarring chord. Take the wonderfully depressing Opeth for example, although masterful their songs are very much a cold territory. With much of their melancholic schoolings giving the feel of Autumn into Winter. Potentially due to the variation and the more prominent use of the minor scale adopted by Akerfedlt and co. Or perhaps it could be that our subconscious relates a particular sound to a particular time. I find it fascinating that after so many years its possible to listen to a specific song, or smell a specific smell and immediately be taken back to that time of year with whatever might have occurred that makes this sound so permeating. Perhaps this might by why so many people see music as their “saviour” and revisit the same albums for them to become their mantra. The music itself, sure, can be helpful with positive lyrics about triumphing over adversity but surely it must lie in the listener’s subconscious. Relating to events in their lives to their particular soundtrack if you will.
Besides me rambling on, I find it rather poignant that certain times of year will often exhibit different sounds. With the absolutely astounding release of Behemoth’s The Satanist earlier this year in February I immediately will forever have the connection that this album is particularly harsh and works much better in Winter. Whereas if you were to put the record on in the summer perhaps you would have a different outlook, maybe not even enjoy the songs as much as they are not in the right context?
Could it be to do with the fact that it was released in early February? Are record companies aware of a particular sound that they decide to ensure that the album will be brought forward for a summer release? The release of this year’s more energetic sounding records, take one as Our Endless War by Whitechapel or Animals As Leaders’ The Joy Of Motion even the riot of Misery Index’s The Killing Gods, the equivalent to a bull in china shop. Could it be that record companies are aware of the bands “sound” and as such wouldn’t release it during the winter for fear of less record sales? Are Whitechapel, among others the metal heads version of the feel good hit of the summer. Of course the band would make brilliant sales but would it be affected by the time of year?
You could go even further and say that it may be to do with the fact that a certain band’s records are always released in the Autumn to Winter period. Steven Wilson’s 2012 effort The Raven That Refused To Sing And Other Stories has an effect of being like a Winter coat. Whenever you begin the record the sense of familiarity that lies within it is like putting a coat on. Come April/May you spurn for the return of the hallowed sun, but as soon as Winter rears its ugly head you retreat to the familiar warmth. Feeling the past train tickets of last year as you return to the familiarity of the coat.
Perhaps there is something more to it than simply listening to gloomy music at a gloomy time of year. Whatever it is that you’re listening to next time think of your surroundings, your mood even where you’re going. It might be more influential to what you’re listening to than you think!
