So I thought why not celebrate this potential turning point by telling you about a few things, events, situations, experiences that have changed me.
Let's begin with the name of this blog. "Louder than before" is a lyric from the Damien Rice song "Older Chests". This is possibly my favourite song from the album O, an album that changed my life. I'll try to explain how but it's always hard using words to describe what music does to you. When I bought it in 2006, I guess Damien's music opened my eyes to the potential that songwriting holds. He doesn't need to hide behind virtuosic, busy music with complex and diverse instrumentation. The music is simple, using an acoustic guitar, 'cello and drums for almost the entire album. This serves to place the emphasis on Damien's words. This guy is a poet, and the album has themes weaved throughout, with songs making references to phrases in other songs. The album is a work that can be listened to in single songs, but is even more powerful when viewed as a whole, complete work. And more than appealing to my appreciation for skilful use of the English language, it connected with me deeply on an emotional level. I think this may have had a lot to do with experiences I was going through at that point in time, meaning I could relate to a lot of what Damien was on about in this album.
Wow. I rambled about that one a lot. Welcome to the product of being given unlimited space to write, thanks to the humble internet. One last point then I'll finish. The name of this blog takes on a new meaning when independent of the song it is from. I think the verse goes something like:
"Older gents sit on the fence
With their cap in hand, lookin' grand,
They watch their city change.
Children scream, or so it seems,
Louder than before."
So I guess I must be a screaming child.
More turning points to come. I feel I might be onto something here.
