Autumn/Fall is my favorite season of the year. Especially here in Pennsylvania. Of the places I've lived, nowhere else captures the nostalgia, magic, and mood that I experienced here in the Susquehanna Valley growing up.
So, this year I'm going to post a song for every day of the season. While I can't anticipate where each day will go...I can try to relate my mood/response to the season through songs that I feel were made for the Fall. At least to my ears.
Like movies and books, some songs just feel "in season," as the leaves start to turn and fall, the temps start dropping, and the sky darkens faster. For me movies like the Harry Potter series work better on my imagination in this time of year. Same with the books of the "Chronicles of Prydain." Music works the same way for me. It takes me to a feeling, a moment, or impression of a time.
Today, September 22nd, is the first day of Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere in 2012. The weather is supposed to get into the high 70's, and bring thunderstorms late afternoon. My kind of day, though a little on the warm side for my taste.
Today's song is: "Fake Empire"
by The National from their album "Boxer"
The song itself starts of with a piano playing a four-over-three pattern with vocals by Matt Berninger. The song gradually builds upon itself. Increasing instrumentation, vocals, and overall feeling.
As I listen to just the feel and emotion of the song I get this image of someone driving from a remote country home into a sky-scraping metropolis. The drive starts out on a winding country road where trees canopy the road with brightly colored red and yellow leaves. Some dancing down to the ground against the dark almost black bark of the trees.
The road begins to level out the farther they drive and the trees thin out as they approach the steel-grey city. Clouds roll in and rain starts to come down. First just drops here and there, until the vehicle is awash in water and the wiper-blades are at a strong intermittent setting. Wheels bounce and turn through water clogged streets as the driver navigates to their final destination.
The lyrics however paint a completely different image. If you want to know what the band was really saying, feel free to look them up and find out. "Fake Empire," lyrically paints a picture of a young couple or group of friends who don't want to deal with the reality of what's going on in their world.
Turn the light out say goodnight, no thinking for a little whileThere is a happy, intentional naïveté going on here. They know there are things to deal with, but they just want to enjoy the night and each others company. The last line of each verse ends with;
Let's not try to figure out everything at once
We're half awake in a fake empireHalf awake in a fake empire. I love that. It just has a very poetic feel. I could ponder that idea for hours just staring out at some trees or a field or something. But I digress. This song brings back the nostalgic memories of hanging out with friends as the school year was still fresh and, for me, and excitement about the smell of damp bark, crisp mornings, and cold moons.
So, check out "Fake Empire" and enjoy Fall!
** I was introduced to this song/band by the wonderful TV Show known as Chuck. This song was used in Season 2, Episode 3 - "Chuck vs. The Break Up" I didn't "discover" the song until I re-watched the series the Summer of 2012.
***Locations used on each post are where I was when I started listening to the song.
-Jesse
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