Strawberry Cloud_Analyses

A blog where I write my opinions on all things music - Uploads every Monday and Thursday @ 12pm Central Time

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Theatre Thurs - May 6th

           Our Lady of the Underground is the first song of Act II, and follows Persephone after she invites the workers, and audience alike, into her speakeasy. This is where we meet the other side of Persephone, the Lady of the Underground, who wishes for the freedom of the workers of Hadestown and will always be able to cheer up a crowd with wine enough to share.

I got the wind right here in a jar

I got the rain on tap at the bar

I got sunshine up on the shelf

Allow me to introduce myself:

Brother, what's my name?

My name is-

Our Lady of the Underground!

            Way Down Hadestown (Reprise) shows Eurydice coming to the realization that there is more to Hadestown than she thought. She begins to regret her decision to come to the factory town and work there, but no one is allowed to leave without Hades' permission, as the Fates sinisterly reveal. As she has worked and worked on Hades' wall, Eurydice begins to lose herself, just like all of the workers who have kept their heads low and out of sight.

I’m Eurydice

Doesn't anybody hear me?

They can hear

But they don't care

No one has a name down here

           Flowers takes place as Eurydice acknowledges and realizes that she has essentially signed her life away by signing Hades’s contract. She deeply regrets the choice that she has made and remembers the world on top, filled with flowers, sunshine, and perhaps most tragically of all, Orpheus.

Flowers, I remember fields of flowers, soft beneath my heels

Walking in the sun, I remember someone

Someone by my side, turned his face to mine

And then I turned away, into the shade

You, the one I left behind

If you ever walk this way

Come and find me lying in the bed I made

               Come Home with Me (Reprise) follows Orpheus, who having made his way to Hadestown by following Hermes' directions, finds Eurydice and begs her to come home with him. Eurydice and the Fates tell Orpheus that she legally belongs to Hades and can’t return without his permission.

No, I walked - A long way

How'd you get beyond the wall?

I sang a song so beautiful

Stones wept and they let me in

And I can sing us home again

           Papers (”You’re not from around here, son...”) [Intro] shows us Hades finding Orpheus in the underworld trying to bring back Eurydice. He explains to him that she signed her life to him and sends his workers after Orpheus. This song leads into our next “song” of sorts:

Young man, I don't think we’ve met before

You're not from around here, son

Don't know who the hell you are but I can tell you don’t belong

These are workin' people, son, law-abiding citizen

Go back to where you came from

You're on the wrong side of the fence

           Papers - Instrumental takes place as the workers beat Orpheus till he’s bloody. Onstage, at the end of the music, the workers hold him down as the fates come out to sing “Nothing Changes.”

           Nothing Changes occurs as the Fates appear before an exhausted Orpheus, malevolently taunting him and telling him to give up all hope. His efforts will be all for naught anyway, the Fates reason, as he would have to move heaven and hell to convince Hades to let Eurydice go.

Why the struggle, why the strain?

Why make trouble, why make scenes?

Why go against the grain, why swim upstream?

It ain't, it ain't, it ain't no use

You're bound, you're bound, you're bound to lose

What's done, what's done, what's done is done

That's the way the river runs

           If It’s True shows Orpheus in a moment of despair, lamenting his sorry state. Still reeling from his wounds and the revelation that his wife willingly left the above world, he begins to lose hope. Persephone, however, hears the boy’s lament and sympathizes with him. Meanwhile, the workers begin to realize their dire situation and draw inspiration from Orpheus' words and actions. Realizing that there is more to his personal goal of bringing Eurydice home, Orpheus decides to also help the workers of Hadestown.

If it's true what they say, if there's nothing to be done

If it's true that it's too late, and the girl I love is gone

If it's true what they say, is this how the world is?

To be beaten and betrayed and then be told that nothing changes?

It'll always be like this? If it's true what they say, I'll be on my way

           How Long? is Persephone’s helpless plea to make her husband undo what she cannot, and Hades in turn stubbornly clinging to his pride as the King of the Underworld. She hopes that Hades will allow change in Hadestown, beginning through people like Orpheus.

What does he care for the logic of kings?

The laws of your underworld?

It is only for love that he sings

He sings for the love of a girl

           Chant (Reprise) takes place as Hades hears Orpheus’s song and realizes that he is inciting unrest among the workers. For the second time, he confronts Orpheus directly. At first, Hades attempts to dissuade him by describing his own fruitless efforts to keep Persephone close and mocking how powerless Orpheus is. When Orpheus is undaunted, Hades declares his intent to execute him. However, because Persephone was moved by Orpheus’s music earlier, Hades decides to give him one last chance to perform first.

Young man got to hand it to you

Guess you don't scare easy, do ya?

Are you brave or stupid, son?

Doesn't matter which one

'Cause it seems your song made quite a strong impression on my wife

But it takes more than singin' songs to keep a woman in your arms

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Yet another Theatre Thursday is complete! Hopefully I’ll still be motivated to continue writing enough to finish out the Hadestown series at least. Next Week we’ll cover Epic III - We Raise Our Cups. 

Stay Sweet!

- Victoria Rodasta

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Next Week:

Miscellaneous Monday - Olivia by One Direction

Theatre Thursday - Hadestown Part Four

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Misc. Monday - May 3rd

           Pretty Girl is about a relationship artist Clairo had where she felt she needed to be the perfect girl for another person. Whether that was wearing makeup, doing her hair differently, wearing things she knew they liked, or even changing the way she spoke. Eventually, things were broken off, and she’s better off. Pretty Girl is a song about changing for a relationship and losing yourself along the way.

And I could be a pretty girl

I'll wear a skirt for you

And I could be a pretty girl

Shut up when you want me to

And I could be a pretty girl

Won't ever make you blue

And I could be a pretty girl

I'll lose myself in you

           On its titular surface, Pretty Girl reads arrogantly, as though the narrator is referring to herself rather than a concept – this mistake could be made even more easily if the listener is unfamiliar with Clairo, whose personality is best characterized by words like ‘chill’ and ‘vibey’ rather than ‘vain.’

           Her words – simple, resonating and fluttering over catchy synth beats – are the foundation to her creative appeal. “Polaroid of you dancing in my room, I want to remember / It’s getting harder to understand how you felt in my hands,” she sings over a drum machine and the high, computerized chirps that cycle throughout the song’s entirety. It’s an instantly memorable pattern.

           As Clairo reprimands herself in another verse – I was so blinded by you, now I cry / Just thinking ‘bout the fool that I was / I was such a fool! – but later decides that she’s better off without her ex-partner’s said negativity, listeners who relate to such introspections are surely wearing the same calm, lackadaisically relieved face that Clairo sports so happily.

           Human relationships don’t require perfection – after all, such connections are comprised of flawed individuals. Yet, romantic partners constantly fall victim to the notion of perfection. Sometimes we find ourselves idealizing our lovers, overlooking their faults and placing them on a pedestal of glory; in other moments, our own personalities are sacrificed as we overinvest our identities in what we think, or perhaps know, our partners desire.

           In this endless chase for perceived faultlessness, a relationship’s health inevitably depletes – but the latter issue of inner doubt and false reconstruction is what leads to a loss of self. And as the partner who ‘lived a lie’ at the mercy of love, it’s retrospectively relieving to get out of a relationship that felt cloaking, even if that ending is painful.

I was so blinded by you, now I cry

Just thinking 'bout the fool that I was

I was such a fool

I'm alone now but it's better for me

I don't need all your negativity

           Through Pretty Girl, Clairo’s biggest single to date,  she offers her listeners a reflective, open-faced story on letting go and, really, being fake. Pretty Girl covers the dangers of changing yourself for someone else, and how you’ll lose yourself along the way through this.

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First post of May and we’re getting super deep again. Clario makes some real bops though what can I say? Also I totally speed wrote this at 11 am, but let’s just not think about that. Hope you enjoyed it! See you next week!

Stay Sweet!

- Victoria Rodasta

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Next Week:

Theatre Thursday - Hadestown Part Three

Miscellaneous Monday - Olivia by One Direction

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- May Release Schedule -

Miscellaneous Mondays

May 3rd - Pretty Girl by Clario

May 10th - Olivia by One Direction

May 17th - Achilles Come Down by Gang of Youths

May 24th - Love of My Life by Queen

May 31st - Hayloft by Mother Mother

Theatre Thursdays

May 6th - Hadestown Part Three

May 13th - Hadestown Part Four

May 20th - Hadestown Conclusion

May 27th - Next to Normal Introduction

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In a moment of peak desire to be professional I decided to post my release schedule for the next month. It will hopefully keep me accountable, plus now you guys can look forward for what’s coming up!

Stay Sweet!

- Victoria Rodasta 

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Theatre Thurs - April 29th

           Epic II takes place as Orpheus adds more onto his song, despite the encouragement of Eurydice in A Gathering Storm to prepare for the upcoming storm. This version of his Epic focuses on the glittering riches of the Underworld, as well as the highly contrasting construction that is always taking place there, which is done by all of the residents of Hadestown. We also learn that without Persephone there, loneliness looms inside of him, and that is why he turns to such projects.

King of silver, king of gold

And everything glittering under the ground

Hades is king of oil and coal

And the riches that flow where those rivers are found

            Chant shows the listeners/viewers the true desires and the differences between the two couples in their relationships are revealed. Eurydice learns that Orpheus prioritizes his music over their survival and seemingly, even their relationship. Persephone sees that Hades has begun to prioritize growing his empire to mimic the world above that she loves so much over her. As the storm gathers, the characters will drive themselves farther and farther apart until it is too late for Orpheus to salvage his love while he still has Eurydice.

And that is the reason we're on this road

And the seasons are wrong

And the wind is so strong

That's why times are so hard

It's because of the gods

The gods have forgotten the song of their love

           Hey, Little Songbird happens as Hades and Eurydice meet for the first time. Hades tempts to entice her into coming with him to Hadestown, promising luxury and safety through the deal, and playing into her fear that she will not survive with Orpheus, who is merely a poet and has nothing more than his music. Eurydice who has been going hungry recently and is fearful of the winter storm to come, is enticed by his offer of security and wealth.

Hey, little songbird, look all around you

See how the vipers and vultures surround you

And they'll take you down, they'll pick you clean

If you stick around such a desperate scene

See, people get mean when the chips are down

           When the Chips are Down (”Songbird vs. rattlesnake) [Intro] begins as Eurydice is faced with the decision of going to Hadestown or staying in the world above, and leads into:

And Hades gave her a choice to make

A ticket to the underworld

           When the Chips are Down takes place as the Fates appear and encourage her to consider the offer after Hades invites Eurydice to come with him to Hadestown. They tell her that she should and needs too look after herself now that she is starving and the “chips are down”, leaving her very own life in the balance of her decision.

Help yourself

To hell with the rest

Even the one who loves you best

What you gonna do when the chips are down

Now that the chips are down?

           Gone, I’m Gone has Eurydice explain that, although she is in love with Orpheus, she cannot overcome her desire for the material protection, providence, and safety that she will be provided with in Hadestown. Orpheus is unable to provide for her, and because of this, she decides to go to the underworld where she is promised those things.

Orpheus, my heart is yours, always was, and will be 

It's my gut I can’t ignore

Orpheus, I'm hungry

Oh, my heart it aches to stay, but the flesh will have its way

Oh, the way is dark and long

I'm already gone

           Wait for Me (”Hey, the big artiste...”) [Intro] shows Orpheus as he realizes that Eurydice is gone, goes looking for her, and is told by Hermes that she has gone to Hadestown. He then tries to convince Hermes to give him directions to Hadestown, and it leads into the next song:

So... just how far would you go for her?

To the end of time

To the end of the earth

You got a ticket?

No...?

           Wait for Me starts Orpheus’s descent into Hadestown as he looks Eurydice. Not knowing why she is there but determined to bring her home, he begins the long trek to the Underground. Hermes gives Orpheus the much-needed advice for the Underworld that he will need in order to survive the journey. On the other side, the Fates try to discourage Orpheus, saying that his trip is pointless and he will fail.

Wait for me, I'm comin'

Wait, I'm comin' with you

Wait for me, I'm comin' too

I'm coming too

           Why We Build the Wall shows Hades leading a chant regarding the values and reasoning of “life” in the Underworld. These values include working for the sake of work, rejecting poverty, and isolationism. This song illustrates the silent power that Hades has over his kingdom, while his workers sing the creed. During the song Eurydice also learns from a resident of Hadestown what it is like to live there and how she is to spend the rest of her life.

The enemy is poverty

And the wall keeps out the enemy

And we build the wall to keep us free

That's why we build the wall

We build the wall to keep us free

           Why We Build the Wall (”Behind closed doors...”) [Outro] has Hermes is guiding the audience’s attention to the fact that a lot can happen on both sides of a pair of closed doors. Eurydice may be signing a sketchy contract, but Persephone is letting the workers rebel and get a glimpse of freedom.

Now a lot can happen behind closed doors

That's for sure, brother, that's a fact

But a lot can happen on the factory floor

When the foreman turns his back

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Another Theatre Thursday is complete [(and with a whole hour to spare before my posting deadline (oops)] Next Week we’ll cover Our Lady of the Underground - Chant (Reprise).

Stay Sweet!

- Victoria Rodasta

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Next Week:

Miscellaneous Monday - Pretty Girl by Clario

Theatre Thursday - Hadestown Part Three

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Misc. Monday - April 26th

          Sign of the Times by Harry Styles is THE sad song of the decade. It’s been in my ‘sad vibes’ playlist since it came out in April of 2017 (and it has been in my Spotify top 5 list for every year since too- don’t ask). Sign of the Times served as the debut single from Styles’ first album, the self-titled Harry Styles.

          Taking musical inspiration from artists such as Queen and David Bowie (iconic choices on Harry’s part), Sign of the Times is a slower pop-rock ballad all about avoiding emotion despite the circumstances. 

Just stop your crying, it's a sign of the times

We gotta get away from here

We gotta get away from here

Just stop your crying, it'll be alright

They told me that the end is near

We gotta get away from here

            Upon its release, Harry Styles explained that Sign of the Times was the song he was the most proud of writing. Many different meanings have been drawn out of the simple yet beautiful song and its lyrics, all of which come out of the easy to see meaning of avoiding emotions. 

          When Sign of the Times released, there was a frenzy of fans trying to figure out the story behind the song. Many thought it had to do with a breakup or with loosing someone you loved. It was later shared by Styles himself that the song was really about a mother telling her child to persevere in life as she is dying. 

          In an interview with Rolling Stone, Harry writes: “ The song is written from a point of view as if a mother was giving birth to a child and there’s a complication. The mother is told, ‘The child is fine, but you’re not going to make it.’ The mother has five minutes to tell the child, ‘Go forth and conquer.’ “

          Sign of the Times remains as one of Harry Styles’ most popular songs, having over 800 million plays on Spotify, and being the most listened to of any song off of the Harry Styles album. Between the gorgeous musical arrangement, the meaningful and deep lyrics, and Harry’s always amazing vocals, Sign of the Times has stayed a consistent favorite amongst fans of Harry Style’s music, myself definitely included.

         For anyone who really just feels like being a little sad, or someone curious to get into Harry Styles’ music, I’d highly recommend a listen to Sign of the Times (and all of his music afterwards too- it’s just that good).

Stop your crying, baby, it's a sign of the times

We gotta get away, we got to get away

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It was really short, but it’s not as much to analyze when the creator says what it’s about now is it? One of my favorite songs to vibe to when I’m sad out here being my third Miscellaneous Monday post. We’re a Harry Styles stan, you’ll see that in my upcoming posts, so hopefully you guys  love his music as much as I do. See you next week!

Stay Sweet!

- Victoria Rodasta

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Next Week:

Theatre Thursday - Hadestown Series - Part Two

Miscellaneous Monday - Pretty Girl by Clario

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Theatre Thurs - April 22nd

          Road to Hell is our first song of the Hadestown album, and what an introduction it is! This nearly five and a half minute song in an extremely well executed start to an amazing musical. Hermes, most utilized as the Greek messenger god in our story, serves as the narrator for the tale and is played by the magnificent André De Shields. He introduces us to all of the characters we’re going to be following throughout the show, and gives us the perfect amount of exposition as we begin this journey. Road to Hell also serves as a great establishment of the vibe and style that this production will be bringing, from the jazzy music, fun choreography, and descriptive lyrics.

And brother, thus begins the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice!

It’s a love song. It’s a love song!

It’s a tale of love from long ago

It’s a sad song. It’s a sad song!

But we’re gonna sing it even so

It’s an old song. It’s an old song!

It’s and old tale from way back when

And we’re gonna sing - We’re gonna sing

We’re gonna sing it again!

          Any Way the Wind Blows serves as our window into the character of Eurydice, played by Eva Noblezada. Eurydice has been traveling from town to town for what seems to be years, escaping the terrible weather and the poverty that follows, which has been caused by the imbalance in months without Persephone. Eurydice has learned through experience to trust no one, as they’ll just let you down The Fates are also shown in a better light for the first time here, and we see just how they get into someone’s head, filling their thoughts with doubt and fear. Lastly, Orpheus is introduced and we learn that he has been taken up by Hermes after being abandoned my his mother, who was a Muse, hence his musical talents. 

People turn on you just like the wind

Everybody is a fair weather friend

In the end, you're better off alone

Any way the wind blows...

And this poor boy, he wore his heart out on his sleeve

You might say he was naïve to the ways of the world

But he had a way with words

And the rhythm and the rhyme

And he sang just like a bird up on a line

          Come Home with Me is a deep dive straight into Orpheus’s (played by Reeve Carney) boldly abrupt yet charismatic and sweet personality. In less than two minutes, and after being told not to come on too strong, Orpheus has introduced himself to Eurydice and asked him to marry him. This of course throws her through a loop at first, but after some insight from Hermes, who had encouraged Orpheus to talk to her in the first place, Eurydice decides that he’s worth a shot. Come Home with Me is also the first time we hear about the song Orpheus is working on, and how when he it’s done, and when he sings it, Spring will come again.

That's what I'm workin' on

A song to fix what's wrong

Take what's broken, make it whole

A song so beautiful, it brings the world back into tune

Back into time, and all the flowers will bloom...

When you become my wife

Oh, he's crazy. Why would I become his wife?

Maybe because he'll make you feel alive

Alive? That's worth a lot

What else ya got?

          Wedding Song has Eurydice asking Orpheus just how exactly he plans to marry her. With the world in poverty, niceties such as wedding bands and banquets were basically unheard of. He explains to her that through his song, the world will be restored, and nature will give them all they need for the wedding. Eurydice doesn’t buy into this, and asks Orpheus to sing her the song, whether it’s finished or not, as proof of his intentions. Singing the song restores the nature around them, and amazed and impressed, Eurydice falls in love with him and agrees to marry him.

Lover, tell me if you can who's gonna buy the wedding bands?

Times being what they are, hard and getting harder all the time

Lover, when I sing my song

All the rivers'll sing along

And they're gonna break their banks for us

And with their gold, be generous

All a-flashing in the pan, all to fashion for your hand

The river's gonna give us the wedding bands

          Epic I is Orpheus’s first telling of the story of Hades and Persephone, who are played by Patrick Page and Amber Gray. As he plays, Hermes asks where Orpheus got the melody for his song, revealing that it was an old love song for the godly couple that he hasn’t heard in a very long time. The love of Hades and Persephone was said to make the world go round, and without them it seems that poverty and misfortune as fallen upon the earth. This first iteration of Orpheus’s song tells of how the couple met and fell in love, and how for half of the year, Persephone is to live in the Underworld, and the other half she can spend on earth to bring prosperity to nature.

King of shadows, king of shades

Hades was king of the Underworld

But he fell in love with a beautiful lady

Who walked up above in her mother's green field

He fell in love with Persephone

Who was gathering flowers in the light of the sun

And he took her home to become his queen

Where the sun never shone on anyone

          Livin’ it Up on Top is our real introduction to Persephone, the goddess of spring and wife to Hades. We see through the song that when she comes back from the Underworld for the Summer, everyone is filled with joy and celebration ensues. Although it is noted that she is always late and is never early coming home, Persephone is always well received by those on earth for the provisions she brings. They are thankful that she is back, and with wine enough to share.

Been to hell, and back again, but like my mama always said:

Brother when you're down, you're down, when you're up, you're up

If you ain't six feet underground, you're living it up on top

Let's not talk about hard times- pour the wine, it's summertime!

'Cause right now we're livin' it

How are we livin' it?

Livin' it, livin' it up

          All I’ve Ever Known (”In spite of herself...”) [Intro] is the introduction of Orpheus and Eurydice as given by Hermes. It leads into the next song: 

She fell in spite of herself

In love with Orpheus

          All I’ve Ever Known encompasses a conversation between Orpheus and Eurydice. We see Eurydice trying to shed her habit of independence and trying to trust Orpheus, but her cynicism leads her to be wary and frightened. She expresses to Orpheus that she has only ever looked out for herself, but she is ready to not feel lonely. Orpheus addresses his inherent connection with Eurydice and promises to stay with her forever. Much of what Orpheus says to Eurydice in All I’ve Ever Known is used again in “Epic III,” when Orpheus sings of Hades' love for Persephone; this draws a parallel between the two couples.

Say that you’ll hold me forever

Say that the wind won't change on us

Say that we'll stay with each other

And it will always be like this

I'm gonna hold you forever

The wind will never change on us

Long as we stay with each other

Then it will always be like this

          Way Down Hadestown takes place as Summer ends, and Hades comes to pick up Persephone and take her to “Hadestown” (the Underworld). Persephone is not at all enthusiastic to leave earth, having only spent three months up there instead of their agreed six. Throughout the song, we also see the Fates tempting Eurydice with promises of wealth and luxury in Hadestown, and encouraging her to leave Orpheus and travel there to live a seemingly prosperous life.

Follow that dollar for a long way down, far away from the poorhouse door

You either get to hell or to Hadestown- ain’t no difference anymore!

Way down Hadestown

Way down under the ground

         A Gathering Storm starts after Persephone’s quick departure, as a harsh and grueling Winter is already under foot. Without Persephone, it’s going to be hard to make it through the season, and knowing this, Eurydice is already preparing for the worst and gathering all of the supplies she can. She encourages Orpheus to do the same, but he opts to continue work on his song since it will make Spring come again.

He came too soon- he came for her too soon

It's not supposed to be like this

Well, ‘til someone brings the world back into tune

This is how it is

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Another Theatre Thursday is in the books! These posts are going to be quite a doozy to read I’ve now realized but I hope you’ve stuck around and enjoyed the first part of my review of the musical Hadestown. Next Week we’ll cover Epic II - Why We Build the Wall (”Behind closed doors...”) [Outro].

Stay Sweet!

- Victoria Rodasta

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Next Week:

Miscellaneous Monday - Sign of the Times by Harry Styles

Theatre Thursday - Hadestown Part Two

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Misc. Monday - April 19th

           Body is a song written by one of my favorite groups, the alternative rock/indie band Mother Mother. This amazingly meaningful and shockingly deep song can be found on their second album, O My Heart, which was released in September of 2008.

           Having been a mere four years old at the time of its release, I obviously had not been listening to Body when it came out. However, my father loved all things alternative rock and had been listening to Mother Mother since their debut. He later introduced me to their music through songs like Verbatim, Hayloft, and Problems.

           I listened to what would be considered their more popular songs throughout my high school years and grew to love the band. Upon looking for further listening recommendations, I saw that many fans of Mother Mother’s music enjoyed this song from O My Heart: Body.

           With its deep, insightful lyrics and catchy musical score, Body quickly became one of my most admired and listened to songs from Mother Mother’s discography. It was so interesting to see a song that actually talked about such a problem as body dysmorphia, and although there is more representation of mental health issues through modern music, for 2008 standards this had to have been new.

           The images presented to your brain when listening to Body are bold and intriguing in a way I had never quite pictured before. Some of the lyrics that assist the building of this creative imagery and narrative include:

Take my lungs, take them and run Take my tongue, go have some fun And take the ears, take them and disappear Take my joints, take them for points Take my teeth, tear through my cheeks And take the nose go and dispose Oh would you go dispose, just go dispose

'Cos I've grown tired of this body A cumbersome and heavy body

I've grown tired of this body Fall apart without me body

           After listening to Body by Mother Mother, I became invested in the song and its greater meanings besides just being a piece of music. I loved the way the song presented body dysmorphia through lyrics and sound design, acknowledging it as the mental illness that it is, showing that people are actually affected by it, yet still not telling people that they are wrong for feeling this way.

            Having had body dysmorphia myself for many years throughout middle school and high school (and still having it reappear from time to time), this song hits hard. Body also has its interpretations of being bullied into feeling bad about your body to the point of self-harm, eating disorders, and/or body dysmorphia, as well as a message of faltering self-esteem and confidence in your own body. (Mother Mother - Body)

             Although this is exactly the kind of music my mom would say was destroying my mind as a young teenager and needed to go, I found comfort in knowing that this song not only existed but had many fans that had gone through similar trials and tribulations as me.(Body Lyric Video)

              Body by Mother Mother helped me tremendously in my fight against body dysmorphia, letting me know that I was not alone in my struggle. Through music discussions and posts concerning Body as a song, I found support from like-minded people who had similar experiences. That is exactly why it has stuck with me, and my Spotify playlists, ever since my first listen.

             Recently, Mother Mother’s whole discography it seems has been blowing up on TikTok, with one of their most featured and used songs being Body. I’m so excited to see even more people my age get into a band we may have missed out on due to our ages and finding the help that they might need to get through their own battles with mental illnesses such as body dysmorphia.

              I hope that more and more people will begin to listen to Mother Mother and discover why the group has been a favorite of myself and many others for over a decade. Body has shown a light onto body dysmorphia that many songs of the time of its release would not have dared to do, and I believe that this song will inspire many others to come.

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Miscellaneous Monday numero dos is complete! I’m not sure it’s my best work,  I could’ve gone much more in depth with this one. Maybe I’ll update it sometime. I’ll definitely be posting about more Mother Moher songs in the future! 

Stay Sweet!

- Victoria Rodasta

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Next Week:

Theatre Thursday - Hadestown Series - Part One

Miscellaneous Monday - Sign of the Times by Harry Styles

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Theatre Thurs - April 15th

           Hadestown is a musical that hit Broadway in March of 2019. Originally performed in Vermont in 2006, and with an earlier concept album coming out in 2010, the music and production of Hadestown has gone through a lot on the journey to Broadway. A Greek Tragedy with a Jazzy Twist, Hadestown has proven to be a success with audiences and critics alike.

And brother, thus begins the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice!

It’s a love song. It’s a love song!

It’s a tale of love from long ago

It’s a sad song. It’s a sad song!

But we’re gonna sing it even so

It’s an old song. It’s an old song!

It’s and old tale from way back when

And we’re gonna sing - We’re gonna sing

We’re gonna sing it again!

          This is an introduction post to a four part series (six if you include the intro and conclusion) on Hadestown. Each part will cover ten songs in total, the introduction will cover more history and background, then the conclusion will cover more of my overall opinion on the show (spoiler- it’s really good).

          Dropping music throughout the earlier months of 2019, as well as show clips and live performances really built up hype for this spectacular show. Once the whole soundtrack was released in July, it was on repeat for months on my Spotify and I’m sure I wasn’t alone in that.

           Through multiple revisions of the musical as a whole, the story has remained mostly the same. It’s two Greek tragedies in one, and with a fun jazzy twist on top of that. Hadestown merges the stories of Orpheus (Reeve Carney) and Eurydice (Eva Noblezada), and Hades (Patrick Page) and Persephone (Amber Gray) to create one fluid and dynamic narrative on-stage.

            Other cast members are Hermes, played by Andre De Shields, and the Fates who are currently played by Jewelle Blackman, Yvette Gonzales-Nacer, and Kay Trinidad. There’s also a decently-sized ensemble, and a live band that plays on the stage for at least part of the show.

           Nominated for fourteen Tony Awards, and winning eight of them including the all-important Best Musical and Best Original Score, Hadestown has been wowing audiences since its debut. It also has a spectacular set design, featuring a rotating stage and an in-floor elevator in the center.

            I’ll further indulge my love for the lead’s and their voices in later posts, but a small mention to Noblezada’s gorgeous and powerful belting voice, and her insane range, as well as Page’s impressive lower register. 

            Hadestown is a new telling of classic Greek mythology (which I’ve always been obsessed with- you’ve been warned) that had spent a year on Broadway before everything got shut down. Here’s to hoping it comes back soon, I have see it before it goes off Broadway again!

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Here’s the first Theatre Thursday, Hadestown! It’s a little shorter then the other posts will be, since it’s just an Introduction to the next five TT posts. Next Week we’ll cover Road to Hell - A Gathering Storm.

Stay Sweet!

- Victoria Rodasta

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Next Week:

Miscellaneous Monday - Body by Mother Mother

Theatre Thursday - Hadestown Part One

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Misc. Monday - April 12th

         Line Without A Hook is a song that came to me at a rather rough time in my life and, thanks to the beautiful lyrics and stunning musical score, has stuck with me since as a positive outlook for a future I never thought would come. In December of 2016, I had just been dumped out of a year-long relationship (and my first one at that) and I was not taking the breakup well in the slightest.

          Having come out in April of that year, Mr. Loverman and My Heart is Buried in Venice from Ricky Montgomery’s first album, Montgomery Ricky, had already become favored for my most obviously named “post-breakup bops” playlist. It was only months later when I had gotten out of this bout of moping that I listened to the whole album as a whole and discovered the spectacular song, Line Without A Hook.

           This song was everything my helpless romantic self could have asked for at the time. Gorgeous lyrics, an amazing musical score, and best of all a love that I could hope to have myself one day. The way the character “she” is described in the song just shows how much love for her is in his heart:

"She's a, she's a lady, and I am just a boy" He's singing "She's a, she's a lady, and I am just a line without a--" Oh, baby, I am a wreck when I'm without you I need you here to stay Broke all my bones that day I found you Crying at the lake Oh, was it something I said to make you Feel like you're a burden? Oh, and if I could take it all back I swear that I would pull you from the tide

           Being that my music taste is ever-changing, Line Without A Hook did manage to leave my radar at some point in 2018, but thanks to the amazing app that is TikTok, this January I was pleasantly greeted by an acoustic cover of the song by Ricky Montgomery himself. (Line Without A Hook - Acoustic Cover Link) 

           Since hearing the acoustic cover, my love for this song, and every song on the album for that matter, has been ever-growing. This time I think I’ll keep ahold of this masterpiece of a piece of music for a little bit longer.

           Ricky Montgomery has become one of my favorite musical artists in recent months, and I can’t wait to see what he does next. No matter what comes next, Line Without A Hook has a good chance at remaining one of my absolute favorite of his amazing songs.

           Along with the spectacular acoustic cover done by Montgomery earlier this year, there is a gorgeous piano cover that I found literally the day it came out that was done by John Rod Dondoyano on YouTube that will blow you away. The orchestration on this one is beautiful, and I love the extra introduction that he added to the already amazing song (Line Without A Hook - Piano Cover Link)

           Recently, Line Without A Hook has gained a ton of popularity on TikTok,  with the sound having over 300,000 videos made under it. Thanks to this surge in popularity, more and more people have discovered Ricky Montgomery and his amazing music. Now there are more fans of Montgomery than ever, and hopefully there’s more to come as time passes.

           This recent popularity has also inspired a collaboration cover of Line Without A Hook that came out in February, featuring Montgomery and another popular artist right now, mxmtoon (as well as an amazing collab cover of Mr.  Loverman that I hope to cover at some point as well). Although I favor the original cover for its simplicity and of course just how long it has been part of my life musically, the cover is still really good, and I couldn’t recommend a listen enough.

           I’ve always enjoyed what mxmtoon has created, and although different from her other music, this cover is everything I could’ve hoped it to be, despite the mixed opinions of other listeners. She uses the lower register of her voice in the cover, something we rarely hear from her music, and I’m living for it. The lyric video has this really cool paper aesthetic too, and I think it’s super interesting to look at. Check it out! (Line Without A Hook - Mxmtoon Collab Cover Link)

            When Line Without A Hook came back into my Spotify playlists, I was actually three months into the best relationship I’ve ever had (hi Nathan!), and we’re still going strong another three months later. It’s like the stars had aligned and I got the love I was hoping for upon my original listen of the song (cheesy I know but also- cute).

            Line Without A Hook is a brilliantly made song with stunning music and meaningful lyrics, and I would recommend a listen to anyone who has ever been in love. It just encompasses the feeling better than words alone ever could in my opinion, and the music itself is absolutely gorgeous. Ricky Montgomery is one of the most talented artists I have listened to, and I can’t wait to see what he will create next.  

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And that’s a wrap on the first Miscellaneous Monday! What do you all think? I hope to cover more of Ricky Montgomery’s music later, any suggestions? 

Stay Sweet!

- Victoria Rodasta

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Next Week: 

Theatre Thursday - Hadestown Series Introduction

Miscellaneous Monday - Body by Mother Mother

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- Introductions -

Hey! 

I'm Victoria Rodasta and this is my new blog for all things music. 

I plan to post every week on Mondays and Thursdays @ 12pm Central on what I'm decisively calling Miscellaneous Mondays and Theatre Thursdays. I'm sure you'd love to go read some posts now but first here's a little more about me!

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I'm sixteen years old (for another month at least), and will be graduating high school this May. I absolutely love music in general, and I’m not sure what I would say my taste in music really is, hence Miscellaneous Mondays lol.

I got the idea for this blog from my first college class, as one of our assignments was writing blog-style analysis posts (Those original two analyses probably being the first two Monday posts I’ll do) I loved getting to write them so I decided, ‘Hey why not try this blog thing out?’ So here we are!

I hope you’ll enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing! I can’t wait to begin this journey and I hope you’ll stay with me.

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