Commentary on Devotchka’s Masterful “Straight Shot”
What makes a song stand out from all the other millions of songs out there? Is it the way the melody vibrates its way through your ears into the inner-most crevices of your brain? Is it the particular syncopation between the lyric and your sense of self? Or is it the voice, just loud enough alert the fine hairs on the back of your neck that a force great than you is calling.
Many of us have found that one song that causes us to stop on a dime and listen, that reverberate with us and can stand in for our souls. You may have even found a few of those songs if you're lucky. All songs are not made equal and sometimes you come across that special song that you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
I was on my computer one late afternoon when I clicked on the music video for Devotcka’s Straight Shot. The opening melody pulled me to my feet as the fever of movement took hold. Then came Nick's voice. His melancholy lamentation soared through my heart. My eyes welled and my throat clenched. I watched myself as a child navigating the ancient, enlightened streets in the Republic of Georgia, experiencing the smells of my youth in a synesthetic embrace. And then, bit-by-bit, the fever of dance returned! This mixture of emotions caused me turmoil unlike I have felt before.
To Devotchka, all I want to say is thank you for such a brilliant work. This song will remain with me for eternity.
