“I'm a Pensioner” by Sherzando – a review

There is one thing I can say with firm certainty about Ian's most recent offering: it is memorable. I heard it only once before I listened again today. Each time I remembered I had this review to write, I recalled the song easily: the tune, the chorus words, and the images. As long as you create something people remember without wishing they could forget, you have a winner. So, winner!

Other things I can say by way of conjecture. I assume that Ian must live in Auckland, since its signature Sky Tower land mark, appears in nearly half (I didn't count) of the scenes contained in his video.

Let's  start with the video. I've made no secret of my admiration of Ian's videos, but he HAS made it a secret as to exactly how these are created. AI figures largely, which he has confirmed. They are quite marvelous, and this one is the best so far. High quality CGI  animation and cleverly put together. The strolling 'silver fox' being lapped by furiously walking Gen Z's is an excellent touch. The image mirroring the laid back assurances of the lyrics. The progression of Grand Theft auto cars, each more luxurious and sporty than the last raises a smile. The (hopefully) outlandish sports in which the 'aged to perfection' senior citizen participates, makes me laugh. Kayaking is the tamest, I think. Hang gliding? Surfing? Mountain biking? Sailing solo? None are impossible, but where exactly is the photographer – kidding, nowhere, since it's AI generated. In any case, top marks for the video. Funny, clever, and excellent in quality.

The tune, as mentioned, is memorable because it is singable and catchy. It carries the song to the ear in a pleasant manner. Again, winner.
The lyrics are a bit squirmy, and in this sense the song is aided by the video. If for one second you took the lyrics seriously, that this guy really thinks he's all that, then it would be sad. However, the video makes it evident that the tongue is in the cheek, as this request mentioned.

So, Ian, I'm writing a novel and budgeting my time. Sorry it took a while to get to this review. I have to drag myself away from writing just now. I will open my thread again in February, at least I hope to be finished the novel by then. Thanks for sharing, and if you ever feel like emailing me and sharing your video creation in greater detail, I won't object.

Merry Christmas!

I salute you, Captain! 😎

Thank you very much for the offer to review songs. 
Hearing the opinion of someone with your experience is an opportunity I don't want to miss. 

Thanks in advance for taking the time, and best regards.


					

					

						
Starforged Requiem by BenEatH-Music
						

							

								Starforged Requiem - “Starforged Requiem (feat. ROMÆN) an epic hymn of fire, void, and rebirth. A journey through cosmic ruins, star-scorched paths, and the awakening of a power forged in the heart of a collapsing star. #melodic #metalrock #maleVocals #epic #newSong Starforged Requiem by BenEatH-Music
							
							
https://soundclick.com/song/15155869
							

						
					
				

Lyrics "Starforged Requiem"

We walk the ruins of a world burned hollow
Ash in our lungs, but the fire still follows
Forged in the heartbeat of a collapsing sun
Starforged shadows — we rise as one
Steel in our veins, and the truth in our eyes
Echoes of war in the cosmic night skies
Drifting through memories of fracture and flame
We carry the darkness, unbroken, untamed

Hear the pulse of the void ignite
Feel the surge as we reunite

This is the Requiem of the Starforged
Voices rising through the cosmic storm
We were broken — now reborn in fire
Bound as one, we ascend, we rise higher
This is the anthem of the void we claim
In the shadow of the stars, we speak our name

Through astral temples and forgotten spheres
We chase the ghosts of a thousand years
Our scars are stories carved into chrome
Warriors drifting far from home

But the core still burns with a silver flame
Calling us back, calling out our name
Through the silence of the nebula’s breath
We march again, defying death

Hear the pulse of the void ignite
Feel the surge as we reunite

This is the Requiem of the Starforged
Voices rising through the cosmic storm
We were broken — now reborn in fire
Bound as one, we ascend, we rise higher
This is the anthem of the void we claim
In the shadow of the stars, we speak our name

We stand in the glow of the astral blaze
Unshaken, unbound by the endless maze
Our fate rewired by celestial hands
Together we rise — together we stand

This is the Requiem of the Starforged
Hear our voices tear the night apart
We were shattered — now united stronger
Burning brighter, burning longer
This is the anthem of the void we claim
In the shadow of the stars, we speak our name.

“Bonfire in Watercolor” Everything Falls Under – A review (Pt.1) 

Approaching this review, my first thought was arrested in mid formulation... I was planning to begin this by saying, “As is usual with Thielus Grenon...” How absurd! Nothing about this artist's work is 'usual' – except that it is recognizable as being his own. If I had heard this track and not already known it was Grenon's handiwork, I fully believe I would have known it was him – or someone drinking the same creative elixir.  

That made me think more carefully: what makes an artist's work recognizable. Usually it's the voice. If I heard an Elvis track that had somehow escaped my hearing in the past, I would instantly know it was him. Same with other artists: Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, and many, many others. The voice is one of the most distinct auditory markers. Some guitarists, Hendrix or Clapton, had very recognizable styles, but I could easily be fooled – although Jimi's voice was very obviously his own.

But it is the marker of owning a distinct musical style that I have in mind. And Grenon's work is recognizable from its style. Everything, including his vocals, are subordinate to the style of the music. When I was trying to describe his vocals to myself, the term 'extension of the music' felt right. It is almost as if he camouflages his voice within the music. 

Partially this is a result of mixing ratios. The voice is not inaudible, but neither is it hot in the mix. However, the distinct nature of his work involves more than the mixing choices. Thielus almost invariably underscores each note with an instrument tracing the melody being sung. That might not seem particularly unusual, but it actually is. It is much more common that the first note of a phrase be supported by instrumental emphasis than that every note should be so supported. In fact, with this artist it is often not just an instrument supporting each syllable that is sung, but percussion – drum hits -- as well.  

There are other distinct features typical of Grenon's work. There is a dark pensive feeling to the music. This is largely, I think, due to his chord selection. I may be wrong, because my musical theory is quite weak. Unless I pick up a guitar and check, I'm guessing, but his material is usually minor sounding, and not straight minors either. Sounds like elevenths and ninths and so on. I didn't dig out my guitar to verify this observation, and I know that better trained ears would know for certain. My ears are not only poorly trained, but are increasingly deaf! Sigh.

Then their is the lyrical content of Grenon's work, itself an extension of his subject matter, and again, both usually dark or shadowy in nature. Certainly not sunshine bright – even though this song is about bright colors.

“Bonfire in Watercolor” Everything Falls Under – A review (Pt.2) 

So, the entire brew that Thielus cooks up for each track, makes his work very much his own and highly recognizable. One other common feature is that I always admire his work. This song is no exception.

What is interesting to me is that this track works while working against itself. I mean that the song is about bright colors but is not musically vibrantly bright. It is, as I mentioned, dark. Consider the chorus:

Taking time now with our steps
We walk away all life regret
Seek a world bright painted day
With you here... always

I certainly appreciate the sentiment. Over the years, a long walk – day or night – has been very therapeutic for me. It helps me process, decompress, gain new perspectives, and unwind. But here's the thing, with this song's musical backing, it does not feel as if 'life regret' has been successfully walked away. It sounds more like it has been trodden down into the soul.

For anyone who has endured through reading a number of my reviews, you will know I have often made reference to a measuring sticks I use to guage successful art: does the message match the  means or method?  Basically, is the chosen approach in agreement with the artist's intention.  

This song indicates that there is a problem with that approach to assessment. Namely, can one be sure of the artist's intention? I ask myself, can one really way away one's life regret? The answer is probably not, although you try the regrets follow you home. So, maybe there is an element of irony here – intended or otherwise. The song is sad and it communicates sadness, not joy. But then the project's name is 'Everything Falls Under.' True.

Every time I visit this artist's page, I'm reminded of a fact that surprises me. He has a very meager number of songs posted. Each one is memorable, each is different, and each is distinctly his. It surprises me chiefly because there is such creativity in his tracks, and this assures me of a fecund imagination. It makes me wonder why there are so few tracks posted. It might be – just guessing – that he holds himself to a high standard and if a song doesn't achieve what he is looking for, it won't see the public. However, the tracks are worth the wait.

“Bonfire in Watercolor” Everything Falls Under – A review (Pt.3) 

I admire the brief grace notes supplied by the guitar. They are like an audio filigree, charming and lovely.

Two last things: Grenon's work always makes me think of a medieval setting. I can feature this being performed in a nobleman's grand hall before a fireplace with dancing light flickering off of stone walls. There is something lute-like about the guitar work. It might just be a personal association, for – truly – what does anyone know for sure about the music played in such places remote in time? Maybe Hollywood has supplied that to me, not sure. 

The final thing is that as I was streaming this track and when the final note came, I was expecting a reprise or follow up. Subsequent streams have left the same impression. During the song there are a few audio caesuras – pauses, and that is probably the structural reason for anticipating more. But emotionally as well, there is a feeling of something left unresolved. Maybe it can't be resolved. Not sure.

Thielus, thank  you for getting back into recording. I wanted to let you know that as you come in the door, I'm going out. I'm 70 years old and my hands often ache, my desire to record is on the wane. Not sure if I will be stopping permanently, but I am taking a break for at least two months. In part, this is because I have a novel brewing in my soul. I'm having a hard time getting back into the writing process, but I feel I should do so. God bless and the Lord give you the solace you seek. I appreciate you, brother.