Focus. An act of concentrating interest or activity on something. It’s funny how we can lose focus on things that are important and start to get caught up in minutia. Though minutia isn’t bad unless it’s the wrong minutia. I’m learning that I need to take a step back once in a while and stop over thinking things as they relate to interaction with other people. I had a couple of good chats with family and friends yesterday and it made me realize I do need to stop, take a breath, and look around once in a while.
The thought of where I’m putting my attention needs to get back onto a project I started last year. It’s time I put a bunch of energy into finishing it. I’m going to let some of the irons I’ve had in the fire sit to see how they stoke themselves and come back to them later. In the meantime, I need to retrain my focus. Regain the vision that I’ve had, the one that got blindsided and sidetracked.
I recently came across this song due to someone looking to learn to play guitar and sing from me. I was familiar with the band but not really with much of their music. This song is rather interesting though. First off the title. Nine in the Afternoon. Instantly makes you wonder, what the hell is nine in the afternoon. Isn’t that evening? Obviously we’re now suspending reality to step into this world.
The vibe of the music instantly makes me think of Wings, Jellyfish, or Imperial Drag. Watching the video certainly harkens towards Jellyfish or even the Beatles. The twist comes in a few little spots in the music itself. There’s a driving 8th note beat with the chords thru a good portion of the verse. However at a couple of spots they drop an 8th note for a measure of 7/8. It’s very sly how it’s done. Due to the driving of the beat you almost don’t notice it until you hear the drums feel backwards on beat, until a little bit later the drums skip around to get back on the drive.
Of course the ending of the song is very Beatles. Slowly letting everything wind down and having people do their thing as it closes out.
The telling thing about it is that they’ve given a pop song a nifty turn on it’s head and made it work. Definitely gives me ideas to implant into some of the songs I’m going to be finishing before too long.
Put Panic at the Disco on your Radar! Get ’em now.