Track: Blackbird
Artist: Alter Bridge
Album: Blackbird
Album: Blackbird
Year: 2007
Genre: Hard Rock
Alter Bridge was a late bloomer in my playlists and musical journey. It deserved more than being an untouched folder in my library. There would be the one-off occasion when I would shuffle this folder in the background while browsing cat GIFs, scrolling endlessly on Facebook and partaking in other stupid activities I was well known for indulging in. Cat GIFs are the absolute best.
It's been five years since those days, and I am delighted to say that this hard-hitting rock band from Florida has finally claimed its rightful place in my daily life and received the respect that it deserves.
Blackbird is one of those songs, when they once enter my playlists, threaten never to leave. It is a musical masterpiece from everyone in the band. Tremonti starts this track off with an unmistakable introduction which has become THAT moment in an AB concert when every member of the audience is gripped by emotion. Myles joins in with a vocal performance that mirrors the feeling of every listener's core link to anything that is filled with despair, hope and freedom in the world.
Every power chord switch before Myles' iconic lyrics twists and releases, wrenches and lets go of your gut in a way that only music can do:
Alter Bridge was a late bloomer in my playlists and musical journey. It deserved more than being an untouched folder in my library. There would be the one-off occasion when I would shuffle this folder in the background while browsing cat GIFs, scrolling endlessly on Facebook and partaking in other stupid activities I was well known for indulging in. Cat GIFs are the absolute best.
It's been five years since those days, and I am delighted to say that this hard-hitting rock band from Florida has finally claimed its rightful place in my daily life and received the respect that it deserves.
Blackbird is one of those songs, when they once enter my playlists, threaten never to leave. It is a musical masterpiece from everyone in the band. Tremonti starts this track off with an unmistakable introduction which has become THAT moment in an AB concert when every member of the audience is gripped by emotion. Myles joins in with a vocal performance that mirrors the feeling of every listener's core link to anything that is filled with despair, hope and freedom in the world.
Every power chord switch before Myles' iconic lyrics twists and releases, wrenches and lets go of your gut in a way that only music can do:
"Let the wind carry you home
Blackbird, fly away!
May you never be broken again"
I always imagine an epic back story to this epilogue of a song. A grand story about a metaphorical blackbird, with big dreams and big plans, and a heart as courageous as a lion's. How this blackbird is deceived and captured and subjected to the most abject of conditions by yet another abstract and evil entity (or not! I haven't made up my mind yet. Maybe I'll write a couple of short stories on this topic and let you decide!).
This song continues to tug at one's heartstrings as it creeps into a memorable crescendo which leaves you very, very satisfied with the last few minutes of your life. The two back to back solos by Tremonti and Myles were voted the best in 2011, defeating behemoths like Slash, van Halen, Jimmy Page, Hendrix, Petrucci, Steve Vai and David Gilmour by a wide margin.
This song leaves you happier, leaves you a little better prepared to take life on. I know I have been rambling in this post, but you need something to read while this 8 minute long gem approaches it's conclusion, right?
I have always had fun at Alter Bridge concerts, and I look forward to listening to more of their music- old and unreleased alike. If you are feeling adventurous and feel like expanding your musical spectrum from the usual Chainsmokers and Coldplay way of life, I highly suggest you check these guys out on The Last Hero tour in a city near you. I am sure you have better things to do than be a witness to the confession of a mattress thief from Boulder.
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