This week marks the anniversary of the week of first dates my husband and I had 11 years ago. One of our first dates was a Ball of Wax release show. That was a bright time of new feelings rising to the surface. Anticipation. Nerves. Excitement. Dreams. That time 11 years ago stands in stark contrast to the state of the world during this year’s week of dates. Things can feel a bit stale after a year of quarantine and isolation. Suspended and stagnating in inertia, yet bathed and bubbling in anxiety. I’ve never before had so much insight into the mouse on the wheel before.
What am I going on about? I’m not quite sure, but this song by The Weird Winkers is very right now. It has a leisurely pace, giving it the feeling of friends playing folk songs in a rec hall, whilst also buckling under the perilous weight of frustration from seemingly intractable problems. The perceived futility of advocating for positive change when the tendency of inertia is to stick with what feels safe. And that it may feel safer in the middle. However, between two diverging points is a far cry from safe. When what may actually be needed is a bold gesture to span the great divide, don’t compromise when it comes to integrity – and do listen to this song.
Piano rings out into the open space, vocals and bass are up front, and guitars fill in the background with a clean and concise solo from the electric. This is a good song and I love the way Brian’s voice complements the arrangement.