Year: 1995
Country: USA
Running time: 7 mins. 56 secs.
Spotify link
YouTube link
The American progressive rock group Echolyn peaked quite early. While I consider Mei (2002) their true masterpiece, it seems that the majority of their fans prefer the earlier release As the World (1995) which was their third full length album and the first one recorded for a major label. It was this album and the band's differences of opinion with Sony Music that actually caused them to split up for several years, only to reform five years later to record Cowboy Poems Free (2000).
While As the World contains several powerful songs, I have always felt it to be way too uneven in comparison with Mei. For every truly masterful song such as Entry 11-19-93, One for the Show and A Habit Worth Forming there are at least a couple of forgettable ones included. But the real masterstroke comes at the end. The last of the - count them! - 16 tracks on the album is the absolute masterpiece that is still to be surpassed in the entire output of the group.
Never the Same concludes As the World in a grandiose fashion. The subject of the 8-minute song is nothing less than life everlasting.
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there I did not die
I say to you I will see you again
On the other side someday
The group's message about nothing ever really dying might seem silly were it not supported by possibly their strongest composition ever. After repeated verses, the chorus expands to proportions that are at the same time pathetic and extremely moving. And no matter whether you take the idea of reincarnation or an everlasting soul seriously, you cannot help being impressed by the way Echolyn deliver this particular message. You must have a heart of stone if your eyes are still dry by the time the song starts to fade out, repeating the following lines.
After the song is over
The dance goes on, so dance away
When all is said and done
Remember what's been given
Not taken away
Ei kommentteja:
Lähetä kommentti