The Cholent: Savage Garden 25 years later
I have no idea why they chose this name for their band
I have been busy at work this week learning new things (software testing, poetry, etc.) so I haven’t been so much in the news, and also not that much has really gotten my goat (aside from the lack of cucumbers at the supermarket this week). I’ve also been out visiting new parts of Tel Aviv (see pics) so instead I decided to try something that I have never done before (and review posts do 50% better than other posts) and that is to listen to an entire album from start to finish.
Savage Garden: Affirmation
I chose this album because the song “I Knew I Loved You” reached 7 on the Billboard Top 100 this week in 1999, which (don’t cry) was now 25 years ago. This places me right in 9th grade at the beginning of high school, and I will try and take the music from this perspective as well. I am not familiar with any of their work and the other Top 6 were from artists I had already heard of or were Rap, which I’m not so interested in. For whatever reason, I have never been that much into music. I think it stems from two things:
I find it very difficult to hear lyrics
Because of this I can’t remember lyrics and find it hard to analyze the poetry that is contained therein
So here is a live blog of the “Affirmation” album from Savage Garden:
Song 1: Affirmation
This song is a long list of “affirmations”, so it sticks with its title quite well. Each line begins with “I believe”, which isn’t really an affirmation, I guess, so -1 point there. The affirmations are also quite agreeable, basic, and good for self-esteem. Some also provide commentary that remains true today, such as: “I believe that the only people to disagree are millionaires”.
Got someone else’s sound into my headphones!
The middle part of the song has some religious overtones. I like the beat and keyboard/electric guitar.
Song score: 6.3
Song 2: Hold Me
Slower in beat than Affirmation. Focus on problem solving. Seems like the song is discussing a fight between a couple and the instigator feels remorseful. This is the tone of the song and the music. The chorus “Hold me tonight” accurately captures what one would feel after having a fight with their loved one. Though I don’t think in reality it switches back so fast. Though as the song progresses it seems like the fights go much deeper and longer, yet he still desires her to “hold me tonight”. Is this an unrealistic expectation? Not for one who lives in a Savage Garden!
I liked this song better than “Affirmation” but I’m going to deduct some points for being slightly unrealistic.
Song score: 7.9
Song 3: I Knew I Loved You
This is the most popular song on the album this week in 1999. This is a song about love at first sight. This song is even slower than the first two. The song has a slightly creepy approach as the chorus says: “I think I dreamed you into life”. Aside from this, it is a beautiful love song, and I think has many of the qualities that could land it on the Top 100.
Song score: 7.5
Song 4: The Best Thing
Another love song saying the partner is the best thing about the person singing the song. This song is a little bit more physical and descriptive than the songs that have come before. Perhaps this is the start of an arc on the album? Is that a thing? I guess we’ll find out! I like the tune here the most so far. Chorus takes up too much of the end.
Coming back to this song during editing I keep on liking it more and more but I won’t tamper with the score since all the others are based on first impressions. This is definitely the one that is stuck in my head the most.
Song score: 6.1
Song 5: Crash and Burn
Speaks about the reliability of the person singing the song when the woman (?) is in distress. Describes in metaphorical detail psychological issues the woman is experiencing. Stresses the importance of partnership through good and bad. Expresses hope that things will pass. Slow beat. I can take or leave this one.
Song score: 5
Song 6: Chained to You
Very 80s’ish chords. This flips the script and makes the man the “weaker” one in the relationship. He is crippled by the love between the two of them. This is the second song in a row that mentions fantasy type things like magic and flying off into the sky (previous song). Slightly obsessive. Are the chains physical or metaphorical?
Song score: another 5
Song 7: The Animal Song
Singer wants to “live like an animal careless and free”. Takes a philosophical track, which I think is interesting compared to the rest of the album so far. This song definitely stands on its own compared to everything else. I’m not sure I have heard many pop songs about animals. Also impressive this song hasn’t been appropriated by some kids TV show about animals. What is a song about animals doing on an album of love songs? Lots of questions. I like it.
Song score: 8.2
Song 8: The Lover After Me
Futuristic music. The different kids of music on this album is impressive. The song is directed at a former lover, but I can’t quite make out the message the singer is trying to make.
Song score: I should probably listen again, not going to score
Song 9: Two Beds and a Coffee Machine
Piano takes the lead here. Again, very talented musicians. Describes the aftermath of a big fight from the woman’s perspective. Got physical. Woman leaves the home for the nth time. Lots of considerations when splitting, including most importantly the kids. Keep on moving despite the ditches, this is when time goes fast.
Song score: 8, hits the feelings
Song 10: You Can Still Be Free
Deep bass which my earbuds can’t handle. Another slow song. 9 songs about love, gotta have one about death. Time vs. freedom. Least favorite song so far.
Song score: 3
Song 11: Gunning Down Romance
I think we have an arc here. What is the animal song’s purpose as that seems to be the turn in the arc? Is love human, but loss animalistic?
Love is an essential component of self-esteem.
Had to wrap up before I could give it a score and I don’t even remember the tune. No score.
Song 12: I Don’t Know You Anymore
A final assessment of the stages of a relationship. The breakup is now distant and the memories are strong, yet fading. There might be a hint of remorse. Speaking distantly to the former partner. People change over time especially when they are not within the same sphere as much anymore. Everything we go through impacts us and “changes our name”.
Score: 8.5
Overall Review
So there we have it. I have listened to my first complete album and fired off my first thoughts about it. As mentioned in the song notes, I think the savages (?) are trying to express through song different parts of a relationship. This is a typical arc that can be seen in literature and other art, so I don’t see why it can’t apply to music. Is this typical of an entire album? I don’t know, maybe I’ll listen to others. As pop music I do think it was targeted at individuals who are going through these experiences, so mostly teens and 20-year-olds who I believe drive most of Billboard 100 charts even today. I also don’t see anything terribly alarming about how they frame those stages. I think it is mostly healthy, certainly not anything overtly inappropriate in their lyrics or demeaning to either side of a relationship.
As for the band themselves, they actually did not produce anything after this album and broke up shortly thereafter. According to Wikipedia, one of them is now a realtor. Life is funny like that. Or is it just another instance of life imitating art?
Overall album score: 7.9. Good musical talent, good vocals and lyrics, some random animal stuff thrown in.