It could be said that one of the more unsavory aspects of the human condition is our inability to change. Most of us accept this intractable thorn in the collective side of our humanity, one that would prevent us from enacting instant, life-altering change. This theme of transcendence can be found in almost every story ever told, its ubiquitousness felt deep within the annals of human mythology. The notion that change is not possible, and that we are forever made prisoner by the staying power of early childhood trauma, sits formidably at the forefront of our consciousness. Can patterns be broken? Can we develop new and improved modes of thought and behavior? Can we reconcile past failure so that we may fulfill our latent potential?
Many choose to ignore such questions, accepting that which they believe cannot be changed. In doing so they impose upon themselves a diminishing limitation which often times devolves into abhorrent and pervasive embitterment. Fortunately, there are some who challenge this grim pathos. They stand at the poignant meeting place between tranquility and aggression, refusing to compromise as they will the change they so fervently desire. Suffice it to say that there are only two choices in this life: to wallow or to rage; and it is clear as day that Aaron Bruno—frontman for the band Awolnation—is choosing the latter.
If what they say is true, that revenge lies in the hands of the creator, Bruno is extracting the sweetest of revenges upon whatever (or whomever) shackled his soul in the first place. His unabashed vocal—steeped in a soulful rasp—is the focal point on each track on their debut album “Megalithic Symphony.” Bruno’s ethos, emblazoned within each note sung, not only stares down the metaphorical shadow of his imprisonment, but engages it with zeal.
On the album’s most notable single, “Sail,” we bare outright witness to this inner battle and glean the essence of what conquering one’s inner demons is truly about. As the song begins, we are immediately given an incendiary metronome to bob our heads to and within seconds Bruno’s vocals throw fuel on that fire. The brighter the light, however, the darker the shadow and in this sonic paradox, the darkness gives way to light. Bruno’s howling confessional evokes images of him sailing through the black metaphorical waters of doubt and self-loathing. In this manner he tells us of what ails him, that being a debilitating mental disorder that pushes him to the brink of suicide. By the end of the lyric, however, we are led to believe that Bruno experiences catharsis, emerging victoriously whilst changed anew. Would that our own fate be the same.
Brian West’s symphonic production on the track is superb and is the guiding force on which Bruno’s expressive vocal soars. Embedded in the track are well-crafted scene changes to keep the ear’s attention fixed. Add to that a heavy militant stomp beat, ethereal female background vocals, subtle string plucking, and a full dose of electro-pop sonics and our attention span lasts for the entirety of the track. Having said that, it comes as no surprise that the single peaked at #10 on the U.S. Billboard Rocks Songs, has gone platinum in the U.S. and double platinum in Canada, for it is truly anthemic.
A metronome, by definition, is “a device used by musicians that marks time at a selected rate by giving a regular tick.” Simply put, it counts time. Time is an imposing construct—an unintelligible and insouciant micromanager constantly beading up our brows. It can be tormenting in its steady reminder of its passage. In the acceptance and rethinking of it, however— just like the acceptance and rethinking of one’s Self—there lies enlightenment, liberation, and peace. In “Sail,” as in other Awolnation tracks such as “Run” and the aptly titled “Soul Wars,” we see the band’s continued exploration of the human condition, its relationship to time, and its thirst for change. Ironically, Awolnation’s music (this is true of all music really) relies on that which it fights so hard to free itself from, time. If time is constantly passing and change is what is desired, it is encouraging to know that Bruno has taken up the task of engaging with the darker side of humanity, if for no other reason than to transcend it. That we may take a page form his book and muster the strength to follow in his metaphysical footsteps is a formidable yet necessary challenge. For as terrifying as it might be, it is only through the acknowledgement of our own darkness that we may hope to pass through and move forward, buoyantly, into the light.
