Be Sure to Wear Your Helmet When You Fly
Through the Wood, Across the Snow & Light the Lamppost - Vanity Mirror
I’ve always struggled with the idea of calling a single “a single”. I feel like recently the music world’s definition of single fits more with the word itself, but then again, many bands prefer to do things the retro way and release both an A-side and a B-side. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. After all, who’s going to be mad about getting two for the price of one? Plus, when a band gets the balance right between the two songs, it’s not something to be missed. This is precisely what Vanity Mirror did with their stellar August release of “Through the Wood, Across the Snow” & “Light the Lamppost”, a single that captures both the bright highs and dark lows of the human experience, whether intentional or not.
I was happy to see Emitt Rhodes on the list of influences in Vanity Mirror’s Spotify bio, because “Through the Wood, Across the Snow” certainly fills the Emitt Rhodes shaped hole in my heart! This comparison was solidified for me through the crisp and precise piano sound that complements the slightly fuzzy vocal quality perfectly. The song also has a rolling drum style that keeps the listener interesting, while also dropping little treats here and there in the form of sweet, breathy flute (or some kind of wind instrument), and great backing vocals that are just prominent enough to add depth to the lead while also not overshadowing it. “Through the Wood, Across the Snow” also has a lovely bridge section, one that I have now placed in my list of “greatest bridges of all time”.
“Light the Lamppost” is a perfect foil to “Through the Wood, Across the Snow”, a strong B-side to rely on. I think this might be the first song I’ve ever heard a typewriter on, if only slightly. Makes me think typewriters should be more prominent on songs! The piano and vocal quality seem to swap from the A-side to the B-side, as the piano sounds older, more weathered, while the vocals are front and center, ready to be enjoyed. And enjoyed they should be, ENJOYED in capital letters, even! I’m always a sucker for a good chest to falsetto voice switch, and this is a great display of that phenomenon, so perfect in fact that I just had to sit back and soak it in before thinking of what to write. I personally really enjoy the moment when the piano pauses with the pedal still on, making the notes hang in the air, lengthen and morph and color the otherwise quiet atmosphere in pastel blues and pinks. It’s a short bit of the song, but the part that convinced me to go back for more.
“Through the Wood, Across the Snow” and “Light the Lamppost” have very different feels to them. The former is a song that could fit perfectly on The Kinks are The Village Green Preservation Society, while the latter is a kindred spirit to Thom Yorke & Flea’s “Daily Battles”. It’s like opening a present wrapped perfectly with a big red bow to find a bobblehead and a pack of pencils. “Through the Wood, Across the Snow” is the bobblehead, a reminder to stay whimsical and optimistic about what’s to come, while “Light the Lamppost” also reminds you of what’s to come but in a more serious way, grounding you. This single gives you wings but tells you to wear a helmet when you fly just in case you fall. It shows you that while life can get you down sometimes, you can always look at it through rose-colored glasses to gain a new perspective.
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