Even if Her Words Destroy My Dinosaur Life

rcstartthemachine:

Don’t be fooled by the perfect pop guitar and infectious hooks. Hidden beneath these plotted structures and radio-friendly riffs rest a collection of raw and almost too real tales of heartache. If you’re not paying careful attention and just giving Motion City Soundtrack a passing glance, it might never dawn on you that they are actually sad bastards. 

“Hold Me Down” for example, the closer to Motion City Soundtrack’s Commit This To Memory, lends a spotlight look into the scraped knees and bruised egos that come with trying to get your shit together. Presented in a candid, letter-received form, the song’s lyrics take on a confessional approach. The author of the Dear John death sentence admits to being in love, but also reflect on the sacrifices and restrictions that are required to remain in that state. The leaving party confesses after a list of changes and memories, “I love you, however, you hold me down.” 

The song manages to capture an angle of depression and addiction in a manner that few artists have the bravery to approach. There is absolutely no filter. The pain and vulnerability presented to the listener is as real and honest as it comes in music. This genuine approach to songwriting builds a bridge between Motion City Soundtrack and its listeners. Beautifully, this creates an almost “group therapy through audio” effect to the song, reminding the listener that they are not alone in their emotions. There is something extremely comforting in finding some light in that regardless of it stemming from the darkness in an artists life. Motion City Soundtrack’s ability to creation and stir such emotion in complete strangers is the exact reason that musicians butterfly into legends.