I've
been listening to music for a long time. As far as I remember, since the day I
was born (there's a VHS recording of that day and some music playing in the
background). Because of my parents' influence, everywhere I go, I listen to
music whenever is possible. Their taste differs a little from mine, but still
it has some influence on me. Although, I was heavily influenced by my brother.
He's the one who introduced me to non-Brazilian and rock/metal artists. When
this influence comes to my mind, the first name I remember is Guardian. I have a vague memory of my brother renting
the album "Miracle Mile" in a local shop named "Alegro
Cantante" (this part I've asked him haha). That was the first contact with
rock music I remember.
Guardian
have never left our home. When we lived with our parents, when we lived only
among brothers and, now, each one living on our own. We listened to the band
together, played not only in the CD player but also with our instruments. Their
music truly influenced us. We have listened to their whole discography and
discussed about it, such as the best albums and songs. Between the albums,
they've walked through different genres. They started with hard rock, went grunge,
heavy metal and, today's focus, folk and acoustic.
Because of
the abrupt change to a folk/acoustic
tone in the "Swing, Swang, Swung" album, Guardian were criticised by
their "old-school fans" for leaving behind their rock and metal
roots. They always enjoyed experimenting new grounds and that's the reason I
love them. Although I don't enjoy their Spanish-sung albums, they do have great
versions of the English songs in them.
I can see
lots of blues, and the aforementioned folk, influence in their playing and singing
style in this album. It makes you feel like dancing and also gives a relaxation
vibe. At the same time you find funny songs, you'll also find deep-themed ones
("See You Heaven" is Tony Palacios's homage to his mother who passed
away¹). The lyrics are
Christian-themed because Guardian is a Christian band.
In
this happy-relaxation-dancing style, the songs I like the most, in the order
they show up, are:
- They Way Home Back
- C'mon Everyone
- Like The Sun
- Don't Say That It's Over
- See You In Heaven
- Let The Whole World
- Still On My Mind
Listening
to this album brings me back to older times where things were simpler and
easier. Nostalgia fills me. Even if you don't know the band or haven't listened
to this album when you were younger, you will probably feel embraced by this
feeling because it sounds like that.
¹This information was orally spread, I believe. Maybe
it's in some of the VHSs they released at that time. I
couldn't find any online source mentioning it, though it's guessable because of
the lyrics and the videoclip.
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