happy new year/decade/era!

In celebration of the new year, I've decided to jump start my music blog. There's been so much superficial music around that it's a breath of fresh air to go back to the artists you can always rely on for some quality sound tripping. (p.s. thank you Philippines, for that interesting term.)

The artist I'm going to write about is someone whom I admire very much. Not only does she have a powerhouse voice, but she has this amazing ability to write songs that I identify with, regardless of similar experiences. Something about her words, her style, just resonates with who I am. It's as if what she writes is what I'd like to say, but never thought that it was exactly what I wanted to say or what I was feeling until I hear the song.

This artist is none other than Rachael Lampa.

Right now, her material is skewed toward the secular market, but I really don't care. Her music is quality to me and she hasn't disappointed me yet.

I have a feeling that the next few songs I'll be writing about will be by her as well. Her Human [EP] got the better of me. =P

The first song that really caught my ear was "Avalanche". It's this amazing power ballad that seems to be Rachael's forte.

Avalanche

Should've known the moment that we met
I was walking on the edge I guess
I should've watched my step
I should've known it when I felt the rush
Never has a single touch
Ever meant so much

If I would've paid more attention
Then I wouldn't be in this condition

There's an avalanche happening inside of me
Falling in love way too fast way too deep, so
Look out below
Look out below
Once it gets started there's no way to stop
An avalanche inside my heart

Something must be shifting underneath
Just begun, too late to run
No escape for me
I know this was a possibility
Falling in love
Kinda dangerous
But it's worth it all to me

I put myself in this position
Maybe I want just what I'm getting

There's an avalanche happening inside of me
Falling in love way too fast way too deep, so
Look out below
Look out below
Once it gets started there's no way to stop
This avalanche

I never knew it would be this high
I don't really know how to fly
As long as you're falling with me
That's all I need

I don't know where I'm gonna land
And I don't have to understand
Too late to play it safe
Too late to try to escape

There's an avalanche happening inside of me
Falling in love way too fast way too deep, so
Look out below
Look out below
Cuz once it gets started there's no way to stop
An avalanche inside my heart

Should've known the moment that we met

Part of the reason why I loved this song right off the bat (besides the fact that it's a signature "Rachael" ballad) is that it reminds me of one of my previous entries, No Other One. The song doesn't build as much as No Other One because there isn't much added to the second verse, just an echo to the snare. I'm also a sucker for piano ballads with good riffs and a really melodic backbone to the song.

My favorite part of the song is, hands down, the bridge. Just like No Other One, Lampa dials up the volume and makes it more intense by adding a lightly distorted electric guitar and pumps it up with the harder hitting drums. I think the most beautiful part of the music is the strings - how it's just so subtle, but when you can pick out the strings' melody, it truly is beautiful. I feel like I'm on that free fall that she describes, but feeling confident I'll end up flying instead of scared that I'd fall with a less-than-soft landing. The chorus after the bridge still works with that buildup and for some reason it leaves me feeling as if I'm gliding through my own free will, and content. Her voice is exudes the exact tenderness and power the words and music tempo calls for, and I'm happy to report that her vocal ability definitely executes it perfectly. It's almost as if by the end of the bridge, the conviction Rachael's voice expresses makes you feel that you've gone from being unsure about this fall, to confident and in control. By the start of the chorus, you own that free fall. You are not afraid. You welcome the rush and embrace it.

When it comes to the meaning of this song, I can't help but think of it in both a romantic and a Christian way. The romantic meaning is definitely more self explanatory. A tale of uncertainty, doubt, self-discovery, confidence, and peace amongst perceived chaos. A change in perspective in the midst of self-deliberation. Trust. Of course, these principles are also prominent in the Christian interpretation of this song. It's always easier to explain the song in terms of relationship between people, but when it's a matter of faith, it's open to be interpreted in a more personal way since faith is different with everyone.

To me, this song used to be about love between two people. I've often had flashbacks to the last time I've felt like I was "falling in love way too fast, way too deep". The butterflies in the stomach, the heart melting, everything. What a good feeling to relive! But when I took a second look at this song, I saw it as another one of Rachael's ballads to God. This isn't just falling in love with anyone, it was falling in love with God. Now I know it sounds a little bit funny, but just because we have one word for love, it doesn't mean that we can only understand one type of love.

This song transforms itself into a journey of one's faith and learning to trust in Him. For instance, the first verse can mean that you've just known Him but you weren't really sure about what you wanted from the relationship. But now that you've been "touched" by Him, you realize exactly what it does to you. As we say in Liwanag - you are ruined for life. You can never be the same. Also that this revelation has caught you by surprise, and if you would have seen it coming, it wouldn't have been such a startling discovery. Now that the avalanche has started, you feel yourself changing and you can't return to the person you used to be.

Now it comes back to the bridge, my favorite part. This is actually the part where I thought the song could be interpreted in a Christian way.

I never knew it would be this high
I don't really know how to fly
As long as you're falling with me
That's all I need

I don't know where I'm gonna land
And I don't have to understand
Too late to play it safe
Too late to try to escape

Here is where I feel that the you realize the macro view of your faith's journey. It's a long road ahead, or, in this case, a long fall. It's more than you've anticipated, and you don't have any clue as to what to do. You've just gotten to this point and it was hard enough, but now seeing everything, it just seems improbable. NOT impossible. This is the point of complete surrender to Him, knowing that He's all you need in that journey, even if you don't know what you're doing and how to do what you've set out to do. You also don't know where you'll end up in life, but you don't have to understand His plan for you. You're already put all your chips in and there's no turning back. You gotta stick it out! By the end of this bridge and the beginning of the next chorus, that fear has just turned itself into confidence that you'll be okay at the end.

So really, just let go. Don't be afraid of someone moving you in such a way that you are beside yourself. Enjoy the free fall. Spread your wings, and glide.