The strength of “Western Children” is its rotational use of group vocals. Arkivist is a trio in which all three members have the skills to be lead vocalists. When one or two of the members sing, the sound is pleasing. When the three harmonize, the result is soothing and drop-all-activity dazzling.
During “Western Children,” the simplicity of the instrumental support allows the voices to stand front and center. The instruments are interesting, but nonintrusive. This leaves the message of the song unmasked. According to Arkivist’s submission on SubmitHub:
During “Western Children,” the simplicity of the instrumental support allows the voices to stand front and center. The instruments are interesting, but nonintrusive. This leaves the message of the song unmasked. According to Arkivist’s submission on SubmitHub:
"This song was written after Jonny (keys/vocals) came out, publicly sharing that he was gay. His announcement brought the band closer together, starting a new era for both Jonny and the group. Rallying to support Jonny, Ben (guitar/vocals) wrote this song. Ben’s newfound connection with Jonny’s personal story caused him to reassess his own experience with some of the people in his life who were less accepting (older mentors and friends). This song is in support of Jonny, directed at people in the older generation who are less accepting of homosexual love. It both seeks to support acceptance and also acknowledge the complexity of these issue in our culture today."
Arkivist is based in Los Angeles, but identifies their hometown as Portland, Oregon. The members are Ben Weyerhaeuser (vocals, guitar), Jonny Hicks (keys, synth, vocals), and Chris Neff (drums, vocals).
“Western Children” by Arkivist
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkivistmusic
Website: http://www.arkivistmusic.com/
Lyrics of “Western Children” by Arkivist
Shake your head, roll your eyes
Stop, you're failing to realize
Your grand assumption.
I know what I call myself
You can call me something else
But now who's judging?
The numbers not looking good for you
Your old views dying
They'll be dying with you too
We're not going backwards to before
Not giving up on our progression
Once occurred
We're just western children, don't know nothing
Falling in love with the changes coming
Already done, already done
The western children, who read it different
Your view could be right, but it probably isn't
Not with us, you're just shadows and dust
You stand upon your podium
Claiming truth, but you've just
One opinion
Much you've taught and I learned
Now away I must turn
From the listening
Well read are others just like you
But conclusions, they come to
Form different views
These others' views unlike yourself
They are not coming to an end
So farewell
We're just western children, don't know nothing
Falling in love with the changes coming
Already done, already done
The western children, who read it different
Your view could be right, but it probably isn't
Not with us, you're just shadows and dust
The young ones
They all left your town.
Not coming back
There's no one to listen to you now
Funny, to you
It's of no suprise.
But given all the options
Why don't you change your mind?
We're just western children, don't know nothing
Falling in love with the changes coming
Already done, already done
The western children, who read it different
Your view could be right, but it probably isn't
Not with us, you're just shadows and dust.
Yes
ReplyDelete