metric reflection

Burning Codes in the atmosphere

Few things in the world shine brighter than sheer euphoria, that wave of emotion that washes over you upon the realization of success.  It can start in your scalp; where it pulls the skin around the hair follicles a tiny bit tighter and holds it for one, maybe two beats – and then it’s all simultaneously released, photons shooting through your skin to  electrify your toes.  Your chest expands, and no matter the temperature, the time of day, the environs, you can find yourself warmed by giddy enthusiasm.

As wonderful as that is, nothing compares to waves and waves of euphoria crashing across a crowd.  And at that point it’s not euphoria, it’s something else – a brotherly love maybe – that unites the crowd.  It happens at church, where the organ pipes lend a hand, lifting the crowd on their ancient notes.  It happens at the candlelight vigil, where the mourners are united by the somber glow of the flickering flames, their shared anxieties and frustrations.  It’s not quite euphoria, then, because it’s not always joy; instead, it’s an expression of the shared moment.

Burning Codes can provide that soundtrack.  Their debut self titled album is a choral triumph – though the harmonies, I’m pretty sure, all feature just band member Paul Archer – backed by atmospheric guitar arrangements.  A lot of bands (*cough* Coldplay *cough*), when they tap into these emotional veins, fall into the easy trick of letting the music soar.  Repeatedly.  Until the songs lose all meaning.

But Burning Codes don’t quite allow that to happen.  They recognize that the release of endorphins can crest; but it’s better when they trickle out slowly.  No crash that way.  Take Cloak and Dagger, for example (available for free on their digital label’s site).  It feels like it’s constantly building, constantly striving for loftier heights, but the song fades away before they’re reached.  No tumble from the mountaintop, just calmness.

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On a different note, if I had more resources (mainly time), I’d be doing exactly what the guys at Indiecater are doing.  CDs are basically dead.  Music is a phenomenon without central control now, driven, for many people, by the passion of discovery.  Hats off to them.