Page 20 • Thursday, September 7, 2006
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The Pendulum
‘People Living’ offers insight into human emotion
Anna Reynal
Reviewer
For an album that covers a wide spec
trum of human emotion, “People Living”
is quite an appropriate title. From the
softer sound of “In the Grey” to the
politically charged “Revolution,” Sam
Fisher explores those emotions that seem
to connect us to life.
The album opens with the upbeat
“Inspiration Information,” a cover of the
original Shuggie Otis version. A rather
cheerful song, Fisher uses this first tune
to recognize his musical roots. And it is
evident what they are: the song has a reg
gae infused style, marked by syncopated
rhythms and a light instrumental back
ground to the lyrics. However, Fisher’s
own style shines through
in the guitar riffs in
between each of the verses
and the chorus.
“Love on the Run” is
another sample of Fisher
paying homage to his roots.
The song is filled with
syncopated rhythms and
intricate dissonances typical
of jazz. Vocally, Fisher has a
smooth quality that falls into
wonderful scoops and slides
that mirror the sounds of the
instrumentals. Fisher uses
fun, playful lyrics in this
piece to tell the story of a
particularly meaningful one-
night stand.
Lyrics on this track
like “Love ain’t tender,
love ain’t kind/don’t
expect no piece of
mind,” are catchy, but at the same
time will resonate with listeners.
On the opposite side, however, falls
the ballad “Haven’t Said Enough.”
Although it does not have the upbeat,
fun tone that the previous two songs
share, the more serious tone showcases
Fisher’s ability to put intense emotion
into his music.
With a soul-like vibe and the lyrics,
“Was it something I said to upset you/Was
it something I said so wrong/Was it some
thing I said/or a sign I misread/Please
don’t hang up/Cause I haven’t said
enough,” Fisher pleads with the listener,
making them feel the hurt and pain so
commonly experienced in the trying times
of a relationship.
Adding to the emotion is the increased
sense of intensity driven by the increase
in dynamics over the course of the song
I’m just getting along, but my day is coming
Now I’m singing a song that you know and love
These days I stay dry even when it’s raining
I’m just counting on love to keep me alive.
—Sam Fisher, “Countin’on Love’
and the slowing of the tempo during the
last chorus that emphasizes the hurt and
desire present throughout the song.
But the point of the song is not sad; it
is meant instead to remind listeners of the
kind of love that takes over our hearts.
Other songs on the CD cover emotions
besides love. “In the Gray” talks about
commitment and fig
uring out where you
stand. The tension that
one feels when being
“in the gray” is musi
cally experienced in
this song by minor
chords at certain
cadence points and
throughout the song,
and ehanced by
smooth vocals that
have a misty quality.
“Revolution” is
quite the opposite,
with its strong beat and
feeling that encourages
listeners to “take a
stand.” It has more of a
Photo courtesy of Sam Fisher rock attitude, mixed
Sam Fisher performed at Elon Under with a slight feel of
the Lights during Orientation Weekend, funk and some nice
guitar riffs, leading to
the end with heavier instrumentals and full
guitar solos.
Probably the most widely known song
on the album is “Countin’ on Love,”
Fisher’s first single. With a foot-tapping
R&B and gospel feel, it is a rather uplifting
tune that reflects on loss and how we deal
with it.
Finally, the song “Say Goodnight” is
also uplifting and hopeful, but for very
different reasons. This song is very
personal to Fisher, who wrote it to give
peace to his mother after his younger
brother died in a car accident.
“It was hard to sleep when everything
was so quiet” after that incident, Fisher
remarked, and the song was a “reflec
tion,” on this life-changing experience.
The song deals with pain and loss, but
leaves the listener with a sense of peace,
saying, “I’m all right/say goodnight/You
can sleep now/I’m alright.”
These lyrics are accompanied by a
beautiful, soothing melody, without
much tension from the instrumental
accompaniment, sweetly serenading the
listener and comforting the hurt places of
the soul.
The key to Fisher’s success on this
album is the expression in his voice,
awakening emotions in the listeners
and using his lyrics to connect to them.
With a variety of sounds and styles,
Sam Fisher’s “People Living” is a great
debut album that has a little something
for everyone.
Contact Anna Reynal at
pendulitm@elon.edu or 278-7247
Photo courtesy of Sam Fisher^
Fisher will tour across America this fallj
promoting “People Living."
In the
Bubble
Monday, Sept. 11
Art Department Faculty Reception
Opening Reception
Elon West Gallery and Isabella Cannon Room
5-7 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 13
Richmond Ballet
“American Masterpieces of Dance
McCrary Theatre
7:30 p.m.
Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 7-17
Judgement at Nuremberg
Community Theatre of Greensboro
8 p.m. Sept. 7-9, 13-16
2 p.m. Sept. 9, 10, 16, 17