Music: Grieves & Budo - 88 Keys & Counting

          I picked up 88 Keys & Counting because I saw Budo's name on it.  I had no idea who Grieves was at the time, but after listening to it I went out and bought Irreversible. (His first album and marked my calender for Together/Apart release too.)  For the past month Gwenevieve is the first song I put on when I get in my car.  The album is mostly about lost love and loneliness. (I like that emo shit, if you haven't noticed.)
          The title refers to the number of keys on a piano/keyboard adding that they are counting more.  (Like saying it's something you've never heard before.)  I love these kind of projects, where the album is composed  completely by one artist and one producer.  It makes for a more personal record (regardless of the subject matter) and this is no exception.  88 Keys & Counting lets you look at the world through the eyes of someone fighting off their inner demons.  Though dark and depressing, hope can still be found.


Gems (Top Three)


1.)Gwenevieve - Track #7
In this song Grieves describes a girl who is giving up on happiness.  She really believes it wasn't meant for her and becomes numb to the world.  He's bothered by her outlook on life.  He asks himself whether he should passively dismiss it with a smile or help her with her burden.  He points out that she is the reason things are the way they are.  Her negative outlook keeps people at bay, truly keeping her away from happiness.  Though not directly stated in the song, the message I got from it is that we are in control of our lives and life is what you make it.  What will you make yours?

2.)Nature Vs. Nurture - Track #9
The title says it all.  Nature Vs. Nurture is the question that asks; what makes us - Us?  I think Grieves uses it to ask; what broke us?  I'm not sure if he means depression or insanity, but either way there's no true answer.  No real cause or culprit that can be blamed and avoided.  There's no moment when you become depress or insane.  It's like a seed that slowly grows till it becomes this truth you can't argue with but can't accept.

3.)Dead In The Water - Track #5
Here he talks to an ex girlfriend after the relationship has ended.  Hurt by how things turned out he asks; "what did you want from me?"  The question, if considered implies he didn't want this.  He wanted things to be better.  It further suggest that she only wanted to hurt him.  This (for me) is confirmed when he tells her at the end of each verse; "You got a problem."  In hindsight he sees all the things she done, though he describes them through metaphors that clearly portrayed her intentions.  In the last line he says.  "I hope you find what your looking for and leave."  Which to me is kind of like saying this will never make you happy but don't look to me when you realize that.

-Don't Just Be A Robot, Be Happy