- The Crane Wives -

This is a folk album that manages to discuss the affairs of the heart in a truly refreshing way. Filled with haunting imagery that has stayed with me well beyond the album's runtime, the music displays the struggle for self acceptance amid discomfort and pessimism, dealing with shortcomings, and processing pain. The songs are also really catchy. Some of my favourites are Caleb Trask, Hole in the Silver Lining, Ancient History, October, and I Ain't Done. Don't take my word for it- listen to every song! There's a chance that your favourites may be different than mine! :D

Even though this is their second album, I listened to it after listening to most of The Crane Wives' other albums. As the title suggests, these songs are about realising you were foolish, with the rage and loss accompanied with that. It's the aftermath of romance: the party is over and all you have left is a mess to clean up. This album is powerful in its emotional punches and pleasing in its melodies and harmonies. I wish I could just give you my favourite songs (Strangler Fig, The Glacier House, and Tongues and Teeth) but I have to warn you for this album that my 'favourites' are just the catchiest ones, and not the ones that have impacted me the most. Good news, this means that in order to investigate that claim, you'll have to listen to the whole album! <3

The album that I listened to first- at the reccomendation of my friend. This album is what I first think about when I think about The Crane Wives. Some of their most popular songs come from this album: containing a tale of doubt and a struggle for self-worth and a reminder that the world is not as comfortable as we'd like it to be. Fortunately, this album is here to make the world more bearable for me for a while. My favourite songs from this album are honestly hard to pick: they're all really good. The most popular ones seem to be Never Love An Anchor and The Moon Will Sing. Maybe try listening to those?

If I had to describe this album with one phrase, it would be "Moving Forward". The songs delve into past mistakes and experiences and how to overcome/grow stronger from them. The vocals are emotionally captivating and powerful, as always. A song from this album, Curses, is how I found The Crane Wives in the first place. Without finding that song, I would've never asked for reccomendations on which album to listen to first. Other great songs from this album include The Garden, Ribs, Turn out the Lights, and Pretty Little Things (In no particular order). But honestly, there are no songs in this album that I would call "bad". They're all enjoyable and thought-provoking to listen to.

This is The Crane Wives' most recent album- with their second last album being released 8 years earlier. With the long gap, the instrumentation has been influenced by indie rock, but it's still relatively similar to their other albums with its themes. While I was waiting for this album, some songs from it were released: Arcturus Beaming, Bitter Medicine, and Scars. All of these songs are definitely ones I'd reccomend. Along with that, I would also reccomend a lot of the songs in the second half of the album, but the whole album is something I've been listening to every week for the past few months of 2024. The Crane Wives bring fantastical concepts to these songs that I can't get enough of.

This song is playfully vicious- an expression of rage at those who cannot feel and violence against those who cannot be hurt. It's delightful to listen to and cathartic to sing- the lyrics are about anger but the tone is gleeful- a masterful combination that not everyone could pull off.

This is less of an album and more of a loose collection of live recordings of songs. A lot of the songs are already released in other albums, but there are some that remain singles or only appear as official recordings here- which makes them worth reviewing in this specific section.

• Daydreamer: I relate to this song very much as someone who struggles with controlling themselves and their attention. It makes me feel like I'll make it in the end, no matter how many diversions I take from my path.
• Volta: This energetic song (Pun intended, look up who invented the first battery) reminds me of the passion of friendship and human connection, and how it can revitalise and motivate you to live. I didn't expect this song to be comforting, but it has grown on me.
• Here I Am: This is one of the songs that was released as a single. It's a heart-wrenching song about being left behind and trying to live without community, yet still searching for human connection. It's a combination of loneliness and grief, which is one of the reasons why it's a favourite from this live record.
• Hollow Moon: This is another song that got released as a single. The vibes are like if Halloween was more about psychological horror- the imagery and symbolism in this song is incredible. There are lyrics here that I desperately want to quote, but I would rather you listen to the song yourself, because writing lyrics here feels like spoilers.
• Drown You Out: This song is only available in this live record, which may be due to how it's more of a slow song with minimal instrumentals. It's perfect for a live enviroment, but I rarely listen to it on its own. I feel bad for not listening to this more, because it's a captivating song about how others' influences stay with you, even when they're not in your life anymore. It's a song I have to sit with to really get.
• Empty Page: Listening to a song from a band you admire about their impostor syndrome is comedically ironic. It's made even funnier due to how good the song is to listen to. This song details what I struggle with whenever I try to make something. Hilarious. This song gets the Official Funny Award from me, personally.
• Sowing Seeds: Another song that's released as a single! The beginning of it never fails to be alluring. Usually, songs about the perils of technology are a bit preachy to listen to, because they seem to want to make you feel guilty. This song avoids that by being fun to listen to, creative in its writing, and positioning our attention as being stolen, rather than being carelessly misplaced.
• High Horse: This song details the perspective of someone who rejects another and why they make that decision. I find it hard to relate to this song, but I still enjoy it for the simple reason that listening to it is a nice experience musically.
• Taking Turns: This live record is the only place you can find this song. The harmonies, melodies, and instrumentation are phenomenal, even in a live recording. It's, forgive the term, real. By that, I mean that it's not about grand romantic gestures, gifts, or proclamations of devotion. It's about supporting each other every day, even when we have to believe we're okay, against logic.

This is another live record, although there are only three songs in it. They all appear in The Crane Wives' other live record- but I thought it would be best to review them here as their own section.

• Nobody: This is one of my favourites of The Crane Wives' songs that haven't been released in an album, and I'm genuinely surprised it hasn't happened. I have a lot of feelings about this song, but I find it hard to discuss them, because one of the topics of the song is abusive relationships. Naturally, when faced with a sensitive topic, I'll take the coward's option and not say anything. Please listen to Nobody, it's very good. Take my word for it.
• Queen of Nothing: The abundance of imagery in this song relating to shadows reminds me of Hollow Moon. However, instead of portraying fear, this song is more about desperation and being unable to maintain motivation due to your burdens. It's a terrible type of problem to be in, but at least we got good music out of it!
• The Wolf: I find this song very straightforward. The instrumentation fits the song perfectly, the structure is understandable without being generic, a good The Crane Wives song, as always! Giving into destruction instead of what's often the harder choice (trying to change who you are in order to grow and heal from past experiences), I believe that that's the meaning of the song.

I remember finding this song upon release, and being wowed by the music video (did you know that one of the singers of The Crane Wives does most of the art!?) but not really understanding the lyrics. Now I know that it's about being unable to say what you feel, and the disaster that comes from being unable to communicate your emotions. The song stuns me with its quality, to the point that I don't really know what to say about it. It's a great audiovisual experience- available on YouTube right now! Go watch the music video, I've linked it!