Melodic indie-folk is not best suited for angry protest music. The genre is more geared to expressing personal angst or relationship issues. This perhaps explains why this album doesn't sound particularly dark or combative even though it documents the singer's fears and reflections on the rise of populist politics, violence, hate and desperation.
Vanessa Peters, a Dallas-based singer-songwriter, defines herself as a nerdy literature geek who sees parallels in the modern age to in the glitzy decay depicted in F.Scott Fizgerald's 'The Great Gatsby'. With marked understatement she notes that "The world we live in is so uncertain" on Before It Falls Apart
She sings of ragged dreams and falling skies but also of finding things to be thankful for in times of hardship. In Fight she depicts herself as running out of armor but ready to face the enemy.
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Carnival Barker is the most topical song, likening politicians to circus freaks who "wave a flag and call it truth". Even here though, the jangly beats mean that she comes across more as disillusioned than venomous.
Foxholes are defensive fighting positions which offer a rudimentary means of protection in times of war. If we want to defend ourselves from widespread corruption, rampant xenophobia and commonplace misogyny that infests our world it's gonna take a lot of digging. We'll certainly need more than prayers and catchy tunes.
Vanessa Peters' website
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