Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace

Growl....Grohl....Growl!

Foo Fighters make a much awaited comeback to the rock scene with their new album 'Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace'. David Grohl and his team display exemplary sonic skills, yet again. Expanding on their signature sound, the band infuses alt-rock with folk seamlessly this time resulting in a sound which veers upon eclectic and a bit aggressive at times. The perfect mix of soft and loud rhythms, it grows on you as you listen to it. Have to admit...this is the band's most mature & well balanced composition till date. Heady stuff all the way. Hmmm...."Radio friendly unit shifters".....anyone?

“ I'm the voice inside your head
You refuse to hear
I'm the face that you have to face
Mirrored in your stare
I'm what's left, I'm what's right
I'm the enemy
I'm the hand that will take you down
Bring you to your knees

So who are you?
Yeah, who are you?
Yeah, who are you?
Yeah, who are you?

Keep you in the dark
You know they all pretend

What if I say I'm not like the others?
What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays
You're the pretender
What if I say I will never surrender? ”

Elevator Silence

“There are times when silence has the loudest voice”

An interesting metaphor in English is 'Elevator Silence'. It's the sound you hear when you enter an elevator full of strangers. If you were speaking to a companion before you entered the elevator, you terminate the conversation the moment your feet enter the elevator. Other people who enter the elevator, mobile phone to the ear, snap the mobile shut with a curt "I'm entering the elevator. I'll call you back". And as the elevator makes its way upward or downward, six or eight or thirteen people as the case maybe, glance, look, or ogle at each other. The strangers stare at each others shoes, then at the button panel to check whether the button for their floor has been pressed, then look above the door to see the digits representing the floors change ...2-3-4-5... then stare back at the people opposite them, then do not stare at those standing next to them, then stare at the fan on the ceiling, then stare at the sign which says "OTIS elevators; maximum capacity: 13 persons; xxx kg". They mutter something to themselves but do not speak an audible word.

And then for those brief moments, the only moments you'll get in today's world, there is silence. Total, absolute silence. Not a word is spoken. If somebody coughs he excuses himself. And silence again.

In the office building, away from the hum, murmur, and din of ring tones, photocopiers, fax machines, keyboard taps, mouse clicks, coffee mug clinks, and human voices, the silence of the elevator provides succor to the modern man.

In the apartment block where he lives, modern man finds that away from the roar and noise of the TV, answering machine machine, utensil clangs, vaccuum cleaner buzz, switch clicks, air conditioner hiss, spouse's voice and the traffic beyond the balcony, the elevator represents his true sanctuary.

But why is silence to be found in elevators? Is it born of xenophobia? Is it political correctness? Is it our need to guard our privacy? Our effort at confidentiality? Or is silence a side effect of the claustrophobia that is inside all of us?

From another perspective, perhaps we don't choose to be silent. Perhaps, silence chooses where she dwells.

Silence nowadays is indeed found in few places, other than hospitals, churches and graveyards. Birth, Baptism, Burial.

Beyond this cycle and beyond these corners, silence struggles to find a place for herself in our world. So, she just about manages to squeeze herself into crowded elevators. And the elevator remains her only real refuge. The sanctum of silence.

[Excerpt from the mail archives]