The first few seconds of "Annunciation" were right on the nose. The guitar chords come in hard, with the drums right behind them. There's no ramp up or anything to prime you for. This song has an important message from the beginning.
Mary Strand's voice is raw. The words ring true, even when some are not easy to sing. She doesn't want to put on a show. It feels intimate, as if it were something she really had to say.
This band is very comfortable behind her. Ryan Smith's guitar doesn't come off as a showpiece, but keeps the song moving. Then the chorus enters and all things seem bigger. Mark Wade's bass keeps the song grounded. Peter Anderson's drums continue to drive the song onward without ever letting it slow.
What I most love about the song is that it isn't sad throughout. There's a lot of grief in it, but there's also anger and there's something that needs to change. Knowing that the song was written in response to the shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church makes that feeling even stronger. It is difficult to nail this blend down. Some songs have only one emotion, this one alternates and doesn't seem to be all over the place.
The song only really begins to open up in the chorus. The guitars grow larger, the vocals grow more powerful and there is an increase in energy. It still doesn't feel like she's yelling at you. It's just more direct, like Mary knew what she wanted to say and was not afraid to say it.
Such songs are less common. Many protest songs sound like they're saying what you should believe, and some are less clear. This one remains specific and personal. Even with the message, it's still a song I'd like to listen to again.
That's why it stays with me. Not for the purpose of being clever or for doing a big show. It just sounds like someone who really meant what she was saying. That will sometimes be enough to stick in your head.
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