adjective

I never really thought about how seriously I take adjectives until today when I was reading an article in Paste magazine about a band called Wild Beasts where I stopped and questioned the adjectives used by the author. When I’m writing a description I will settle for nothing less than the perfect word to convey what I mean. When I say, “I love a good thesaurus,” it’s because I really do depend on it to help me get my point across.
The article uses the words “shimmering,” and, “soaring.” In the same sentence! This to me is music-writing blasphemy. These two adjectives need to be used sparingly because they are so powerful. It is only acceptable if it is ABSOLUTELY true. Honestly I question whether or not that’s the case.
“Shimmering,” and, “soaring,” are words that should be reserved for songs and artists that truly have those qualities. I said once that MGMT has a shimmering quality, because literally when I listen to “Kids,” it feels like the music is lighting up, gently and softly the way light plays across water.
Sigur Ros, has music that soars. Even people who don’t like Sigur Ros can see that quality in their music. The Glosoli music video follows children through the Icelandic wilderness set to the tune, building upon it, until they quite literally are soaring through the air.
In the writer’s defense, her article peaked my interest. I’ll absolutely be getting my hands on a Wild Beasts album even if just to prove her wrong.

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