The definition of Rock as a genre is one the most debated topics I’ve ever had to discuss with both passive listeners and published artists, with no one really coming to a conclusion of what “Rock” actually is.

Most tend to simply cite a few bands or artists that come to mind when they think of Rock as a genre, whether it be Beatles, Zeppelin, Metallica, The Killers, or the copious amount of other multi-genre artists and groups, both current and old. What I’ve come to realize is that the definition Rock has become a combination of punk, alternative, indie, tradition, and pure, subjective opinion.

My current definition? “Angel Eyes” by FUR.

This indie jam has a smooth, distilled sound that I’ve grown to love over the last few years, combining the distinct vocal style of William Murray, bringing to mind the crooning of the Strokes’ Julian Casablancas, and musical stylings similar to the pop-depression of late-80’s early-90’s Morrissey but with a brighter, more nostalgic tone. FUR dives deep into the classic roots of proto-emo lovesickness with a simplistic and very British sound.

The tried-and-true pining for a beautiful, intriguing lover works perfectly for the feel of this piece. The unresolved conflict and wishing for closure is the basis of the lyrics of the song, with the first few lines being:

Angel eyes,
why won’t you let me apologize?
Did you forget me and realize
The days go much slower alone?

Anyone who’s been in love is no stranger to the absent-minded pondering of how your love is doing, and fretting about unresolved disputes. This wistful wondering is often a backdrop to most of the things you’ll be doing or thinking about, always there to subtly shift your thoughts back to lovesickness. Musically, this song feels the same way. The melody and warm rock instrumentals definitely beg me to group this piece into an easy listening playlist, yet the angst of the lyrics and vocals make this song at home between The Smiths and Joy Division. “Angel Eyes” is a versatile track, both as house party background noise and as a nostalgic pop-rock labor of love. There’s a lot of heart in this song, and though the lyrics are simple, they are reflective and genuine:

Angel eyes,
Only the best
Nothing less for you
Blushing when I get undressed for you,
Angel eyes

The classic love song standard of incorporating risqué lyrics into the piece somehow feels a bit more intimate in this song, not going overboard and keeping the surface-level, nostalgic tone of trying to recapture a time when things were simpler and love was less complicated. The rest of the piece seems to take little more of a melancholy turn, as Murray begins to ponder about the what-ifs and the way things should be in the second verse:

Dangerous nights
In the quieter part of town
I feel like we should be dressing down
For us, not for them
A dangerous time to be living alone again
Now all you do is get stoned again
It’s dangerous

The last verse is where the Smiths-era pop-depression really sets in: the quiet, understated loneliness of wishing you were together with the one you miss being with. Having a past flame simply dim into idle thoughts about how they’re doing and if they’re with someone else, getting stoned alone, the desire to be there, yet the inability to act on it feel right at home I “Angel Eyes”.

FUR’s understanding of the indie-nostalgia feel and 80’s Angst Rock influences make them one of the more notable contemporary indie Rock bands, and I look forward to hearing more of their work in the future.

 

Image credit: Julia Nala