Hammock - The House Where We Grew Up [post-rock]

What's in a name? Generally, a song's name will give some idea about the song's lyrical content or atmosphere. For many post-rock artists, the title serves as the only time when the idea(s) behind a song can be expressed with words.

For example, Japanese post-rock band te' have tended to use egregiously long titles such as "True eloquence 'exists' in silent expressions, leaving words purposeless". In the 2005 album At The Soundless Dawn by Red Sparowes, the titles together formed a poem that was a very good complement to the actual music. But, on the opposite side of the spectrum, one of the members of Mogwai allegedly said that the song titles, at least for one of their albums, were completely random. Generally, though, I tend to give the benefit of the doubt to musicians and say that the titles hold some significance.

So why this long diatribe? Well, to give context and partially to justify the rest of the content of this post. The song receiving such the long-winded introduction is "The House Where We Grew Up" by Hammock found on their 2006 album Raising Your Voice... Trying To Stop An Echo.

Looking at the song through its title really adds a layer of atmosphere to the song. The bass and the electric at the beginning give a warm and homely feel. It really takes me back to a simpler time, before all these complications and responsibilities, when the most upsetting thing would be getting home and missing my favourite TV show.

The effected guitar that comes in around midway forms the other half of the equation and adds a ghostly feel that reminds you it is, in fact, memory. That feeling when you remember your past in a vivid but fragmented sense, with a sort of distortion that blurs and fuses pieces together.

To be honest, I don't remember my childhood all that well but if I were to try, this song would be a more-or-less spot-on description.