"Tonight" - Seether [Let's Get This Started]

Well hello there my lovely readers. Welcome to today's episode of Additive Noise. It took me a while to decide what song I was going to use to start off my music blog, and I really think I've found the perfect song. My choice? "Tonight", by Seether.

Now for those of you who don't know anything about the band, I beg you not to wander off believing that you couldn't possibly like a hard rock band. Even if you've never joined the rock scene before, this is a good song to start with. But first, some background!

One of the things most people don't know about Seether as a band is that they are from Pretoria, South Africa. But do they sound any different than most American rock bands? In essence, no. They've managed to bridge a cultural gap with amazing finesse. However, I firmly believe that their history influences their music more than we realize. They grew together doing club and university venue concerts, and supporting more well-known artists such as Evanescence, even after their first release. Many of their songs such as "Fur Cue" and "Fake It" are very bitter, a reflection of the negativity that surrounds them. However, when I first heard "Tonight", I replayed it ten times, just to hear that even a group like Seether can have a happy moment.

The song begins with a very important verse: "I'm not gonna waste this, this opportunity's mine- I'm sick of complaining about a beautiful life". This is excellent. Don't we all need to hear that now and then? Or at least be reminded that there is a positive light if we choose to view it? All of our lives are beautiful, and to waste such a gift would be terrible. Now and then, everyone's got to just roll their windows down and blast music as loud as they want. Sing like no one can hear you, dance like there's no one watching. Live life to the fullest!

"I feel so alive tonight, you got me feelin' sublime- I wanna yell it from the rooftops down".

Yell. Yell it from the rooftops, tell the world how you feel! Remind yourself that you are truly alive, and don't let anyone forget it!

Of course, even a leading rock band knows that it's not always hunky-dory out there in the real world. The comparison of sugar and cyanide, wondering 'how did we get here' and 'do we pretend everything's alright'- these lyrical cues tell us one thing clearly. You can do it. No matter what, no matter if you feel like you're just pretending, your sugar and cyanide are gonna collide. Life is a roller coaster, but you'll learn to just yell it from the rooftops and not let it overcome you.

Now about that literal music....

The real driving force behind this song is the powerhouse rhythm guitar. The lead guitar's tense melody keeps things edgy, but the constant and quick-paced rhythm guitar keeps the listeners...well, listening. It's strong, steady, and the music itself holds up the 'keep going' theme. The drums work well with it, providing a steady bass for support as well as some lighter deviation (just to keep it interesting).
Shaun Morgan's vocals are a bit weak at first, but the minute he hits the chorus, you can tell he knows what he's singing in his soul. That's one of Morgan's strong points. If nothing else, he really can feel his music. Seether is one of those groups that isn't quite as good live as they are in the studio, but Morgan's magic voice just makes the performance anyway.

So there you have it, kids. Add this one to your "bad day" playlist, and keep it handy for those moments when you need something to keep you going. Remember, sugar and cyanide are gonna collide, but don't let that get in the way of your opportunity for a beautiful life.

YELL IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS DOWN!

This is Rebecka McAleer with Additive Noise, signing off.

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