Faker - This Heart Attack (Single)
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There's one thing Faker do better than any other Australian band and that's create music that seems to be on the average side of good on first listen, but from then on, every time you hear that same song you like it just that bit more. 'Hurricane' and 'The Familiar' followed this formula. They're both highly infectious tunes that slowly creep into your subconscious and I guess you're either going to love that about them or despise this unique brand of music for compromising your mental health. (Un)fortunately 'This Heart Attack' is just as catchy. From the opening beeps and drum beats it's very hard to resist. The song is definitely a grower.
The other striking thing about Faker's music is its at times slightly bizarre and nonsensical lyrics. It's hard to look past the infamous line from 'Hurricane' 'I've got new shoes, intelligence included.' Well it's not really that far fetched when you think it over. Shoes probably have Global Positioning Systems in them these days. Maybe Nathan Hudson the lead vocalist of the Sydney four piece is more up to date with technology than I initially gave him credit for.
'This Heart Attack' has a catch phrase all of its own. There's a wonderfully neurotic line that's repeated over and over throughout the track, 'I'm going away to be alone.' It's almost as if Hudson is rocking back and forth in the corner of a psychiatric ward, hidden away from the judging eyes of society. Well at least that's my interpretation. It's probably doesn't have such a dramatic effect on most people.
The lyrics are the main reason this tune is so appealing. It's not just the case of a catchy melody. There is a poeticism to the wording and the chorus really builds up to a heart attack in the end. Both lyrically and also in the mood of the music. There's a real sense of anguish and despair, which is why when I hear this song I associate it with fairly dramatic circumstances. But it's never heavy and unpleasant. Yet at the same time, it's not exactly the feel good hit of the year. It's just an infectious song that will hopefully capture your imagination.
