Battle Weary, Battle Scarred
From the tear stained agony of “somebody stole my car radio” we find ourselves in a perpetual state of angst as our heroes continue to bombard our senses with their hip hop and molten metal fusion. “Trench” is the hymn for our times with its tales of hurt, anxiety, death, and all such emotionally draining subjects. Please don’t misunderstand me; these are issues we need to air so that we can breathe easy. For me, the title describes daily life; we don’t need to go abroad to fight battles, we have plenty of our own right here.
“Jumpsuit” we implore you to “cover me” as we break for the border and attempt to “Levitate” and drift far away to a land and a time that is much better, much more welcoming than what we have now.
“By track two, at least they all know all they hear comes from a place.”
We all know that painful experiences can fuel creativity; this is a shining example of that notion. Pack up your bindle Dick Whittington style and let’s head out on a road trip that is profound, predatory and has a predilection to confront and contest anyone who will cross its path.
With “Morph” (and no, not that plasticine character), it’s like tiptoeing gently, then the philosophy kicks in and we all go into “defence mechanism mode”, quite soulful really, thoughtful and thought-provoking.
The video for “My Blood” resonates like a stampeding rhino for me, Grief is merciless, yet it presents itself in many guises, entering our lives and sitting at our table like an uninvited guest.
I think we deserve a drink, how about trying Bar 21 Pilots house speciality and “sipping on straight chlorine?” I’ll have a glass or three of that please, while I prop up the bar to this brilliant little number.
The delicate and tender touch of “Smithereens” is serenely and sweetly delivering a most brutal message. Lovely to hear, but once it gets into your brain, then you call for the men in white coats.
The beautifully arranged “Neon Gravestones” ushers us closer to our own demise with its creepy sentiment and fantastic chorus. Its like a philosophy lecture set to music, only less painful and you don’t have to write a dissertation, these boys have already done that for you.
“The Hype” follows in similar fashion, just don’t believe it they say. Wise words from a band who are one step ahead of the game. “Nico and the Niners” warns us of how “we’ll win but not everyone will get out”, such a stark and godforsaken scenario; find a hand to hold, my friends.
We are pummelled into eternity by these songs; but we will carry the torch that these boys have entrusted us proudly.
The slow beat of “Cut My Lip” talks of “lean on my pride, I’m a lion”, once again we have a clever, perceptive use of language that makes you sit up and think. The tale of highs and lows continues in “Bandito” as we see these two simple words used in very contrasting ways throughout this record.
Fancy a bit of night prowling? Get yourself a “Pet Cheetah” I have a pet tabby which is pretty much the same thing. Graceful melodies that hide strong, important and sometimes scary images, truth is of the essence here. Electronic music takes a bow with “Legend” a great singalong tune – is this the song that’s going to bring the audience to its knees?
Quite aptly we finish with “Leave The City” as we contemplate a truly mesmerising journey.
Lyrically we have the gem of a line
“they know that it’s almost over”
Apocalyptical? Maybe, but that’s life in the trenches, isn’t it?
Listen up heathens, Twenty One Pilots have drawn the battle lines; I know which side I’m on.
Azra Pathan
Twenty One Pilots – Trench out now via Fueled by Ramen