SHORT SONG DESCRIPTIONS | The Soles, You Burst Into Fire Again
NOTE: These descriptions are from the Remastered version of YBIFA (Not The bonus track 'Reprise' version)
1. Sky (In The Name Of You)
After attending a First Nations Uranium mine blockade near Ottawa Ontario (2007) as an activist/ observer, Din (lead singer) wrote the initial sketch of this song, inspired by the great spirit of change he witnessed there. Producer/The Sole guitarist and co-writer, Marc Nadjiwan (Ojibway) then helped Din re-write the song into the tempered little gem it became: an emotionally moving rock/acoustic song, with an anthemic political & spiritual message. "Love comes again in the name of You."
8. Stand In The Flames
This song was originally based on the writings of author, Oriah Mountain Dreamer. You know those inspirational/motivational posters that show a cliché picture of the turbulent waters of a stormy sea and underneath it say’s something like, “True character show’s when the waters of life get rough.” Well, this song is about that cliché. One reviewer aptly wrote that the song invokes “the spirit of U2, Smashing Pumpkins and even Radiohead” delivering a “solid (power) pop-rock tune avoiding the cliché’s often associated with the genre.” We couldn't agree more.
4. Coals
This live favourite also takes up the themes of Love and depression, from the perspective of one having to leave an unhealthy relationship. It’s an initiation song of sorts, that in the pursuit of health, one may have to face the trial of letting go of a loved one to find peace, and ultimately, love of oneself. Misery can be a comfort or a state of being by choice. This album is not about that. It's about grief expressed, diagnosed, corrected and healed.
3. From The Ground Like Lightning
This is a straight-fprward rock anthem (which even makes reference to AC/DC in the lyric) but at the same time, is a soulful accounting of a relationship between a Pagan girl and a Christian boy. Both have strong faith backgrounds but the young couple cast aside their theological differences and find common ground in a more universal truth; Love, albeit in somewhat of a young and naïve way.
5. Sunburst
This song was written based on the concept of writing a song based in two very different parts like Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’; but with an indie, acoustic/folk feel. The signature stomp and clap beat of the first part of the Queen song was developed into the second part of Sunburst. The result is a truly unique and fresh song that takes the listener from the depths of despair and confusion (first half of song) into light and hope (second part of song).
6. Hey Old Man
The danger of this song is that it can be taken as a very negative tune lyrically. In actuality, it is a positive song written by Din, in response to an actual event in his life - where he was nationally an dpublically slandered. However, it is clear that this song transcends the event and has become more of a song to remind people to ‘round themselves up,’ metaphorically speaking. “I’ve personally had a hard time with this song, as I am concerned of any negativity I may express in life, in general. However, when I hear or sing this song, I’ can’t help but feel positive - even though some take it as negative. It’s ironic. Maybe that’s the blues in essence, taking a negative and turning it into a positive; a good song.” – Din Yalonen.
10. Kiss My Rotten Flesh
Infidelity towards the ideals of Love in general, whether it's alover, friend or family member, may best describe this number. It’s fresh mix of rock, punk and a Hip Hop beat. It’s experimental in that the tempo changes and was recorded without a click-track. To us, it's just a damn fun rock song.
9. Pain
This song has been compared by many to bands like The Bright Eyes and even to Kurt Cobain. This is one of Din’s most potently emotional songs. The subject of depression and hopelessness is hard, upsetting, and even cliché, but Din doesn’t seek anything but to write a good song expressing it. Almost anyone who has ever heard this song agrees that it’s a truly moving song. In the end, the song finds joy and (agian) thankfulness to those that helped Din through his condition. NOTE: Din has been cured for some time now, and is continuing a healthy and happy state of daily life.
2. Desert Star
A major theme of YBIFAR is depression and healing, and a number of the songs, including this one, express Din’s three year journey to well-being through therapy. Along the way, he was helped by many family members, one great doctor and even some unlikely strangers. In this up-tempo and acoustic/roots based rock song, he attempts to express his thankfulness and new-found joy.
7. Not In The Burning Bush
Originally written in response the appalling religious rhetoric used by a certain president of a certain government in recent history to claim God was on their side in going to war (a war that was based on false evidence.) It doesn’t need to be mentioned what war this was. It has happened through the millennia and it will happen, until we begin to create a different reality. This song takes these claims back from those that would use religious justification for such an inhumane, illegal and unjust war.
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