Music Review: Capital Cities "One Minute More"

Capital Cities

One Minute More

Album: In a Tidal Wave of Mystery

Year: 2014

        Ryan Merchant implores his friend to live a little in the mettlesome  “One Minute More.”

          Sparky synths open the single, setting an awed tone. His friend looks over the train schedules online. He says they won’t have enough time. They’ll have to find somewhere else to go. Merchant tells him that he has a lot of life in him. Getting there on time doesn’t matter. It’s how they get there. It’s all about the experience. (“Don't wait for an invitation/No need for reservation/This life is an exploration/And you gotta see what I see in you.”)

            In the chorus, he prods his friend along. It’s a new day with potential for something great. They have to live as much as they can before it’s over. (“I can't wait one minute more/The sun does shine/The sun does shine/We can't wait one minute more/The sun does shine/The sun does shine.”)

           He asks his friend what city he has always wanted to see. He’ll join him and discover all the secrets the city holds. (“Just think of the destination/I'll be your transportation/We'll find there's a kind of place/That can only be seen with a naked mind.”)

                 The chorus is sung again.

              In the bridge, he wonders if his friend will change and won’t be uptight anymore. His friend is concerned about rules and doing what he is supposed to at all times. He hopes will get out of his head and learn more about the world beyond his community. (“There's a key that opens a door/Will you find it and turn it?/Take your time, don't take too long/There's a map that's washed ashore/Will you find it and burn it?/Unleash your imagination/Two stars, one constellation/Bright lights just to guide the way/Can you see what I see in you?”)

            The chorus is sung again to end the single.

           Merchant’s patronizing vocals feel sorry for his friend. He stays home all time. He’s locked inside himself, frozen by his inaction. He may be saying he’s doing for his friend but it’s really for his benefit. He can’t have a friend who is scared of everything. How is that fun for him?

        The impatient “One Minute More” has some growing up to itself before it starts lecturing others.