Amanda Shires- Down Fell the Doves
   “Down Fell the Doves” and I have been getting to know each other in my car over the past few weeks. On first pass, it sounds soothing and melodic, with guitar contributions from Shires’ husband Jason Isbell. Lovely music to drive to and daydream. I found myself humming the songs long after I got out of the car.
   After a closer listen to the lyrics, it dawned on me that this album goes much MUCH deeper than it’s dreamy melodies. Amanda Shires is working on her MFA in creative writing from the Sewanee School of Letters and it shows. These songs are angry, raw, and heartbreaking. A picture of someone in deep distress.
   Take “Boxcutter” for instance. The chorus says, “To go finally to sleep/ to rest, to rest a beautiful dream.” Well that’s a nice image. We all like sleeping and beautiful dreams. But listen closer… This song actually describes various ways to commit suicide: using a boxcutter in the bathtub, inhaling carbon monoxide in the garage, drowning in the ocean, etc. “Drown in the waves/ ocean in blue/ let go let go make them think you didn’t mean to.” As a therapist (my day job), I would certainly be concerned about the state of mind of the songwriter here. The following song is “Deep Dark Below.” It’s eerie and draws a vivid picture of a woman being murdered by the devil. “Lonely and bruised, getting over being used/ it’s usually the weak ones he finds,” she sings. Chilling. This one has haunted me for days. In “Bulletproof,” Shires wonders what it would be like to actually be able to withstand any weapon, even charging money to let people test them out on her. A fascinating thought. “The Garden Song” is the final track and also has its own vivid imagery. The listener pictures a ruined garden, destroyed by a man who has done wrong. “I let him into my garden, a bad mistake, and what used to be lovely has gone away/ Gone away the sparrows and the silver-leafed plums/ fruits have fallen wasted left spoiling in the sun… Oh what a mess he made.” Wow. Utter destruction. The album title is derived from a line in this song- even the doves are falling down.
   There’s certainly a theme of destruction running through this record. Shires is a beautiful, talented songwriter who is married to another genius musician. It’s interesting to wonder about her state of mind during the making of this record. Whatever it was, I witnessed her as a smiling and glowing newlywed at a show in Boston a few weeks ago. Hopefully this album was cathartic for her and we can all continue to enjoy whatever she gives us next.
Photos by Suzanne Davis McMahon
About the author: Suzanne started her love affair with photography at age 15. When she's not snapping photos, she is working as a Clinical Social Worker just outside of Boston. Suzanne also enjoys attending concerts and singing. Check out more of her photos at facebook.com/suzannedavisphotography