In the year 2020, multiple events allowed humanity to stop and contemplate their status in the world. Whether it be about racial equality or the consensus of our public health, it was a year that shed light on many issues that we, as a species, have been dealing with recently. So, it comes as a pleasant surprise that art has seemingly been added to the dialogue on the on-going issues.
In this case, particularly, Patrick Ames’ self-released single “Second Wave” touches on the issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and a lot of discrepancies surrounding people’s reactions to it.
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The lyrics are the aspect of the song that garnered the most attention. It is in this realm that the single hits on a very topical message, allowing the audience to experience a bit of satire that surrounds the issue. The verses extends the cerebral conversation when Ames questions the validity of the virus, followed by the chorus swiftly establishing the claims made in the verses to be falsehoods.
The poetry in the song is constructed very smartly while being incredibly simple in their language. However, that is not a detriment to the way they are framed; ultimately, it is the song’s strength. Simplicity can garner an impact and power that can initiate a conversation or magnify a viewpoint, which Ames seems to balance well throughout “Second Wave.”
Musically, this song takes inspiration from blues and classic country, setting the perfect backdrop for a presentation that contextualizes the lyrics. Through this avenue, the music becomes a piece of art, as the guitar work and rhythm of Patrick Ames rustles through the song and adds a level of energy that would be akin to a western. His guitar prowess is enhanced by his vocal performance that carries a rustic tone through-out the track and takes an approach reminiscent of a bayou setting.
Admiringly, Ames’ approach to expression, along with Jon Ireson producing, is a combinative rarity. To have lyrics about a global crisis, accompanied by music that sounds like it is coming from western cinema, is a bold choice that works in the song’s favor.
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Patrick Ames hails from California’s countryside, where he owns a vineyard, though his affinity for music began when he was a child in Michigan. He then turned to other forms of literature to express himself, like poetry and book writing. It was not until he reached his 60s that he turned back to music as his primary source of expression and has not looked back since.
“Second Wave,” along with other songs by Ames, can be found on Spotify, YouTube, Bandcamp, and Soundcloud.
