We get so wrapped up in the idea that music is a career path, a way to pay the bills, of gaining recognition, notoriety even, maybe even wealth, that we forget that music has so many other, more worthy, applications. We forget that music can be a powerful way of broadcasting ideas, it can move people to act, it can offer suggestions, maybe even solutions. Most of all music is a wonderful educational tool, an aid to counselling and perhaps even a support to lean on, something to help motivate you when the world seems a dark place.
And it is the latter reasons, those connected with help and support rather than the more usual selfish motives of the craft, that drive Drawing Blood. Having struggled with ADHD in his formative years, Christian Tebbutt, the man working under the name Revel in Chaos, has created this album as a way of sharing his experiences, hopefully connecting and helping others, youngsters who, for whatever reasons are struggling to fit in, at school, at home, in life, because of issues relating to their mental and physical health.
Yes, it’s a concept album. But fear not, there are no keyboard players dressed as wizards undertaking 20 minute solos here. Rather it is a blend of spoken word narration by a central character coming to terms with his own everyday problems, fractured musical interludes, ebbing and flowing sonics, full on songs and every combination in between. In a way it feels like the soundtrack to a cutting edge piece of modern theatre and it has a resonance that goes far beyond the usual romantic crooning from the top of ladders or cats waxing lyrical in moonlight streets. It is about as relevant and intimate as you could get a piece of art.
But it goes beyond just a clever piece of modern, poignant pop, it is the basis of a mission, an understanding, the soundtrack to a small but important part of a more unified world, one where youngster in particular, and people in general, are not made to feel that they have to face the stresses and anxieties of an seemingly increasingly darker, ever colder world.
As a piece of music it is great, a clever splicing of social commentary, soul searching and ambient pop music made for the purest of reasons. As a concept it is a vital piece of music as a mission statement. It’s as simple as that.
There is no set price for the piece so everyone should download it and give it a spin. I can guarantee that you will come out of the other side a changed person. Listen. Give generously. Help make the world a better place.
