Slowly Boiling Frogs by Butcher's Blood
I woke, another day like any other,
The News hyped fear's distant cries,
So far away, never comes near,
Sure, no eggs at the stores, nor milk,
Rolling blackouts, each day, unannounced,
Water pressure keeps lessening,
Tightening our belts,
It's happened before, no need to sulk,
The net went down today, nearly 5 hours,
Free from their worries, I saw the world clear
No sounds of truckers, more shots in the street,
Too late to pivot, hiding under a sheet.
*The sound sharply cuts off on the last syllable, hinting at a power failure.*
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Mick Knacklaut, accompanied solely by his harmonica, crafts a distinctive auditory landscape in "Slowly Boiling Frogs." Each verse unfolds in pairs: the first line commences with a slow, bluesy melody, setting a reflective tone. This gradually accelerates into a rapid, intense delivery, reaching a climax at the end of the second line, which then resolves into a brief, contemplative silence before the cycle recommences with the next pair.
This pattern, a deliberate choice by Knacklaut, mirrors the thematic progression of the piece. The initial slow pace represents a deceptive calm, a false sense of security, which is then shattered by the urgency and crescendo of the second line, symbolizing the inevitable and often sudden realization of crisis. The ensuing pause serves as a moment of reflection, a breath caught between revelations, emphasizing the contrast between complacency and the abrupt wake-up calls that punctuate life's rhythm.
Through this unique musical phrasing, Knacklaut not only enhances the narrative's emotional depth but also encapsulates the essence of the message: the gradual build-up of tension and the abrupt confrontations with reality that define our collective journey through turbulent times. The solo harmonica performance underscores the personal nature of this journey, making "Slowly Boiling Frogs" not just a song, but a shared experience of awakening and awareness.