Anifail
Ed Holden - aka Mr Phormula - explores the features of rock music, and analyses the track 'Anifail' by Candelas
The song Anifail (which means 'animal' in Welsh) is a part of Candelas鈥 first album - Candelas - released in 2013.
Although the title might suggest that it is a song about animals, the lyrics serve as a metaphorA word or phrase which is representative or symbolic of something else. to warn of the way in which some people can behave when they go out for the evening, suggesting that they turn into animals.
Key
The song is written in the key of E minor.
Texture
The texture is homophonicHaving one line of melody that is played by all instruments at the same time. Literally 'sounding together'. and mainly melody and accompanimentA type of texture where there is only one clear melody and an accompaniment that plays different notes and rhythms but is supporting the melody.. This is typical of rock and pop music.
Instrumentation and timbre
Candelas has a typical rock band set-up of drums, guitars, bass guitar and singer. The guitar plays distortion An electrified setting that can create a more fuzzy or gritty tone. chords, particularly in the chorus sections, which is typical of this style of music.
Tempo
The tempo can be described as a moderately bright rock beat in a typical rock tempo of 4/4.
Dynamics
The piece is mostly forteShortened to f when written in the score. It means to play the music loudly., like most rock songs, and there is no significant change in the dynamic at any time.
Structure
The song is verse-chorus in structure, which is referred to as strophicA musical setting where verses repeat.. The overall structure of Anifail is as follows.
- Introduction
- Verse 1
- Pre-chorus
- Chorus
- Verse 2
- Pre-chorus
- Chorus
- Instrumental solo
- Pre-chorus
- Chorus/instrumental outro
Harmony
The harmony of the song Anifail is based on a recurring guitar riffA repeated musical pattern in modern pop and rock music. that is used throughout the song.
Recurring guitar riff in the track 'Anifail'
The song uses the chord progression of Em-C-Bm in the introduction, the verse and the chorus.
This chord progression can be clearly heard in the chorus, where the riff from the introduction is used to drive the music on.
Chord progression in the chorus of 'Anifail'
The chorus is introduced by a pre-chorus in a major key, which includes stress noteA note that is played with additional emphasis or accent. and chromaticChromatic harmony uses notes from outside the key to colour the chords. movement to create a contrast with the main chorus that follows.
The pre-chorus of 'Anifail'
Power chords - where the third of the chord has been removed - are used in this song to create a strong sound.
An example of power chords in 'Anifail'