"The Failer" Digital Download & Single Artwork-- the 4th single by AV & the Inner City

You have the option of choosing this download in WAV or mp3 format.  Both formats also include a download of the single artwork, which you can get ONLY here, at the AV Store.

About "The Failer":

 A melancholic and passionate song about the desire for certainty, AV & The Inner City's “The Failer” is an anthemic and thought-provoking reflection of institutional and personal trust, and the oversimplification of absolutes in a complex world. Exploring the confusion and frustration of stepping back from black-and-white belief systems, "The Failer" suggests the importance of nuance in a society that often cherishes the tunnel vision of ready-made answers, and the danger in glorifying heroes and heroines, while at the same time fully acknowledging the very human need for safety and reliable leadership.

Sonically, the track draws from the recognizable language of marching bands, with a military-esque snare beat at the beginning, and haunting, overlapping melodies from the group of vocalists. Sparse yet commanding, the track’s slow pace and simple instrumentation leaves space for thought about living in a world at times commanded by political, spiritual, and moral absolutes, as it progresses from a melancholic ballad to an intense, almost rock anthem. With both tension and tenderness in its delivery, “The Failer” recognizes how tempting it is to seek perfection in leaders and ideologies, yet how necessary it is to resist that pull. Rather than providing answers, the song becomes a mirror, reflecting the complexity of the desire to feel secure, to belong, to believe, and to be right. An invitation for curiosity and exploration, “The Failer” encourages listeners to look at all angles: psychological and logical, personal and political — and sit with the rare discomfort of what arises when moving beyond blind faith in systems, movements, and people.

 Quote from AV:

 “‘The Failer’ is about the search for security, absolutes, and reliable heroes against the backdrop of self-doubt, betrayal, and mistrust-- whether personal or political--and the gradual conclusion that there may not be any absolutes at all. Though I wrote this at least 15 years ago it seemed a good time to pull it out of the vault, as our society as a whole seems to be confronting these exact sentiments now.”