We love Against The Current because they’re fighting the same problems that we’re battling with too. In order to ensure we understand this, the band make such careful language choices. Just look at their use of alliteration!

Make sure to focus, too, on doing what we know our examiners love us to do so much. When working your way through the activities below, examine each quote from more than one angle. Explain what the alliteration might suggest, then dig back in and tell us what else it might mean!

First, check out the irresistible ‘Voices’…

Chrissy Costanza sings: “I’m up to my neck in the noises” and we’re hooked on that ‘n’ sound.

ACTIVITY 1

Try isolating that ‘n’ sound. Say it out loud. Over and over.

N-N-N-N-N-N-N-N-N-N-N-N-N-N!

It doesn’t matter if you think you sound RIDICULOUS. Just focus on the effect of that repeated consonant.

It might suggest a sense of nervousness, right? And that makes sense given the subject matter. Costanza’s anxieties are cornering her, and that stuttering ‘n’ helps us tune in to the stress she’s experiencing. Or perhaps you think that ‘n’ sound is actually indicative of the singer’s refusal to let her insecurities get on top of her. In that scenario, every ‘n’ implies a ‘NO’. Sure, the noises are up to her neck, but, NO, they are not going to win. And, NO, Costanza is not going to stop fighting. Or maybe the ‘n’ sound has been deliberately chosen to represent BOTH the singer’s resilience and her nerves. The perfect alliterative choice then: the ‘n’ sound somehow cuts right to the heart of a complex, multi-dimensional experience.

Okay, now it’s your turn to dig into some of the band’s other alliterative choices.

ACTIVITY 2

Listen to ‘that won’t save us’ (I mean, you don’t have to, but why would you not?!), then explore the line:

“the duller the knife, the deeper the scars.”

Spot the alliteration. Isolate that key letter and repeat it out loud. Then come up with two good reasons as to why the letter choice fits the situation perfectly. How does the repetition of that sound suit the feelings or message at the heart of the song and Costanza’s experience?

ACTIVITY 3

Listen to ‘weapon’, then explore the line:

“My blood is boiling.”

Spot the alliteration. Isolate that key letter and repeat it out loud. Then come up with two good reasons as to why the letter choice fits the situation perfectly. How does the repetition of that sound suit the feelings or message at the heart of the song and Costanza’s experience?

ACTIVITY 4

Listen to ‘shatter’, then explore the line:

“Eventually faces will fade.”

Spot the alliteration. Isolate that key letter and repeat it out loud. Then come up with two good reasons as to why the letter choice fits the situation perfectly. How does the repetition of that sound suit the feelings or message at the heart of the song and Costanza’s experience?

Video thanks to Anderoo Gigwhore

ACTIVITY 5

Listen to ‘lullaby’, then explore the line:

“Breaking all my bones to sharpen your knife.”

Spot the alliteration. Isolate that key letter and repeat it out loud. Then come up with two good reasons as to why the letter choice fits the situation perfectly. How does the repetition of that sound suit the feelings or message at the heart of the song and Costanza’s experience?

Video thanks to darknightgotham

Once you’re done, you can send your ideas (or questions) in. We want to publish the most exciting writing and offer advice.

Then have a go at another Against The Current lesson!

Main pic thanks to the amazing Danny Peart.