Since there aren't any lyrics included with the album, or any Boxer lyrics posted on the band's website (I want to thank the band for recently linking this post on their band site) these uncredited transcriptions will have to do. If you have any corrections or opinions on these lyrics, please leave a comment.
If you haven't got the album yet, go here... or your nearest record store of choice and buy the disc. Boxer was released on May 22nd and has garnered acclaim from many in-the-know.
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The National: Boxer: Lyrics
FAKE EMPIRE
Stay out super late tonight picking apples, making pies
put a little something in our lemonade and take it with us
we’re half-awake in a fake empire
we’re half-awake in a fake empire
Tiptoe through our shiny city with our diamond slippers on
Do our gay ballet on ice
bluebirds on our shoulders
we’re half-awake in a fake empire
we’re half-awake in a fake empire
Turn the light out say goodnight
no thinking for a little while
lets not try to figure out everything at once
It’s hard to keep track of you falling through the sky
we’re half-awake in a fake empire
we’re half-awake in a fake empire
MISTAKEN FOR STRANGERS
You have to do it running but you do everything that they ask you to
cause you don’t mind seeing yourself in a picture
as long as you look faraway, as long as you look removed
showered and blue-blazered, fill yourself with quarters
showered and blue-blazered, fill yourself with quarters
You get mistaken for strangers by your own friends
when you pass them at night under the silvery, silvery citibank lights
arm in arm in arm and eyes and eyes glazing under
oh you wouldn’t want an angel watching over
surprise, surprise they wouldn’t wannna watch
another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults
Make up something to believe in your heart of hearts
so you have something to wear on your sleeve of sleeves
so you swear you just saw a feathery woman
carry a blindfolded man through the trees
showered and blue-blazered, fill yourself with quarters
showered and blue-blazered, fill yourself with quarters
You get mistaken for strangers by your own friends
when you pass them at night under the silvery, silvery citibank lights
arm in arm in arm and eyes and eyes glazing under
oh you wouldn’t want an angel watching over
surprise, surprise they wouldn’t wannna watch
another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults
You get mistaken for strangers by your own friends
when you pass them at night under the silvery, silvery citibank lights
arm in arm in arm and eyes and eyes glazing under
oh you wouldn’t want an angel watching over
surprise, surprise they wouldn’t wannna watch
another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults
BRAINY
I’ve been draggin around from the end of you coat for two weeks, ah ah.
Everywhere you go is swirlin, everything you say has water under it, ah ah.
You know I keep your fingerprints in a pink folder in the middle of my table
you’re the tall kingdom I surround
think I better follow you around
You might need me more than you think you will
come home in the car you love, brainy brainy brainy
I’ve been draggin around from the end of you coat for two weeks, ah ah.
You keep changing you’re fancy fancy mind every time I decide to let go
I was up all night again, boning up and reading the American dictionary
you’ll never believe me what I found
think I better follow you around
You might need me more than you think you will
come home in the car you love, brainy brainy brainy
You might need me more than you think you will
come home in the car you love, brainy brainy brainy
SQUALOR VICTORIA
Underline everything, I’m a professional in my beloved white shirt
Underline everything, I’m a professional in my beloved white shirt
I'm going down among the saints
Raise our heavenly glasses to the heavens! Squalor Victoria! Squalor Victoria!
Raise our heavenly glasses to the heavens! Squalor Victoria! Squalor Victoria!
Out of my league, I have birds in my sleeves and I wanna rush in with the fools
Out of my league, I have birds in my sleeves and I wanna rush in with the fools
Raise our heavenly glasses to the heavens! Squalor Victoria! Squalor Victoria!
Raise our heavenly glasses to the heavens! Squalor Victoria! Squalor Victoria!
3:30 in the last night for you to save this
You’re zoning out, zoning out, zoning out, zoning out
3:30 in the last night for you to save this
You’re zoning out, zoning out, zoning out, zoning out
This isn’t working, you, my middlebrow fuck-up
GREEN GLOVES
Falling out of touch with all my
friends are somewhere getting wasted,
hope they’re staying glued together,
I have arms for them.
Take another sip of them,
it floats around and takes me over
like a little drop of ink in a glass of water
Get inside their clothes
with my green gloves
watch their videos, in their chairs.
Get inside their beds
with my green gloves
Get inside their heads, love their loves.
Cinderella through the room
I glide and swan cause I’m the best slow dancer
in the universe
Falling out of touch with all my
friends are somewhere getting wasted,
hope they’re staying glued together,
I have arms for them.
Get inside their clothes
with my green gloves
watch their videos, in their chairs.
Get inside their beds
with my green gloves
Get inside their heads, love their loves.
Now I hardly know them
and I’ll take my time
I’ll carry them over, and I’ll make them mine.
Get inside their clothes
with my green gloves
watch their videos, in their chairs.
Get inside their beds
with my green gloves
Get inside their heads, love their loves.
SLOW SHOW
Standing at the punch table swallowing punch
can’t pay attention to the sound of anyone
a little more stupid, a little more scared
every minute more unprepared
I made a mistake in my life today
everything I love gets lost in drawers
I want to start over, I want to be winning
way out of sync from the beginning
I wanna hurry home to you
put on a slow, dumb show for you
and crack you up
so you can put a blue ribbon on my brain
god I’m very, very frightening
I’ll overdo it
Looking for somewhere to stand and stay
I leaned on the wall and the wall leaned away
Can I get a minute of not being nervous
and not thinking of my dick
My leg is sparkles, my leg is pins
I better get my shit together, better gather my shit in
You could drive a car through my head in five minutes
from one side of it to the other
I wanna hurry home to you
put on a slow, dumb show for you
and crack you up
so you can put a blue ribbon on my brain
god I’m very, very frightening
I’ll overdo it
You know I dreamed about you
for twenty-nine years before I saw you
You know I dreamed about you
I missed you for
for twenty-nine years
You know I dreamed about you
for twenty-nine years before I saw you
You know I dreamed about you
I missed you for
for twenty-nine years
APARTMENT STORY
Be still for a second while I try and try to pin your flowers on la la la la
Can you carry my drink I have everything else
I can tie my tie all by myself
I’m getting tied, I’m forgetting why
Oh we’re so disarming darling, everything we did believe
is diving diving diving diving off the balcony
Tired and wired we ruin too easy
sleep in our clothes and wait for winter to leave
Hold ourselves together with our arms around the stereo for hours, la la la la
While it sings to itself or whatever it does
when it sings to itself of its long lost loves
I’m getting tied, I’m forgetting why
Tired and wired we ruin too easy
sleep in our clothes and wait for winter to leave
but I’ll be with you behind the couch when they come
on a different day just like this one
We’ll stay inside til somebody finds us
do whatever the TV tells us
stay inside our rosy-minded fuzz for days
We’ll stay inside til somebody finds us
do whatever the TV tells us
stay inside our rosy-minded fuzz
so worry not
all things are well
we’ll be alright
we have our looks and perfume
stay inside til somebody finds us
do whatever the TV tells us
stay inside our rosy-minded fuzz
so worry not
all things are well
we’ll be alright
we have our looks and perfume on
START A WAR
We expected something, something better than before. We expected something more
Do you really think you can just put it in a safe behind a painting, lock it up and leave
Do you really think you can just put it in a safe behind a painting, lock it up and leave
Walk away now and you’re gonna start a war
Whatever went away I’ll get it over again. I’ll get money, I’ll get funny again
Whatever went away I’ll get it over again. I’ll get money, I’ll get funny again
Walk away now and you’re gonna start a war
We expected something, something better than before. We expected something more
You were always waiting but I never had to hold you by the edges like I do now
You were always waiting but I never had to hold you by the edges like I do now
Walk away now and you’re gonna start a war
Whatever went away I’ll get it over again. I’ll get money, I’ll get funny again
Whatever went away I’ll get it over again. I’ll get money, I’ll get funny again
Walk away now and you’re gonna start a war
Walk away now and you’re gonna start a war
GUEST ROOM
They’re gonna send us to prison for jerks
for having vague ideas of the way to turn each other on again
They’re gonna send us to prison for jerks
They’ll find us here here here in the guest room
where we throw money at each other and cry, oh my
We miss being ruffians, going wild and bright
in the corners of front yards
getting in and out of cars
we miss being deviants
They’ll find us here here here in the guest room
where we throw money at each other and cry, oh my
We can’t stay here
we’re starting to stay the same
We can’t stay here
we can’t stay this way
Just tie your woman to your wrist
give her room to tie the other
They’ll find us here here here in the guest room
where we throw money at each other and cry, oh my
RACING LIKE A PRO
You’re pink you’re young you’re middle-class
they say it doesn’t matter
Fifteen blue shirts and womanly hands
you’re shooting up the ladder
Your mind is racing like a pro, now
Oh my god it doesn’t mean a lot to you
One time you were a glowing young ruffian
Oh my god it was a million years ago
Sometimes you get up and bake a cake or something
sometimes you stay in bed
sometimes you go la di da di da di da da
til your eyes roll back into your head
Your mind is racing like a pro, now
Oh my god it doesn’t mean a lot to you
One time you were a glowing young ruffian
Oh my god it was a million years ago
You’re dumbstruck baby
You’re dumbstruck baby now you know
You’re dumbstruck baby
You’re dumbstruck baby now you know
Your mind is racing like a pro, now
Oh my god it doesn’t mean a lot to you
One time you were a glowing young ruffian
Oh my god it was a million years ago
You’re dumbstruck baby
You’re dumbstruck baby now you know
You’re dumbstruck baby
You’re dumbstruck baby now you know
You’re dumbstruck baby
ADA
Ada don’t talk about reasons why you don’t want to talk about reasons
why you don’t wanna talk
Now that you got everybody you consider sharp
all alone. all together, all together in the dark
Leave it all up in the air
Leave it all up in the air
Leave it all up in the air
Ada put the sounds of your house in a song
try to be speechless for a minute
If you think you gonna faint go out in the hallway
Let them all have your neck
Ada don’t stay in the lake too long
it lives alone and it barely knows you
It’ll have a nervous breakdown and fall
into a thousand pieces around you
Stand inside an empty tuxedo with grapes in my mouth
waiting for Ada
Ada hold onto yourself by the sleeves
I think everything counts a little more than we think
Leave it all up in the air
Leave it all up in the air
Leave it all up in the air
Ada Ada Ada Ada
Ada I can hear the sound of your laugh through the wall
Ada don’t talk about reasons why you don’t want to talk about reasons
why you don’t wanna talk
Now that you got everybody you consider sharp
all alone. all together, all together in the dark
Leave it all up in the air
Leave it all up in the air
Leave it all up in the air
Ada Ada Ada Ada
Ada I can hear the sound of your laugh through the wall
Ada Ada Ada Ada
Ada, I’ve been hoping you know your way around
GOSPEL
I got two armfuls of magazines for you
I’ll bring em over
so hang your holiday rainbow lights in the garden
hang your holiday rainbow lights in the garden and I’ll
I’ll bring a nice icy drink to you
Let me come over I can waist your time I’m bored
Invite me to the war every night of the summer
and we’ll play G.I. blood, G.I. blood
we’ll stand by the pool
we’ll through out our golden arms
Darlin can you tie my string
killers are callin on me
my angel face is fallin
feathers are fallin on my feet
Darlin can you tie my string
killers are callin on me
Stay near your, stay near your television
Set it up outside
and hang your holiday rainbow lights in the garden
hang your holiday rainbow lights in the garden and I’ll
I’ll bring a nice icy drink to you
Let me come over I can waist your time I’m bored
Invite me to the war every night of the summer
and we’ll play G.I. blood, G.I. blood
we’ll stand by the pool
we’ll through out our golden arms
Darlin can you tie my string
killers are callin on me
my angel face is fallin
feathers are fallin on my feet
my angel face is fallin
feathers are fallin on my feet
Darlin can you tie my string
killers are callin on me
Darlin can you tie my string
killers are callin on me
Jun 17, 2007
Apr 18, 2007
Hipstereo Interview: The Veils' Finn Andrews
Finn Andrews was kind enough to answer some questions from an imaginary hammock on an imaginary dusty porch (when he wasn't worrying about time and space).
Visit The Veils myspace and be their friend.
Download Nux Vomica with eMusic's free trial offer of 25 DRM-Free MP3s.
* * * * * * * *
+Sixeyes: Let's start at the beginning... what instrument did you first pick up, guitar? And is that first instrument the one that still gets the most attention today?
Finn Andrews: I played around on a lot of different instruments pretty early on - I learnt the didgeridoo when I was about 6, circular breathing and all. I’m currently trying to teach myself the Viola but I’m still pretty shit at it. I figured I’d at least be as good as John Cale within a few months but it really doesn’t seem to be working out like that.
+SE: I was wondering if anything you've read had inspired songs on the new album, or on the first album?
FA: I read an essay by Susan Sontag in the paper last week that made me want to build a fucking city. It had a line in it, I don’t know if it was one of hers or not but it went: “Time is so everything doesn’t happen all at once, and Space is so it doesn’t all happen to you.” That cheered me up immensely.
+SE: I've gotten the impression from some lyrics and older interviews that you may be a homebody, that you like the comforts of hearth and home. If that's true, or not, how do you handle the constant flux of life on the road?
I’m really pretty perverse – I want whatever is furthest away from me most of the time it seems, so when we’re on the road all I really want to be doing is swaying in a hammock on some dusty porch, strumming a banjo and humming to myself.
It might have something to do with growing up between New Zealand and England that nothing ever seems like that far away.
+SE: In the performance videos I've seen of the band and in photos you've adopted an image that some have described as pseudo-Amish. Is this a deliberate look you've settled on, or just a happy result of your style choices? And if deliberate, why?
FA: It’s amazing the amount of attention a big hat gets you. I just like dressing up in weird shit from time to time - bands all look the fucking same and I just woke up one morning and thought “Fuck it, I’m putting on an enormous fucking hat.” I don’t wear it anymore though.
+SE: I want to know what drives you to create? And why did you decide to make another album? I mean it seems like such a hassle and all to get a record made unlike say a painter who only answers to himself and does all the work on his own.
FA: I think it depends entirely on how you look at it: I haven’t met many painters who are laughing it up at people in the music industry cause they’ve got it so much harder. Anyone that works in the arts kind of has to just accept pretty early on that it’s a fucking struggle getting anything of any real worth made and you better just get used to it.
+SE: Nick Launay, who produced Nux Vomica, had worked on your father's (XTC) albums in the past. Did you know Launay personally because of this connection?
FA: Yeah, sort of - I used to go round to his house a lot when I was a kid and I’d amuse myself in his living room while the adults were up stairs making loud noises in the studio. It’s kind of come full circle.
+SE: Did you always have the idea of making music as a way of life in the back of your mind because of your father's career as a musician?
FA: Oh God no! It looked like the most horrific fucking profession imaginable – I wanted to make films or be a fisherman or something.
How do you think his career affected your confidence towards music and making a living at it?
FA: It made me very aware very early on that nearly everyone in the record industry is a self-promoting chancer who will work you to death and try to steal your money. That’s proved pretty much spot on so far.
+SE: Is there an artist or musician whose work you hold aloft as a goal you're attempting to equal when you write? Someone you measure yourself against?
FA: I read an interview with Martin Sheen this morning and I kind of want to turn out like him in 40 years time. I love Devendra Banhart’s stuff. He’s so free in the music he’s making and he really excites me about the music that will be made tomorrow. I used to be very obsessed with musicians more of my father’s generation when I was in my teens, people like Patti Smith and Tom Waits, but now I feel a lot more towards those closer to my age, people whose work is blossoming all around us right now. People like Rufus Wainwright, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Antony & The Johnsons, Bill Callahan. They’re kind of all driving me nuts at the moment.
+SE: What does the rest of the year hold for you and the band?
FA: We’re actually moving to Oklahoma to squat in The Flaming Lips living room and rehearse a record. You know how it is. We’ll be there ‘til August and then hopefully there’ll be a new album out by the end of the year. I can’t wait.
* * * * * * * *
From Nux Vomica
advice for young mothers to be [mp3]
BUY Nux Vomica and/or The Runaway Found.
TOUR DATES
When performing live the band line-up is:
Finn Andrews (vocals, guitar)
Sophia Burn (bass)
Liam Gerrard (piano and organ)
Henning Dietz (drums)
Dan Raishbrook (guitar)
APRIL
25th: Islington Academy, London, UK
MAY
2nd: Mezz, Breda, The Netherlands
3rd: Doornrosje, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
4th: Melkweg, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
5th: Bevrijdingsfestival, Groningen, The Netherlands
6th: Rotown, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
14th: Anciennes Belgique, Brussels, Belgium
JUNE
7th: Mercury Lounge, New York City, NY, USA
8th: Union Hall, Brooklyn, NY, USA
9th: Great Scott, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
11th: DC9, Washington DC, USA
12th: The Khyber, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
14th: El Mocambo, Toronto, Canada
15th: Shelter 16, Detroit, Michigan, USA
17th: Empty Bottle, Chicago, Illinois, USA
18th: 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
19th: Grand Emporium, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
21st: Larimer Lounge, Denver, Colorado, USA
24th: Plaza Club, Vancouver, Canada
25th: Crocodile Club, Seattle, Washington, USA
26th: Doug Fir, Portland, Oregon, USA
28th: Cafe Du Nord, San Francisco, California, USA
29th: Spaceland, Los Angeles, California, USA
Mar 12, 2007
Modest Mouse: We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank LYRICS
MODEST MOUSE will see their latest released on March 20th. It'll be their first with former Smiths guitarist, Johnny Marr, and it does mark a change for the band as they have become even more radio friendly since the last album.
We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank TRACKLIST:
1. March Into the Sea
2. Dashboard
3. Fire It Up
4. Florida
5. Parting of the Sensory
6. Missed the Boat
7. We've Got Everything
8. Fly Trapped in a Jar
9. Education
10. Little Motel
11. Steam Engenius
12. Spitting Venom
13. People As Places As People
14. Invisible
Here are the lyrics to the new album. These lyrics were found on various sites online and there is no guarantee that they are correct. If you find some glaring errors and want to set the record (or song) straight, please leave your welcome help in the comments. Thanks.
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1. March Into The Sea
If food needed pleasing
You'd suck all the seasoning off!
Suck it off!
Well, treat me like disease
Like the rats and the fleas
Ahaha! Ahaha!
Bang your head like a gong
'Cause it's filled with all wrong
Ahaha! Clang, clang, clang!
If you think you know enough to know you know we've had enough
And if you think you don't, you probably will
Our tails wagged and then fell off
But we just turned back, marched into the sea
Well, treat me like the sea
Oh-so salty and mean
Ahaha! Oh, ha ha!
Well, treat me like disease
Like the rats and the fleas
Ahahaaa! Haa!
I'll be beating my heart's record for speeding
I'll be beating the record for heart skipping
Oh, the doggone tails, well they fell off
But we just turned back, marched into the sea
..Well, we just turned around, marched into the sea
Take all that you need
Let my saxophone free
Till it's gone, till it's gone
Well, this coffee you bleed
Like the leaves of a tree
Ahaha! Ahaha!
Let's shake hands if you want
But you-- both hands are gone!
Oh, haha! Haha!
Well, treat me like the sea
I'm so salty and mean
Ahaha..
Oh, treat me like the sea
Oh-so salty and mean
Ahaha..
Well, treat me like the leaves
Like the rats and the fleas
Bang your head like a gong
'Cause you call it all wrong
Move your tune
Clang, clang
Clang, clang
Clang, clang
Clang, claaang!
Cut me down like the trees
Like the lumber or weeds
Drink me out of the sea
And then teach me to breathe
Give me forests so dead
I wish death on myself
Give me forests so dead
I wish death on myself
Ahaha!
Aha!
Aha!
Aha!
Ahaaaaah!
Well, we all saw the rat
Take a happy encore
For the phone speaks we all
And the running bulls
Ahaha!
March on! March on! March on! March Ooooooon!
Well, march on!
2. Dashboard
Well, it would've been, could've been worse than you would ever know.
Oh, the dashboard melted, but we still have the radio.
Oh, it should've been, could've been worse than you would ever know.
Well, you told me about nowhere well it sounds like someplace I'd like to go.
Oh, it could've been, should've been worse than you would ever know.
Well, the windshield was broken but I love the fresh air y'know.
(The dashboard melted but we still have the radio)
Oh, it would've been, could've been worse than you would ever know, oh!
(The dashboard melted but we still have the radio)
Oh, we talked about nothing which was more than I wanted you to know-oh-oh-oh-oh.
Now here we go!
Oh! It would've been, could've been worse than it had even gone
Well, the car was on blocks, but I was already where I want.
(It was impossible, we ran it good, we ran it good)
Why should we ever even ever really even get to know?
(It was impossible, we ran it good, we ran it good)
Oh if the world don't like us it'll shake us just like we were a co-oh-oh-oh-old.
Now here we go!
Well we scheme and we scheme but we always blow it
we've yet to crash, but we still might as well enjoy it
Standing at a light switch to each east and west horizon,
Every dawn you're surprising,
And the evening was consoling
Saying "See it wasn't quite as bad as"
Well, it would've been, could've been worse than you would ever know.
I was patiently erasing and recording the wrong episodes
after you had proved my point wrong,
It wasn't like I'd let it go, oh-oh-oh. Oh-oh-oh.
I just wanted to catch the last laugh of this show.
Yeah, it would've been, could've been worse than you would ever know.
Oh, the dashboard melted, but we still have the radio.
(The dashboard melted, but we ran it good, we ran it good)
Hard-wired to conceive, so much we'd have to stow it
Even needs have needs, tiny giants made of tinier giants.
Don't wear eyelids so I don't miss the last laugh of this show.
(The dashboard melted but we still have the radio)
Oh, we could've been, should've been worse than you would ever know.
(The dashboard melted but we still have the radio)
Well, you told me about nowhere well it sounds like someplace I'd like to go-oh-oh-oh-oh.
Now here we go!
Well we scheme and we scheme but we always blow it
we've yet to crash, but we still might as well enjoy it
Standing at a light switch to each east and west horizon,
Every dawn you're surprising,
And the evening was consoling
Saying "See it wasn't quite as bad as"
Oh it would've been, could've been worse than you would ever know.
3. Fire It Up
Etceteranough? (x8)
Fire it up, fire it up
When we finally turn it over
Make a B-line towards the border
Have a drink, you've had enough
Fire it up, fire it up
If you need some conversation
Bring a magazine to read around
our broke down transportation
Fire it up
Etceteranough? (x3)
Fire it up, fire it up
When we find the perfect water
We'll hang out on the shore
just long enough to leave our clothes there
Find enough, find enough
Oh we ate all of the oranges
off the navels of our lovers
grabbed a book and read the cover
It honestly was beautifully done
Like trying to hide the daylight from the sun
But even if we had been sure enough it's true we really didn't know
Even if we knew which way to head but still we probably wouldn't go
Fire it up, fire it up
We pushed off we're rolling boulders
crashing down the mirrored stairways
two of lifes best mind canaries
Fire it up, fire it up
When we fix the carburetor
then we'll push off once again
in an hour or so later
It honestly was beautifully bold
Like trying to save an ice cube from the cold
But even if we had been sure enough it's true we really didn't know
Even if we knew which way to head but still we probably wouldn't go
Well we always (x2) had it all (x2)
(x3)
4. Florida
Although we often wondered
It was no thing of wonder
The shit that flew from our minds
Grass stains and fresh fruit
Reminds our shoes of horse glue
On this ridiculous climb
With great tall vision
We built ourselves a mission
To ride out motives decide
Oh, with vague description
Of what we have been missing
So why would anyone try
It was always worth it
That’s the part I seem to hide
And the busy ant empire
Put all your clothes inside
I wasn’t always cargo
I guess I’ll pack up my mind
It took so much effort
Not to make an effort
Oh, what a flawless design
It was always worth it
That’s the part I seem to hide
And the busy ant empire
Put all your clothes inside
Even as I left Florida
(yee-ha)
It was always worth it
That’s the part I seem to hide
And the busy ant empire
Put all your clothes inside
Even as I left Florida
Far enough, far enough
Wasn’t far enough
Couldn’t quite seem to escape myself
Far enough, far enough
Far from Florida
We were all drowning in cruise control
Far enough, far enough
Wasn’t far enough
I stood on my heart supports thinkin’
“Oh my God, I’ll probably have to carry this whole load.”
I couldn’t remember if I tried
I couldn’t remember if I took my brain out, threw it so directly a the goal
I couldn’t remember if I….
I could have my mind erased
And still not know exactly what I don’t already know
Even as I left Florida
5. Parting of the Sensory
There's no work in walking in to fuel the talk
I would grab my shoes and then away I'd walk
Through all the stubborn beauty I start at the dawn
Until the sun had fully stopped
Never walking away from
Just a way to pull apart
Dehydrate back into minerals
A life long walk to the same exact spot
Carbon's anniversary
The parting of the sensory
Old old mystery
The parting of the sensory
Who the hell made you the boss?
We placed our chips in all the right spots
But still lost
Any shithead who had ever walked
Could take the ship and do a much finer job
This fit like clothes made out of wasps
Aw, fuck it I guess I lost
The parting of the sensory
Carbon's anniversary
Just part it again if you please
Carbon's anniversary
Who the hell made you the boss
If you say what to do I know what not to stop
If you were the ship then who would ever get on
The weather changed it for the worse
And came down on us like it had been rehearsed
And like we hope, but change will surely come
And be awful for most but really good for some
I took a trip to the exact same spot
We pulled the trigger, but we forgot to cock
And every single shot
Aw, fuck it I guess we lost
Some day you will die and
Somehow something’s going to steal your carbon
Some day you will die and
Somehow something’s going to steal your carbon
Well some day you will die somehow and
Something’s going to steal your carbon
Some day you will die and
Someone’s or something’s will steal your carbon
Some day something will die and
Somehow you'll figure out how
Often you will die somehow and
Something going to steal your carbon
Well some day you will die somehow and
Something’s going to steal your carbon
6. Missed the Boat
While we're on the subject
Could we change the subject now?
I was knocking on your ears
Don't worry, you were always out
Looking towards the future
We were begging for the past
Well we knew we had the good things
But those never seemed to last
Oh please just last
Everyone's unhappy
Everyone's ashamed
Well we all just got caught looking
At somebody else's page
Well nothing ever went
Quite exactly as we planned
Our ideas held no water
But we used them like a damn
Oh, and we carried it all so well
As if we got a new position
Oh, and I laugh all the way to hell
Saying yes, this is a fine promotion
Oh, and I laugh all the way to hell
Of course everyone goes crazy
Over such and such and such
We made ourselves a ???
We just used it as a crutch
We were suddenly uncertain
At least I'm pretty sure I am
Well we didn't need the water
But we just built that go god damn
Oh, and I know this all myself
I stood in front for all the people
Oh, and I know this all myself
We listen while life hangs on
And the sound of life's sweet bliss
Was it ever worth it?
Was there all that much to gain?
Well we knew we missed the boat
And we'd already missed the plane
We didn't read the invite
We just dance at our wake
All our favorites were playing
So we could shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
Tiny curtains open and we heard the tiny clap of little hands
A tiny man would tell a little joke and get a tiny laugh from all the folks
Sitting drifting around in bubbles and thinking it was us that carried them
When we finally got it figured out that we had truly missed the boat
Oh, and we carried it all so well
As if we got a new position
Oh, and we owned all the tools ourselves
But not the skills to make a shelf with
Oh, what useless tools ourselves
7. We've Got Everything
We've got everything
We've got everything
We've got everything down to a science so I guess we know everything
We know everything
We know everything
We know everything was built to expire so I guess we've done everything
If we carried it out to sea
Pushed it over the edge we'd have all been through,
Well first off Gary got drunk fell asleep in his car til about noon
Flat Top Tony got all messed up split his lip chasing cheap perfume
Well look at our boat in the bay it looks like some sad ass little canoe
We've done everything
We've done everything
We've done everything like trial by fire so I guess we'll stop trying now
We've tried everything
We've tried everything
We've tried everything half assed and as liars and thats how we've got everything
If we carried it out to sea pushed it over the edge we could have all been through
Well no one even bothered showin' up but we still did what we should have thought through
We crashed in like waves into the stars Didn't want it didn't need it but we knew that we could see it so we opened up the door
We receded like waves out of the stars
Didn't want it didn't need it but we knew that we could steal it left it dying on the floor
We've got everything
We've got everything
We've got everything down to a science so I guess we know everything
We've got everything
We've done everything
We've tried everything
We've got everything
We've got everything
8. Fly Trapped In A Jar
Of part and parcel,
so well we're already dead,
well it's probably been said,
that it's always been said,
that,
one wing isn't even enough,
it isn't even enough,
it isn't even enough,
it isn't even enough,
to leave,
one wing isn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
to leave,
(HAHAHA HAAA HAAA HA)
I'm gonna' shake myself right out the door,
I'm gonna' take myself when it's finally over,
I'm gonna' let my own bad self take over,
I'm gonna' move my arm out with my shoulder,
and
one wing wasn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
to leave,
one wing wasn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
to leave,
one wing wasn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
to leave,
First off Gary was on trial and drunk before we left bed,
as things got better was it hard to say that he had no idea,
well I hadn't noticed but the people really noticed that they really didn't want us around,
so we all just opened up our mouthes and walked to this town,
well I was walking just a little bit sideways and you were walking sideways too,
well I hadn't learned when a front door can be used,
here it goes now...
We had darkened doors so we didn't read what the sign read
Though simple enough it was to me really tough the ground needs to be fed,
well I hadn't noticed but the people really noticed that they didn't really want us around,
so not a single one of us will ever leave town,
here we go sir...
our bodies were laid out,
they were laid for fifteen yards,
well two feet above each of our heads was a fly trapped in a jar,
well I hadn't noticed but the people really noticed that they really didn't want us around,
so every single one of us hit the ground,
HERE WE GO NOW...
one wing wans't even uhh,
one wing wasn't even enough,
oh pardon pardon,
so well it's already been said,
that it's always been said that
we're already dead
9. Education
Call it education
It was somewhere in between
You gave me some sound advice
But I wasn't listening
After we had capsized
I could tell you how you thought
Well, I'm not sure
But laid to rest on the city on the wall
Not quite conversation
It was somewhere in between
You said everything is taught
And I listened patiently
All this dog and pony
Still monkeys the whole time
We could not help from flinging shit
In our modern suits and ties
Our instincts, they were cringing
About how we lived our lives
It didn't seem we'd lived enough
To even get to die
All these diss distractions
So beautifully complex
Well, I loved life's surprises so much
I don't want to know what's happened
Stubborn shouting, said
"I don't do what you do"
I don't know
Could it really hear highly if you highly care?
And you don't
Stubborn beauty, stubborn beauty
I've been away
Hardly education
It was somewhere in between
Oh, I hit the roof but I had
Aimed for the ceiling
Hardly education
All them books I didn't
They just sat there on my shelf
Looking much smarter than me
Good old Nostradamus
He knew the whole damn time
That always being east from west
Someone is there fighting
Stubborn shouting, said
"I don't do what you do"
I don't know
Could it really hear highly if you highly care?
And you don't
Stubborn beauty, stubborn beauty
I've been away
Stubborn beauty, stubborn beauty
I don't know anyway
Stubborn beauty, stubborn beauty
I don't know
Could it really hear highly if you highly care?
And you don't
Stubborn beauty, stubborn beauty
Uh.. I fell away
Stubborn beauty, stubborn beauty
Oh, very well, then
Stubborn beauty, stubborn beauty
Oh, very well, then
Stubborn beauty, stubborn beauty
Oh, very well, then
Oh, very well, then
10. Little Motel
I hope that you like it in your little motel
and I hope that the suite sleeps and suits you well
well I can see it as time and a sight through smell and
thats why its nice to be by yourself
Cause thats what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for, aren't I?
That's what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for darlin'
We treat mishaps like sinking ships and
I know that I don't want to be out to drift
Well I can see it in your eyes like I taste your lips and
they both tell me that we're better than this
Cause thats what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for, aren't I?
That's what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for darlin'
We trade tit for tat like that for this
and I don't think that there was an insult that was missed
I can see it in your eyes like I taste your lips and
I'm very sorry
Cause thats what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for, aren't I?
That's what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for darlin'
it rained and its over a shooting star
landed directly on our broke down little car
we fold and we had made a wish
that we would be missed
If one another just did not exist
Cause thats what we're waiting for
That's what we're waiting for
That's what we're waiting on, aren't we?
That's what we're waiting for
That's what we're waiting for
That's what we're waiting for darlin'
That's what we're waiting for
That's what we're waiting for
That's what we're waiting for aren't we?
11. Steam Engenius (These are incomplete)
I was born in the factory
Far away from the milky teat
What's the use?
Oh, what's the use?
You cheered as I was split in half
A mechanical sacrificial calf for you
Oh, all for you
Steam engenius, you see
Steam engenius enough to answer anything you need
But what's the use?
Human nature was installed in me.
I did what was right, but naturally
It wasn't natural
though not my fault
I held my hands
The beating heart of a robot
He drived his car
He's sitting there burning
Now in the parking lot
Just for you
What a waste of time
What a waste of words
What a waste of strength
Well, I spoke in binary
And you see far
You meant for clenching your leg
I was born in the factory
Far away from the milk and teat
What's the use?
Oh, what's the use?
Bliss through waters, I was split in half
A mechanical sacrificial calf that flew
Oh, off they flew
Steam engenius, you see
Steam engenius enough to answer anything you need
And I like speed
I held my hands
The beating heart of a robot
He drived his car
He's sitting there
Waiting car in the parking lot
Out for you
What a waste of time
What a waste of words
What a waste of strength
Well, I smoke in my air
And you spoke far
You meant for dizzying lay
(I was born in the factory)
Both hassle men
Half like a joke
Trying to make another joke
Laugh, haha
Stasisity's what you brought
Like a rickshaw getting pulled around by another rickshaw
Rickshaw..
In the past talking present tense
Gonna break it
Gonna wreck it
Gonna try to make it all make sense
Stasisity's what you got
Like a rickshaw getting pulled around by another rickshaw
Steam engenius, you see
Steam engenius enough to bring my own damn doom
What could I do?
I been blamed then blamed the groom
Well, deep inside everybody knew it was them
It's caught on them
Things rain in stories Greek
I didn't want it, you gave me deity
It was you
Yeah, all for you
I was born in the factory
Far away from the milk and teat
What's the use?
Oh, what is the use?
I held my hands
The beating heart of a robot
He drived his car
He's sitting there crying
All the way in the parking lot
Just for you
I'll start up the man
(?)
Then rip into my
(?)
(?)
I didn't even know that was my own damn plan
What a waste of time
What a waste of words
What a waste of breath
Well, I spoke it by now
You broke your thought
You meant for (?)
I held my hands
The beating heart of a robot
He drived his car
He's sitting there crying
Now waiting for you in the parking lot
Going woo-hoo
Stasisity's what you got
Like a rickshaw getting pulled around by another rickshaw
12. Spitting Venom
we were spitting venom at most everyone we know
if the damned gave us a road map then we'd know just were to go
now let it drop
let it all drop
let it all drop
oh let it all fall off
well you were talking soda pop
you were talking quite a lot
the opinions that I do not give
the opinions I aint got
so let it drop
let it all drop
let is all drop
let it all fall off there oh
well you were spitting venom at most everyone you know
if you truly knew the gravity you'd know which way to go
well let it drop
let it drop
let it all drop
oh let it all fall off
my ears were bristled firmly right against your mouth to hear
when you tried to spit the venom out your words were not so clear
now drop
hold on to what you need
we've got a knack for fucked up history
hold on to what you need
we've got a knack for messed up history
well we went downtown and we sat in the rain
well looking what direction and waiting for a train and thought over
its all over
I did't know you kept track I didn't know there was a score
well it looks like your the winner and I aint gonna play no more
its over
game over
well we walked real stiff and i came inside the ground
you hit me with yours
and said 'pull yourself together'
its over
oh it's over
you can say what you want but don't act like you care
it takes more than one person to decide whats fair
its over
think it over
you were spitting venom at most everyone you know
if the damned gave you a road map then you'd know which way to go
so we carried all the groceries in while hauling out the trash
and if this doesn't make us motionless I do not know what can
what a rotten thing to say such an awful thing to say
I didn't mean to bite you so really
I always did what I always did what I always had to sling
so let it drop
let it all drop
let it all drop
oh let it all fall off
let it drop
let it all drop
let it drop
oh let it all fall off
cheer up baby it always wasn't quite so bad for every
venom then that came out the antidote was had
X 7
cheer up
cheer up baby it always wasn't quite so bad for every
venom then that came out the antidote was had
X6
13. People As Places As People
To answer a question
It’ll probably take more
If you’re already there
Well then you probably don’t know
Well we were the people
That we wanted to know
And we’re the places that we wanted to go
It’s hard to get hold of
And hard to let go
Always something we look for
From the day we were born
Instead we’re the people that we wanted to know
And we’re the places that we wanted to go
Yeah we’re the places that we wanted to go
We’re the places that we wanted to go
Always asking a question
And I don’t want to know
Like the wind across strings
That had finally let go
And the people you love
But you didn’t quite know
They’re the places that you wanted to go
Bark at the neighbors
And then bark at the dog
Sniffing the wind
Whimpering for someone to know
But we were the people that we wanted to know
And we’re the places that we wanted go
Yeah we’re the places that we wanted to go
Yeah we’re the places that we wanted to go
It was not the intention
But we let it all go
Well it messed up the function
And sure fucked up the flow
I hardly have people that I needed to know
‘Cause you’re the people that I wanted to know
All this scrambling around
Hunting high and then low
Looking for the face love
Or somewhere to go
I hardly have places that I need to go
‘Cause you’re the places that I wanted to go
Yeah you’re the places that we wanted to go
Yeah you’re the places that we wanted to go
[You're the people that we wanted to know]
[Shouldn't have to ask]
[You shouldn't have to ask]
['Cause we are your real place]
14. Invisible
Oh, well lesson dance
And shoot to god
A storm-suffered owl
You're not invisible inside your car
No matter what stupid sort of mission you're on
Well, you're not invisible inside your car
I go absolutely mental
Good ramblin' George
Well, you're not invisible inside your car
No matter, you could breathe it like your flies in a jar
Yeah, you're not invisible
I like the sailing teeming
Well, it's true that the moon could pull it back and far away from me
I should just let it be
Well, it's true that the moon could pull it back and far away from me
(And it's sad)
Oh, we had to have some kind
Room shaped like a charm
Well, you weren't invisible
Not all along
No matter how many eagles came in the door
We were not invisible
I knew that
I like the sailing teeming
Well, it's true that the moon could pull it back and far away from me
And there's the orphan sea
We were never invisible but that I guess we did not see
Of course this all had been laid down
Way before we lay down for it all
Before we had a course, of course
Of course this all had been laid down
Of course we lay down..
Of course we lay down..
Of course we lay down..
Of course we lay down..
Of course we lay down..
Of course we lay down....
I like the sailing teeming
Well, it's true that the moon could pull it back and far away from me
I like the orphan sea
Well, we were never invisible but that I guess we could not see
We'll get crushed by the ocean
But it will not get us wet
Crushed by the ocean
But it will not get us wet
Crushed by the ocean
But it will not get us wet
Crushed by the ocean
But it will not get us wet
We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank TRACKLIST:
1. March Into the Sea
2. Dashboard
3. Fire It Up
4. Florida
5. Parting of the Sensory
6. Missed the Boat
7. We've Got Everything
8. Fly Trapped in a Jar
9. Education
10. Little Motel
11. Steam Engenius
12. Spitting Venom
13. People As Places As People
14. Invisible
Here are the lyrics to the new album. These lyrics were found on various sites online and there is no guarantee that they are correct. If you find some glaring errors and want to set the record (or song) straight, please leave your welcome help in the comments. Thanks.
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1. March Into The Sea
If food needed pleasing
You'd suck all the seasoning off!
Suck it off!
Well, treat me like disease
Like the rats and the fleas
Ahaha! Ahaha!
Bang your head like a gong
'Cause it's filled with all wrong
Ahaha! Clang, clang, clang!
If you think you know enough to know you know we've had enough
And if you think you don't, you probably will
Our tails wagged and then fell off
But we just turned back, marched into the sea
Well, treat me like the sea
Oh-so salty and mean
Ahaha! Oh, ha ha!
Well, treat me like disease
Like the rats and the fleas
Ahahaaa! Haa!
I'll be beating my heart's record for speeding
I'll be beating the record for heart skipping
Oh, the doggone tails, well they fell off
But we just turned back, marched into the sea
..Well, we just turned around, marched into the sea
Take all that you need
Let my saxophone free
Till it's gone, till it's gone
Well, this coffee you bleed
Like the leaves of a tree
Ahaha! Ahaha!
Let's shake hands if you want
But you-- both hands are gone!
Oh, haha! Haha!
Well, treat me like the sea
I'm so salty and mean
Ahaha..
Oh, treat me like the sea
Oh-so salty and mean
Ahaha..
Well, treat me like the leaves
Like the rats and the fleas
Bang your head like a gong
'Cause you call it all wrong
Move your tune
Clang, clang
Clang, clang
Clang, clang
Clang, claaang!
Cut me down like the trees
Like the lumber or weeds
Drink me out of the sea
And then teach me to breathe
Give me forests so dead
I wish death on myself
Give me forests so dead
I wish death on myself
Ahaha!
Aha!
Aha!
Aha!
Ahaaaaah!
Well, we all saw the rat
Take a happy encore
For the phone speaks we all
And the running bulls
Ahaha!
March on! March on! March on! March Ooooooon!
Well, march on!
2. Dashboard
Well, it would've been, could've been worse than you would ever know.
Oh, the dashboard melted, but we still have the radio.
Oh, it should've been, could've been worse than you would ever know.
Well, you told me about nowhere well it sounds like someplace I'd like to go.
Oh, it could've been, should've been worse than you would ever know.
Well, the windshield was broken but I love the fresh air y'know.
(The dashboard melted but we still have the radio)
Oh, it would've been, could've been worse than you would ever know, oh!
(The dashboard melted but we still have the radio)
Oh, we talked about nothing which was more than I wanted you to know-oh-oh-oh-oh.
Now here we go!
Oh! It would've been, could've been worse than it had even gone
Well, the car was on blocks, but I was already where I want.
(It was impossible, we ran it good, we ran it good)
Why should we ever even ever really even get to know?
(It was impossible, we ran it good, we ran it good)
Oh if the world don't like us it'll shake us just like we were a co-oh-oh-oh-old.
Now here we go!
Well we scheme and we scheme but we always blow it
we've yet to crash, but we still might as well enjoy it
Standing at a light switch to each east and west horizon,
Every dawn you're surprising,
And the evening was consoling
Saying "See it wasn't quite as bad as"
Well, it would've been, could've been worse than you would ever know.
I was patiently erasing and recording the wrong episodes
after you had proved my point wrong,
It wasn't like I'd let it go, oh-oh-oh. Oh-oh-oh.
I just wanted to catch the last laugh of this show.
Yeah, it would've been, could've been worse than you would ever know.
Oh, the dashboard melted, but we still have the radio.
(The dashboard melted, but we ran it good, we ran it good)
Hard-wired to conceive, so much we'd have to stow it
Even needs have needs, tiny giants made of tinier giants.
Don't wear eyelids so I don't miss the last laugh of this show.
(The dashboard melted but we still have the radio)
Oh, we could've been, should've been worse than you would ever know.
(The dashboard melted but we still have the radio)
Well, you told me about nowhere well it sounds like someplace I'd like to go-oh-oh-oh-oh.
Now here we go!
Well we scheme and we scheme but we always blow it
we've yet to crash, but we still might as well enjoy it
Standing at a light switch to each east and west horizon,
Every dawn you're surprising,
And the evening was consoling
Saying "See it wasn't quite as bad as"
Oh it would've been, could've been worse than you would ever know.
3. Fire It Up
Etceteranough? (x8)
Fire it up, fire it up
When we finally turn it over
Make a B-line towards the border
Have a drink, you've had enough
Fire it up, fire it up
If you need some conversation
Bring a magazine to read around
our broke down transportation
Fire it up
Etceteranough? (x3)
Fire it up, fire it up
When we find the perfect water
We'll hang out on the shore
just long enough to leave our clothes there
Find enough, find enough
Oh we ate all of the oranges
off the navels of our lovers
grabbed a book and read the cover
It honestly was beautifully done
Like trying to hide the daylight from the sun
But even if we had been sure enough it's true we really didn't know
Even if we knew which way to head but still we probably wouldn't go
Fire it up, fire it up
We pushed off we're rolling boulders
crashing down the mirrored stairways
two of lifes best mind canaries
Fire it up, fire it up
When we fix the carburetor
then we'll push off once again
in an hour or so later
It honestly was beautifully bold
Like trying to save an ice cube from the cold
But even if we had been sure enough it's true we really didn't know
Even if we knew which way to head but still we probably wouldn't go
Well we always (x2) had it all (x2)
(x3)
4. Florida
Although we often wondered
It was no thing of wonder
The shit that flew from our minds
Grass stains and fresh fruit
Reminds our shoes of horse glue
On this ridiculous climb
With great tall vision
We built ourselves a mission
To ride out motives decide
Oh, with vague description
Of what we have been missing
So why would anyone try
It was always worth it
That’s the part I seem to hide
And the busy ant empire
Put all your clothes inside
I wasn’t always cargo
I guess I’ll pack up my mind
It took so much effort
Not to make an effort
Oh, what a flawless design
It was always worth it
That’s the part I seem to hide
And the busy ant empire
Put all your clothes inside
Even as I left Florida
(yee-ha)
It was always worth it
That’s the part I seem to hide
And the busy ant empire
Put all your clothes inside
Even as I left Florida
Far enough, far enough
Wasn’t far enough
Couldn’t quite seem to escape myself
Far enough, far enough
Far from Florida
We were all drowning in cruise control
Far enough, far enough
Wasn’t far enough
I stood on my heart supports thinkin’
“Oh my God, I’ll probably have to carry this whole load.”
I couldn’t remember if I tried
I couldn’t remember if I took my brain out, threw it so directly a the goal
I couldn’t remember if I….
I could have my mind erased
And still not know exactly what I don’t already know
Even as I left Florida
5. Parting of the Sensory
There's no work in walking in to fuel the talk
I would grab my shoes and then away I'd walk
Through all the stubborn beauty I start at the dawn
Until the sun had fully stopped
Never walking away from
Just a way to pull apart
Dehydrate back into minerals
A life long walk to the same exact spot
Carbon's anniversary
The parting of the sensory
Old old mystery
The parting of the sensory
Who the hell made you the boss?
We placed our chips in all the right spots
But still lost
Any shithead who had ever walked
Could take the ship and do a much finer job
This fit like clothes made out of wasps
Aw, fuck it I guess I lost
The parting of the sensory
Carbon's anniversary
Just part it again if you please
Carbon's anniversary
Who the hell made you the boss
If you say what to do I know what not to stop
If you were the ship then who would ever get on
The weather changed it for the worse
And came down on us like it had been rehearsed
And like we hope, but change will surely come
And be awful for most but really good for some
I took a trip to the exact same spot
We pulled the trigger, but we forgot to cock
And every single shot
Aw, fuck it I guess we lost
Some day you will die and
Somehow something’s going to steal your carbon
Some day you will die and
Somehow something’s going to steal your carbon
Well some day you will die somehow and
Something’s going to steal your carbon
Some day you will die and
Someone’s or something’s will steal your carbon
Some day something will die and
Somehow you'll figure out how
Often you will die somehow and
Something going to steal your carbon
Well some day you will die somehow and
Something’s going to steal your carbon
6. Missed the Boat
While we're on the subject
Could we change the subject now?
I was knocking on your ears
Don't worry, you were always out
Looking towards the future
We were begging for the past
Well we knew we had the good things
But those never seemed to last
Oh please just last
Everyone's unhappy
Everyone's ashamed
Well we all just got caught looking
At somebody else's page
Well nothing ever went
Quite exactly as we planned
Our ideas held no water
But we used them like a damn
Oh, and we carried it all so well
As if we got a new position
Oh, and I laugh all the way to hell
Saying yes, this is a fine promotion
Oh, and I laugh all the way to hell
Of course everyone goes crazy
Over such and such and such
We made ourselves a ???
We just used it as a crutch
We were suddenly uncertain
At least I'm pretty sure I am
Well we didn't need the water
But we just built that go god damn
Oh, and I know this all myself
I stood in front for all the people
Oh, and I know this all myself
We listen while life hangs on
And the sound of life's sweet bliss
Was it ever worth it?
Was there all that much to gain?
Well we knew we missed the boat
And we'd already missed the plane
We didn't read the invite
We just dance at our wake
All our favorites were playing
So we could shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
Tiny curtains open and we heard the tiny clap of little hands
A tiny man would tell a little joke and get a tiny laugh from all the folks
Sitting drifting around in bubbles and thinking it was us that carried them
When we finally got it figured out that we had truly missed the boat
Oh, and we carried it all so well
As if we got a new position
Oh, and we owned all the tools ourselves
But not the skills to make a shelf with
Oh, what useless tools ourselves
7. We've Got Everything
We've got everything
We've got everything
We've got everything down to a science so I guess we know everything
We know everything
We know everything
We know everything was built to expire so I guess we've done everything
If we carried it out to sea
Pushed it over the edge we'd have all been through,
Well first off Gary got drunk fell asleep in his car til about noon
Flat Top Tony got all messed up split his lip chasing cheap perfume
Well look at our boat in the bay it looks like some sad ass little canoe
We've done everything
We've done everything
We've done everything like trial by fire so I guess we'll stop trying now
We've tried everything
We've tried everything
We've tried everything half assed and as liars and thats how we've got everything
If we carried it out to sea pushed it over the edge we could have all been through
Well no one even bothered showin' up but we still did what we should have thought through
We crashed in like waves into the stars Didn't want it didn't need it but we knew that we could see it so we opened up the door
We receded like waves out of the stars
Didn't want it didn't need it but we knew that we could steal it left it dying on the floor
We've got everything
We've got everything
We've got everything down to a science so I guess we know everything
We've got everything
We've done everything
We've tried everything
We've got everything
We've got everything
8. Fly Trapped In A Jar
Of part and parcel,
so well we're already dead,
well it's probably been said,
that it's always been said,
that,
one wing isn't even enough,
it isn't even enough,
it isn't even enough,
it isn't even enough,
to leave,
one wing isn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
to leave,
(HAHAHA HAAA HAAA HA)
I'm gonna' shake myself right out the door,
I'm gonna' take myself when it's finally over,
I'm gonna' let my own bad self take over,
I'm gonna' move my arm out with my shoulder,
and
one wing wasn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
to leave,
one wing wasn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
to leave,
one wing wasn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
it wasn't even enough,
to leave,
First off Gary was on trial and drunk before we left bed,
as things got better was it hard to say that he had no idea,
well I hadn't noticed but the people really noticed that they really didn't want us around,
so we all just opened up our mouthes and walked to this town,
well I was walking just a little bit sideways and you were walking sideways too,
well I hadn't learned when a front door can be used,
here it goes now...
We had darkened doors so we didn't read what the sign read
Though simple enough it was to me really tough the ground needs to be fed,
well I hadn't noticed but the people really noticed that they didn't really want us around,
so not a single one of us will ever leave town,
here we go sir...
our bodies were laid out,
they were laid for fifteen yards,
well two feet above each of our heads was a fly trapped in a jar,
well I hadn't noticed but the people really noticed that they really didn't want us around,
so every single one of us hit the ground,
HERE WE GO NOW...
one wing wans't even uhh,
one wing wasn't even enough,
oh pardon pardon,
so well it's already been said,
that it's always been said that
we're already dead
9. Education
Call it education
It was somewhere in between
You gave me some sound advice
But I wasn't listening
After we had capsized
I could tell you how you thought
Well, I'm not sure
But laid to rest on the city on the wall
Not quite conversation
It was somewhere in between
You said everything is taught
And I listened patiently
All this dog and pony
Still monkeys the whole time
We could not help from flinging shit
In our modern suits and ties
Our instincts, they were cringing
About how we lived our lives
It didn't seem we'd lived enough
To even get to die
All these diss distractions
So beautifully complex
Well, I loved life's surprises so much
I don't want to know what's happened
Stubborn shouting, said
"I don't do what you do"
I don't know
Could it really hear highly if you highly care?
And you don't
Stubborn beauty, stubborn beauty
I've been away
Hardly education
It was somewhere in between
Oh, I hit the roof but I had
Aimed for the ceiling
Hardly education
All them books I didn't
They just sat there on my shelf
Looking much smarter than me
Good old Nostradamus
He knew the whole damn time
That always being east from west
Someone is there fighting
Stubborn shouting, said
"I don't do what you do"
I don't know
Could it really hear highly if you highly care?
And you don't
Stubborn beauty, stubborn beauty
I've been away
Stubborn beauty, stubborn beauty
I don't know anyway
Stubborn beauty, stubborn beauty
I don't know
Could it really hear highly if you highly care?
And you don't
Stubborn beauty, stubborn beauty
Uh.. I fell away
Stubborn beauty, stubborn beauty
Oh, very well, then
Stubborn beauty, stubborn beauty
Oh, very well, then
Stubborn beauty, stubborn beauty
Oh, very well, then
Oh, very well, then
10. Little Motel
I hope that you like it in your little motel
and I hope that the suite sleeps and suits you well
well I can see it as time and a sight through smell and
thats why its nice to be by yourself
Cause thats what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for, aren't I?
That's what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for darlin'
We treat mishaps like sinking ships and
I know that I don't want to be out to drift
Well I can see it in your eyes like I taste your lips and
they both tell me that we're better than this
Cause thats what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for, aren't I?
That's what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for darlin'
We trade tit for tat like that for this
and I don't think that there was an insult that was missed
I can see it in your eyes like I taste your lips and
I'm very sorry
Cause thats what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for, aren't I?
That's what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for
That's what I'm waiting for darlin'
it rained and its over a shooting star
landed directly on our broke down little car
we fold and we had made a wish
that we would be missed
If one another just did not exist
Cause thats what we're waiting for
That's what we're waiting for
That's what we're waiting on, aren't we?
That's what we're waiting for
That's what we're waiting for
That's what we're waiting for darlin'
That's what we're waiting for
That's what we're waiting for
That's what we're waiting for aren't we?
11. Steam Engenius (These are incomplete)
I was born in the factory
Far away from the milky teat
What's the use?
Oh, what's the use?
You cheered as I was split in half
A mechanical sacrificial calf for you
Oh, all for you
Steam engenius, you see
Steam engenius enough to answer anything you need
But what's the use?
Human nature was installed in me.
I did what was right, but naturally
It wasn't natural
though not my fault
I held my hands
The beating heart of a robot
He drived his car
He's sitting there burning
Now in the parking lot
Just for you
What a waste of time
What a waste of words
What a waste of strength
Well, I spoke in binary
And you see far
You meant for clenching your leg
I was born in the factory
Far away from the milk and teat
What's the use?
Oh, what's the use?
Bliss through waters, I was split in half
A mechanical sacrificial calf that flew
Oh, off they flew
Steam engenius, you see
Steam engenius enough to answer anything you need
And I like speed
I held my hands
The beating heart of a robot
He drived his car
He's sitting there
Waiting car in the parking lot
Out for you
What a waste of time
What a waste of words
What a waste of strength
Well, I smoke in my air
And you spoke far
You meant for dizzying lay
(I was born in the factory)
Both hassle men
Half like a joke
Trying to make another joke
Laugh, haha
Stasisity's what you brought
Like a rickshaw getting pulled around by another rickshaw
Rickshaw..
In the past talking present tense
Gonna break it
Gonna wreck it
Gonna try to make it all make sense
Stasisity's what you got
Like a rickshaw getting pulled around by another rickshaw
Steam engenius, you see
Steam engenius enough to bring my own damn doom
What could I do?
I been blamed then blamed the groom
Well, deep inside everybody knew it was them
It's caught on them
Things rain in stories Greek
I didn't want it, you gave me deity
It was you
Yeah, all for you
I was born in the factory
Far away from the milk and teat
What's the use?
Oh, what is the use?
I held my hands
The beating heart of a robot
He drived his car
He's sitting there crying
All the way in the parking lot
Just for you
I'll start up the man
(?)
Then rip into my
(?)
(?)
I didn't even know that was my own damn plan
What a waste of time
What a waste of words
What a waste of breath
Well, I spoke it by now
You broke your thought
You meant for (?)
I held my hands
The beating heart of a robot
He drived his car
He's sitting there crying
Now waiting for you in the parking lot
Going woo-hoo
Stasisity's what you got
Like a rickshaw getting pulled around by another rickshaw
12. Spitting Venom
we were spitting venom at most everyone we know
if the damned gave us a road map then we'd know just were to go
now let it drop
let it all drop
let it all drop
oh let it all fall off
well you were talking soda pop
you were talking quite a lot
the opinions that I do not give
the opinions I aint got
so let it drop
let it all drop
let is all drop
let it all fall off there oh
well you were spitting venom at most everyone you know
if you truly knew the gravity you'd know which way to go
well let it drop
let it drop
let it all drop
oh let it all fall off
my ears were bristled firmly right against your mouth to hear
when you tried to spit the venom out your words were not so clear
now drop
hold on to what you need
we've got a knack for fucked up history
hold on to what you need
we've got a knack for messed up history
well we went downtown and we sat in the rain
well looking what direction and waiting for a train and thought over
its all over
I did't know you kept track I didn't know there was a score
well it looks like your the winner and I aint gonna play no more
its over
game over
well we walked real stiff and i came inside the ground
you hit me with yours
and said 'pull yourself together'
its over
oh it's over
you can say what you want but don't act like you care
it takes more than one person to decide whats fair
its over
think it over
you were spitting venom at most everyone you know
if the damned gave you a road map then you'd know which way to go
so we carried all the groceries in while hauling out the trash
and if this doesn't make us motionless I do not know what can
what a rotten thing to say such an awful thing to say
I didn't mean to bite you so really
I always did what I always did what I always had to sling
so let it drop
let it all drop
let it all drop
oh let it all fall off
let it drop
let it all drop
let it drop
oh let it all fall off
cheer up baby it always wasn't quite so bad for every
venom then that came out the antidote was had
X 7
cheer up
cheer up baby it always wasn't quite so bad for every
venom then that came out the antidote was had
X6
13. People As Places As People
To answer a question
It’ll probably take more
If you’re already there
Well then you probably don’t know
Well we were the people
That we wanted to know
And we’re the places that we wanted to go
It’s hard to get hold of
And hard to let go
Always something we look for
From the day we were born
Instead we’re the people that we wanted to know
And we’re the places that we wanted to go
Yeah we’re the places that we wanted to go
We’re the places that we wanted to go
Always asking a question
And I don’t want to know
Like the wind across strings
That had finally let go
And the people you love
But you didn’t quite know
They’re the places that you wanted to go
Bark at the neighbors
And then bark at the dog
Sniffing the wind
Whimpering for someone to know
But we were the people that we wanted to know
And we’re the places that we wanted go
Yeah we’re the places that we wanted to go
Yeah we’re the places that we wanted to go
It was not the intention
But we let it all go
Well it messed up the function
And sure fucked up the flow
I hardly have people that I needed to know
‘Cause you’re the people that I wanted to know
All this scrambling around
Hunting high and then low
Looking for the face love
Or somewhere to go
I hardly have places that I need to go
‘Cause you’re the places that I wanted to go
Yeah you’re the places that we wanted to go
Yeah you’re the places that we wanted to go
[You're the people that we wanted to know]
[Shouldn't have to ask]
[You shouldn't have to ask]
['Cause we are your real place]
14. Invisible
Oh, well lesson dance
And shoot to god
A storm-suffered owl
You're not invisible inside your car
No matter what stupid sort of mission you're on
Well, you're not invisible inside your car
I go absolutely mental
Good ramblin' George
Well, you're not invisible inside your car
No matter, you could breathe it like your flies in a jar
Yeah, you're not invisible
I like the sailing teeming
Well, it's true that the moon could pull it back and far away from me
I should just let it be
Well, it's true that the moon could pull it back and far away from me
(And it's sad)
Oh, we had to have some kind
Room shaped like a charm
Well, you weren't invisible
Not all along
No matter how many eagles came in the door
We were not invisible
I knew that
I like the sailing teeming
Well, it's true that the moon could pull it back and far away from me
And there's the orphan sea
We were never invisible but that I guess we did not see
Of course this all had been laid down
Way before we lay down for it all
Before we had a course, of course
Of course this all had been laid down
Of course we lay down..
Of course we lay down..
Of course we lay down..
Of course we lay down..
Of course we lay down..
Of course we lay down....
I like the sailing teeming
Well, it's true that the moon could pull it back and far away from me
I like the orphan sea
Well, we were never invisible but that I guess we could not see
We'll get crushed by the ocean
But it will not get us wet
Crushed by the ocean
But it will not get us wet
Crushed by the ocean
But it will not get us wet
Crushed by the ocean
But it will not get us wet
Jan 30, 2007
Harlem Shakes: Burning Birthdays EP: Review
Harlem Shakes
Burning Birthdays EP
[Independent - Feb. 6th]
*Sixeyes Score: 9.0 out of 10
The first time I heard the Harlem Shakes I was struck by how distinctive their sound was, and while Lexy Benaim's voice is the main focal point, the band churn up a great weave of a backdrop for that voice. In the past they've generated an excited burbling in some corners of the internet, but they should set things a-buzzing with the self-release of their first EP, Burning Birthdays on February 6th.
The new EP delivers five tracks, four new and the fifth a re-recorded version of "Sickos". That redone song is reason enough to buy the EP, a fantastic piece of pop music, "Sickos" used to stand head and shoulders above the rest of the band's output, but now it has a few friends to keep it company. Namely "Carpetbaggers" and "Old Flames". Also, track number 2 bears mentioning as well, "Red Right Hands" with it's sweet hook and whirling organ. This band can shiver and shake like The Walkmen, but without the near overpowering intensity of Walkmen vocalist Hamilton Leithauser; Benaim is softly seductive with a sugary upper register that often feels fragile. The sound is hard to pin down with regards to references, but then this is an indication to how original they sound on record. The music pours out of the speakers, Benaim's unique vocals wonderfully matched with Todd Goldstein's inventive guitar work, while both are bolstered by a tight rhythm section. These are five strong tracks, but the record closes with a taste of things to come, perhaps. That final track, "Old Flames", is trademark Harlem Shakes, the band harmonizing while Benaim and Goldstein put their stamp on the song, but this one stretches out over the final minute into a mini-epic with the harmonies riding a galloping guitar into a bright promising future for the Harlem Shakes.
Burning Birthdays EP Tracklist
1. Carpetbaggers
2. Red Right Hands
3. Felt Wings
4. Sickos
5. Old Flames
Official Site * Myspace * Buy - The Harlem Shakes * More MP3s
Jan 22, 2007
The Broken West: I Can't Go On, I'll Go On: Review
The Broken WestI Can't Go On, I'll Go On
[Merge Records - January 23rd]
Please SUBSCRIBE to *hipstereo.
Oct 20, 2006
The Devastations: *Hipstereo Interview
Interview by Alan Williamson
The music of Australian-bred trio, Devastations, is akin to nights when you're so tired you can't sleep--those sleepless nights when you see and hear things in a different way and they stick with you because of that fact. 3 a.m. is a different world for those who rise at 7:30 each morning and the music created by Devastations is from that dark of night, that dark of dreams, and the darkness within us… the 3 a.m. of the soul.
Formed from the core of Melbourne rock band, Luxedo, in 2002, Tom Carlyon, Hugo Cran, and Conrad Standish, have always kept moving, either creatively, or geographically. Critical acclaim befell the trio after the release of their self-titled debut in 2003--a recording ripe with promise, one that easily demonstrated the talents of the band, especially through the songs, "Loene", "We Will Never Drink Again", and "Previous Crimes". The songs have a smeared European decadence shrink-wrapped about the brooding talents of Carlyon, Cran, and Standish. If you find the intelligent music authored and essayed by Brooklyn band, The National, to be moving, then I highly recommend you seek out Devastations. They have a more sparse sound, three members in comparison to The National's five, but the songs of both outfits skirt the dark fringes. And each boasts a singer whose tobacco-stained throat curls up from the words like smoke, smoke that attempts to obscure the ache and yet only shrouds it in the vocal charisma of the singer. It's a cultural crime that more have not had the opportunity to discover them, although the crime fighting indie record label, Brassland, has taken the proper steps to right this wrong… they've signed Devastations and will give their latest disc, Coal, a Stateside release this coming Tuesday, October 24th.
Video
+ Take You Home - live footage 'SKC', Belgrade, Serbia. (windows media file)
(An interesting tidbit: vocalist and bassist, Standish, is a childhood friend of Angus Andrew of Liars and he contributed three songs and guested on the Liars latest album.)
I'd like to thank Devastations guitarist, Tom Carlyon, for taking the time to answer these interview questions.
* * * * * * * * *
*Sixeyes: I’ve got to start by saying that the Nick Cave comparisons I repeatedly find in album reviews are getting tiresome. All harping on the same things: the vocals, song subjects, and that both singers are tall. Okay, it's a lazy comparison, and they are favourable comparisons, but do you see the similarity others cite so often?
Tom Carlyon: Comparisons full-stop are pretty limiting. I’m not sure what it achieves. It’s like palm-reading – I don’t believe any of it. It’s probably more apt to say The Devastations share similar influences. But then again, maybe we don’t. I just don’t know.
*Six: ...or, is it taken as a compliment and let go? Has there been a comparison you found much more apt, or even incomprehensible?
TC: Well, Nick Cave is no schmuck. Better being compared to him than, say, Donny Osmond. Someone once compared us to the sound of a meteor cooling in the cut grass. That’s far more appealing.
*Six: If you had the luxury of providing the press with a brief description of the band and it's sound, which the press would have to use, what short, succinct phrase would you give them?
TC: Tropical Goth.
*Six: Coal was recorded in Berlin, Melbourne, and Prague, and I hear that the Berlin location was formerly the East German headquarters for radio and television... is this also where Radiohead have recorded? How did you choose this location and while I'm on this subject, who produced the record?
TC: Not sure if Radiohead recorded in the same Berlin Studio. Quite possibly – it’s an immense compound with many studios under the one roof. We chose the location on the advice of our friend Alex Hacke who recorded these sessions. We were living in Berlin at the time, had just finished 4 months of fairly solid touring and had the opportunity to begin a new record (Coal) – it seemed like a good idea at the time. As far as production goes, we (as in Conrad, Hugo and I) produced Coal.
*Six: What outside force had the greatest effect on Coal?
TC: When we left Melbourne in 2003 we were elated at the prospect of leaving home for an eternally prosperous future on the road! This feeling was undoubtedly delusional but it had a large influence on what songs we chose to record, how we decided to arrange them and where we would record them etc… We also toured solidly for 4 months before recording began. This put us in the same car for a long time so we were forced to talk about our next record. Unfortunately we screwed up the Berlin sessions due to our own inept playing (too much prep) and had to re-start nearly everything again in Prague. In the end, time became the biggest factor. Having abandoned the Berlin sessions and re-started everything in Prague some months later we then finished Coal over 8 very long months in Melbourne - due largely to financial restrictions, engineer illness and touring commitments. This lengthy process actually opened the door for collaborations with both Padma Newsome (Clogs) and Bic Runga.
*Six: Like several prominent Australian bands before you, you've made a long distance move to the 'old country'. Where does the band now call home, or even feel at home? And why did you leave Australia?
TC: We left Melbourne because it takes 23 hours in the air and another 10 in transit just to get to London Koko in Camden to play with The National on May 31st. Now, we’re just trying to keep on the move – like gypsy’s or something. After the UK tour Conrad and Hugo will move back to Berlin for a while and I’m going to set up a duchy somewhere in Moravia – put the wife and kid in a castle and find some subjects. Actually, there’re plenty of castles in Ireland. I shall book a flight to Cork.
*Six: What strengths and weaknesses do you feel that working as a trio brings to Devastations music? Also, I believe the band expands to a quartet when on the road, who is it you rope in for this position?
TC: Working as a trio is my favourite format for watching other bands and playing live because every aspect of a band and it’s music is visible. The musicians look naked and the sound is right in front of you. Also, you can hear the fuck ups and you can see any chemistry between the individuals – if it exists.
Having said that, if (as we have) you write songs that have string arrangements, piano choirs and go-go dancers, you can’t fairly represent them as a three piece. ‘Sex & Mayhem’ as a 3-piece is akin to hearing ‘Sexual Healing’ played on trombone. One other down-side of a three piece is that the guitar becomes the instrumental centrepiece and that can get a bit tiresome after a while.
On piano, we initially roped in Kiernan Box. He’s been with us for 2 years now. When he’s not available we are lucky enough to have Nigel Yang to fill-in.
*Six: Even before your signing to US indie Brassland, I heard a similarity to former Brassland artists, The National: in the baritones of the singers, the way both bands aren’t afraid to veer off the ‘rock’ roadmap and take less traversed pathways. And I’ve learned that both have also utilized the talents of instrumentalist Padma Newsome. Was Padma, or The National, a factor in your choosing Brassland, and how do you know Padma?
TC: Conrad told me Brassland was a cool label in NY releasing interesting music and getting good feedback from all corners. So, some months later, I just sent a copy of our first record – expecting to hear nothing more. Months later we were on tour in Europe when we got an email from Alec saying he’d seen our itinerary and we should hook up with Clogs in Paris. We duly hooked-up meeting Padma as a result. A few weeks later we were sound checking in Bra, Italy and Alec conveyed his intention to sign us – I think he even used the term ‘against my better judgement’. We were ecstatic.
Padma’s incredible contribution to Coal came about some months later when we were all back in Australia. He lives in Mallacoota. We would send song files there and receive back from him incredible pieces of music that stand up in their on own right. Padma is a genius.
*Six: Much of what I've read online mentions the Yeah Yeah Yeahs Karen O and the wonderful compliment she paid your self-titled debut album when she said… 'The Best Thing I’ve Heard All Year' [MOJO Magazine Dec, 2003]. Have you ever met her, or wanted to seek her out to thank her? And have you seen any positive effects from her kind words?
TC: I think she saw us play in Berlin once. I didn’t meet her although I will definitely thank her for her kind words when/if I ever do. Con met her in Melbourne when the YYY’s toured Australia and stayed in touch to some degree. They eventually did some recording together in LA a while back.
Some people definitely took a bit more interest in us after Mojo. Even we did. It was the first time our name had appeared in a UK publication. Afterwards we were inundated with weird emails from record companies saying how much they love us and would we be interested in private helicopters etc. At the time we were touring Germany and selling CD’s out of a 2-door hatchback. So we said ‘yes, we would like a private jet’ – then never heard another word from any of them. Strange people.
*Six: What about the song writing – is it a group effort, or individual? And who is penning the lyrics? There is some wonderful imagery within the songs.
TC: It’s a group collaboration. The songs are inspired by and therefore written for this band. The imagery comes from the dubious poet hiding inside us all.
*Six: Finally, what does the rest of 2006 hold for the band? Any plans to tour North America in the near future?
TC: Well, right now we’re on tour in the UK. ‘Coal’ is coming out in US through Brassland in July and in the UK/Europe through Beggars Banquet in August. We will definitely be touring the US at some stage this year. We’ve never been. I hope you like us.
* * * * *
Devastations website
Myspace
Contact the band: thedevastations@yahoo.com
The music of Australian-bred trio, Devastations, is akin to nights when you're so tired you can't sleep--those sleepless nights when you see and hear things in a different way and they stick with you because of that fact. 3 a.m. is a different world for those who rise at 7:30 each morning and the music created by Devastations is from that dark of night, that dark of dreams, and the darkness within us… the 3 a.m. of the soul.
Formed from the core of Melbourne rock band, Luxedo, in 2002, Tom Carlyon, Hugo Cran, and Conrad Standish, have always kept moving, either creatively, or geographically. Critical acclaim befell the trio after the release of their self-titled debut in 2003--a recording ripe with promise, one that easily demonstrated the talents of the band, especially through the songs, "Loene", "We Will Never Drink Again", and "Previous Crimes". The songs have a smeared European decadence shrink-wrapped about the brooding talents of Carlyon, Cran, and Standish. If you find the intelligent music authored and essayed by Brooklyn band, The National, to be moving, then I highly recommend you seek out Devastations. They have a more sparse sound, three members in comparison to The National's five, but the songs of both outfits skirt the dark fringes. And each boasts a singer whose tobacco-stained throat curls up from the words like smoke, smoke that attempts to obscure the ache and yet only shrouds it in the vocal charisma of the singer. It's a cultural crime that more have not had the opportunity to discover them, although the crime fighting indie record label, Brassland, has taken the proper steps to right this wrong… they've signed Devastations and will give their latest disc, Coal, a Stateside release this coming Tuesday, October 24th.
Video
+ Take You Home - live footage 'SKC', Belgrade, Serbia. (windows media file)
(An interesting tidbit: vocalist and bassist, Standish, is a childhood friend of Angus Andrew of Liars and he contributed three songs and guested on the Liars latest album.)
I'd like to thank Devastations guitarist, Tom Carlyon, for taking the time to answer these interview questions.
*Sixeyes: I’ve got to start by saying that the Nick Cave comparisons I repeatedly find in album reviews are getting tiresome. All harping on the same things: the vocals, song subjects, and that both singers are tall. Okay, it's a lazy comparison, and they are favourable comparisons, but do you see the similarity others cite so often?
Tom Carlyon: Comparisons full-stop are pretty limiting. I’m not sure what it achieves. It’s like palm-reading – I don’t believe any of it. It’s probably more apt to say The Devastations share similar influences. But then again, maybe we don’t. I just don’t know.
*Six: ...or, is it taken as a compliment and let go? Has there been a comparison you found much more apt, or even incomprehensible?
TC: Well, Nick Cave is no schmuck. Better being compared to him than, say, Donny Osmond. Someone once compared us to the sound of a meteor cooling in the cut grass. That’s far more appealing.
*Six: If you had the luxury of providing the press with a brief description of the band and it's sound, which the press would have to use, what short, succinct phrase would you give them?
TC: Tropical Goth.
*Six: Coal was recorded in Berlin, Melbourne, and Prague, and I hear that the Berlin location was formerly the East German headquarters for radio and television... is this also where Radiohead have recorded? How did you choose this location and while I'm on this subject, who produced the record?
TC: Not sure if Radiohead recorded in the same Berlin Studio. Quite possibly – it’s an immense compound with many studios under the one roof. We chose the location on the advice of our friend Alex Hacke who recorded these sessions. We were living in Berlin at the time, had just finished 4 months of fairly solid touring and had the opportunity to begin a new record (Coal) – it seemed like a good idea at the time. As far as production goes, we (as in Conrad, Hugo and I) produced Coal.
*Six: What outside force had the greatest effect on Coal?
TC: When we left Melbourne in 2003 we were elated at the prospect of leaving home for an eternally prosperous future on the road! This feeling was undoubtedly delusional but it had a large influence on what songs we chose to record, how we decided to arrange them and where we would record them etc… We also toured solidly for 4 months before recording began. This put us in the same car for a long time so we were forced to talk about our next record. Unfortunately we screwed up the Berlin sessions due to our own inept playing (too much prep) and had to re-start nearly everything again in Prague. In the end, time became the biggest factor. Having abandoned the Berlin sessions and re-started everything in Prague some months later we then finished Coal over 8 very long months in Melbourne - due largely to financial restrictions, engineer illness and touring commitments. This lengthy process actually opened the door for collaborations with both Padma Newsome (Clogs) and Bic Runga.
*Six: Like several prominent Australian bands before you, you've made a long distance move to the 'old country'. Where does the band now call home, or even feel at home? And why did you leave Australia?
TC: We left Melbourne because it takes 23 hours in the air and another 10 in transit just to get to London Koko in Camden to play with The National on May 31st. Now, we’re just trying to keep on the move – like gypsy’s or something. After the UK tour Conrad and Hugo will move back to Berlin for a while and I’m going to set up a duchy somewhere in Moravia – put the wife and kid in a castle and find some subjects. Actually, there’re plenty of castles in Ireland. I shall book a flight to Cork.
*Six: What strengths and weaknesses do you feel that working as a trio brings to Devastations music? Also, I believe the band expands to a quartet when on the road, who is it you rope in for this position?
TC: Working as a trio is my favourite format for watching other bands and playing live because every aspect of a band and it’s music is visible. The musicians look naked and the sound is right in front of you. Also, you can hear the fuck ups and you can see any chemistry between the individuals – if it exists.Having said that, if (as we have) you write songs that have string arrangements, piano choirs and go-go dancers, you can’t fairly represent them as a three piece. ‘Sex & Mayhem’ as a 3-piece is akin to hearing ‘Sexual Healing’ played on trombone. One other down-side of a three piece is that the guitar becomes the instrumental centrepiece and that can get a bit tiresome after a while.
On piano, we initially roped in Kiernan Box. He’s been with us for 2 years now. When he’s not available we are lucky enough to have Nigel Yang to fill-in.
*Six: Even before your signing to US indie Brassland, I heard a similarity to former Brassland artists, The National: in the baritones of the singers, the way both bands aren’t afraid to veer off the ‘rock’ roadmap and take less traversed pathways. And I’ve learned that both have also utilized the talents of instrumentalist Padma Newsome. Was Padma, or The National, a factor in your choosing Brassland, and how do you know Padma?
TC: Conrad told me Brassland was a cool label in NY releasing interesting music and getting good feedback from all corners. So, some months later, I just sent a copy of our first record – expecting to hear nothing more. Months later we were on tour in Europe when we got an email from Alec saying he’d seen our itinerary and we should hook up with Clogs in Paris. We duly hooked-up meeting Padma as a result. A few weeks later we were sound checking in Bra, Italy and Alec conveyed his intention to sign us – I think he even used the term ‘against my better judgement’. We were ecstatic.
Padma’s incredible contribution to Coal came about some months later when we were all back in Australia. He lives in Mallacoota. We would send song files there and receive back from him incredible pieces of music that stand up in their on own right. Padma is a genius.
*Six: Much of what I've read online mentions the Yeah Yeah Yeahs Karen O and the wonderful compliment she paid your self-titled debut album when she said… 'The Best Thing I’ve Heard All Year' [MOJO Magazine Dec, 2003]. Have you ever met her, or wanted to seek her out to thank her? And have you seen any positive effects from her kind words?
TC: I think she saw us play in Berlin once. I didn’t meet her although I will definitely thank her for her kind words when/if I ever do. Con met her in Melbourne when the YYY’s toured Australia and stayed in touch to some degree. They eventually did some recording together in LA a while back.
Some people definitely took a bit more interest in us after Mojo. Even we did. It was the first time our name had appeared in a UK publication. Afterwards we were inundated with weird emails from record companies saying how much they love us and would we be interested in private helicopters etc. At the time we were touring Germany and selling CD’s out of a 2-door hatchback. So we said ‘yes, we would like a private jet’ – then never heard another word from any of them. Strange people.
*Six: What about the song writing – is it a group effort, or individual? And who is penning the lyrics? There is some wonderful imagery within the songs.
TC: It’s a group collaboration. The songs are inspired by and therefore written for this band. The imagery comes from the dubious poet hiding inside us all.
*Six: Finally, what does the rest of 2006 hold for the band? Any plans to tour North America in the near future?
TC: Well, right now we’re on tour in the UK. ‘Coal’ is coming out in US through Brassland in July and in the UK/Europe through Beggars Banquet in August. We will definitely be touring the US at some stage this year. We’ve never been. I hope you like us.
* * * * *
Devastations website
Myspace
Contact the band: thedevastations@yahoo.com
Oct 10, 2006
Hipstereo Review: Devastations: 'Coal'
DevastationsCoal
[October 24th, 2006 - Brassland US/Beggars EU]
*HIP/STER/EO Score: 8.9 out of 10
Devastations album, Coal, opens with "Sex and Mayhem", and ends with a broken heart. Sound familiar? Just how many relationships started and ended that way? I guess pretty much all of them that came to an untimely end. But never fear that broken heart; just cue up Coal again and you're swept into the 'sex and mayhem' once more. And all this sex comes and goes in the dark, slinky sound of the Australian trio, Devastations.
On the aforementioned album opener, "Sex and Mayhem", the confidential and confident baritone of vocalist/bassist, Conrad Standish, the snaky, supple guitar of Tom Carlyon [also piano and vocals] and the understated, selfless drumming of Hugo Cran, don't 'remind' me of Bryan Ferry, so much as make me think of him. I can imagine Ferry singing this song; it's a dark, lovely number that I feel would be well suited to a cover by Ferry. If there's one song you should hear from, Coal, it's that one.
Standish's voice comes at you from the corner of the room, the dark smoky corner where broken hearts and dust lay side by side… a voice of smoke and wine. And this is the voice that leads you from beginning to end, I hesitate to label it a croon, but it is mighty close. Whether it's up on it's high sweet edge in "Terrified", or the 'things-look-all-right-but-they-don't-feel-all-right' David Lynch vibe of "Take You Home" and "Man of Fortune", Standish reassures us with his delivery and seduces us with his words.
An outstanding sophomore effort from this Euro based trio with Australian roots, one that comes swooping out of smoky shadows on pale wings stained black with tobacco and worry. Antipodean's self examination meets European decadence giving us torch songs from minds ignited by twenty first century angst. Does that sound good? Well, it should, because it is.
+ a man of fortune [mp3]
Aug 24, 2006
The Veils: Nux Vomica: Review
The VeilsNux Vomica
[Rough Trade - Sept 11 2006]
*Sixeyes Score: 9 out of 10
Review by Jenn Rogers
I don't ever start writing reviews during the first listen to an album, particularly not when the first listening of an album is on a public bus with less than fantastic headphones. The fact I feel compelled to do this says a lot about exactly how good the album is.
Okay, so I didn't actually get that far when it came to starting the review and the rest of the words are the result of near compulsive listening over the space of a week. The Veils are a New Zealand started, UK based band, but instead of going into those sort of tangible details, check out Alan's post, listing the details of the new album and accept his praising before I go onto my own.
The music is raw, I'd even go to the instinct of heartfelt, but that would negate the darker underside that lingers beneath many of the songs. Everything presented by songwriter/lead singer Finn Andrews is intriguing, the world suddenly seems the place of a million myths and stories to be drawn on for lyrical inspiration. In some ways, the CD appears set in a world we can all relate to, there is something epic in the repetition and almost traditional images that add together to create haunting music. In other ways, the album acts to create its own world, where the beauty of what could almost be a rough unattractive voice creates differences and unity between the ache of the blues-based songs and the softer, sweeter songs.
One of my major criticisms of a lot of the new bands I find myself listening to is the movement away from the album. When people download a few songs or listen to playlists made on iPods, it seems more and more bands are creating singles and individual songs, killing a sense of cohesion. In comparison, The Veils second album holds together, even through the style changes, and it's this simple fact that gives the songs an almost internal structure that is inherently listenable.
+ advice for young mothers to be
+ under the folding branches
>>GO to the HYPE MACHINE for more Veils.
JUST ADDED! An interview with Finn Andrews can be read here at sixeyes.
According to googlism.com 'Jenn is awesome dot com',' a very cool kid' and also 'the #1 nyc antifolk musician 2002'. Apparently, Jenn Rogers has been making a lot of international flights from her home town of Sydney, Australia and has been far busier than she ever realised.
Jan 15, 2006
Arctic Monkeys: Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not: Review
ARCTIC MONKEYSWhatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
[Domino - Jan 23 2006]
*Sixeyes Score: 8.5 out of 10
The young Uk band via Sheffield, England, tagged to be 'the next big thing,' finally make their first official impression upon the marketplace with Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not. After setting a buzz boulder hurtling downhill towards the 'swamp of hype' with a collection of ragged edged post-punk demos made available on the internet--the quartet have toured those demos into shape and re-recorded the best of the lot for their debut on Domino Records. With the older songs having been cleaned up and beefed up with a 'radio friendly' sonic punch, the album offers the now familiar "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor", "Fake Tales of San Francisco", and "A Certain Romance" alongside new standouts "Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured", "Still Take You Home", and "The View From The Afternoon".
The future looks bright as with time the musical influences of The Strokes and lyrical influences of hip hop soften, weaken, and drop away with the band's growth in experience and skill. Led by nineteen year old, Alex Turner, the band's singer and lyricist shows a heavy dose of cynicism in his lyrics, particularly in "Perhaps Vampires Is A Bit Strong But...". A song labelling some of the people the band has come into contact with since the Arctic Monkeys boulder started rolling, as vampires, or more succinctly, as leeches. Get used to it, Alex, the bigger the money, the bigger the leech. But it's to be expected, the songs are focused, danceable, and controversial--plus the band has captured the imagination of the young. A still raw and very good band with an impressive debut... it's a mass media wet dream.
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not Tracklist
1. The View From The Afternoon
2. I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor
3. Fake Tales Of San Francisco
4. Dancing Shoes
5. You Probably Couldn't See For The Lights But You Were Looking Straight At Me
6. Still Take You Home
7. Riot Van
8. Red Light Indecates Doors Are Secured
9. Mardy Bum
10. Perhaps Vampires Is A Bit Strong But...
11. When The Sun Goes Down
12. From Ritz To The Rubble
13. A Certain Romance
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