submissions
| The Gaslight Anthem – Wherefore Art Thou, Elvis? Lyrics
| 16 years ago
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I believe part of the line:
"It's a broken Hallelujah and a pain in my fist."
is a reference to the Lawrence Arms song "Quincentuple Your Money":
"There's a wounded sense of pride and a pain in my fist." |
submissions
| The Gaslight Anthem – Red at Night Lyrics
| 16 years ago
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This sounds like a tribute or even a loose cover of Woody Guthrie's "Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key" (as performed by Wilco and Billy Bragg).
Wonderful, tender song. |
submissions
| Jawbreaker – Gemini Lyrics
| 16 years ago
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"I myself am a Gemini on the cusp of Taurus and this song is about trying to play off an insanity with a horoscope - which is probably bullshit - but you take what you can get." - May 5th, 1996 (Boston's in Tempe, AZ) |
submissions
| The Mountain Goats – Michael Myers Resplendent Lyrics
| 16 years ago
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From the comic: "This song is like Sax Rohmer #1 if the narrator had given up on actually getting home."
Michael Myers Resplendent is all of the resolve and hopeful defiance of Sax Rohmer #1 transformed into resignation and a calm sense of defeat. The narrator of Sax Rohmer is determined to make his triumphant return home in the midst of inevitable failure - referencing the inescapable fates of all things. Here, the narrator goes willingly to his own demise - patiently waiting for his moment. Suddenly, this mythic villain is so humanized and vulnerable.
Given the song title, the imagery is fairly obvious. At the end of Halloween II, Michael Myers is (supposedly) killed in a burning hospital. The lines about shaving and waxing are likely referencing stunt procedures for "body burn" effects - hair is incredibly flammable and harder to protect with flame retardant gel. On a side note, the metaphor also reminded me of the end of the Alpha couple in their burning house (Alpha Rat's Nest).
The title is so fitting. Engulfed in flames, Michael takes his final faltering steps and collapses without a fight. |
submissions
| Cursive – Ceilings Crack Lyrics
| 20 years ago
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That's Stephen Pedersen, formerly of Cursive during this album and then in the band the White Octave (and a few others) and now in CRITERIA - one of the most underrated but badass guitar rock bands. |
submissions
| Beep Beep – Electronic Wolves Lyrics
| 20 years ago
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I think there a few inaccuracies but the one that stuck out to me, "It's been traded like STOCKS over chopping blocks." That's what it sounds like to me.
Yep. Porn. |
submissions
| Alkaline Trio – Bleed Lyrics
| 20 years ago
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Really articulate response in that last comment...Anyway, "Burn" would make a hell of a lot more sense, yeah. Especially with the similarity to "Bleeder" and I don't see why they as a band wouldn't be conscious of that. |
submissions
| Against Me! – Beginning in an Ending Lyrics
| 20 years ago
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The way the entire EP is just so cohesive and perfect for that sense of feeling that comes from all the uncertainty and knowledge of moving on...I am in love with Andrew's backing vocals on this EP. Adds a wonderful, passionate element to every word. |
submissions
| The Weakerthans – Plea from a Cat Named Virtute Lyrics
| 20 years ago
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Another thing to add - while I call the song Plea From A Cat Name Virtue, it's actually Virtute. This apparently means something like "valor". If anyone has a better translation or explanation, it'd be really cool to hear. |
submissions
| The Good Life – Your Birthday Present Lyrics
| 20 years ago
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wellwhiskey - I think you have the right idea. There's so many themes of abandonment on the album and seeing all the allusions to a failed marriage, this would definitely make sense.
Kasher has this way of a using a higher voice in other characters, so maybe the lines about the "mistake" are the child. Or just him turning around the common phrase about a child being a mistake, to the father being the mistake. |
submissions
| The Lawrence Arms – Nebraska Lyrics
| 21 years ago
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At the Omaha show last July, before playing our crowd favorite Nebraska, Brandon explained the song was about their friend Mike (Brown?) that works at the First National or Mutual of Omaha bank here. A lot of people asked if he was doing alright, and Brandon stated that he's become happier here. |
submissions
| The Good Life – The Competition Lyrics
| 21 years ago
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The girl from Reno, I believe, is Jiha Lee who happens to be asian. She sings the vocals for the jilted girl on "Inmates" on Album of the Year. She played keyboards, flute and bass I believe on various Saddle Creek releases including the Good Life. |
submissions
| The Good Life – Inmates Lyrics
| 21 years ago
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The girl singing is former keyboardists and Saddle Creek staple member Jiha Lee. She apparently was romantically involved with Tim Kasher previously, which adds an interesting depth to the song. |
submissions
| The Good Life – Leaving Omaha Lyrics
| 21 years ago
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I wonder what high school Kasher graduated from, seeing as how I live in Omaha and the Orpheum is quite a classy and unusual venue for a graduation. It's a rather old but wonderfully preserved theater, it's beautiful. Most area high schools have graduation in the convention center.
Oh yeah - there are no Omaha stomping grounds :) Saddle Creek is a long street with a Target, gas stations and a couple fast food joints. Nothing special. |
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