| Brand New – At the Bottom Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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Few things in response. 1. These lyrics are great. I'm not sure if Jesse or Vinnie wrote them though. I don't really think it matters (I'll tell you why in a second, see 4) 2. I don't think Jesse sounds like Isaac Brock of modest mouse. I think that different singing style that people are hearing, if influenced by anyone, is a distinct mark of his time on tour with Andy Hull (manchester orchestra) and kevin devine. 3. Of course there's a Nirvana influence in there too. Manchester Orchestra's latest album (which is great) also has some songs that sound like Nirvana or even Black Sabbath. I usually chock up Andy's strange singing sound to his southern background, but Jesse's not from the south, so I don't know what's going on. Regardless, I like the sound. (I don't so much like Isaac Brock's singing though) 4. I would be hesitant to interpret these lyrics in regards to specific failed relationships in Jesse's past. First of all they are a band, and Jesse isn't the only one whose life gets written about. Vinnie does a lot of writing too, and in fact wrote most of the songs on this record. I heard Jesse saying that when Vinnie came to him with new songs they fit in perfectly because they were so much like something he (Jesse) would have written himself, and it's a testament to how long they've been friends. I don't try to interpret the songs in terms of any of the guys' lives though. Even if a song was inspired by a romantic rejection, the song is still about rejection in general. I like Brand New (the last two albums especially) because I think they touch on a deeper spiritual struggle with the current generation. The juxtaposition between regret and the darkness within is confessional, to say the least. The speaker of these songs doesn't try to ever justify himself. He rages in bitter distrust against past relationships, but still makes petitions to friends, family, G-d, himself, to love him. It's an acknowledgment of loneliness and fear that results in rage, that's where you get the soft parts followed by explosive choruses. That's how the guys wrote of course because that's how they feel, but I think everyone under 30, whether they have direction or not, is growing increasingly aware of the absence of something. Something that wasn't passed on to this generation, even if it's something as simple as truth, whatever that may be. Everyone doesn't like Brand New, but I expect the sentiments expressed in this album to pertain to just about everyone. |
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| Manchester Orchestra – The River Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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Galaxynamedafterme and Mundanely summed this one up very well, but for funsies I want to elaborate. What I love about lyrics and poetry, especially the lyrics of Andy Hull and Aaron Weiss is the layers. There are so many layers to Andy's words, many I would venture to say not entirely intentional. Such is the mystery of language, such is the mystery of G-d. Here's what I get: The Holy Spirit, or perhaps spirit of repentance, submission to G-d is weighing heavily on the speaker here (presumably Andy, given recent press releases and comments from the M.O. website concerning the album). He is like a wounded fighter though. He can't put up much of a fight at all. "Sword' could also represent the Word of G-d (whatever you take that to mean) as such an analogy is made in the Bible. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." from the book of Hebrews. I am uncertain about the line beginning "Cheat. . ." Perhaps the seemingly unjust system of grace and mercy? That it is cheating to not have to pay for sins. The image of a cracked rib, as though something burst or was ripped literally out of one's heart through the rib cage is phenomenal. Of course, literally this action would lead to a very painful and physical death, but spiritually speaking, it is the speaker's pride that is to be ripped through his rib cage, and it is the death of self of which he speaks here more so than any physical death. "I think I know you best when I sleep." My first inclination is to say this line couples with the following line to say simply "I am lazy and arrogant." Also, it could refer to revelation through dreams, or my mystically, the loss of consciousness and self in sleep is the closest the speaker can feel to G-d because during his waking hours he is prideful and therefore distant from G-d. I like coupling the lines together best, though. Brothers refers to either brothers in faith (the way Christians in the Bible refer to one another as brother and sister) or brothers in deed, anyone who is in the same boat, so to speak, as the singer. Tongues sharp as knives testifies to the power of words, possibly narrowing down "brothers" to mean others who communicate through song or poetry, wordsmiths of sorts, that have the passion and skill to pierce hearts, as Andy certainly does. The singer then declares to his brothers that he has found a way out. Out of what? Presumably the laziness and arrogance, the preoccupation with self. To simply call out to G-d, as he does throughout pretty much the rest of this song. To close your eyes and disappear into G-d. The final lines of this verse again testify to Andy's profession. He is a songwriter, and it is through his songs that he best communicates with G-d. Not to say anything about how well or with what confidence he does this, just that it is the best he can do. The chorus is clear. He calls out to G-d to give him perspective, to "see" to understand the ways of selflessness and love. "Take me to the river" is reference to baptism in a body of water like a river, which many Christians still practice, and indeed even Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River. It is a call, no doubt, to repentance. Which is the clear intention of the singer. The verse beginning "Grace taught" is without a doubt from the hymn Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing. It's a tactful rephrasing of a small section of it retaining the same meaning. Fetter of course is a shackle of some sort used to bind arms or feet. The honest in the repetition of "I'm going to leave You the first chance I get" is beautiful. What I love so much about Andy's lyrics is the honesty. He does not preach about religious views, he merely expresses them. He does not portray a spiritual life that is comfortable and confident (whose ever is?) nor does he condemn G-d or faith simply because he fails to understand it all the time. His lack of faith is not a testimony to the absence of G-d. He cries out in his songs because he has to, and for no other reason. So we have in the same song desperate cries of repentance and honest declarations of betrayal. He knows that he lacks understanding, and will turn from G-d again as soon as something else in life, big or small, appears to distract him. It is a confession of the dismal state of his heart. The song's not that mysterious, and for most probably doesn't require this much explanation, but I just love it so much. This is a good album. |
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| Phantom Planet – Leader Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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The song is about the religious system that is American patriotism. lemme show you what I mean. Concerning Jesus Christ, the Gospel of John says, "In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:4-5) Concerning the United States of America. George W. Bush says, "This ideal of America is the hope of all mankind…. That hope still lights our way. And the light shines in the darkness. And the darkness has not overcome it." the reference of being "re-born" was of Jesus explaining how one must view becoming a follower of G-d. the US Army preaches the same thing, only being reborn into uniform where you become property (ever hear the term "collateral damage"?) of the US of A. it's about false hope in a terribly evil country. (it's not just about Bush, but all leaders of the United States). i could explain some more of the parallels but they're pretty easy to pick up if you just imagine Patriotism as a religion of its own. |
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| Emery – Listening To Freddy Mercury Lyrics | 20 years ago |
| It's not saying we dont have the right to convert others, as a Christian you're supposed to respectfully and calmly talk about your beliefs with others that dont believe the same, and show them the Truth, and people will believe whatever they believe. It starts with him not expecting talking about his faith to be so personal, and then talking to Christians about when they to tell the sinner to find repentance, but asks "where's your patience?" because alot of Christians get pushy or dont even mean what they are saying "put on faces". "We're all sisters and brothers until we find we dont believe the same" is talking about how christians have different denominations or just lil minor differences in their beliefs and that puts divisions into the body of Christ. It 's talking about how different believers will interpret it differently and you'll have drunkards, thieves, liars, etc etc. That's also referring to that idea that no believer is a better person than any other believer or non believer. "I glanced at her too long tonight, but everything i say is right in your ears" is about having lustful ideas about a girl then going and saying all the right words to someone. It's that you can say the right things and no what is right but everyone sins, and we're all equal for it. The last two lines of the song "Here's my hand not words said desperately/ it's not our job to make anyone believe" doesnt mean dont talk about your faith, it means you should offer your love and companionship, and care about people and "give them a helping hand" instead of just telling them "this is what you shoudl believe" and not showing them love at all. Christians are the light of the world, we are supposed to talk to people about our faith and try and show them the truth, but it is the Holy Spirit's job to make someone believe, no body can make anyone believe something. so It's not our job to make anyone believe, just show them what we believe and be loving by helping eachother and loving eachother since no one is better than anyone else. sorry floz i'm not sure if thats what you were getting at, but i wanted to clarify that. | |
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