Vices

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vice

puts this into much more perspective.

I think it's important to pay attention to the intro to the song when considering what it means. (It was included for a reason, after all). The track begins with a sample from a gospel hymn called "On Life's Highway," by Bertrand Brown. As far as I can tell, this hymn is a prayer asking for God's strength to help one on the journey of life, especially at times when one tempted to sin, "far away from any road [...] where no passer-by can see."

Now, the lyrics of Vices are meant to contrast this, just as the calm, soulful melody of the hymn is greatly contrasted by the abrasive vocals and heavy riffs that immediately follow (which, by the way, is the heaviest Brand New has ever done and should really be considered hardcore punk rather than the alternative rock the band usually plays). Just as these sounds are in dissonance with each other, the hymn is meant tot reflect the songs lyrical themes. laces0utalex's pointed out the definition of a 'vice'--a practice or behavior considered immoral in the associated society. While the hymn is about finding the strength to "do the right thing", the rest of this song is about vices--doing the wrong thing.

In its contrast with the gospel hymn, I see this song as a sort of "fuck you" to God and religion, and to society or life in general. In saying that we NEED vices, he's saying we need sin, imperfection, flaws, mistakes--the things that make us human. Consider these lines: "Our good Creator / The dog in the manger / Where is my shrink and my mind's eraser?" "Dog in the manger" is one of Aesop's fables and has subsequently become an idiom that refers to someone who greedily denies others things which they desire, despite having no desire for those things himself. Here, Jesse is calling God a dog in the manger for denying his followers the right to follow many of their desires and condemning those who do, despite there being little to no real sinfulness or depravity to such actions. In other words, and in context of the rest of the song, he is saying that God, the Church, and perhaps even society unnecessarily begrudge people for certain actions that are arbitrarily and unfairly deemed wrong. Jesse is saying that he will no longer allow the "dog in the manger" to prevent him from doing what he really wants to do--hence the line "Those days are dead (forgive me)," with the phrase "forgive me" being used ironically. In this case, the "dog in the manger" is manifested as judgment from other members of society and the qualms and shame imprinted upon his conscious by this undeserved judgment. In short, this song is Jesse's way of saying "fuck you, I do what I want."

However the song could also be taken a rather different way--regret. It may not exactly be about doing what is considered wrong--it's about /having done/ the wrong thing in the past. Consider the repeated line "Those days are dead (forgive me)". This song expresses Jesse's regret for his actions in the past. the line "We need ten years on rewind so we can return" further illustrates this, and the line "Where is my shrink and my mind's eraser?" demonstrates his desire to get over the past and find a way to mend the damage that has been done, or at least escape it. This is probably less likely, though.

These interpretations are whack. Man, we need us some lyric booklets. Let's all send brand new a dollar and see if it gets us anywhere. :]

I like this song. I couldn't believe this was the same guy that sang me Play Crack The Sky. I didn't know he had it in him.

The forest burned... interesting. Noro says "if we die, burn the forest." Another reason I think this is a quasi-concept album. It all comes full circle.

I thought he was saying "shake it by the playground"

Pretty sure these are spot on. Google the 'Dog in the Manger Fable', really sheds a lot of light on the meaning of this song. Also neatly links in the "fifteen patons of bread" and the "where's my hay" part.

We need vices We need vices Where's all my hope and my marriage license? (Where's my hay?)

Those days are dead (forgive me) Those days are dead (forgive me) Those days are dead (forgive me) We need vices and fifteen patons of bread

She said goodbye to the ground She said goodbye to the ground She said goodbye to the ground And jumped

Our good Creator (oh no) The dog in the manger Where is my shrink and my mind's eraser? (we sing a sad song)

That forest burned (do you see smoke?) That forest burned (a halo) That forest burned We need ten years on rewind so we can return

She said goodbye to the ground She said goodbye to the ground She said goodbye to the ground She said goodbye to the ground She said goodbye to the ground And jumped

We need vices We need vices We've been needing to brandish our disguises

Those days are dead (forgive me) Those days are dead (forgive me) Those days are dead (forgive me) We need vices and wheels to the funeral gate

She said goodbye to the ground She said goodbye to the ground She said goodbye to the ground And jumped

These interpretations are whack. Man, we need us some lyric booklets. Let's all send brand new a dollar and see if it gets us anywhere. :]

I like this song. I couldn't believe this was the same guy that sang me Play Crack The Sky. I didn't know he had it in him.

yeah there are forest/fire references in almost every single song. there is a reason for it, but we really need to see the lyrics booklet. there had BETTER be a lyrics booklet this time, or i'll go nuts.

just a guess

wheres my creator? that dark innovator? where is my trigger, my mind eraser?

we can figure this out!

wheres your creator? the dark end of ages?... <sounds like something with ager.> where is my trigger, my minds eraser? we sing a sad song.