Bloom

The theme of rebirth is everywhere, a new state of transcendent knowledge, enlightenment. Peace.

We all have questions: "Just to see what if..." And long for Truth: "Just to see what is." But don't assume you know it or have found it: "Open your mouth wide / (and) the Universe will sigh." To do so is prideful considering our limited scope and knowledge. What do YOU know? The personification is so subtle yet so poignant. Beautiful lyrics that leave one humbled. Just know your place and be at peace. Pride is a recurring stumbling block that no one is above: "your fast ballooning head"/"My fast ballooning head" Great advice/solution in the beginning. Just chill out: "Don't blow your mind with why" "If you want truth to stand clear before you, never be for or against. The struggle between 'for' and 'against' is the mind’s worst disease." – Sent-ts’an

A hopeful tone. Faith that we can attain enlightenment. Cleansing rebirth: "Slowly we unfurl / as lotus flowers"

Now go check out the lyrics for Separator.

"The roots of a lotus are in the mud; the stem grows up through the water, and the flower lies above the water, basking in the sunlight. This pattern of growth signifies the progress of the soul from the primeval mud of materialism, through the waters of experience, and into the bright sunshine of enlightenment. Though there are other water plants that bloom above the water, it is only the lotus which, owing to the strength of its stem, rises eight inches above the surface."

"Its unfolding petals suggest the expansion of the soul."

I agree with Xaiv, the song aims to give a feeling of beginning, like the blooming of a flower. About coming to fruition, to senses. The coming of existence, and consequently the start of a journey and quest like life. I think this song alludes to the never-ending series of births, of blooming flowers, of people becoming more and more conscious of this world. It has a sense of being (re)born, an awakening feeling. No wonder they use it to start their concerts so often, and start their album.

Anyways here my interpretation: (Warning: I talk very much in imagery.)

Do note: This song starts of surprisingly high paced, with some high notes, very much "awake", and slightly chaotic. I see it as a slowly blooming flower in a busy street, people, cars, the world passing by in flashes.

Open your mouth wide The universal sigh //I find this part to call upon me multiple imageries on different occasions. Mostly, I see it as if the singer is like feeding a child. "Open your mouth wide, let me feed you, let me teach you." The universal sigh, an almost hopeless, pessimistic sigh: "Is this going to change everything? Will this child aid this world? Will this generation finally fix the shit we're in?" Sometimes, I just think he's calling for us to realise, to relate to his sense of hopelessness and desperation. To universally sigh together, realise, accept, so we can all achieve the determination to fix this world.

And while the ocean blooms It's what keeps me alive //Despite the sense of disappointment and hopelessness, impending despreation, this blooming is akin to hope. It's what keeps him hopeful, alive. Again, two things which are so closely intertwined. Because, as long as people will still grow into flowers, into something unique and special, as something more than just the common weed, we still have hope. Without hope, one is dead. Until one has given up, he's still alive, able to influence this world.

So why does it still hurt? (This is album version lyrics) Don't blow your mind with why //It still hurts because every time someone goes 'bad', a person turns out wrong, a flower grown crooked, it's a hope, a dream shattered. So every new birth, every new hope, is regarded as less hopeful, because when you look at whats happening, it's all going down the drain. Because if you compare the good and bad, it doesnt look good. It's going in a bad direction. Why? You don't want to know. It'll only blow your mind. It's a warning. Just try to do your best in repairing the damages.

A feeling of desperation.

I'm moving out of orbit Turning in somersaults (Turning in somersaults) I dive into those eyes (I dive into those eyes) Jellyfish swim by

//Radiohead has a very consistent tendency to perceive the world as an ocean. Humans as fish in the sea. (Weird fishes/Daily Mail and more. Farfetched, but might be inspired by DH lawrence's little fish) As for the orbit, it's breaking out of habits, going into a change. Turning in somersaults indicating that this is done extravagantly, determined, maybe with extreme measures. I dive in those eyes, "Those eyes" probably refers to all those fish, all those people gazing at him, helpless, in need, unguided. Problems, affairs that need attendance. He turns in somersaults to help, because the world needs it. Jellyfish swim by. Apathic. Pointless Jellyfish, with their apathetic, pointless life, swim by, while he rushes past. A stark contrast of the blind and apathetic, and the desperate, the ones who see the world's needs.

There. My 2 cents. Probably a very personal one, but hope it may be of help in some way :) Cheers, Jin

(Do note: written very tiredly. Feedback welcome!)

Traces of Buddhism are everywhere in this album. And I like it.

I recommend not over-analyzing it. Feel it. It's a rorschach test in sound and letter. You see and hear the shapes you see, to each his/her own. Blooming outwards to your unclaimed love.

Quite simply, when I listen to this song, the idea of existence enters my mind. The beginning of time up to when we were born and it continues up until we die and it keeps going and going until humans have gone extinct and even then, it still keeps going. Even when the song stops, my mind is still reeling from the possibilities of the future none of us will ever see.

Open your mouth wide The universal sigh And while the ocean blooms It's what keeps me alive So why does it still hurt? Don't blow your mind with why

I'm moving out of orbit Turning in somersaults I dive into those eyes Jellyfish swim by

I think it's about a guy who is depressed with todays society, but stays alive with the thought of something beautiful, the thought of jellyfish blooming in the ocean.But he just can't handle take it. He eventually jumps into the ocean in an attempt to committ suicide, while jellyfish go by.

Open your mouth wide The universal sigh

referance to "the scream"

Focus is on the movement of a bloom of jellyfish The snare drum is supposed to be like the beat of a drum an army would march to except that jellyfish don’t march like soldiers Jellyfish move in a kind of wild yet rhythmic pattern

^^ no.