The Oil Slick

I know how dangerous it is to identify the lyrical "I" with the singer/writer, but this is clearly Scott talking about himself. He's such a warm, friendly and seemingly happy person in all the interviews I've seen of him, but clearly also very critical of himself, constantly reflecting on his actions and quite dark in the conclusions he draws. You can see that through all the FR albums, be it in "The Modern Leper" or "Footshooter". In almost all of his break-up songs he tends to look for the fault first and foremost within himself and lays little blame on his exes. But the important thing is, he is aware of this trait in himself and has learned to live with it, which IMO is what this song is about. It fits therefore, that despite the selfcritical lyrics, this is one of the most uplifting and "happy" songs on the album. I don't think Scott will ever be a happy-go-lucky ball of kittens and rainbows, but as long as he can laugh about it "we've still got hope so I think we'll be fine In these disastrous times, disastrous times".

My favourite song on their new album. I think it's about someone who wants to do his loved ones justice, maybe by writing a love song or actually improving himself. However the harder he tries the more impossible it gets, which is shown cleary in the refrain, a certain inability to find the right words and the impression of himself that its not good enough. "All the dark words pouring from my throat sound like an oil slick coating the wings we've grown[...]There goes a love song drifting out of my reach". While being just a song about a writing block on a love song for someone, it also tells the desire to change, that he wants to improve for his loved ones. This is shown in the last lines of the songs. The inability of writing a love song is just another sign of his (recent) struggle with his loved ones.