1) Formed by guitarist Brick Williams, Hourglass is a Progressive Metal group from Utah, USA. The band's first effort was the hard-to-come-by "This Lonely Time and Place," followed up by the much more polished "The Journey Into" in 2002 and 2004's "Subconscious." The band released the double album "Oblivious to the Obvious" on February 19, 2009.
54 months is a long time to work on an album. But that is exactly how long it took Hourglass to finish their new double album "Oblivious to the Obvious." Four and a half years of writing, recording, mixing, mastering and the result is 139 minutes worth of music. Even though it is a lot of music, it is only 10 songs. Hourglass has never worried too much about the length of their songs, and epic songs have always been a part of what the band does. "Oblivious to the Obvious" is no exception. The album has a little of everything, from heavy metal riffs and screaming vocals, to laid back piano and acoustic passages, and some very tasteful groove sections. Vocal harmonies are scattered throughout the album as are many guitar, keyboard, and even bass solos. There is something for everyone on "Oblivious to the Obvious."
The band has gone through numerous personnel changes with Williams as the sole constant. Current drummer John Dunston replaced Zachary Taylor for "The Journey Into." Founding keyboardist Eric Robertson and current keyboardist Jerry Stenquist have traded seats twice, with Robertson playing on "This Lonely Time and Place" and "Subconscious," and Stenquist playing on "The Journey Into" and "Oblivious to the Obvious."
Bassist Jon Berrett played on the first two albums, then Clark Woolstenhulme played on "Subconscious," and the bass chair is currently held by one-time Hourglass vocalist Eric Blood for "Oblivious to the Obvious."
A different vocalist has performed on each album, with Jon Shumway on "This Lonely Time and Place," Chad Neth on "The Journey Into," Cody Walker on "Subconscious," and Michael Turner for "Oblivious to the Obvious."
Hourglass takes strong influences from Dream Theater, Fates Warning, Rush, and many other prog metal, prog rock, and classic rock outfits. The band enjoys a local following in the greater Salt Lake City area, and has significant fan bases in Europe and Scandinavia. All their albums have been independently released and financed by the band or individual band members.
2) 90's emo band. Their discography includes a seven inch on Immigrant Sun and a split with New Day Rising on Moo Cow .
3) Hip-Hop producer based out of Los Angeles, California.
Thread the Needle
Hourglass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A place he'd never been
It's all the same
His time is running thin
A light that now shines dim
Once as bright as the sun
A door once open wide
He threads the needle
He's walking the fine edge
He treats life like a game
And you know he'll end up dead
As he threads the needle
He can't remember what she said
Can you make a change
Before it grows too late
You'll never know your place in life
If all you love you hate
Don't expect my company
There's nothing left to say
And don't expect my sympathy
There's none to find today
He threads the needle
He's walking the fine edge
He treats life like a game
And you know he'll end up dead
As he threads the needle
He can't remember what she said
You've lived your life a gamble
And for what you cannot tell
I only hope you understand
I can't pull you out of hell
I've sacrificed all that I can
Yet you refuse to try
If you won't change your state of mind
Then I guess this is goodbye
He threads the needle
He's walking the fine edge
He treats life like a game
And you know he'll end up dead
As he threads the needle
He can't remember what she said
He treats life like a game
And you know he'll end up dead
As he threads the needle
You know he'll end up dead
The song "Thread the Needle" by Hourglass depicts the story of a man who is constantly on the move, but lacks true purpose or direction in his life. Despite having had moments of brightness and opportunity, he seems unable or unwilling to make any positive changes in his life. He treats life like a game and constantly takes risks, living his life as a gamble. The lyrics suggest that he may ultimately lose this gamble, as his time is running thin, and he is constantly "walking the fine edge" of his own recklessness.
The lyrics also suggest that this man may have had relationships in his past that have suffered due to his lack of willingness to change or commit. A woman, whose words he cannot remember, seems to have given him advice or warnings that he failed to heed. As a result, he is alone, with "nothing left to say" and "none [of sympathy] to find."
Overall, the song seems to be urging the listener to take stock of their own life before it's too late. The chorus repeats the imagery of "threading the needle," suggesting that making the right choices in life can require delicate precision, but that it is still possible to navigate these challenges successfully. Ultimately, the song is a cautionary tale about living life recklessly and refusing to make changes, while also expressing a sense of resignation and loss towards a character who seems beyond hope.
Line by Line Meaning
He was made to travel
He was born to roam and explore
A place he'd never been
Somewhere new, undiscovered.
It's all the same
The sameness of life.
His time is running thin
He is running out of time to live.
A light that now shines dim
His spirit is low.
Once as bright as the sun
He used to be full of life and energy.
A door once open wide
An opportunity that has now closed.
Will now let through no one
He can't go back or start over.
He threads the needle
He is taking a risky, precarious path.
He's walking the fine edge
He is on the verge of either success or failure.
He treats life like a game
He takes life lightly, not seriously.
And you know he'll end up dead
His careless attitude will lead to consequences.
As he threads the needle
As he makes his way through the difficult path he has chosen.
He can't remember what she said
He forgets the important advice he was given.
Can you make a change
Is it possible for him to change his ways?
Before it grows too late
Before it is too late to prevent the inevitable.
You'll never know your place in life
If he continues to have a negative outlook on life.
If all you love you hate
If he can't find joy in anything he does.
Don't expect my company
I won't tolerate his negative behaviors.
There's nothing left to say
All has been said and done.
And don't expect my sympathy
I don't feel sorry for him.
There's none to find today
I am not able to empathize with him anymore.
You've lived your life a gamble
He has taken chances that have led to dangerous situations.
And for what you cannot tell
Without understanding what he has gained in life.
I only hope you understand
I hope he realizes the gravity of his actions.
I can't pull you out of hell
I cannot help him if he doesn't want to change.
I've sacrificed all that I can
I have done everything in my power to help him.
Yet you refuse to try
But he is unwilling to make positive changes.
Then I guess this is goodbye
So, our relationship must come to an end.
You know he'll end up dead
He is putting himself in dangerous situations that may have fatal consequences.
Contributed by Michael S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.