After relocating to Atlanta, the band recorded a single, "Holes" b/w "Heaven", and two independent records, Get It Together and 15 Dryden, for New Vision Records. Personality clashes had led to Giordano's ouster after the first LP. The band then met an ascendant Brendan O'Brien, near the beginning of his producing career, with whom they recorded the albums You and What An Experiment His Head Was for DB Records. After establishing themselves as a well-known regional college-rock band, they signed a contract with Atlantic Records in the early 1990s and recorded Book of Bad Thoughts. Like all of their efforts, the album was lauded by critics, but establishing commercial viability proved more difficult. Subsequent tours supporting The Reivers, Semisonic, The Black Crowes, Matthew Sweet, Robyn Hitchcock and the Ben Folds Five helped increased their visibility.
In 1994, the band took part in an Indigo Girls project called Jesus Christ Superstar: A Resurrection and appear (credited individually) on the studio cast album. In 1995 part of a solo Matt Brown set, recorded at Eddie's Attic in Decatur, Georgia, was included on the album Solo, Volume I, released by the independent label Sister Ruby. The album included original songs that do not appear on any of the group's albums, as well as a cover of Big Star's "Nighttime". The same year, Uncle Green contributed a version of "Ballad of a Thin Man" to A Tribute to Bob Dylan, Vol. 2, also on the Sister Ruby label.
Disappointed with their limited commercial success, the band renamed themselves 3 lb. Thrill (the weight of the human brain) and recorded the harder-edged Vulture for O'Brien's new vanity label, 57 Records, a subsidiary of Epic Records. This spawned a minor radio hit, "Diana", which examined the uncomfortable subject of child molestation and suffered commercially as a result. A video was recorded for the single "Something Will Come", directed by Peter Christopherson. One compilation album purports to include an otherwise unavailable 3 lb. Thrill track called "Threnody", but due to a mastering error the track is actually "Bad Seed" from the Vulture album. The real "Threnody" remains unreleased. 3 lb. Thrill's second album, Rycopa, was recorded in 1997 with engineer Caram Costanzo, but has never been officially released. Matt Brown's solo album Medicine Show, recorded with producer Rick Neigher, drummers Pete Thomas and Dan McCarroll, and keyboardist Rami Jaffee, suffered a similar fate in 1999. These unreleased projects, as well as numerous outtakes, circulate among fans.
Brown toured as a musician for Brad in 1997, and produced an album for indie-rock band Amphibian Skin in 2003, which also featured McDade and Jensen as musicians. McDade's drums can also be heard on Atlanta musician Paul Melançon's album Camera Obscura, released by Daemon Records in 2002.
In 2005 as 3 lb. Thrill, and in 2006 as Uncle Green, the band reunited for special performances at Smith's Olde Bar in Atlanta and Eddie's Attic in Decatur, Georgia, respectively.
Embrace
3 lb. Thrill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think you do
Maybe you're angry
Maybe you're confused
Maybe you want me
I bet you do
Were you mistreated?
Were you abused?
Give me your hands
Poor little man
Now do you want to kill me
Or do you want to kiss me?
Don't be uneasy
Don't be afraid
Now the king of the jungle is a queen for a day
The song "Embrace" by 3 lb. Thrill is a powerful song that speaks of the complexity of emotions and relationships. The opening lines, "Maybe you hate me, I think you do. Maybe you're angry, maybe you're confused," suggest a feeling of disconnect and a lack of understanding between the two people in the relationship. The following lines, "Maybe you want me, I bet you do. Were you mistreated? Were you abused?" hint at past trauma or history that could be affecting the present.
The chorus of the song, "I will embrace you. Give me your hands. Poor little man. Now do you want to kill me, or do you want to kiss me?" speaks of the need for connection and understanding, despite any past hurt or anger. It suggests that the person singing the song is willing to embrace the other person, to offer love and kindness, even if that love may not be reciprocated or understood.
The final line of the chorus, "Now the king of the jungle is a queen for a day," is a striking image that suggests a shift in power dynamics in the relationship. The traditional "king" figure, often associated with strength and dominance, is replaced by a "queen" figure, suggesting a new balance of power and perhaps a more empathetic and nurturing approach to the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe you hate me
It seems that you hold a strong feeling of hate towards me.
I think you do
In my opinion, you do hold hatred against me.
Maybe you're angry
It appears that you may be feeling and expressing anger towards me.
Maybe you're confused
It seems that you are experiencing a lack of understanding or uncertainty towards me.
Maybe you want me
It seems like you might have a desire for me.
I bet you do
I have confidence in my assumption that you want me.
Were you mistreated?
Did someone cause you harm or treat you unfairly at some point?
Were you abused?
Were you subjected to physical, emotional, or mental harm by someone else?
I will embrace you
I will offer you my love and support regardless of any past pain or harm.
Give me your hands
Extend your hands out to me, and let us connect and begin to heal together.
Poor little man
You may have suffered or been hurt, and I feel compassion for you.
Now do you want to kill me
Is your desire for violence or aggression towards me?
Or do you want to kiss me?
Is your desire for affection and intimacy towards me?
Don't be uneasy
Do not feel unsettled, nervous or unsure. I am here for you and will not cause harm.
Don't be afraid
You need not be fearful of me or any past experiences. I am here to provide safety and comfort.
Now the king of the jungle is a queen for a day
Now the traditionally male-dominant figure of power is taken over by a female for a short period of time, implying a shift in power dynamics and gender roles.
Contributed by Ellie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mike Porchia
watching the stone and water collide. Love this album.
Scott Williamson
an amazing album