After 2 singles on different labels and a surprise number one hit as part of M/A/R/R/S's "Pump Up the Volume", they made two ground-breaking albums that placed them precariously in the indie scene - however they preferred the term "dream pop". These albums were 69 in 1988 and i in 1989.
Hard to place in terms of genre, 69 was more consciously indie, though that's not saying much, seen by some as part of a continuum that included jimi hendrix' more spaced-out offerings, miles davis and others - musically it asked questions and opened doors that have still to be explored. 'i' was a dramatic change, clearly slicker and smoother, and covering a wide variety of styles over twenty-six tracks (ten of which were short noise interludes). "i" also spawned A.R. Kane's best-known song in "A Love From Outer Space". Both albums achieved wide critical acclaim.
Follow up album New Clear Child (1994), was not received as well, the reasons being a believed lack of coherent direction and a feeling that the ideas were merely (admittedly excellent) re hashes of works that were completed more succinctly in the earlier 2 albums.
Rudy Tambala made ambient and dub influenced music under the name Sufi. Neither is currently involved in the music industry to any great extent. Post-A.R. Kane, Alex Ayuli was (possibly still is) a museum curator in the U.S. Russell Smith still DJ's rare soul 45s in UK and Europe and earns a living as a restorer/ decorator in South West France.
Spermwhale Trip Over
A.R. Kane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
things are always what they seem
here in my LSdream, in my LSdreaming
and all the shifting shapes
all changing to grapes
never making mistakes
in my LSdream
and all the peoples, and all the fingers
and all the peoples, and all the fingers
in my LSdream
and circles buzzing with life
tip toe, tip toe, tip toe, tip toe
across my head
in my LSdreaming, oh yeah
LSdream, in my LSdream, LS, LS...
LSdreaming
The lyrics to A.R. Kane's song, "Spermwhale Trip Over," create a dream-like atmosphere for the listener. The use of the phrase "LSdream" repeatedly throughout the song suggests that the dream is a lucid one, meaning that the dreamer is aware that they are dreaming. The dream is characterized by a feeling of fluidity and constant change, as the shifting shapes change into grapes without making mistakes. The dream is also populated by a variety of people and fingers, suggesting that there are many individuals and diverse experiences present in the dream. Additionally, the circles that buzz with life represent a feeling of energy and vibrancy, and this energy is palpable throughout the dream.
The overall effect of the lyrics is to create a sense of wonder and exploration. The dream-like quality of the language and imagery suggests that anything is possible in this dream world, and the listener is encouraged to let their imagination run wild. At the same time, there is a feeling of comfort and familiarity, as though the dreamer has visited this world many times before. The repetition of the phrase "in my LSdream" serves to reinforce this feeling of familiarity and grounding.
Line by Line Meaning
here in my LSdream
The singer is talking about their dream world.
things are always what they seem
In this dream world, things are exactly like how they appear to be.
here in my LSdream, in my LSdreaming
The singer emphasizes that they are currently in their dream world.
and all the shifting shapes
There are constantly moving shapes in this dream world.
all changing to grapes
These shapes turn into grapes, for an unknown reason.
never making mistakes
Even though things may seem bizarre or illogical in this dream world, it makes perfect sense as it never makes errors.
in my LSdream
The singer just reaffirms their location.
and all the peoples, and all the fingers
The artist sees many people and fingers in their dream world.
in my LSdream
Again, the artist is reminding themselves of where they are.
and circles buzzing with life
There are moving circles filled with energy and life in the dream world.
tip toe, tip toe, tip toe, tip toe
The singer uses this onomatopoeic phrase to describe the quiet movement of these circles.
in my LSdreaming, oh yeah
The artist is enjoying their time in their dream world.
LSdream, in my LSdream, LS, LS...LSdreaming
The singer is rhythmically repeating the phrase 'LSdream' to encapsulate their dream world experience.
Contributed by Cameron T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mason B
For several years now I've considered AR Kane's '69' to be one of the first Post-rock albums, right along with Talk Talk's Laughing Stock, Hex by Bark Psychosis and the last Slowdive album Pygmalion. Throw Slint's Spiderland in there too.. but yea, AR Kane were so freaking ahead of their time.
Marigold Pyre
Really glad I'm not the only one thinking this, first time I gave this a listen I was super surprised to see the release date. It somehow manages to envision the beginnings of first wave post rock, shoegaze, and even more impressively manages to predict the manners in which shoegaze would evolve past the scene's beginnings. I can't believe that a band so unique and so intelligent in their approach to composition and layering could have been slept on like they were.
Mason B
@Marigold Pyre lucky for me I was a college dj at the time and we had an incredible music director and a vast library of LP's and CD's.
klasensjo
I was blown away by this album when it came and it stands up remarkably well today. a true exploration of sound and space. i think they really set themselves apart from the shoegaze movement with this one. it was more freeform than anything else.
podfunk
69 was a terrific album, I well remember buying it back in '88. I think they were really inspired by the whole 4AD sound but really developed into a free-form direction of their own.
gwinerreniwg
The best song from their best album, '69'. Absolutely fantastic!
wearewhitezoo
finally got it while lsdreeeaaaaaming in Lisboa. Eternal love for this album and for A.R. Kane.
darren nuttall
brilliant band.
Carol Sawall
Have had 69 for over 20yrs. I'm an artist and love painting to this music.
Jamallus Shacoude
Can anyone hear a "Cocteau Twins" - like similarity in the bass-line and spacy-ness to their music? The artistic exchanges that must have taken place at "4AD" must have been breath-taking! I have to investigate the cover-art of the "4AD" roster at that time...... The cross-pollination of artists and producers and musicians created some really beautiful music, such as what I just finished listening to... I always loved A.R. Kane's sound, but it is not theirs alone....