Their debut album Plan B was the brainchild of the band’s guitarist/original vocalist Michael Franzino, who invited several talented musicians in the Sacramento scene (Including various orchestral instrumentalists and a female vocalist) to perform on the record. They spent their first year of existence diligently perfecting their live set, building their fan base, and most recently, writing their sophomore album as a collaborative effort. Their live set is known for setting deep moods that swing from thoughtful, emotional build-ups to body-moving, epic climaxes.
After signing both deals, they entered Interlace Audio Recording Studio with producer / engineer Kris Crummet (Closure In Moscow, Fear Before, Dance Gavin Dance) to record their second full length, Conversation Piece.
After it's release in the fall of 2011, Conversation Piece received praise and they were called "one of post-hardcore’s most important new bands and one of the few capable of saving the scene." (-MindEqualsBlown.net).
A Lot Like Birds spent all of 2012 on the road, taking their new album and frenzied live antics to the masses. The positive reception to their high energy performances lead to a one month tour of Europe in February 2013. The band's growing fan base fueled powerful performances in London, Paris, Vienna, Budapest and 19 other cities.
ALLB Released their 2nd LP 'No Place' with Equal Vision Records on October 29th, 2013.
ALLB released their 3rd LP 'DIVISI' with Equal Vision Records on May 5th, 2017.
On February 17, 2018, A Lot Like Birds announced their break-up.
Current Members:
Cory Lockwood
Michael Franzino
Ben Wiacek
Joseph Arrington
Matt Coate
Past Members
Kurt Travis
Michael Littlefield
Trace the Lines
A Lot Like Birds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Knocking on doors and swallow every key, carelessly
What a terrible time we had, do you want it back?
What a terrible time we had, do you want it back, timelessly?
We lived in the smallest world and all of it darkened as we slept
Knew our paces dictated the turn of the moon and the earth
And yet we still battled, began to doubt ourselves
I used to drink off of you, take sips of perspective from things you said
And when we disagreed it would burn, but I still loved to taste it
Then something bittered, something within ourselves
Just as most of the things I deserved, I learned how to waste it
I made you sick where I had meant to make you mine
I found loneliness in a room that you were in
I know it tore you up, it wasn't by design
Do you care that it's over?
Do you ever trace the lines?
Was it shared?
Are you sober just to show we're not alike?
Walking home is harder
The pace gets hard to keep when you're in all the windows outlining every street
Do you disappear if I break them or show up in every piece?
We don't ever speak but I'm holding on, I'm holding on, I'm holding on
Which version of you is the right one - the one from our memories?
The one locking doors that I knock on and swallowing every key?
I don't want to sleep but it's coming on, it's coming on, it's coming on
Do you care that it's over?
Do you ever trace the lines?
Was it shared?
Are you sober just to show we're not alike?
I said I loved you as a way to change the subject, fingers breaking as they crossed
You said you loved me so you wouldn't have to prove it, with both eyes towards the door
The song "Trace the Lines" by A Lot Like Birds is a deeply introspective and contemplative exploration of a complicated relationship. The lyrics describe a tumultuous period of time that the singer and the person they're addressing went through, hinted at struggles with addiction and mental health. The opening lines, "Knocking on doors and swallow every key, carelessly / What a terrible time we had, do you want it back?" suggest that they miss the intensity of the relationship despite the difficulties. The smallest world they lived in is now darkened when they sleep, and they were acutely aware of how their "paces dictated the turn of the moon and the earth," yet they still battled and began to doubt themselves. The singer reveals how they used to drink off the other person, taking sips of perspective from things they said, and how it used to burn when they disagreed but they loved to taste it. However, things soured, and bitterness crept in. The singer acknowledges that they made the other person sick when they had meant to make them theirs. Even as things fell apart, they still wonder if this person cares that it's over.
As the song progresses, the singer realizes that the relationship is truly over, and they're left with nothing but memories. They wonder which version of themselves is the real one, and which version of the other person is valid - the one in their memories or the one who locked doors and swallowed every key. They find the pace harder to keep when walking home and take windows as a metaphor, suggesting that looking out into the world and imagining the glimpse of the person helps them hold on.
Overall, the song speaks to how it's difficult to move on from a problematic relationship and how the lines between past and present, love and addiction, are fragile and easily blurred. The lyrics offer a poignant and powerfully introspective delve into the complexities of the human experience, and the pain of letting go of something that was never healthy.
Line by Line Meaning
Knocking on doors and swallow every key
Carelessly try every possible way to open locked doors
What a terrible time we had, do you want it back?
Reflecting on a negative past and questioning if there is any desire to revisit it
We lived in the smallest world and all of it darkened as we slept
Lived within a limited and dark reality, even in moments of rest
Knew our paces dictated the turn of the moon and the earth
Recognized that our actions influenced the world around us
And yet we still battled, began to doubt ourselves
Despite knowledge of our impact, still struggled and experienced self-doubt
I saw a softness in you as you were, so that's where my claws went
Noticing vulnerability in someone and using it to one's own advantage
I used to drink off of you, take sips of perspective from things you said
Gain new insights and understanding from someone else's viewpoint
And when we disagreed it would burn, but I still loved to taste it
Even though conflict may have been uncomfortable, still found value in hearing different perspectives
Then something bittered, something within ourselves
Something changed, possibly within us personally, causing a sourness to develop
Just as most of the things I deserved, I learned how to waste it
Acknowledging one's own tendency to waste valuable opportunities or experiences
I made you sick where I had meant to make you mine
Hurt someone instead of fostering a closer relationship
I found loneliness in a room that you were in
Felt isolated despite being with someone else
I know it tore you up, it wasn't by design
Realizing that actions caused pain, but not intentionally
Do you care that it's over?
Asking if the other person has any emotions tied to the relationship ending
Do you ever trace the lines?
Questioning if the other person reflects on the past and tries to retrace the steps that led to the relationship's end
Was it shared?
Asking if both parties felt equally invested in the relationship
Are you sober just to show we're not alike?
Questioning if the other person is behaving differently just to differentiate themselves from the artist
Walking home is harder
Finding mundane tasks more difficult after the relationship ended
The pace gets hard to keep when you're in all the windows outlining every street
Feeling scrutinized by others when out in public
Do you disappear if I break them or show up in every piece?
Wondering if breaking free from public scrutiny and expectation would be possible
We don't ever speak but I'm holding on, I'm holding on, I'm holding on
Although communication has ceased, still grasping onto remnants of the relationship
Which version of you is the right one - the one from our memories?
Questioning which version of the other person is the true one
The one locking doors that I knock on and swallowing every key?
Referring to the other person's guarded nature in the past
I don't want to sleep but it's coming on, it's coming on, it's coming on
Resisting the onset of emotional numbness
I said I loved you as a way to change the subject, fingers breaking as they crossed
Using 'I love you' as a distraction from talking about something difficult or uncomfortable
You said you loved me so you wouldn't have to prove it, with both eyes towards the door
Other person expressed love to avoid having to demonstrate it, while already checking out of the relationship
Writer(s): not documented
Contributed by Claire I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Solitarious
Years later I still miss this band, regardless of the lineup change. This album was so good, underrated and missed..
@slippy318
Same. Moxy The Band fills that void a little though.
@Moshka627
Could not have picked a better actor than Frankie Ray. Life and change are hell but beautiful lyrics and sound always ease the blow. We all suffer together. In that, we are one.
@frankierayhollywoodbadguy1936
thank you Bong.. that really means allot to me. i dug deep for these vids i am proud of them. and love there music they are wonderful men these are true artists.
@woxdy
Legit Frankie killed these two videos. I love coming back to them for his acting and the songs.
@RockBogard33
Im loving the new direction that ALLB is taking. Deep and cathartic, I feel the emotion in Corys vocals.
looking forward to the new album
@joaofolha3752
"The band announced on their Facebook page that they will be breaking up following almost ten years together."
@ritenour12
@@joaofolha3752 :(
@chrisandunique5368
@@joaofolha3752😢
@FrankieRay
Hey all i Play the old man in these vids. just my point of view from someone who has lived allot. I play With Tim and Erics band Pusswhip gangbang I have had the pleasure of working with the likes of Michael Jackson Marlon Brando and have personal relationships with some of the most famous and successful musicians in the world. as you get older you will realize that LIFE and ART are about balance and change, growth. Look at your own lives and ask yourself "do you really only want to do ONE thing your whole life"? if this band is growing and maturing this is natural and healthy. getting a musical compliant out of me is rough. these artists are true and on track to be great. If you only want SCREAMS then that may be what is going on in YOU emotionally and you should really look at that. allow yourself to feel other things. Other than the rage and anger.. i play a variety of characters sometimes i am allowed to be human have emotions most times not. there is love in you and light be balanced like this band is. i believe that you deserve to feel it all, experience it all, live it all.... don't you????? DO YOU CARE THAT ITS OVER? ........................IS IT JUST A WASTE OF TIME.