Walter soon began working with a singer-songwriter who went by E and drummer Butch Norton as The Eels. After a promising debut, Walter left the band due to differences with E. He formed a short-lived band, Tely, who released a CD that was distributed on the internet. He was also in the touring band for the Ken Andrews solo project ON, though in the end the band saw little touring. Later he went on to form Abandoned Pools and recorded a solo album, Humanistic, in 2001. Humanistic actually features a couple of songs that were once performed by Tely, like "Start Over."
In 2002 they performed the theme song for the short-lived MTV animated series Clone High. Many of their songs can be heard in the background during the show.
Walter teamed up with drummer Bryan Head and guitarist Sean Woolstenhulme in 2004 to record "Armed to the Teeth," the follow up to Humanistic. In June of 2005, they released an EP, consisting of a few songs from the new album along with b-sides and demos, called The Reverb EP. This was followed by the full album in September 2005.
In January of 2006, Walter wrote in his blog that Universal Records had stopped promoting the album. However, he has included several song snippets on his MySpace and has said he is writing songs for a new album.
In March of 2010, Walter announced via Twitter that he would enter the studio to work on a third Abandoned Pools album after five years of hiatus.
In mid-May 2011, via the Abandoned Pools' MySpace page, two new songs, "Marigold" and "In Silence" from the upcoming album, "Sublime Currency" were made available for streaming and download, or iTunes, as well as a full length demo of the first album, "Humanistic." The third studio album was expected to be released in late 2011, but is now due out sometime in 2012. On Friday, January 27, 2012, the Abandoned Pools' Facebook page posted: "Announcement coming on Monday." (January 30th)
Monster
Abandoned Pools Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Brushing up on irony
But no, no one's free
Everyone's a salesman
Gushing with sincerity
Or so, so it seems
I want to blow the monster down
I want to go another round
'Cause I am coming up
I am coming back
Everyone's a rock star
Look how cool and dark you are
Oh, what's become of me now?
We'll bust out the mission
We'll bust the holier than thee
Okay then we'll be free
I want to go another round
I want to blow the monster down
I want to go another round
'Cause I am coming up
I am coming back
Lay me on the table operate on me
Spin me like a record scratch the needle back and forth
I want to go another round
I want to blow the monster down
I want to go another round
'Cause I am coming up
I am coming back
The song "Monster" by Abandoned Pools highlights the pressure of society to conform and fit into a mold. The opening lines, "Everyone's a genius, Brushing up on irony, But no, no one's free," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The idea of everyone being a genius, but not truly free, suggests that society values intelligence, but only within certain constraints. The next line, "Everyone's a salesman, Gushing with sincerity, Or so, so it seems," reinforces this idea that people feel the need to sell themselves to fit into societal norms.
The chorus of the song, "I want to go another round, I want to blow the monster down, I want to go another round, 'Cause I am coming up, I am coming back," expresses a desire to break free from the constraints of society and come back stronger. The repeated line "I want to go another round, I want to blow the monster down" represents a fighting spirit and a determination to overcome obstacles.
The bridge of the song, "Lay me on the table, operate on me, Spin me like a record, scratch the needle back and forth," suggests an openness to change and transformation. The metaphor of being laid on a table for surgery symbolizes a willingness to be vulnerable and undergo a process of change. The image of spinning like a record and scratching the needle back and forth represents a desire to disrupt the status quo and find a new path.
Overall, "Monster" is a song about challenging societal expectations and breaking free from the pressure to conform. The lyrics use metaphor and imagery to convey a sense of rebellion and transformation.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyone's a genius
Many people are considered to be highly intelligent.
Brushing up on irony
Trying to improve the understanding of sarcasm and mockery.
But no, no one's free
Despite having intelligence and wit, no one is truly free from obligations and constraints.
Everyone's a salesman
Many people seem to be trying to promote or sell something, whether a product or an idea.
Gushing with sincerity
Expressing emotions and thoughts with apparent honesty and earnestness.
Or so, so it seems
It's possible that people aren't always as sincere as they appear to be.
I want to go another round
I want to try again, to keep fighting.
I want to blow the monster down
I want to overcome a difficult obstacle or challenge.
Cause I am coming up
Because I am making progress and improving.
I am coming back
I am returning and trying again after challenges or setbacks.
Everyone's a rock star
Many people seem to be trying to appear cool and enviable, like a famous musician.
Look how cool and dark you are
You seem to be trying to appear mysterious and impressive.
Oh, what's become of me now?
Reflecting on how one has changed or is perceived by others.
We'll bust out the mission
We will complete our goal, whatever it may be.
We'll bust the holier than thee
We will overcome people who act superior or self-righteous.
Okay then we'll be free
Once we achieve our goal, we will be released from our current situation.
Lay me on the table operate on me
Metaphorical statement asking for change or improvement, even if painful or difficult.
Spin me like a record scratch the needle back and forth
Again asking for change, potentially violent or dramatic.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joe Bananas
Everyone's a genius
Brushing up on irony
But no, no ones free
Everyone's a salesman
Gushing with sincerity
Or so, so it seems
I wanna go another round
I wanna throw the monster down
I wanna go another round
'Cause I am coming up
I am coming back
Everyone's a rock star
Look how cool and dark you are
Oh whats to come
Of me now
Bust out the mission
Well, bust a hole and you'll be free
Okay, then we'll be free
I wanna go another round
I wanna throw the monster down
I wanna go another round
'Cause I am coming up
I am coming back
Lay me on the table
Operate on me
Spin me like a record
Scratch the needle
Back and forth
I wanna go another round
I wanna throw the monster down
I wanna go another round
I wanna throw the monster down
I wanna go another round
'Cause I am coming up
I am coming back
I am coming up
I am coming back
Shadow Wilson
Both Clone High and Abandoned Pools are criminally underrated in their time!
Don Sexo
Especially Abandoned Pools :c
Peter Neufeld
tragically underrated artist
Berke
I forgot just how good every track on this album is wtf. Plus the writing is even better than i remember
Elucidator
probably the best song on this album
Someone ___
Elucidator their best song period
Joe Bananas
Everyone's a genius
Brushing up on irony
But no, no ones free
Everyone's a salesman
Gushing with sincerity
Or so, so it seems
I wanna go another round
I wanna throw the monster down
I wanna go another round
'Cause I am coming up
I am coming back
Everyone's a rock star
Look how cool and dark you are
Oh whats to come
Of me now
Bust out the mission
Well, bust a hole and you'll be free
Okay, then we'll be free
I wanna go another round
I wanna throw the monster down
I wanna go another round
'Cause I am coming up
I am coming back
Lay me on the table
Operate on me
Spin me like a record
Scratch the needle
Back and forth
I wanna go another round
I wanna throw the monster down
I wanna go another round
I wanna throw the monster down
I wanna go another round
'Cause I am coming up
I am coming back
I am coming up
I am coming back
sadistic sturgeon
Wow it makes you wonder why practically no one knows them. With music like this I would have promoted this if I ever had the chance to, but I missed out because I never was old enough when this band was making these songs
A. Valle
I think the dude is asking for donations on GoFundMe or something like that for a new album
Woocker Socket
Fun fact: you can do it now