“When we get done playing a show, we’ve given all we have to the point that we’re barely able to catch our breath,” explains Mitch, describing a potential catalyst for the group’s groundswell. “After two years of touring, we’re mobbed by people telling us they loved the show or that we’re their favorite band, which is very encouraging. But no matter how big or small the audience, we’ve always given everything we have and it feels great to see it grow to the point where fans sing the words louder than we do these days.”
Anyone who has caught After Edmund in concert can attest to the band’s visual and sonic precision - one that’s matched with unparalleled infectiousness and brilliant songcraft that comes from members’ musical education. In fact, band members are known to switch instruments throughout each set, proving to be equally proficient at anything attempted.
And for the first time in After Edmund’s celebrated career thus far, faithful can score an up close and remarkably intimate view of the foursome in action thanks to the DVD/EP set Spaceships and Submarines: The Lively Sessions. No matter the visual or audio format, the live studio performance is loaded with five brand new and engagingly explosive new cuts, along with electrifying re-arrangements of past favorites.
“Being on the road is a totally different creative atmosphere than being on studio and most bands don’t have the same kind of energy in the studio,” Ben observes. “After putting the tunes to the test live, you can watch people’s reaction, which is why our material is always evolving. That’s basically what inspired the DVD. We wanted to give fans something different than just a straight up concert recording. It still shows us performing live, but we thought it would give fans a more personal look to see us in the studio, especially because many of them have already seen our show.”
Besides the nine songs performed, Spaceships and Submarines: The Lively Sessions also includes mounds of behind the scenes footage, interviews with band members and even an audio commentary from the band. As for the new tunes packed therein, longtime listeners will notice the band incorporating a dance-inspired alternative pop sound into the project, perhaps akin to Mute Math, Shiny Toy Guns or Carpark North. In that regard, Spaceships and Submarines: The Lively Sessions could be considered an accurate bridge builder between Hello and the group’s forthcoming sophomore CD (hitting streets sometime in 2010).
“Subtitles are revealing, and the word ‘Lively’ has to do with the band’s stage presence, but it’s also meant to imply a live studio recording,” Yates says of the title’s impetus, before commenting on the band’s current direction. “'In the last year we’ve downsized to a four piece, moving Matt from bass to drums and Mitch from guitar to bass, which really changed the way we write since we now have only Ben on guitar player. It has pushed us musically and creatively while moving us in a new direction. And as for the feel good nature of the new tunes, well, life’s just too short to be Emo”
As is After Edmund’s tradition, the ongoing road trip will continue mixing up tunes from Hello, Spaceships and Submarines: The Lively Sessions and the upcoming album, all primed with plenty of towering guitar riffs, synthesized dance grooves, relentless percussion and monstrous melodies. And if the group’s history thus far is any indication, the gang’s stage antics, production and overall excitement is sure to mount with each future mile logged in its tour bus.
“We’re going for world domination,” Matt asserts with a laugh (though it’s quite possible given the band’s brilliant build-up thus far). “We’re looking to really pick up the momentum on all accounts. We’re actually starting to like pop music more than ever before, and while Hello is a record we’re all really proud of, it took listeners a little while to get to know. Our next chapter is going to be filled with more instantaneous familiarity, and while there will still be many of the musical elements we’re known for, our goal is to hook you in from the very first second you press ‘play.’”
Like A Dream
After Edmund Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I don't have the words
Whispering the wonder of Your love
And in my ear a melody
More beautiful than words
And I can hear the promise of Your love
Like a dream coming true
I believe in You
I'm hanging on to You
Heaven with humanity
A miracle of love
Grace that found me broken in my needs
And the mystery of our chemistry
I'm never good enough
But still I find You're everything I need
Forever and ever
I'm nothing if I'm not holding on
To start off with, "Like a Dream" by After Edmund is a song about holding onto faith and seeking refuge and salvation in something greater than oneself. The lyrics are introspective and speak of a deeply personal connection with a higher power, in which the singer finds solace and meaning. The opening lines, "Sometimes the silence speaks / When I don't have the words" set the mood for the song - that sometimes, words can't express the depth of one's emotions or experiences, but in those moments of silence, the presence of a divine force can be felt. The song goes on to describe this force as being like a melody that is more beautiful than words, and a promise of love that feels like a dream coming true.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is grappling with their own limitations, feeling as though they are "never good enough" to fully embody the love and grace that they seek. Despite this, there is a sense of perseverance and determination in the line "I'm nothing if I'm not holding on," indicating that the singer will continue to cling to their faith even in the face of doubt or uncertainty.
Overall, "Like a Dream" is a heartfelt exploration of the complexities of faith and the human experience, set to a melodic and uplifting backdrop. It encourages listeners to embrace hope and love in the face of adversity, and to trust in something greater than themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes the silence speaks
Even though I may not be speaking, I can still feel and hear the presence of God
When I don't have the words
When I don't know how to express my feelings or communicate my experiences
Whispering the wonder of Your love
I can hear God's love speaking softly to me
And in my ear a melody
I can hear a beautiful, uplifting tune playing in my head
More beautiful than words
This tune represents a beauty that cannot be expressed with words
And I can hear the promise of Your love
I can hear God's promise of love and support for me
Like a dream coming true
What I am experiencing feels too good to be true, like a dream or fantasy becoming a reality
I believe in You
I have faith in God and trust that He is guiding me
Don't let me go
I am asking God to stay with me and never abandon me
I'm hanging on to You
I am depending on God to hold me up and support me through everything
Heaven with humanity
The coexistence of God's divine presence with the physical world
A miracle of love
The love and grace of God is miraculous and inexplicable
Grace that found me broken in my needs
God's grace and love found me when I was at my lowest point and in need of support
And the mystery of our chemistry
Even though we may not understand everything about God and His ways, there is still a special connection or bond between us
I'm never good enough
I know that I am not perfect or infallible, but I still strive to be better
But still I find You're everything I need
Despite my flaws and imperfections, I still find that God is enough to fulfill all of my needs
Forever and ever
God's love and presence will never fade away or disappear
I'm nothing if I'm not holding on
My faith and dependence on God is essential to my sense of self and purpose
Contributed by Micah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@GSxxxRGirl
I love After Edmund! Their songs get me through alot, along with God[[=
@GSxxxRGirl
I was there too!!!! I was at the front of the stage!!!!! We were the first to hear this song!!!!! =)
@southerndancer503
i saw these guys last night in concert!!they rocked!!!Just like jesus<3 u god
@gritsfan101
Oh my goodness! I was there too!!! I was with my youth group! Thats cool!
@masterofhi50
they played this at my church this morning! they had already come a couple months ago with building 429 and addison road, but they were the best by far! i love these guys!
@rmzerwer
Saw them at convention!!! They did a concert w/ addison road & building 429!! they were amazing!! Everyone should get their CD! The lead singer, Mitch, is really kool 2!! =)
@jfpkpp
Yeah I saw them with those other two groups too! The are like on a tour, so yeah!!! All three of them are cool!!!
@dcfanforlife56
I saw this band yesterday for the altred mind concert and they were really good =]. I met them also and there really nice guys.
@Drummerboy8372
i saw them at my church...they were so loud we got the cops called on us!!! lol
@jesselawenforcement
Pretty music! :) lol love After Edmund!