Though each member of the band — Miles Seaton, Seth Olinsky, Dana Janssen and formerly Ryan Vanderhoof — can be relegated to loosely defined roles (drummer, guitarist, bassist, vocalist), all of them play several instruments and sing, as evidenced by their shows and recorded material. When playing live, the band makes prominent use of improvisation and vocal harmonies. On their self-titled debut record, field recordings of a creaking chair, thunderclaps and the white noise of a television find their way alongside psychedelic and electronic elements, guitars and a glockenspiel.
In addition to their solo debut in 2005, the band played behind Michael Gira on his Angels of Light project as well as splitting a full length CD with Angels of Light.
In 2006, the band released an EP, “Meek Warrior,” a collaboration with master drummer/hero Hamid Drake which contained both more traditional folk music such as the lovely "Gone Beyond" and a pair of throbbing electric guitar monsters in “The Rider (Dolphin Song)” and the epic “Blessing Force,” which ends with an exploration into free jazz.
Sometime between the completion of [2007 release] Love Is Simple and Akron/Family’s 2007 U.S. tour, Vanderhoof left Akron/Family to live in a Buddhist Dharma center in the Midwest.
The band has also released several tour EPs featuring demos and other recordings. In May of 2009, the trio released Set 'em Wild, Set 'em Free. This album serves as a blend of the previous albums with more acoustic-folk songs like "Set 'em Free," to fusion freak-outs like "Gravelly Mountains of the Moon."
In January of 2011 they released their album, "S/T II: The Cosmic Birth And Journey Of Shinju TNT ."
Akron/Family's sixth studio album, Sub Verses, was released on April 30, 2013 on Dead Oceans. The band toured for the album from January 29 to December 8, 2013. After the tour the band decided to focus on personal projects, leaving the door open for a possible reunion in the future.
Island
Akron/Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're having the time of our lives.
Stewie: Take it dog...
Brian: We're quite a pair of partners,
Just Like Thelma and Louise.
'cept you're not six feet tall
Brian: Give it time.
We're off on the road to Rhode Island,
We're certainly going in style.
Brian: I'm with an intellectual, who craps inside his pants.
Stewie: How dare you. At least I don't leave urine stains on all the household plants.
Brian: Oh, pee jokes
We've travelled a bit and we've found,
Like a masochist in Newport we're Rhode Island bound.
Brian: Crazy travel conditions, huh?
Stewie: First class or no class
Brian: Woa, careful with that joke, it's an antique
We're off on the road to Rhode Island
We're not going to stop until we're there (Brian: Maybe for a beer).
Brian: Whatever dangers we may face, we'll never fear or cry
Stewie: That's right, until we're syndicated Fox will never let us die
(Please!)
We're off on the road to Rhode Island,
The home of that old campus swing.
Brian: We may pick up some college girls, and picnic on the grass.
Stewie: We'd tell you more, but we'd have the censors on our ass. (Yikes!)
We're off on the road to Rhode Island
We certainly do get around.
Like a bunch of renegade pilgrims
Who are thrown out of Plymouth colony.
We're Rhode Island bound.
Or like a group of College Freshmen
who were rejected by Harvard and forced to go to Brown.
We're RHODE ISLAND BOUND
(fades)
The lyrics to Akron/Family's song "Island" seem to be a playful and humorous dialogue between two characters, Stewie and Brian, who are on a road trip to Rhode Island. The lyrics playfully reference various elements and themes from popular culture and acknowledge the unconventional nature of the characters' journey.
The opening lines indicate that the characters are excited about their trip, describing it as the "road to Rhode Island" where they are "having the time of our lives." The reference to Thelma and Louise, two iconic characters from the film of the same name, suggests a sense of adventure and camaraderie.
Throughout the song, Stewie and Brian engage in banter and jokes at each other's expense. They make playful jabs about each other's physical appearance, with Stewie joking about Brian's height and Brian commenting on Stewie's lack of physical maturity. These exchanges create a lighthearted and humorous atmosphere.
The lyrics also contain references to travel experiences and the challenges they may encounter on their journey. They mention "crazy travel conditions" and being "first class or no class," highlighting the unpredictable nature of travel. Additionally, they make self-referential remarks about the nature of their characters and their show being on Fox, referencing how being syndicated ensures their longevity.
In the latter part of the song, the lyrics mention the possibility of meeting college girls and a reference to censorship, implying that there may be more to their adventures than they can openly discuss. The song concludes with comparisons to renegade pilgrims and rejected college freshmen, reinforcing the sense of unconventional journeys and the characters' resilience.
Overall, the lyrics of "Island" combine humor, pop culture references, and playful banter to create a light-hearted and entertaining portrayal of a road trip to Rhode Island.
Line by Line Meaning
We're off on the road to Rhode Island
We're embarking on a journey to Rhode Island
We're having the time of our lives.
We're experiencing pure joy and excitement.
Take it dog...
Continue with the lyrics, my friend.
We're quite a pair of partners,
We make a great team together.
Just Like Thelma and Louise.
Similar to the iconic duo from the movie, we're inseparable.
'cept you're not six feet tall
Except you don't possess a specific physical characteristic.
Yes and your breasts don't reach your knees.
And your physical attributes are different as well.
Give it time.
But things might change in the future.
We're certainly going in style.
We're traveling with flair and elegance.
I'm with an intellectual, who craps inside his pants.
I'm accompanied by a highly intelligent individual with an unusual habit.
How dare you. At least I don't leave urine stains on all the household plants.
Expressing indignation towards a previous remark and highlighting a contrasting behavior.
Oh, pee jokes
Commenting on the humor revolving around bodily functions.
We've travelled a bit and we've found,
Throughout our journeys, we've discovered
Like a masochist in Newport we're Rhode Island bound.
Similar to someone who enjoys pain, we're determined to reach Rhode Island.
Crazy travel conditions, huh?
The challenging circumstances of our journey, right?
First class or no class
If we can't travel in luxury, we won't travel at all.
Woa, careful with that joke, it's an antique
Be cautious, that joke is old and worn-out.
We're not going to stop until we're there (Brian: Maybe for a beer).
We won't take a break until we reach our destination, well, perhaps for a quick drink.
Whatever dangers we may face, we'll never fear or cry
No matter the risks ahead, we'll remain brave and resilient.
That's right, until we're syndicated Fox will never let us die
Indeed, as long as our show has continuous broadcasts on Fox, we'll stay alive.
(Please!)
An expression of pleading.
The home of that old campus swing.
Referring to the location known for a classic style of music and dance associated with college life.
We may pick up some college girls, and picnic on the grass.
Perhaps we'll meet and engage with female students and enjoy a meal outdoors.
We'd tell you more, but we'd have the censors on our ass. (Yikes!)
We would provide additional details, but we would face strict censorship and repercussions.
We certainly do get around.
We frequently travel to various places.
Like a bunch of renegade pilgrims
Similar to a group of rebellious religious travelers
Who are thrown out of Plymouth colony.
Who are expelled from their initial settlement in Plymouth.
We're Rhode Island bound.
We're heading towards Rhode Island with determination.
Or like a group of College Freshmen
Another analogy, comparing us to a collection of first-year university students.
Who were rejected by Harvard and forced to go to Brown.
Who faced rejection from Harvard University and had to attend Brown University instead.
We're RHODE ISLAND BOUND
Confirming our destination of Rhode Island.
(fades)
The song gradually fades out.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind