The band rose from the ashes of Redivider (1997-2001), a melodic guitar band that won the Grote Prijs van Nederland ('Grand Prize of The Netherlands'), Holland's number one band battle, in 1998. As Diederik Nomden - musically a key figure - left the group, Ralph Mulder (guitar/vocals), David Corel (bass/vocals), Len Lucieer (guitar) and Guy Bours (drums) decided to carry on as Alamo Race Track. This was towards the end of 2001. The name change also marked a dramatic shift in sound and therefore, effectively, the birth of a new band.
The band's sound has been described as "introspective like Sparklehorse or Neil Young's Harvest, but with a big city buzz", whereas newspaper The Austin Chronicle felt that "Alamo Race Track. . . spills blood on the tracks with the shake 'n' bake of Silkworm and The Jesus Lizard."
Alamo Race Track released two studio albums thusfar, both on Holland's prestigious Excelsior Recordings label: Birds At Home (2003) and Black Cat John Brown (2006). Both albums received rave reviews in The Netherlands and - remarkably - France, where Alamo Race Track are popular in the indie circuit. The band also played Manchester's In The City festival and the SXSW conference in Austin, Texas.
Having disappeared from the spotlights after 2006, Alamo Race Track re-surfaced in early 2010, in a different line-up. It appeared that Corel and Bours had quietly disappeared. Mulder and Lucieer remain in the band; Jelte van Andel (bass) and Robin Buijs (drums) complete today's line-up. The band wrote the soundtrack for a theatre play called 'Innenschau' and performed it live on stage as the play went on tour in The Netherlands. The songs for 'Innenschau' will feature on the band's forthcoming third studio album, which has been scheduled for early 2011.
On The Beach
Alamo Race Track Lyrics
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See the faces come out
You reach the ocean
Now the noise seems too loud
Is that a twister?
Yeah you're trying to shout
Yeah into the water
All the men with their hands up high
Television isn't all that
This decision goes up for more
Television isn't all that
This decision goes up for more
Turn up their lights
Make the brides so weary
We could go save them
Or we could just dry in the simple sea
Television isn't all that
This decision goes up for more
(x2)
Television isn't all that
This decision goes up for more
(x3)
The lyrics to Alamo Race Track's song "On the Beach" begin by describing the scene of people watching seamen and their ships. As the ships fade away into the ocean, the noise seems too loud and overwhelming. The lyrics then mention a possible twister, which the singer is attempting to yell about, but ultimately gives in and surrenders to the water, just like all the other men around them. The chorus emphasizes that television is not the answer and that decisions should be made with more thought and care.
The next verse begins with a call to action, encouraging the listener to turn up their lights and help the weary brides, but then quickly poses a question: should they save them, or simply allow themselves to dry out in the safety of the sea? The chorus repeats, reminding the listener that television is not the answer and that decisions should be made with more intention.
The overall message of the song seems to be a critique of modern society's reliance on technology, and a call for more thoughtful, intentional decisions. The singer seems overwhelmed by the noise and chaos of the world around them, but ultimately ends up surrendering themselves to it, questioning what the "right" decision even is in such a tumultuous world.
Line by Line Meaning
Watch the seamen
Observe the seafarers
See the faces come out
Notice the various expressions on their faces
You reach the ocean
You arrive at the edge of the vast water body
Now the noise seems too loud
The sound around you becomes unbearable
Is that a twister?
Is that a cyclonic wind?
Yeah you're trying to shout
Indeed you attempt to scream
Yeah into the water
Yes, into the depths of the sea
Just like all the men with their hands up high
Following the practice of all the people who raise their arms above the head
Television isn't all that
The medium of broadcasting on a screen isn't everything
This decision goes up for more
This choice is for an increased desire
Turn up their lights
Increase the brightness of the bulbs
Make the brides so weary
Make the newlyweds exhausted
We could go save them
We can rescue them
Or we could just dry in the simple sea
Alternatively, we can allow ourselves to desiccate in the unadorned ocean
Television isn't all that
The medium of broadcasting on a screen isn't everything
This decision goes up for more
This choice is for an increased desire
Television isn't all that
The medium of broadcasting on a screen isn't everything
This decision goes up for more
This choice is for an increased desire
Television isn't all that
The medium of broadcasting on a screen isn't everything
This decision goes up for more
This choice is for an increased desire
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARIO CAMPBELL, SHELDON LAWRENCE, D. DOYLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind