The momentum behind those beginnings might have come from the so-called straightjackets that the two Danes cloak themselves in to compose. Rules. For the first album, there was a dire regimen of late-night recordings in the bedroom of a tiny Copenhagen flat lit only by candlelight. Other essentials included improvised percussion instruments and a drinking requirement.
From the smallness of that space the substance of Alcoholic Faith Mission took shape in their first album, Misery Loves Company. Variously encompassed as a self-indulgent, melancholy, acoustic outreach, Misery made a modest splash that fueled a tour of Denmark, and occasioned the band's evolution from a varied collective with a core of two, into the five constituents including Kristine Permild, Gustav Rasmussen and Laurids Smedegaard that make AFM today. It also brought forth PonyRec, the band's European label and management firm.
The second album was the result of a half year immersion in an old factory loft nestled in the heart of Hasidic Brooklyn. For this outing, the dogma confined them to using only the things they found within the four walls of the flat to compose and frame every track. Named for the address, 421 Wythe Avenue was heard by many and written about by a good number of bloggers and journalists. The reviews have ranged from mild intrigue to utter adoration.
Three tours of Europe followed, as did label deals in Japan and the U.S. The proverbial icing on the cake came from Canadian indie film, Point Traverse that put four songs from 421 on its soundtrack. As you read this, the album winds its way around the Americas, Japan, and the U.K. Perhaps it leaves an impression there that has begun to define the band and its sound in a new way. Perhaps, as many of the reviewers reckon, it's even a new sound.
Alcoholic Faith Mission’s third release, cumbersomely titled Let This Be the Last Night We Care, was available for general consumption in March of 2010 and has been recieved with even more adoration from the critics than its predecessors.
Having toured Germany, Holland, Belgium, Poland, Switzerland, France, Luxemburg, Italy, Wales, England and the US, with a total of more than 75 shows it's safe to say that Alcoholic Faith Mission is slowly undoing the tethering shackles of "up and coming" to being an important voice in mainstream indie rock.
Updated September 2010
Legacy
Alcoholic Faith Mission Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I won't mind the slightest bit
I'll touch you back and pretty soon
You'll treat me like a god
Step right up and try this
Liquid meant to multiply
It's not an easy thing to drink
I'm Tinkerbell, I'm calling out your name
I'm Tinkerbell, I'm calling out your name
It's loud enough, and the neighborhood
Can hear us when we're in the clouds
Tinkerbell, I sleep beside you
Step right and touch him
He's your legacy, the real deal
He controls your fears
and violates your dreams
Step right up and try this
Liquid meant to multiply
It's not an easy thing to swallow
Step right up and touch me
I'm Tinkerbell, I'm calling out your name
I'm Tinkerbell, I'm calling out your name
It's loud enough, and the neighborhood
Can hear us when we're in the clouds
Tinkerbell, I sleep beside you
The lyrics of Alcoholic Faith Mission's song Legacy portray a theme of power dynamics and control in relationships. The singer invites the listener to touch them, and in return, they will be treated like a god. This exchange of power is further shown in the line, "He controls your fears and violates your dreams," indicating that someone else has the power to manipulate the listener's emotions and desires. The invitation to try the liquid meant to multiply also implies a loss of control, as it is not an easy thing to drink or swallow.
The repetition of "I'm Tinkerbell, I'm calling out your name" throughout the song adds an ethereal and whimsical element to the lyrics. Tinkerbell is a character known for her magical powers and mischievous nature, perhaps suggesting that the singer sees themselves as having similar qualities. The final line, "Tinkerbell, I sleep beside you," suggests intimacy between the singer and the listener, though it is unclear if it is genuine or manipulative.
Line by Line Meaning
Step right up and touch me
Approach me closely and make physical contact with me
I won't mind the slightest bit
I won't be bothered or offended by your actions
I'll touch you back and pretty soon
I will reciprocate your physical contact and soon afterwards
You'll treat me like a god
You will show me great admiration and reverence, as if I were a deity
Step right up and try this
Come closer and attempt to consume this substance
Liquid meant to multiply
This beverage is designed to enhance your sensations and feelings
It's not an easy thing to drink
This substance may be challenging or difficult for some people to ingest
You'll get it right in time
With persistence or practice, you will eventually become accustomed to the effects of this substance
I'm Tinkerbell, I'm calling out your name
I am a fairy-like character that is reaching out to you and beckoning you
It's loud enough, and the neighborhood
My call or message is so powerful that others nearby can hear it
Can hear us when we're in the clouds
Our experiences or activities can be elevated to the point of feeling like they are in a dream-like state
Tinkerbell, I sleep beside you
I am a comforting presence that is always there for you, like a guardian angel
Step right and touch him
Move closer and make contact with this person next to me
He's your legacy, the real deal
This person holds great significance or importance to you and represents a part of your history or lineage
He controls your fears
This person has the ability to influence your psychological responses to things that scare you
and violates your dreams
This person may disregard or undermine your aspirations or ambitions
It's not an easy thing to swallow
This substance may be difficult or unpleasant to consume
I'm Tinkerbell, I'm calling out your name
I am still reaching out to you, trying to get your attention and connection
Step right up and touch me
As before, approach me closely and make physical contact with me
Contributed by Kaylee G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.