Glass was born in 1988 in Toronto, Ontario. In 2002, at the age of 14, she adopted the name "Vicki Vale" and left home to live in a squat community. Here, she formed Fetus Fatale, an all-girl noise-punk band. It was after a performance in 2004 at Q-Bar when she was approached by Ethan Kath. Kath was impressed by the show, claiming at the time he thought he had found the "missing ingredient" to his music. Kath later gave Glass a CD with 60 instrumental tracks, for which she wrote vocals for 5. When they went to a recording studio to record those 5 songs, a microphone check was secretly recorded by the engineer, who later presented the band with a CD-R with 6 tracks. This 6th extra track went on to become Crystal Castles' first single, "Alice Practice"
The Altar
Alice Glass Lyrics
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Dangling at the sides of their heads
Somewhere else, someone else feels worse
Forget that the sun is in the universe
Somewhere else, someone else feels worse
A life of compassion feels so rehearsed
Somewhere else, someone else feels worse
Somewhere else, someone else feels worse
All you regret cannot be reversed
All you regret cannot be reversed
All you regret cannot be reversed
The lyrics of Alice Glass's song 'The Altar' address the idea of comparing oneself to others, feeling like one's hardships are insignificant because someone else is going through something worse. The first two lines talk about girls picking flowers, which represents innocence and beauty. However, the flowers are only dangling, not in their hair or hands, suggesting that they're not actively taking part in this beauty. The following lines talk about this sense of self-doubt, as Glass sings "Somewhere else, someone else feels worse. Forget to remember your own worth." She's talking about how people tend to forget their own value when they're constantly comparing themselves to others. The line "A life of compassion feels so rehearsed" further emphasizes this idea, as people can feel compelled to be empathetic, but it can also feel like an act.
The chorus is a repetition of "All you regret cannot be reversed." This phrase serves as a reminder that living in the past and dwelling on regrets will not change anything. It's an eerie and repetitive element of the track which emphasizes how difficult it is to move on from these emotions. Overall, 'The Altar' lyrics express a vulnerability and anxiety through communicating the fragility of the human experience. With themes of regret, empathy, and the dangers of comparison, Glass reminds us of the importance of appreciating oneself and living in the present.
Line by Line Meaning
Girls are picking flowers
Young women are engaging in a joyful, innocent activity
Dangling at the sides of their heads
The flowers are being worn as adornment, perhaps indicating a desire for beauty
Somewhere else, someone else feels worse
There is always someone else who is suffering more than you
Forget that the sun is in the universe
It is easy to forget the vastness and beauty of the world when you are in pain
A life of compassion feels so rehearsed
Trying to be kind and empathetic can become routine and lose its genuine meaning
Forget to remember your own worth
In times of struggle, it is easy to forget how valuable and important you are
All you regret cannot be reversed
Mistakes and missed opportunities cannot be undone, only learned from
All you regret cannot be reversed
Repeating the line emphasizes the permanence of regret and the importance of making the most of each moment
Writer(s): Jupiter William Hoover-keyes, Alice Glass
Contributed by Matthew R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.