Richard Sauberlich – Vocals/Guitar/Piano
Hamish Cr… Read Full Bio ↴Animal Kingdom
Richard Sauberlich – Vocals/Guitar/Piano
Hamish Crombie – Bass
Geoff Lea – Drums
“..And if the looking it gets too much, well you can just tune out
And if the mirror reflects too much, well you can just tune out
And if the picture it gets too sharp, well you can just tune out
And if you ever regret your part, well you can just tune out”
- “The Art of Tuning Out”
Animal Kingdom, who formed when singer/guitarist/pianist Richard Sauberlich was introduced to bassist Hamish Crombie while at art school and were joined soon after by drummer Geoff Lea, found immediately that they had a common interest—to make compelling music that spoke with intent. The trio recorded their debut album, Signs and Wonders, in early 2009 in Seattle with producer Phil Ek (Fleet Foxes, The Walkmen) and released the disc at the end of the year.
Although the band’s debut, which received great critical acclaim, was only released digitally in the U.S., iTunes named the album’s track “Tin Man” as their “Single of the Week” and proclaimed the band “Best New Alternative Act.” Animal Kingdom toured extensively around the release, trekking around the U.K. and Europe, but it is the group’s sophomore effort, The Looking Away, which will be released by Mom + Pop Records, that really introduces them overseas.
After touring on Signs and Wonders the group reconvened at a studio space in a rundown church in North London where they spent nearly a year writing and demoing over 30 songs. From those songs the musicians selected a collection of favorites to bring into the studio with David Kosten (Bat For Lashes, Everything Everything), a producer Animal Kingdom specifically wanted to work with for The Looking Away. The album was recorded over several sessions in Kosten’s new studio beginning in February of 2011 and was eventually finished that summer. The goal was to expand the group’s sound to embrace a wider sonic aesthetic.
“When we record we like to bend sounds rather than just record them straight.” Richard says.
“Rather than just fairly traditional guitars and drums with a mic in front of them. We wanted to play with the sounds and build atmospheres, which is why we wanted to work with David. To create a much more hybrid sounding record, but with strong songs at the core”
Those songs veer from the propulsive, euphoric rush of flagship single “Strange Attractor,” which Richard calls a “chemical love song,” to the hyper-colored anti-one percent protest-pop of “Get Away With It” and the pensive hush of “Straw Man,” a self-described “beautifully depressing song.” This juxtaposition of styles and tempos finds cohesion in the band’s ability to fuse infectious, kaleidoscopic indie rock with atmospheric melancholia, and in the lyrical depth that infuses the entire disc.
From the title to the album’s striking artwork to the lyrics, The Looking Away circles around the idea of purposeful disassociation and disengagement. And, if you listen closely, the album’s title and clues to its meaning can be found throughout several of its songs.
“The Looking Away is about a kind of selective inattention,” Richard explains. “A disconnect. It’s about averting your gaze. It’s about being aware of something while ignoring it. Deciding to tune something out because it could make you feel uncomfortable. It’s also about personal complicity and allowing yourself to be distracted and your attention diverted. It’s something we tried to represent with the artwork too. The figure is imagining this paradise, but he’s not really there; it’s a mirage.”
Animal Kingdom, who will bring their soaring, sun-drenched landscapes and ethereal melodies to Lollapalooza and Outside Lands this summer as they make their debut run in the U.S., has clearly determined that it’s better to do something than nothing, that it’s more important to create something substantial than to just create anything at all. All of which is apparent on The Looking Away.
“We’re really proud of The Looking Away,” Richard says. “We poured a lot of ourselves into it but mostly we’re just excited about the music getting out there and connecting with the people who hear it.”
Bright Lights
Animal Kingdom Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause I might not make it
Stop. Stop confusing things
With your twisted thinking
Wait, at the waters edge
I will meet you there
World it trembles as it starts to spin
There were bright lights, there were dollar signs
Ties that bind you
And we'll sail toward the light
Through the stars, through the night
And we'll sail toward the light
Through the stars, through the night
Feet may stumble if you leave the road
And theres no compass thatll guide you home
But there were bright lights, there were dollar $igns
Ties that bind you
And we'll sail toward the light
Through the stars, through the night
And we'll sail toward the light
Through the stars, through the night
The lyrics to Animal Kingdom's song "Bright Lights" invoke a sense of desperation and confusion as the singer pleads with someone not to leave them behind. The song begins with the singer fearing that they may not survive on their own without the person they are addressing. The line "Stop confusing things with your twisted thinking" seems to imply that the other person is making things more difficult than they need to be. The mention of meeting at the waters edge is a poignant image that conveys hope and longing.
As the song continues, the imagery becomes more intense. The world is trembling and the sky is cracking, suggesting that everything is falling apart. The bright lights and dollar signs represent the superficial rewards that can distract us from what is truly important, and the ties that bind us can become a burden if we are not careful. Nevertheless, even in the midst of chaos and confusion, the singer holds on to the hope of sailing toward the light, through the stars and the night.
Overall, "Bright Lights" is a powerful song that conveys the universal human struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming and chaotic. The lyrics are poetic and emotive, and the music is ethereal and haunting. It's a song that invites the listener to reflect on their own journey and to hold on to hope even in the darkest of moments.
Line by Line Meaning
Please, don't leave me here
I am afraid to stay alone, please don't go away from me
Cause I might not make it
I fear that without you, I may not survive
Stop. Stop confusing things
Please stop complicating the situation with your distorted thoughts
With your twisted thinking
Your irrational ideas are making everything more difficult
Wait, at the waters edge
Please hold on, I'll be there soon
I will meet you there
We'll reunite by the shore
World it trembles as it starts to spin
The chaos that surrounds us is making the world collapse
Sky it cracked and now its falling in
The sky is breaking apart and falling upon us
There were bright lights, there were dollar signs
We were blinded by the shine of success and wealth
Ties that bind you
The obligations that hold you back
And we'll sail toward the light
We'll move forward to achieve our goals
Through the stars, through the night
Even in times of hardship, we'll endure and fight
Feet may stumble if you leave the road
I may lose my way if I'm disconnected from my path
And theres no compass thatll guide you home
Without direction, it's difficult to find the way back home
But there were bright lights, there were dollar $igns
The allure of success and wealth can be tempting
Ties that bind you
The forces that keep you tied to your current situation
And we'll sail toward the light
We'll work towards our goals despite the obstacles
Through the stars, through the night
We'll persist until we reach the light at the end of the tunnel
Contributed by Penelope B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
R P
Why isn't this song getting more attention? I think it's very, very good.
Saif Tech
😮💨😮💨😮💨😮💨😮💨😮💨
Ayberk D.
WORLD'S MOST UNDERRATED SONG EVER!
Sandra Rodgers
I stumbled on this song by accident. It is one of the best songs that I have ever heard.
Katia Kupriienko
Oh it’s been a looong time since I listened to this song
But yesterday in a book I say “Animal Kingdom” and this song immoderately came to my mind. So it does have a place in my mind and in my heart
pennyfrancestea
I am absolutely in love with this band now; I heard this song and was totally mesmerized. I'm telling everyone I know about you. Please do come to Los Angeles! =)
ammocky
Fabulous, love the song and effects, and what a wonderful Christmas pressie in my mailbox this morning. Enjoy the holidays boys and continued success for 2010. Anne-Marie (Manchester)
angelwithin91
Omg! You guys are amazing! I'm totally buying your album for my next trip to any CD shop! Please come to Toronto!!! <3
ReverendJackson
Saw these at Snow Patrol at Newcastle and fell in love with this music immediately.... What a voice.......
chama
One of my favourite bands, ever.