Born from a friendship nurtured during their days at the University of California Santa Barbara, the band consists of Zach Gill (Keyboards/Vocals), Steve Adams (Bass Guitar/Vocals), Dan Lebowitz (Guitars/Percussion/Vocals) and David Brogan (Drums/Vocals).
Originally a nine-piece band featuring a brass section called The Animal Liberation Orchestra and the Free Range Horns, the band began drawing enormous attention in the Santa Barbara area with their rousing stage shows. When Zach, Dan and Steve returned to their hometown San Francisco, they stripped back down to a quartet, playing with a wide variety of different drummers. Finally, in 2002, the trio reunited with drummer David Brogan (with whom they had previously played in college) and the ultimate version of Animal Liberation Orchestra was solidified.
Zach Gill, the keyboard player, went to college with the popular singer-songwriter, Jack Johnson, and so they had good connections with one another. Soon audiences at gigs saw Animal Liberation Orchestra supporting Jack Johnson. Zach Gill has recently provided piano in Jack Johnson's band, adding a new flavor to the live performances.
Animal Liberation Orchestra have released an independent album, "Fly Between Falls", and it was re-released on Brushfire Records on April 18th 2006. It includes the track, "Girl, I Wanna Lay You Down", which features long-time friend Jack Johnson providing guitar and vocals. New to the re-release is the song "Walls of Jericho", a tour staple and crowd favorite noted by its festival imagery, wailing guitar solo, and euphoric cresendo. This track gained popularity after its live performance was featured in the Jack Johnson and Friends Live at the Greek DVD. The studio version's debut on myspace.com received mixed review.
In 2006, ALO finished a tour supporting Jack Johnson, alongside with Matt Costa, all across Europe, including United Kingdom, France and Spain. Additionally, they have two dates scheduled for mid April supporting Jack Johnson in Brazil. In June, they will be supporting Dave Matthews Band at stops in upstate New York and North Carolina. Thay have recently recorded The Band's Ophelia for the tribute album "Endless Highway, the music of The Band"
On May 1st 2007, ALO released their new album Roses & Clover that was recorded during two weeks in a barn in Santa Barbara, California. ALO will tour the USA during May to July 2007, playing together with Brett Dennen during seven of the concerts.
Albums
ALO Vs. LAG (1998)
One Size Fits All (1999)
Time Expander (2002)
Fly Between Falls (2006 - Brushfire Records)
Roses & Clover (2007)
EPs
Live Mix (2000)
Empty Vessel
Animal Liberation Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heart full of pain, head full of doubt
And when I think about it, it just gets worse
The more it hurts the more I know
I've got to see her again
Stuck like a magnet to the freezer door
Face to the sun but my back gets so cold
The more it hurts the more I know
I've got to see her again
I'm an incomplete empty vessel
Waiting for the one to fill me up
Waiting for the day to hear you say "I Love You"
But you won't so I'm gonna leave
I do believe I've had enough
Told myself it's all in my mind
Told myself she's not my kind
But when I think about her it just gets worse
The more it hurts the more I know
This heart of mine will never mend
What if she knocked upon my door?
I wonder if I would be strong enough to ignore
That everything about us comes out cursed
The more it hurts the more I know
I've got to see her again
I'm an incomplete empty vessel
Waiting for the one to fill me up
Waiting for the day to hear you say "I Love You"
But you won't so I'm gonna leave
I do believe I've had enough
I feel the pressure comin' on
To the left of right a line has been drawn
But when it comes to my lady, my lady comes first
It always hurts, I'm gonna leave
I do believe I've had enough
I'm gonna leave I do believe I've had enough
I'm gonna leave I do believe I've had enough
The lyrics of Animal Liberation Orchestra's song "Empty Vessel" are centered around heartache, longing, and the feeling of being trapped. The singer of the song feels like they are stuck in a situation they cannot get out of, with a heart full of pain and a head full of doubt. The more they think about it, the worse it gets, but they can't help but want to see the person causing these emotions again. They even question what they would do if that person came to their door, knowing that it will only bring more pain.
The chorus of the song highlights the singer's feelings of incompleteness and their desire for someone to fill them up. They are waiting for the day when that person will say "I Love You" but they know it will never happen, so they are ready to leave.
The lyrics show the ups and downs of dealing with heartache and the complicated emotions that come with it. The singer wants to leave and move on, but they also can't help but feel like they need that person to fill them up. It's a relatable and heartfelt song that captures the feelings of heartbreak and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Feel like I'm trapped and I can't get out
Feeling stuck and unable to escape from a difficult situation
Heart full of pain, head full of doubt
Feeling emotional pain and uncertainty about the future
And when I think about it, it just gets worse
Rumination on the situation exacerbates the negative feelings
The more it hurts the more I know
Realizing the severity of the pain felt
I've got to see her again
The desire to seek comfort from a loved one
Stuck like a magnet to the freezer door
Feeling stuck and unable to move forward
Face to the sun but my back gets so cold
Feeling the contrast between hope and despair
I'm an incomplete empty vessel
Feeling unsatisfied and incomplete
Waiting for the one to fill me up
Longing for someone to provide fulfillment
Waiting for the day to hear you say 'I Love You'
Yearning for verbal confirmation of love
But you won't so I'm gonna leave
Recognizing the unlikelihood of receiving the desired affirmation
I do believe I've had enough
Deciding to move on from unfulfillment
Told myself it's all in my mind
Trying to rationalize and minimize the pain
Told myself she's not my kind
Convincing oneself that the other person is not a good match
This heart of mine will never mend
Feeling as though emotional healing is impossible
What if she knocked upon my door?
Contemplating a hypothetical future outcome
I wonder if I would be strong enough to ignore
Uncertainty about one's ability to resist the temptation of a former lover
Everything about us comes out cursed
Feeling as though the relationship is doomed to fail
I feel the pressure comin' on
Sensing increased stress and anxiety
To the left of right a line has been drawn
Seeing a clear separation or division
But when it comes to my lady, my lady comes first
Stating the importance of a romantic partner despite other conflicts
It always hurts, I'm gonna leave
Choosing to leave despite the emotional pain
I'm gonna leave I do believe I've had enough
Affirming the decision to walk away from an unfulfilling situation
Contributed by Hudson R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.