Animal Liberation Orchestra ((also known casually as ALO) is an American ja… Read Full Bio ↴Animal Liberation Orchestra ((also known casually as ALO) is an American jam band, currently signed on Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records label. They have released a series of full length albums, including "Fly Between Falls" (2005), "Roses & Clover" (2007), "Man of the World" (2010), "Sounds Like This" (2012), and "Tangle of Time" (2015). They have also released several EPs and independent albums, including "Time Expander".

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)

Shapeshifter
Animal Liberation Orchestra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I am so supple
Bend my legs back around my head
I'm the kinda guy you want in your government
And I'm the kinda guy you want in your bed

Well I'm a shapeshifter
Throw me in the water watch me turn to blue
Put me in a room with reptiles

And I'm cold blooded too

Every now and then I get the feeling I'm so supple
Every now and then I get the feeling and I have to say
That every now and then I get the feeling I'm a piece of clay

I am so supple
Bend my legs anyway you want

Drop me off in the Philippines and I'm Filipino
Drop me off in Scotland and I'm a Scot

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Animal Liberation Orchestra's song "Shapeshifter" are a playful exploration of the human capacity for transformation and adaptability. The opening lines "I am so supple / Bend my legs back around my head" suggest a physical flexibility that can be molded and shaped to fit any situation. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the ability to adapt to any circumstance, to be versatile and resourceful in the face of adversity. However, the next lines suggest a more self-serving motivation: "I'm the kinda guy you want in your government / And I'm the kinda guy you want in your bed." Here the shapeshifter becomes a chameleon, changing form in order to gain power and influence.

The chorus reinforces this sense of transformation: "Well I'm a shapeshifter / Throw me in the water watch me turn to blue / Put me in a room with reptiles / And I'm cold blooded too." The shapeshifter is not just adaptable, but also resilient and able to thrive in any environment. The final verse takes this idea even further, suggesting that the shapeshifter is not just capable of fitting in anywhere, but can also take on the identity of any culture: "Drop me off in the Philippines and I'm Filipino / Drop me off in Scotland and I'm a Scot."

Overall, "Shapeshifter" presents a whimsical and lighthearted take on the idea of transformation, but also raises the question of what motivates us to change ourselves in order to fit in with others. Is it a desire for power and influence, or a genuine willingness to adapt and learn from different cultures and experiences? The song leaves this question open to interpretation.

Line by Line Meaning

I am so supple
I am very flexible

Bend my legs back around my head
I can contort my body in unusual ways

I'm the kinda guy you want in your government
I am a skilled and desirable political leader

And I'm the kinda guy you want in your bed
I am a desirable sexual partner

Well I'm a shapeshifter
I can transform and adapt to different situations

Throw me in the water watch me turn to blue
I am highly adaptable, able to endure drastic changes

Put me in a room with reptiles
I am comfortable in uncomfortable situations

And I'm cold blooded too
I am unemotional and detached

Every now and then I get the feeling I'm so supple
Occasionally, I am in touch with my flexible and adaptable nature

Every now and then I get the feeling and I have to say
On occasion, I am aware of my deep-seated desires

That every now and then I get the feeling I'm a piece of clay
Occasionally, I feel malleable and easily influenced