Archive is a music-collective, originating from London, UK, but based in Pa… Read Full Bio ↴Archive is a music-collective, originating from London, UK, but based in Paris, France for many years where they enjoy a much bigger following. They are signed to Warner Music France.

Archive was formed by Londoners Darius Keeler and Danny Griffiths in 1994 and began as an electronica project. At the beginning, they mixed Bristol-style, Massive Attack, Portishead with Rap. The first album of the band, Londinium released in 1996 (with Roya Arab and Rosko John as guest vocalists). The second album, Take my Head, (which the band hates) was released in 1999 (with a new guest vocalist Suzanne Wooder), it is much more melodic than Londinium. The first song of the album, You Make Me Feel, illustrates this change in the Archive's music. After being dropped by their label and more changes in the lineup, the band seemed to hit its stride on the third album You All Look The Same To Me (2002), featuring singer Craig Walker (formerly of Power of Dreams), which took a decided turn toward more progressive music (with some Progressive Rock influences, notably Pink Floyd whose indelible influence is audible on tracks such as 'Finding it so Hard' and 'Again'), while still maintaining electronic elements. The band saw growing popularity and critical acclaim, especially in France, Greece, Germany and Poland. After recording two more artistically—but not too commercially—successful albums, Michel Vaillant (2003) and Noise (2004), Walker left the band for reasons the band and he will not talk about. The project continued on as a Collective, with new vocalists, Pollard Berrier and Dave Pen. In May 2006 they released the album Lights with Pollard Berrier on lead vocals, who is also a member/guest member of the innovative group, "Bauchklang" - a completely vocal beat-box (Vocal Groove) group based in Vienna, Austria. Archive released a live album, entitled,Live at Paris Zenith, in May, 2007 - which was recorded on January 20th, 2007 at the sold out Zentih Arena in Paris. Rolling Stone called it, "The best live album ever made." Archive continues to tour and is working on a number of forthcoming releases in the near future.

Archive are a Collective, not a band.

Wiped Out
Archive Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Drowned out
Washed out
You cried
In front of me

I wrote a note
A lying note
You died in front of me

I broke my promise
And tore what we had
Watch out
My angel
My love
Watch out
My love

Wiped out
Reeling
You died in front of me

We ripped it wide open
Words used as knives
Watch out
My angel
My love
Watch out

My love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Archive's song Wiped Out seem to be describing the aftermath of a tumultuous relationship. The singer (presumably the male half of the couple) has broken a promise and destroyed what they had together. The female half of the couple is described as washing away, drowned out and washed out, and ultimately dying in front of him. The singer's attempt to cover up his misdeeds only makes things worse - his note is described as a lying note, and he laments her death in front of him.

The imagery of the lyrics is quite evocative - the idea of drowning or being washed away suggests a sense of being overwhelmed or powerless, while the use of knives as words implies a sense of betrayal or hurt. The repeated refrain of "watch out, my angel, my love" seems to suggest a sense of regret or warning - as though the singer is acknowledging that his actions have consequences, and that he wants to protect his partner even as he is unable to stop the damage he is causing.

Overall, Wiped Out is a haunting and emotionally charged song that seems to be grappling with the complexities of love and loss, and the ways in which we can hurt those closest to us.

Line by Line Meaning

Drowned out
Overwhelmed and silenced

Washed out
Drained of color and life

You cried
You let out your pain and sorrow

In front of me
I was witness to your vulnerability

I wrote a note
I created a false alibi

A lying note
Deceitful words that hide the truth

You died in front of me
Your spirit and trust were destroyed

I broke my promise
I failed to keep my word

And tore what we had
I destroyed the bond between us

Watch out
Be cautious

My angel
Endearing term for a loved one