After years of recording in relative seclusion in the hills of Los Angeles, Ariel Pink (the first non-Animal Collective member on the Paw Tracks roster) made his official Paw Tracks debut with The Doldrums. Recording at home with a guitar, bass, keyboard, and 8-track (the drum sounds were created with his mouth).
Ariel Pink blends Lite FM and warped lo-fi pop into something by turns beautiful and confusing. Some may find his personal yet detached approach highly addictive, while others may be instantly turned off by the obvious lo-fi production and the vocal drumtracks.
In the summer of 2003, Pink passed a CD-R on to New York based band Animal Collective after being introduced by mutual friend Jimi Hey (of All Night Radio and Beachwood Sparks) at one of their shows. Unbeknownst to Pink, Animal Collective had recently started their own record label, Paw Tracks, and several weeks later they contacted him expressing an interest in releasing his music. Pink became the first musician on the label aside from the members of Animal Collective. The next year, the label reissued The Doldrums, an album which had been originally recorded in 1999. Since then, Paw Tracks (now co-owned by Carpark Records) has released two other reissues of Pink's previous recordings, Worn Copy and House Arrest.
Pink has gradually caught the attention of media sources around the United States as well as internationally. As most of his albums are self-made, many of them have never been heard by fans. Almost all of Pink's albums which have been commercially released come from his yet-unfinished "Haunted Graffiti" series and are thus the best known.
Pink's tours have generally been met with much negativity, primarily because his music was never intended to be performed live for commercial audiences. As he explained to LA Weekly:
“People boo me everywhere...They don't even hide their contempt. I'm used to it now...Hey, I'm giving audiences the real thing...For better or worse, I'm out there, and those are the circumstances. People don't like it when it seems like you don't know what's happening, or I'm getting bummed out with certain aspects and I can't hide it. I think people feel that pain and just think it's bad.”
Initially playing shows alone with pre-recorded music, Pink has since employed the efforts of keyboardist Kenny Gilmore, bassist Tim Koh (White Magic), drummer Jimi Hey, and guitarist Cole M. Greif-Neill (Ethnik Klensr) as Haunted Graffiti. However, even with a backing band unfamiliar audiences are generally hostile towards the unrehearsed nature of the live compositions.
In July, the band embarked on Pink's "Thanks Mom, I'm Dead" tour.
One genre that may interestingly define Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti is one known as Hauntology.
Something Isn't Something
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you ask me what is wrong I don't know
But if something isn't something is nothing?
Well if something isn't something is it nothing?
Now I've written 1001 of these songs
But don't ask me about something to say
Cause if something isn't something is it nothing?
Don't ask something but not mean something kind?
In a story where people will people will lie to each other
Is there really anyone to blame?
Cause if something isn't something is it nothing?
This life I can't do you, I got to start something
If I say that something aint me
Don't ask something nut not say something kind, oh kind
don't ask something but not ask something kind, oh kind
The lyrics of the song Something Isn't Something by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti explore the concept of uncertainty and the feeling of not being able to express oneself effectively. The opening lines of the song state that something is wrong, but the singer is unable to articulate what is exactly wrong. This reflects the common experience of feeling a vague sense of unease or discomfort without being able to pinpoint the cause. The repetition of the line "if something isn't something is it nothing?" questions the value of vague and incomplete communication and suggests that it might be better to say nothing at all than to speak without clarity.
The middle section of the song seems to delve into the musician's struggle with creativity and the pressure to constantly produce new material. Despite having written many songs, he finds himself at a loss for words when asked to come up with something to say. The line "if something isn't something is it nothing?" takes on a new meaning in this context, and it suggests that perhaps the pressure to create can result in uninspired and meaningless work.
Towards the end of the song, the lyrics become more philosophical, addressing the nature of truth and the nature of human interactions. In a world where people often deceive each other, is there anyone to blame for miscommunication or misunderstandings? The repeated refrain of "don't ask something but not say something kind, oh kind" implies that, regardless of how difficult it may be to express oneself, it is important to do so with kindness and consideration.
Overall, Something Isn't Something is a thoughtful and introspective song that deals with universal themes of communication, creativity, and human relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
If I told you that something was wrong and you know
If I were to tell you that something is amiss and you can perceive it
And you ask me what is wrong I don't know
If you ask me to explain it, I wouldn't be able to
But if something isn't something is nothing?
However, if that thing isn't something in particular, does it mean it's nothing at all?
Well if something isn't something is it nothing?
If that thing is not anything specific, does that make it equal to nothingness?
Now I've written 1001 of these songs
I have composed a significant number of songs
But don't ask me about something to say
However, do not request that I share new ideas or pieces of art
Cause if something isn't something is it nothing?
For if that something lacks a defined content, does it hold no value at all?
Don't ask something but not mean something kind?
If you ask a question, ensure it holds a compassionate intention
In a story where people will people will lie to each other
In a narrative where individuals will deceive one another
Is there really anyone to blame?
Is it still our responsibility to accuse a person or entity?
Cause if something isn't something is it nothing?
Since that object or idea lacks a clear identity, does it lack significance?
This life I can't do you, I got to start something
I cannot live vicariously through you, I must create something anew
If I say that something aint me
If I confess that that thing is not a part of me
Don't ask something nut not say something kind, oh kind
Ensure that your question is empathetic, oh kind one
don't ask something but not ask something kind, oh kind
Do not ask if you cannot ask kindly, oh kind one
Contributed by Harper L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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