As Tall As Lions’ journey toward maturation began in casual fashion, the original version of the band forming around Fitzgerald while the members were still in high school, around year 2002. During the next few years, they endured the lineup changes and artistic roadblocks many young bands experience before taking their present, permanent form. But they still had some growing to do.
"When we started doing Lafcadio, we really didn't understand what we were getting ourselves into – we were just kids" says Nigro. "We had made a couple demos, put them on the Internet and, after a couple of days, we had record labels calling us ready to sign the band. We all thought this whole band thing was going to come too easily after that. We dropped out of college and made As Tall As Lions our priority. At first, it was a tough adjustment. We'd never been on tour before, and getting used to life on the road was draining. I think we've all grown up a lot since then, and our attitude has changed for the better. We put everything we had into this new record and are extremely happy with how it came out."
But it didn’t come easy, as ATAL hit some speed bumps along the way. "Recording this record was not a walk in the park." Nigro admits. "There were a lot of passionate and vibrant discussions [read: arguments] during the creative period, and at one point I had to just leave for a while get away from it all." As it turned out, the hiatus gave Nigro the inspiration he and the rest of the band needed. "I came back with a clear head and was ready to write, record and be with my band. It all clicked after that.”
What emerged was an album entrenched in moody, soulful rock and roll – at once life-affirming, sensual and technically sophisticated – that seamlessly intertwines the members’ eclectic tastes, encompassing Neil Young, Can, Elbow and the Buena Vista Social Club. Produced by Steven Haigler (Brand New, Quicksand) and Mike Watts, As Tall As Lions is an album of irrepressible songcraft in which shimmering anthems ("Ghost Of York") stand alongside odes to love and resilience ("Milk And Honey").
"There weren't any rules," says Nigro. "We didn't want to be a band that limited ourselves or made rules about writing our music. In the past, we would come up with an idea and say, 'Oh, we can't do that – we're a rock band.' We felt shoved in a box. Two years ago, if we were to toss the idea around of having a dozen kids sing on a song ["Love, Love, Love (Love, Love)"], we would have thought it was absurd. Well, why? It'd be awesome to have little kids singing on our record."
As Tall As Lions vividly demonstrates what can happen when inspiration and dedication intersect at the right moment in a talented band’s evolution. After an intensive 18 months, As Tall As Lions have come of age.
http://www.astallaslions.com
In October 2010 the band released this statement on their website:
"A Sort of Farewell.
After eight years of music, friendship, laughter, adventure, bliss, blood, sweat, tears, and everything else that goes along with it, As Tall As Lions are retiring for the foreseeable future. There is no sadness on our side, and we hope there is none on yours. We will be playing a handful of shows across the country to try and give everyone an opportunity to see us one last time.
Our sincerest apologies to those who can't join us at these celebrations, but know you will be there in spirit. Much love to you all, and thanks again for everything.
-As Tall As Lions"
Be Here Now
As Tall As Lions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of turning off?
You'd be amazed how easy
It's been to sleepwalk.
I'm in a state where I can't tell what's right from wrong
I'm making a face
That I've been holding for far too long.
There's nothing to hide when all is lost.
I'm on the cross
A truth or a lie, which could be worse?
How many days until
I can see that I'm just find?
I try and I try but I just need a little time
I haven't slept in one month
Things just don't seem okay
And every time the sun's up
It's a new yesterday
Drill the pressure right out of my head.
Maybe I'm scared.
Maybe I am
Weak and paranoid
When I speak white noise
Pours out from my voice.
Every time I move my lips, it tears
Your little ears to bits
I'm frozen all the time, a deer in headlights
I'll get to the point
You can't depend on love or truth
To get your through
Do you want me to explain?
Are you broken at the bone?
Do you try and rearrange
A better life,
A bigger home?
So turn off the lights
Or at least unplug the phone
I'm a threat when I'm left alone
How many days
Are you afraid of turning off?
Do you feel like letting go?
It's been a good life, I'll be sad to see it go
The lyrics of As Tall As Lions' Be Here Now explores the themes of anxiety, sleeplessness, and disorientation. The singer is overwhelmed and struggling to discern right from wrong, and is haunted by a persistent feeling of apprehension. He describes himself as being in a state where he cannot tell what's right from wrong, and feels frozen all the time. The singer has been sleepless for a month, and is tormented by voices inside his head. He is scared, weak, and paranoid, and speaks in white noise that tears the listener's ears to bits.
Line by Line Meaning
How many days are your afraid
Of turning off?
How often are you anxious of pausing for a moment?
You'd be amazed how easy
It's been to sleepwalk.
It's surprising how simple it is to blend in and ignore reality.
I'm in a state where I can't tell what's right from wrong
I'm making a face
That I've been holding for far too long.
I'm in a condition where I'm confused and unsure, and it's evident from my expression.
I'm on the cross
There's nothing to hide when all is lost.
I'm on the cross
A truth or a lie, which could be worse?
I'm feeling stuck, with no place to go, and the question arises if lying or revealing the truth is a better option.
How many days until
I can see that I'm just fine?
I try and I try but I just need a little time
I haven't slept in one month
Things just don't seem okay
And every time the sun's up
It's a new yesterday
How long until I picture myself as being okay, since things haven't been right, and I'm utterly exhausted.
Drill the pressure right out of my head.
Maybe I'm scared.
Maybe I am
Maybe I'm not prepared enough for what's ahead, but I hope to clear my thoughts soon.
Weak and paranoid
When I speak white noise
Pours out from my voice.
Every time I move my lips, it tears
Your little ears to bits
I'm frozen all the time, a deer in headlights.
I'm terrified of the mere thought of communicating, as it apparently creates chaos and leaves me petrified.
I'll get to the point
You can't depend on love or truth
To get your through
Simply put, you can't always rely on honesty or love to carry you through life.
Do you want me to explain?
Are you broken at the bone?
Do you try and rearrange
A better life,
A bigger home?
So turn off the lights
Or at least unplug the phone
I'm a threat when I'm left alone
How many days
Are you afraid of turning off?
Do you feel like letting go?
Does my situation make sense, or do you feel like I need to clarify? Are you so broken that you try endlessly to create a new, better reality? It's good to disconnect occasionally, but in my case, it's almost detrimental. Do you have similar fears of merely stopping, or are you okay?
It's been a good life, I'll be sad to see it go
Overall, my life has been good, and it's somewhat devastating that it may have to conclude soon.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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