As Tall As Lionsβ 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 β 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 didnβt 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.β
What emerged was an album entrenched in moody, soulful rock and roll β at once life-affirming, sensual and technically sophisticated β that seamlessly intertwines the membersβ 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 β 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 bandβs 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"
Circles
As Tall As Lions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And hold me in tight
Wandering, not lost
Alone in the night
The fear's begun to surface
So breathe me in my love
And hold me in tight
You had me going for a minute there
I thought I heard you coming up the stairs
There comes a time you need to let me know
We'll fight your demons
When they start to show
I would never mind a sudden change
Sometimes it gets us on our better days
You're just a victim of the circumstance
Breathe in
as you spin in circles
So breathe me in my love
In circles
What we take
Hold of
Is up to us now
So try and hold your head
Up above ground
You had
Me going for a minute there
A subtle feeling lingered in the air
There comes a time you need to let me know
We'll fight your demons when they start to show
I would never mind a sudden change
Sometimes it gets us on our better days
You're just a victim of the circumstance
Breathe in as you spin in circles
So breathe me in my love
In circles
The lyrics of "Circles" by As Tall As Lions reveal a message of hope and support in times of fear and uncertainty. The first verse implies a longing for intimacy and comfort, as the singer begs their lover to hold them tight and breathe them in. The second verse highlights the emergence of fear and how it can be inexplicably overwhelming. Despite this, the singer's lover is reassured that they will be with them even in difficult circumstances. The third verse returns to the chorus of circles, a powerful metaphor for the cyclical nature of life, and how the choices we make in those circles determine our own fate.
The song seems to be about navigating life's unpredictable nature and the many twists and turns that we encounter on our path. It is about the need for reassurance and support from those we love when life gets difficult. The lyrics suggest that the key to thriving amid tough circumstances is to embrace change and stay strong, even when things seem shaky. The circles referred to in the chorus could be symbolic of the cyclical nature of life, suggesting that we need to learn how to ride the wave of life's ups and downs.
Line by Line Meaning
Breathe me in my love
Take me in and cherish me
And hold me in tight
Embrace me tightly to feel safe
Wandering, not lost
We may feel lost, but we're really just searching for our place
Alone in the night
Even when we have each other, we may still feel alone in the dark
The fear's begun to surface
Anxiety is starting to creep up
You had me going for a minute there
I almost believed your words
I thought I heard you coming up the stairs
I hoped you were coming to comfort me
There comes a time you need to let me know
Communication is vital to address our problems
We'll fight your demons
We'll support each other through tough times
When they start to show
When your inner struggles become visible
I would never mind a sudden change
I'm always open to new things, even if they're unexpected
Sometimes it gets us on our better days
Change can bring us positive experiences
You're just a victim of the circumstance
Your situation has led to your struggles
Breathe in as you spin in circles
Take a breath as you navigate through life's uncertainties
What we take
Hold of
Is up to us now
We have control over what we choose to hold on to
So try and hold your head
Up above ground
Stay positive and keep your head above water, even when life is challenging
A subtle feeling lingered in the air
There was a sense of unease that couldn't be ignored
So breathe me in my love
In circles
Hold on to our love as we continue to navigate through the ups and downs of life
Contributed by Sebastian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
GracefullyBaked
Lyrics:
Breathe me in my love
And hold me in tight
Wandering, not lost
Alone in the night
The fear's begun to surface
So breathe me in my love
And hold me in tight
You had me going for a minute there
I thought I heard you coming up the stairs
There comes a time you need to let me know
We'll fight your demons
When they start to show
I would never mind a sudden change
Sometimes it gets us on our better days
You're just a victim of the circumstance
Breathe in
As you spin in circles
So breathe me in my love
In circles
What we take
Hold of
Is up to us now
So try and hold your head
Up above ground
You had
Me going for a minute there
A subtle feeling lingered in the air
There comes a time you need to let me know
We'll fight your demons when they start to show
I would never mind a sudden change
Sometimes it gets us on our better days
You're just a victim of the circumstance
Breathe in as you spin in circles
So breathe me in my love
In circles
beatzguy
Still jamming in 2021. Will forever be one of my favorites. RIP
fverkell
One of the best bands ever. In the future, people will find out about ATAL and there will be justice. As of me, I'm blessed of have discovered them.
Zah
I found it rn. Gutted though that I didn't find it sooner.
Julian Thomas
Olivia Rodrigoβs fan base might start crossing over
Cliff M
Such a masterpiece after all of these years. One of the most unappreciated bands I've known. The musicianship and vocals are beyond captivating
Noirua
I love how so many people found out about an amazing band after they were gone. Sadly I was one of them. 2011 was a great year to discover them, eitherway.
Adam Stevens
its 2020 and i still feel myself running in circles
Bulletsmichael
Timeless masterpiece
GracefullyBaked
Lyrics:
Breathe me in my love
And hold me in tight
Wandering, not lost
Alone in the night
The fear's begun to surface
So breathe me in my love
And hold me in tight
You had me going for a minute there
I thought I heard you coming up the stairs
There comes a time you need to let me know
We'll fight your demons
When they start to show
I would never mind a sudden change
Sometimes it gets us on our better days
You're just a victim of the circumstance
Breathe in
As you spin in circles
So breathe me in my love
In circles
What we take
Hold of
Is up to us now
So try and hold your head
Up above ground
You had
Me going for a minute there
A subtle feeling lingered in the air
There comes a time you need to let me know
We'll fight your demons when they start to show
I would never mind a sudden change
Sometimes it gets us on our better days
You're just a victim of the circumstance
Breathe in as you spin in circles
So breathe me in my love
In circles
FriedCrumpets
Still giving me Goosebumps 3 years later.