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"
In Case Of Rapture
As Tall As Lions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
After you're dead you don't even keep your name
You've convinced yourself the book is never wrong
But what you'll find out will shake you to the bone
I saw no fire in your street,
Only the stones you've thrown at me
Does it make you feel better?
Why waste your time trying to save?
You've got your foot half in the grave
You're just a soapbox preacher
Six feet and headed deeper
Well, can't you see it's better to die on your feet than live down on your knees?
Crowded heart and clouded mind
You won't get what you seek
But if you stop, you will find
We're just drops lost in a sea
I saw no fire in your street,
Only the stones you've thrown at me
Does it make you feel better?
Well, you know we're all just sinners
Why waste your time trying to save?
You've got your foot half in the grave
You're just a soapbox preacher
Six feet and head in deeper
Well, can't you see it's better to die on your feet than live down on your...
Well, can't you see it's better to die on your feet than live down on your knees?
Why can't you see it's better to die on your feet than live down on your knees?
All hell is booked up
And heaven's got no vacancy
I guess that this cruel world ain't got no place for me
We're all stuck in the middle
We're throwing our cash at books of cliches
They say the cost is little
It might work but not for me
'cause my soul
Is not for sale
Just be here now
(I saw no fire in your streets
Only the stones you've thrown at me)
Cause my soul is not for sale
(Does it make you feel better?
Well, you know we're all just sinners)
(I saw no fire in your street
Only the stones you've thrown at me
Does it make you feel better?
Well, you know we're all just sinners)
I saw no fire
(I saw no fire)
I saw no fire
(I saw no fire)
Well, can't you see it's better to die on your feet than live down on your...
Well, can't you see it's better to die?
I saw no fire
I saw no fire
I saw no fire
I saw no fire
I saw no fire
(I saw no fire, I saw no fire)
As Tall As Lions's song "In Case Of Rapture" seems to be critical of self-righteousness and religious dogmatism. The opening lines imply that after death, nothing remains and that even one's name is lost. The singer then questions the self-imposed infallibility of religious texts and beliefs, suggesting that people who put blind faith in these texts are in for a rude awakening. The lines "Why waste your time trying to save? / You've got your foot half in the grave / You're just a soapbox preacher / Six feet and headed deeper" suggest that preaching without acting is futile and that such individuals are wasting their lives spiritually.
The chorus reflects the frustration with those who judge and condemn others without examining their own flaws. The lines "I saw no fire in your street, only the stones you've thrown at me / Does it make you feel better? Well, you know we're all just sinners" imply that those who point fingers at others do so to feel better about their own imperfections. The singer then urges them to stand for something and be willing to fight for it, rather than living their lives on their knees, implying that a life of servitude is not worth living.
Some possible interpretations of this song are that it is a commentary on religious fundamentalism, the dangers of blind faith and judgment, or the futility of preaching without action. It also urges individuals to look inward and recognize their own imperfections before judging others.
Line by Line Meaning
Hang down your head, there's nothing that remains
You should feel hopeless because nothing remains after death.
After you're dead you don't even keep your name
Death strips you of your identity.
You've convinced yourself the book is never wrong
You blindly follow a book without questioning its validity.
But what you'll find out will shake you to the bone
You will be greatly unsettled when you discover the truth.
I saw no fire in your street,
I saw no passion or zeal in your beliefs.
Only the stones you've thrown at me
Your actions and words have been hurtful and unhelpful towards me.
Does it make you feel better?
Are you happy that you have caused pain to others?
Well, you know we're all just sinners
We are all imperfect and flawed in some way.
Why waste your time trying to save?
Why bother trying to convert or save others?
You've got your foot half in the grave
You are already close to death and should focus on the present.
You're just a soapbox preacher
Your beliefs are empty, shallow, and self-righteous.
Six feet and headed deeper
You are digging your own grave with your actions and beliefs.
Well, can't you see it's better to die on your feet than live down on your knees?
It's better to stand up for what you believe in and face the consequences, rather than submit to others and live in fear.
Crowded heart and clouded mind
You are filled with confusion and inner turmoil.
You won't get what you seek
You will not find what you are looking for through your current path.
But if you stop, you will find
If you pause and reflect, you may find a new path towards fulfillment.
We're just drops lost in a sea
We are small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
All hell is booked up
There's no hope in pursuing a path of evil or selfishness.
And heaven's got no vacancy
There's no guarantee that a path of righteousness will lead to rewards in the afterlife.
I guess that this cruel world ain't got no place for me
The world may not offer comfort or support for those who feel lost or alone.
We're all stuck in the middle
We are all in a state of uncertainty and seeking answers.
We're throwing our cash at books of cliches
We are trying to find meaning through shallow, overused ideas and concepts.
They say the cost is little
People claim that it is affordable and easy to follow certain paths, but it may not be worth it.
It might work but not for me
These paths may work for others, but not necessarily for oneself.
'cause my soul
Because my inner self
Is not for sale
Cannot be bought or influenced by external factors.
Just be here now
Focus on the present moment and find meaning in it.
Contributed by Adrian A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
theradracer
Hang down your head
There's nothing that remains
After you're dead
you don't even keep your name
You've convinced yourself
the book is never wrong
But what you'll find out
will shake you the bone
I saw no fire in your street
Only the stones you've thrown at me
Does it make you feel better?
Well, you know we're all just sinners
Why waste your time trying to save?
You've got your foot half in the grave
You're just a soapbox preacher
Six feet and heading deeper
Well, can't you see it's better to die on your feet
than live down on your knees?
With a crowded heart and clouded mind
you won't get what you seek
But if you stop you will find
We're just drops lost in the sea
I saw no fire in your street
Only the stones you've thrown at me
Does it make you feel better?
Well, you know we're all just sinners
Why waste your time swearing to save?
You've got your foot half in the grave
You're just a soapbox preacher
Six feet and heading deeper
Well, can't you see it's better to die on your feet than live down on your...
Well, can't you see it's better to die on your feet than live down on your knees?
Why can't you see it's better to die on your feet than live down on your knees?
All hell is booked up
And heaven's got no vacancy
I guess that this cruel world
ain't got no place for me
We're all stuck in the middle
We're throwing our cash at books of cliches
They say the cost is little
It might work
but not for me
Cause my soul
is not for sale
Just be here now!
I saw no fire
I saw no fire
Well, can't you see it's better to die on your feet than live down on your...
Well, can't you see it's better to die?
I saw no fire
I saw no fire
I saw no fire
I saw no fire
I saw no fire
Midori Teodoro
Six years passed since I listened this song for the first time. Here I am, crying, 'cause I feel that nothing changed... these lyrics are so meaningful to me, I do hope this band gets some recognize someday...
Antonio Jackson
its been 12 for me, and I'm crying as well. My fiance and i broke up. However, when i listen to this band they make me happier. We can marinate in death, loss, despair. Or, we can find happiness in life. I choose to look at the good rather than the bad, and this band happens to be apart of the happiness.
Dane Gabriel Russ
My roomate and I were completely convinced that this band was going to blow up huge and change the world...and then those assholes broke up.
Wellthen
they were so so good. they may not have changed the world, but I Dothan have changed many peoples worlds. mine included. from the moment I first heard them, which was live they were changing my life.
Dizzy
One of the best drummers of our generation.
Culture Project
Seriously! As a drummer, this dude really inspires me with fitting those little details into the rhythm.
sarovan555
so much talent in this band that was never noticed :(
Franco
I noticed them, and far away from their place! LOL
Xiadani Madrigal
I was recently introduced to this band. I haven't been able to stop listening to them.
Hannah K
My friend showed me As Tall As Lions for the first time a few days ago. I literally just sat there and cried. Haven't heard anything as beautiful as their music in a really long time. <3