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"
Lost My Mind
As Tall As Lions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Far from me
I thought I lost my goddamn mind trying to be all that you want me to be
And now you're gone, gone, gone
You won't look at me
Kodachrome is how I see
All the world's in black and white, red, blue, and green
And now they're gone, gone, gone
Oh, they're gone, gone, gone, gone, gone
From my memory
In "Lost My Mind" by As Tall As Lions, the lyrics depict a feeling of confusion and frustration towards a relationship. The first verse talks about being physically close to home but emotionally far from the person the singer is addressing. The singer admits to losing their mind while trying to meet the expectations and demands of the other person, which ultimately results in their departure. The chorus emphasizes the aftermath of their departure, with the person avoiding eye contact and leaving the singer feeling lost and alone.
The second verse brings up the concept of how we remember moments in our life. The singer mentions the colors of Kodachrome film as a metaphor for how they remember the world. In contrast, they state that the memories are locked up in our machine, hinting at the idea of how technology and social media affect the way we remember moments in our lives. The chorus repeats itself, highlighting how these memories are now gone from the singer's memory.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of disconnection and loss brought about by a failed relationship. It also touches on the idea of how technology and social media have changed the way we remember and document important moments in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Close to home
I am physically near my house
Far from me
Yet emotionally separated from myself
I thought I lost my goddamn mind trying to be all that you want me to be
I felt like I was going insane attempting to live up to your expectations
And now you're gone, gone, gone
You are no longer present in my life
You won't look at me
You refuse to acknowledge my existence
Kodachrome is how I see
I view the world through the lens of Kodachrome film
All the world's in black and white, red, blue, and green
The colors of the world are limited to these few hues
The moment's locked up in our machine
Our memories are captured and preserved by technology
And now they're gone, gone, gone
But these captured moments are now lost
Oh, they're gone, gone, gone, gone, gone
Completely vanished from my memory
From my memory
These treasured memories are no longer retrievable
Contributed by Audrey I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Joshua Ramírez R.
Lyrics:
Close to home
Far from me
I thought I lost my goddamn mind
Trying to be all that you want me to be
And now you're gone, gone, gone
You won't look at me
Kodachrome is how I see
All the world's in black and white, red, blue, and green
The moment's locked up in our machine
And now they're gone, gone, gone
Oh, they're gone, gone, gone, gone, gone
From my memory
Wake up in his
We rose a toast to the rest
But nobody cares
If I let it in
Who knows what's staying under my skin
steve pobst
My son introduced me to this song. About a year later my wife had an affair and left me. I remember sitting with my son, putting together a jigsaw puzzle and listening to TAL songs including this one. I thought "Surely I'm going to die. My heart is going to just stop or I'm going to explode or something. Because surely a human body can't go on hurting this badly." This song brings back that memory, but it's ok now. That was nearly ten years ago. I've been happily remarried for two years now and nearly all the pain from that memory is gone now.
JoBeth Jones
our saw gunner in afgainistan showed me this album when we were overseas it was cool... then we got back and he got out of the army and wrecked his bike killing himself after only being out for about 2 weeks... i was destroyed. I remember going back to the barracks and just listening to this song and whole album on repeat. - ryan manuel
Shant Kouyoumdjian
Beautiful songs like these can't never ever die out. I was 16 when I first started listening to ATAL. It helped me get through anxiety and bullying when i was over weight. This song help me come alive and it just glistens my life. I hate that they don't play anymore. Ten years later guys I'm still here holding on to those memories your songs have made me. Thank you for you talents and what you have given me. I will forever love this band.
Joshua Ramírez R.
Lyrics:
Close to home
Far from me
I thought I lost my goddamn mind
Trying to be all that you want me to be
And now you're gone, gone, gone
You won't look at me
Kodachrome is how I see
All the world's in black and white, red, blue, and green
The moment's locked up in our machine
And now they're gone, gone, gone
Oh, they're gone, gone, gone, gone, gone
From my memory
Wake up in his
We rose a toast to the rest
But nobody cares
If I let it in
Who knows what's staying under my skin
Gonzalo Ortega
This song takes me to such a serene state
Christo
The most classy sad song ever.
della
this song sums up my life right now
Vincent Poprocky
@CarmineMacLean "Asleep in the Sea" - A collaboration with Kimbra Johnson. Her voice elsewhere on the record as well, albeit in the background.
Sabrina Valenzuela
This song makes me sad.
Romance
@vincentpoprocky Thxs. I've been listening to this forever and never did find out who it was.