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"
Stab City
As Tall As Lions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes I wish this city would
Sink in the sea,
'cause even when I find the love it's fake
And everything I want to touch
Would break.
In some strange way
You just float by,
Crawling in the air.
I've been so tired
I can barely breathe.
Open your eyes
Once and try to see.
So don't say you'll see me.
This skeleton town
With snakes in the grass,
Where every single breath you take
Might be your last.
And even when you find the love
It's fake
And everything you try to touch will break.
Our crooked feet
Burn up this street,
And every time we're passing by
You feel the heat
Of 50,000 burning souls asleep.
There's 50,000 crying out to me.
Burn up the city.
The lyrics of "Stab City" by As Tall As Lions seem to be describing a sense of disillusionment and frustration with city life. The opening line "My heavy head is full of debris" suggests a feeling of burden and weight, perhaps indicating a sense of being overwhelmed by the pressures of urban life. The desire for the city to sink in the sea, despite finding love, further reinforces this theme of dissatisfaction. The lyrics go on to describe a disconnected and apathetic urban environment, with the line "In some strange way / It's like you're never there / You just float by / Crawling in the air" suggesting a lack of presence and substance in modern city life.
The second verse continues with this theme, describing a city infested with snakes in the grass and an air of danger and unpredictability. The sense of frustration and disappointment is further captured in the line "And even when you find the love / It's fake / And everything you try to touch will break" - implying that even when it seems like things are going well, there is a pervasive sense of fragility and instability.
The final lines of the song, "Our crooked feet / Burn up this street / And every time we're passing by / You feel the heat / Of 50,000 burning souls asleep / There's 50,000 crying out to me / Burn up the city" suggest a desire to destroy the city as a way of purging the negative emotions and experiences associated with it.
Line by Line Meaning
My heavy head is full of debris.
I feel overwhelmed and burdened with worries and negative thoughts.
Sometimes I wish this city would Sink in the sea,
I am so frustrated and exhausted with this city that I sometimes imagine it disappearing completely.
'cause even when I find the love it's fake And everything I want to touch Would break.
Even when things seem to go well and I find love, it ultimately feels unfulfilling and everything I try to achieve fails.
In some strange way It's like you're never there.
I feel lonely and disconnected even when surrounded by people.
You just float by, Crawling in the air.
You seem distant and detached in your interactions with me.
I've been so tired I can barely breathe.
I am exhausted and struggling to keep going.
Open your eyes Once and try to see.
I wish you would attempt to understand my struggles and offer support.
So don't say you'll see me.
I am frustrated and disappointed with your lack of support and empathy.
This skeleton town With snakes in the grass, Where every single breath you take Might be your last.
This city is dangerous and filled with hidden threats that put my life at risk every day.
And even when you find the love It's fake And everything you try to touch will break.
Love and success in this city are never as fulfilling as they seem and I can never make anything work.
Our crooked feet Burn up this street,
I am constantly moving and trying to make progress, even if it feels like I am stuck.
And every time we're passing by You feel the heat Of 50,000 burning souls asleep.
The energy and struggles of the people in this city are constantly affecting me and weighing me down.
There's 50,000 crying out to me.
The people in this city are in pain and I am struggling to help them.
Burn up the city.
I am so filled with frustration and desperation that I wish for the destruction of this city.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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