After several personnel changes, Kano and Brown recorded an eight song EP in 1995 with bassist Alex McKinney and lead guitarist Grey Brewster. The "Green Album," as it is widely known, sold about 10,000 copies.
In 1996 the band was signed by Atlantic Records. They released their major label debut, Radiance, in 1998. The first single, "What I Didn't Know," was a minor hit. During the recording phase for their next album, Brown left the band to attend college. He was replaced by Jeremy Vogt, who performed with the likes of Tonic and The Connells. Brewster also dissolved his membership with the group and was replaced by Mike Garrigan, the lead singer and songwriter of Collapsis.
This new line up played their first show on March 31, 2001, at Ziggy's in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The new set included Garrigan's Collapsis anthem, "October". [correction they actually played their first show with this lineup in Boone, NC]
Athenaeum's sophomore album Athenaeum was released on September 18, 2001. However, it received little promotion in the wake of the September 11th attacks.
Athenaeum was eventually dropped by Atlantic Records. They toured for an additional three years and released their final record, Hourglass, a collection of rare outtakes and demos, before performing their last show at Ziggy's in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on December 28, 2004.
Kano and Garrigan subsequently formed the band mg4 (with Alex McKinney, the original bassist for Athenaeum and Jeremy Vogt), who released an EP in the summer of 2004 titled Gravity Affects Me. "mg4" continues touring to date and information on shows can be found at Mike Garrigan's official website.
Discography and stand-out tracks :
- Radiance (1998): "What I Didnt know", "Flat Tire", "Radiance"
- Athenaeum (2001) : "Comfort", "Frozen in time", "Suddenly"
- Hourglass (2002) : "On Her Way", "Family Tree", "One Day at a time"
On My Mind
Athenaeum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Think about it.
It's just something that's
Been on my mind.
If the mood ain't right,
You might say goodnight.
Leave me here in this shallow bedroom.
You take a little more than I can find.
And every word you say makes me feel so small.
I just don't understand at all.
I don't know what you
See inside me.
I've been lucky so,
I can't complain.
If the mood is right,
You might stay the night.
Lead me into my humble bedroom.
You took a little more than I could give.
From all the life I've had to live.
And every word you say makes me feel so small.
I just don't want to be alone.
You take a little more than I can find.
It all comes down to change my mind.
And every word you say makes me feel so small.
I just don't understand at all.
The lyrics of Athenaeum's song "On My Mind" express confusion and uncertainty about a relationship. The singer is unsure about their own thoughts and feelings, as well as those of their partner. The fact that this relationship is "on [their] mind" suggests that it is something that they cannot shake off, even if they are unsure about what to do.
The first two lines set the tone with uncertainty, admitting that the singer doesn't know what to think about the situation. The following lines convey a sense of vulnerability and potential rejection; if the mood isn't right, they may be left alone in their "shallow bedroom." This is contrasted with the possibility of intimacy if the mood is right, with the phrase "you might stay the night." The line "You took a little more than I could give" suggests that the singer feels pressured or inadequate in the relationship. The repetition of the line "every word you say makes me feel so small" reinforces this idea, and highlights how the singer's partner is affecting their self-esteem.
Overall, the lyrics of "On My Mind" convey a complex mix of emotions, including confusion, vulnerability, uncertainty, self-doubt, and a desire for intimacy. The singer is trying to make sense of their feelings and their relationship, but is struggling to understand. The repetition of certain phrases and imagery, such as the "shallow bedroom," reinforces the sense of confusion and repetition in their thought process.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know what to
I am unsure of what to
Think about it.
contemplate regarding this matter.
It's just something that's
This matter is simply
Been on my mind.
constantly weighing on my thoughts.
If the mood ain't right,
In case the atmosphere is unfavorable,
You might say goodnight.
you may decide to leave before the night ends.
Leave me here in this shallow bedroom.
Abandoned in this insignificant sleeping space.
You take a little more than I can find.
You extract greater than I can discover.
It all comes down to change my mind.
It ultimately results in altering my opinion.
And every word you say makes me feel so small.
Your every sentence diminishes my worth in my eyes.
I just don't understand at all.
I am entirely baffled.
I don't know what you
I have no idea what you
See inside me.
perceive inside me.
I've been lucky so,
I have been fortunate,
I can't complain.
I do not have the right to voice my discontent.
If the mood is right,
If the ambiance is fitting,
You might stay the night.
You may opt to remain until the dawn.
Lead me into my humble bedroom.
Guide me towards my modest quarters.
You took a little more than I could give.
You extracted more than I could provide.
From all the life I've had to live.
From all the experiences I have had.
And every word you say makes me feel so small.
Your every utterance belittles me.
I just don't want to be alone.
I simply do not wish to be by myself.
You take a little more than I can find.
You extract greater than I can discover.
It all comes down to change my mind.
Ultimately, it results in altering my opinion.
And every word you say makes me feel so small.
Your every sentence diminishes my worth in my eyes.
I just don't understand at all.
I am entirely baffled.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: ALEX MCKINNEY, MARK KANO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind