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"
Suddenly
Athenaeum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know if I'm still dreaming
Please wake me
I'm one side calm and one side screaming
Out into the hall
I never really thought that I was anything at all
Until I saw the person in the mirror on the wall
Staring back at me
Suddenly everything's fine
Suddenly the words jump off the pages
Suddenly I'm alright
Please wake me
I don't know if I'm still breathing
Please wake me
With one eye closed and one eye beaming
Out into the hall
I never really thought that I was anyone at all
'cause everyone around me always made me feel so small
But now that I can see
I've been waiting patiently
For you to come and rescue me from things
I know are sure to come
And I've been waiting here all day
But nothing seems to come my way
I know I'll never have it all
Please wake me
I don't know if I'm existing
Please wake me
Let me know if someone's listening
Suddenly I'm alright
The song Suddenly by Athenaeum is about the struggles of self-discovery, the complexities of identity, and the fear of the unknown. The lyrics express the confusion and disorientation that often accompany the process of personal growth, prompting the singer to call out for a wake-up call. The repeated plea to be awoken reflects the singer's desire to emerge from their uncertainty and define their place in the world.
The themes of self-doubt and self-discovery are evident in the lines "I never really thought that I was anything at all/Until I saw the person in the mirror on the wall/Staring back at me." The singer's experience suggests that their journey has culminated in a moment of self-reflection that causes them to confront parts of themselves that were previously unknown or ignored. The repetition of "suddenly" in the chorus suggests a sudden turn of events or an unexpected breakthrough, indicating that the singer has come to terms with themselves and their situation.
The song's structure is simple, utilizing repetitive phrases and an upbeat melody to create a sense of movement and progression. The lyrics build upon each other, culminating in the final chorus where the singer declares that they are "alright." Much like the journey of self-discovery itself, the song gives off a sense of forward motion, of moving steadily toward something better.
Line by Line Meaning
Please wake me
I need someone to pull me out of this state of confusion and uncertainty
I don't know if I'm still dreaming
I am not sure what is real and what is not
I'm one side calm and one side screaming
My emotions are conflicting and I feel like I'm going crazy
Out into the hall
I'm shouting into the void, hoping someone will hear me
I never really thought that I was anything at all
I've always felt insignificant and like I don't matter
Until I saw the person in the mirror on the wall
I finally saw myself for who I truly am
Staring back at me
Looking at my own reflection made me confront my fears and doubts
Suddenly everything changes
In an instant, my perspective shifted and the world looked different
Suddenly everything's fine
I'm no longer scared or anxious because I see things clearly now
Suddenly the words jump off the pages
Everything I'm reading makes sense and resonates with me
Suddenly I'm alright
I am at peace with myself and the world around me
With one eye closed and one eye beaming
I am hesitant about the future, but hopeful at the same time
I never really thought that I was anyone at all
My self-esteem was so low that I felt like a nobody
'cause everyone around me always made me feel so small
I felt inferior because of the constant criticism and negativity around me
But now that I can see
Now that I have gained clarity, I can see things differently
I've been waiting patiently
I've been waiting for this moment of realization to come
For you to come and rescue me from things
I was waiting for someone or something to come and save me from my struggles
I know are sure to come
I was anticipating more challenges and hardships in the future
And I've been waiting here all day
I've been waiting for a while, hoping that things will get better
But nothing seems to come my way
Despite my waiting, nothing seems to be changing
I know I'll never have it all
I realize that I can't have everything I want, but I am content with what I have
Please wake me
I'm still not fully convinced this isn't a dream
I don't know if I'm existing
I question my own existence and purpose
Let me know if someone's listening
I want to know that I'm not alone and that someone is paying attention to me
Suddenly I'm alright
Despite my doubts and anxieties, I am able to find peace and comfort within myself
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MARK KANO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind