"The production befits the band’s huge sound and layered atmospherics. Some bands just can’t pull off an electronic rock hybrid sound, these guys do seamlessly . . . While AF is a band with heavy synth flavor, the catchy, guitar-driven songs are arranged so soundly that they would rock without the synth" (WVRockScene).
Attack Flamingo, from Huntington, WV, is Sean Knisely (guitar, vox), Joseph Spurgeon (synth), Marty Brown (guitar), Patrick Stanley (bass), and Sam Hodge (drums, electronics). Attack Flamingo brings an energetic stage presence and intensity live, captured in the band's second indie release thanks to a year of meticulous recording and mixing. Keith "Plex" Barnhart (Jamiroquai, Janet Jackson, Duran Duran) mastered the album, which is available on iTunes and Amazon mp3.
The Militaristic Materialist
Attack Flamingo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
making every claim
Everyone sold out to build up a name
trying to be so great
You have all that your hands can hold
And still you feel this hole
There's something in the way
All materials fall apart just the same
No they cannot stay
All the people they break your heart, it's a game
Is there a better way
You have all that your hands can hold
And still you feel this hole
There's something in the way
Nothing's held up to what it claimed
but you grasp it just the same
There's something in the way
Take one step back and watch it fade
The lyrics to Attack Flamingo’s “The Militaristic Materialist” speak of a world where everything and everyone is consumed by the desire for material possessions and recognition. The first stanza describes how everything in the world is screaming its name and making claims, but in reality, everyone is just sold out trying to build up their own name and be great. This is a commentary on the modern society’s obsession with consumerism and individualism, whereby people seek satisfaction and validation through material possessions, fame, and social status.
The second stanza highlights the paradoxical nature of this thirst for material things. The lyrics speak of how you can have all that your hands can hold, but still feel a hole that cannot be filled. This is an allusion to the inherent emptiness and transience of material possessions. The line “nothing’s held up to what it claimed” suggests that the temporary pleasure of owning things cannot match up to the long-term satisfaction that comes from meaningful experiences and relationships. The song then questions whether there’s a better way to live, to find a fulfillment that is not rooted in materialism. The final line advises the listener to take a step back and watch materialism fade away.
Overall, “The Militaristic Materialist” speaks to the issues of consumerism and individualism that plague modern society. It serves as a reminder to the listener of the trap that people can fall into when they prioritize material possessions over meaningful experiences and relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything in the world is screaming its name
The world is full of things that demand attention and recognition
making every claim
These things are constantly asserting their importance
Everyone sold out to build up a name
People are willing to compromise their values and beliefs in order to achieve fame and recognition
trying to be so great
This pursuit of recognition and fame is driven by a desire to be seen as important and significant
You have all that your hands can hold
Despite having everything they could want, people still feel unfulfilled
And still you feel this hole
There is a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction despite material success
There's something in the way
Something intangible is blocking true fulfillment and happiness
Nothing's held up to what it claimed
The things that people pursue and attach value to ultimately fail to fulfill their promises
All materials fall apart just the same
Things that people value and attach importance to are ultimately temporary and fleeting
No they cannot stay
Nothing in the material world can last forever
All the people they break your heart, it's a game
People can be disappointing and hurtful, and the pursuit of recognition and fame can be seen as a game with winners and losers
Is there a better way
Is there an alternative to the pursuit of material success and recognition?
but you grasp it just the same
Despite knowing that material success is ultimately unfulfilling, people still pursue it
Take one step back and watch it fade
Perhaps stepping away from the pursuit of material success can provide clarity, and reveal the true emptiness of that pursuit
Contributed by Anthony F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.