Although their style displays crust influences, they are not a neocrust band. It is closer to traditional screamo but with dashes of crust, which would better classify them as an emocrust band, if that serves of any distinction. Their music is mostly driven by the emotional expressionism and urgency of screamo rather than d-beat galloping or the epic and melodic riffing of neocrust. However, it still manages to incorporate some aspects of crust's primal aggression.
As a three-piece band comprised of a guitarist / vocalist, a bassist and a drummer, the faces of the members are intentionally cropped out of promotional photographs and music videos, and the individual members are usually only referred to by the single letters: B, D or T. Birds in Row consciously make this effort in order to appear as a single entity rather than three individuals. The band commented, "It's not about some individuals, but songs, ideas, points of view that our three lives have in common. So as we've been asked for promo pics for several reasons, we decided to crop them so all you can see is a band"
Two of the members formed Birds in Row one week after their previous band split up, and recorded their first song one week after that. The group chose the name because birds are able to fly around freely, however, "they very often decide to fly as a group or land on wires in a row. So, this for us represents how people could chose to be free, but always end up following their fellows to feel comfortable." They chose the name 'Birds in Row' over 'Birds in a Row' because it sounded better to the group. They also chose to sing in English because they, "wanted to be understood by most of the people." Birds in Row had begun writing their debut album in late 2011. Deathwish Inc. showed interest in reissuing their Cottbus EP, but the band offered the album they had been working on at the time instead. Birds in Row's signing was announced in November 2011, and they finished recording their debut album by January 2012. Also in January 2012, Vitriol reissued the group's early EPs as a compilation titled Collected.
Birds in Row toured the United States with Loma Prieta in March 2012 and with Touché Amoré, Defeater and Code Orange Kids in April 2013. A music video for the song "Pilori" was released in June 2012, and Birds in Row's debut album You, Me, & the Violence was released on September 4, 2012. Also in 2012, the band toured Europe with Converge and Rise and Fall in August, and the UK in December. Along with Glass Cloud and Rebuker, Birds in Row opened for The Chariot during their final tour in October / November 2013.
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The Letter
Birds in Row Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Loaded with so much regrets day after day.
Listen, this is a lesson kid.
Chose the path you'll walk,
And never follow the lights of a herd you undergo,
'Cause you heart means more than your status.
And there'll always be people to not understand,
So let them go away.
I let them go away in silence.
Now I'm not finished with masturbation.
Don't waste your time kid you will never fit this world.
I used to try integration and pay it 24/7.
I'm your father and I'm no king,
But the last loser of this family.
Broken, useless, my life is suspended to this clock.
I'm sick of seeing the hungry me,
Unsatisfied in the mirror.
I'm your father not a god, so let me go away ...
The lyrics of Birds in Row's song "The Letter" delve into the regretful consequences of choices that the singer has made. The lyrics suggest an adjustment in perspective, encouraging the listener to choose their own path and not follow the herd, as the heart is more valuable than status. The message here is to be yourself, never fear your dreams, and avoid trying to fit into a world that doesn't understand you.
The lyrics also suggest a story of a parent who is disappointed in themselves and their life, offering advice to their child to avoid their same fate. The singer, likely a father, acknowledges that they are not a good figure in their family and have failed in life, hoping that their child can learn from their mistakes and go on to be a better person.
The final line, “I’m your father not a god, so let me go away” hints at the singer's personal struggles and desire to be free, implying they may have passed the lesson on to their child to relieve themselves of that burden.
Overall, the song explores themes of regret, advice, disillusionment, and perseverance in the face of hardship, offering a life lesson to listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
I've never thought my choices would have consequences
I never considered that the decisions I make would have negative effects.
Loaded with so much regrets day after day.
Every day, I am weighed down by the many things I regret.
Listen, this is a lesson kid.
Pay attention and learn from what I am saying, young one.
Chose the path you'll walk,
Decide on what direction you wish to take in life,
And never follow the lights of a herd you undergo,
and do not blindly follow others like sheep.
'Cause you heart means more than your status.
Your emotions and feelings are more important than your social position.
And there'll always be people to not understand,
There will always be individuals who do not comprehend your feelings or actions,
So let them go away.
so it's best to let them go.
Never fear your dreams: this is my mistake,
Do not be afraid of your aspirations, as it was my fault for not following mine.
I let them go away in silence.
I did not pursue my dreams and allowed them to fade away silently.
Now I'm not finished with masturbation.
Currently, I am still engaging in wasteful activities.
Don't waste your time kid you will never fit this world.
Do not bother trying to fit in, as the world may not accept you for who you are.
I used to try integration and pay it 24/7.
I attempted to assimilate and conform to societal norms non-stop.
I'm your father and I'm no king,
I am your father and not a ruler,
But the last loser of this family.
I am, however, the most unsuccessful member of our family.
Broken, useless, my life is suspended to this clock.
My life is pointless and overshadowed by time passing by.
I'm sick of seeing the hungry me,
I am tired of witnessing my own emptiness and hunger for something more.
Unsatisfied in the mirror.
I am discontent with the reflection staring back at me.
I'm your father not a god, so let me go away ...
I am your father but not a deity, so allow me to leave your life.
Contributed by Bailey D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.