In 1998, Paul Durham and his rock band, Black Lab, released their Geffen Records debut Your Body Above Me to critical acclaim. The album yielded the top 10 rock and alternative single "Wash it Away," and the top 40 ac and pop track "Time Ago."
Paul Durham grew up in Twin Falls, Idaho before moving to San Francisco to pursue his passion for musical invention. He recorded and toured with a group of friends under the moniker “Durham,” and made an acoustic-based singer/songwriter record with celebrated jazz producer Lee Townsend. (now available at blacklabworld.com under the title Ten Million Years: songs from the nineteen nineties).
“Durham” split, but a deal with Geffen Records followed, a new band was built, and Black Lab's debut was tagged as "one of this year's breakout records" (Billboard). Hollywood called, and the band contributed songs to the soundtracks for Can't Hardly Wait, Varsity Blues, Permanent Midnight, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. After a year of touring, Black Lab was poised to fulfill their destiny as "the American U2" (San Francisco Chronicle) when their record label was quickly shuttered. Over the next two years, Durham left his band, fired his manager and moved to LA. "In the end, all I had were my guitars and the songs I was writing." Durham wanted to control the sound around his voice, so he bought a computer and learned to use it. "I had to get back to how it was in high school -- just me and my four-track."
The resulting demos got Durham a new deal with Epic Records. "The first thing I did was buy a giant ProTools system." The only problem was, he didn't know how to install the software. On advice from a friend, Durham hired Andy Ellis to set up his studio. "So, we're sitting around waiting for the computer to reboot," remembers Durham, "And this guy picks up my guitar, without asking. I was cringing inside, afraid of what he would play. But he was great. I wanted to sing over the top of everything he played. Pretty soon, we were writing together."
At 23, Ellis was already an accomplished guitarist, keyboard player and programmer. He had been working as an assistant to some of the best engineers in the business and knew how to twiddle some serious knobs. Durham had found the missing link between what he heard in his head and what came out of the speakers. "Working with Andy is the first time collaboration has ever been easy," says Durham. "Instead of the whole hell-is-other-people thing, we have a blast just making sounds.
See the Sun has a depth and emotional range that broadens with each listen. Much of the album was mixed by Tom Lord-Alge (Live, Blink 182, Avril Lavigne). What shines brightest is the band's pop sensibility – the liquid swirl of "Remember," the epic sweep of "See the Sun," the raging loss of "Without You," and the open-armed surrender of "Lonely Boy."
“Learn to Crawl” was tapped as the fourth track on the platinum Spider-Man soundtrack. Produced by Durham and veteran mixer/producer Tom Lord-Alge, the song wraps an aggressive guitar riff around what Rolling Stone calls "Black Lab's tightly spun, highly melodic rock."
The title of "Ecstasy," a pulsing shadow that wakes to full rock glory, was inspired by Durham's experience recording: "The freedom to do what I wanted – in the studio across the hall from my bedroom – was amazing. I would get up late, go to the beach, then work until four or five in the morning. I got to record this album the same way I wrote it."
While See the Sun represents a zenith in Black Lab’s songwriting and production, the band continues to push and expand its sound into uncharted territory, contributing a vicious techno track called “This Blood” to the worldwide hit movie Blade : Trinity. Black Lab also continues to produce music for television (MTV’s Real World, “What I Like About You,” “The Days”) as well as the upcoming film Lovewrecked.
The third Black Lab album, entitled "Passion Leaves A Trace" was released on January 16th, 2007. Highlights include the majestic "Mine Again", the jet-black remorse of "This Night" (featured in the trailer for The Shield Season 6, and on the episode "Out of the Chute" of House), the hook-laden driving force that is "The Real You", and the achingly beautiful "Ghost In Your Mind".
All things Black Lab, including streaming and free downloads from the new and past albums, can be found at blacklabworld.com.
Transformers Theme
Black Lab Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Comin' from the sky above
there's nothing you can do
Prepare to strike
There'll be no place to run
When your caught within the grip
Of the evil Megatron
Transformers
More than meets the eye
Transformers
Robots in Disguise
Strong enough to break the bravest heart
We have to pull together
We can't stay worlds apart
To stand divided we will surely fall
Until our darkest hour
When the light will save us all
Transformers
More than meets the eye
Transformers
Robots in Disguise
Transformers
Autobots wage their battle to destroy the evil forces of
The Decepticons
Transformers
It's judgment day and now we've made our stand
And for now the powers of darkness
Have been driven from our land
The Battle's over but the war has just begun
And this way it will remain til the day when all are one
Transformers
More than meets the eye
Transformers
Robots in Disguise
Autobots wage their battle to destroy the evil forces of
The Decepticons
Transformers
The lyrics to Black Lab's song "Transformers Theme" describe a battle between two opposing robotic groups, the Autobots and the Decepticons. The song sets a dramatic tone, warning the listener of an impending threat from above, and urging them to prepare for the battle to come. The evil Megatron is described as having a grip that one cannot escape, adding to the tension and danger.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the power and mystery of the Transformers, describing them as "more than meets the eye" and "robots in disguise." This reinforces the idea that the Transformers are not to be underestimated or taken at face value.
The last section of the song speaks of a victory won, but also acknowledges that the war is not yet over. The Autobots have succeeded in driving back the Decepticons for now, but there is an understanding that the fight will continue until all are united.
Overall, the lyrics of "Transformers Theme" tell a story of heroic action, fear and impending danger, and the never-ending struggle for justice and peace. Through its vivid language and powerful imagery, the song captures the sci-fi world of Transformers and the excitement of the battles between the Autobots and the Decepticons.
Line by Line Meaning
Something evil's watching over you
There's a sense of foreboding and danger that surrounds you, emanating from an unknown source.
Comin' from the sky above
The source of this danger seems to be in the sky, perhaps indicating an otherworldly threat.
there's nothing you can do
You feel helpless and powerless in the face of this looming threat.
Prepare to strike
It's time to get ready for battle and take action against the upcoming threat.
There'll be no place to run
Retreat is not an option, as the danger is likely to chase and follow relentlessly.
When your caught within the grip
Of the evil Megatron
The source of the danger is identified as the powerful and malevolent Megatron, with whom confrontation is unavoidable.
Transformers
More than meets the eye
Transformers
Robots in Disguise
The Transformers are not what they seem, able to transform from robots into other forms and containing hidden abilities and strengths.
Strong enough to break the bravest heart
The Transformers possess great strength and power, capable of intimidating even the most courageous of people.
We have to pull together
We can't stay worlds apart
In order to overcome the threat of Megatron and other dangers, it is necessary for everyone to unite and work together, bridging their differences and geographic distances.
To stand divided we will surely fall
If people remain divided and continue to fight amongst themselves, they will be vulnerable to being taken down by their enemies.
Until our darkest hour
When the light will save us all
Even in the bleakest and most hopeless of times, hope remains that a brighter future is possible, with the help of some unknown force or ally.
Autobots wage their battle to destroy the evil forces of
The Decepticons
The Autobots are warriors fighting against the villainy of the Decepticons, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance.
It's judgment day and now we've made our stand
The time has come for a final showdown between the Autobots and Decepticons, with victory or defeat resting on the outcome.
And for now the powers of darkness
Have been driven from our land
It seems that the Autobots have been able to vanquish the malevolent forces that once threatened them, restoring peace and order to the land.
The Battle's over but the war has just begun
And this way it will remain til the day when all are one
While the immediate threat may have been dealt with, vigilance and preparation will be necessary for the continuing conflict until a lasting peace is achieved.
Contributed by Arianna S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
FML Games
I like this song because it adds an air of darkness to the theme and yet a bigger light of hope in the fight against the decepticons; as if I was a part of the fight itself.
Man City Fan 93:20
This should have been a theme for the battles.
Albert Rex
Looks like the dude is having struggling to breathe or is suffering from constipation .
Rabid Churro
I'd like to consider myself a die hard transformers fan. And while I love the original theme. I think this one was a great tribute to original one.
TheAlexTheBolt
That feeling when both versions are great, yet people squabble anyway...
xXRocketShark216Xx
TheAlexTheBolt haha ikr? Welcome to the Transformers fandom in a nutshell XD
Alumlovescake
@xXRocketShark216Xx any fandom in a nutshell
Johnny Phesto
HammerMeister1999 human nature in a nutshell.
Shota shikikan
Tbh everyone sounds like a broken record no matter if it's good or bad
Salvador FUENTES González
Sao