Evolution is a tricky word when discussing current trends in music, especia… Read Full Bio ↴Evolution is a tricky word when discussing current trends in music, especially when it comes to sophomore albums. The critically lauded “BLOUSE,” the 2011 debut from the Portland band of the same name was a lush, melodic and dreamy affair spiked with whoozy synths and delicate vocals. For “Imperium,” their 2nd LP for Captured Tracks, Blouse have shed the synths, done away with drum machines and wrote and recorded with “instruments that don’t plug into the wall,” as enforced by bandmember/producer Jacob Portrait.

Sonically speaking, that comes through on the LP immediately. Perhaps bolstered by the ongoing construction occurring next to the studio while the record was being made, the sense of force and urgency propelling the record is evident. Patrick Adams’ driving bass and plodding drums in the title track usher in this new guitar-friendlier Blouse; more direct and clearer of vision, but still mysterious and beautiful.

Jacob and Patrick’s Pacific Northwest alt-rock roots (filtered through post-punk and V/U) are a great counterpoint to ex-pat Southern CA transplant Charlie Hilton’s Cohen/Patti/Nico singer/songwriter nature. The dichotomy of those two forces on tracks like “No Shelter” and “1000 Years” are at the core of Imperium. These are delicate songs from the perspective of a valley girl who grew up with gurus and ashrams played by indie lifers on a steady diet of NEU! It makes it all the more understandable to have showers of acoustic guitars and (real, not synthesized) cellos interrupted by fuzz guitar.

But these interruptions aren’t a bad thing, they’re what makes Imperium the great record it is. “In a Feeling Like This” describes it perfectly, it’s a strange place that you’re weirdly familiar with. Warm but also kind of spooky and imposing, you want to stay there for longer than you’re invited. Thankfully, it’s ok to flip it over and listen to it again.

Videotapes
Blouse Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You wanted to do make videotapes
And put everything into a screen
But you're not the one...
If you did I would have.
If you did I would have seen

What it would be like to see you again?
You're not in my hands,

I thought I'd see you often in my head.

You never wanted anything else
Just to see the lie in everything
And you would … the world.
But if you did I would have,
If you did I would have seen.

What it would be like to see you again?
You're not in my hands,
It's why I see you often in my head.
What it would be like to see you again?
You're not in my hands,
But I see you often in my head.
What it would be like to see you again?
You're not in my hands,
But I see you often in my head.

What it was like to see you again, what it was like?

What it was like to see you again, what it was like?
What it was like to see you again, what it was like?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Blouse's song Videotapes tells the story of someone who yearns to see a lost love once again. The first verse speaks about how the person the singer is addressing wanted to make videotapes and put everything on screen. The singer laments that if the other person had taken the initiative to do so, they would have seen each other again. The second verse speaks about how the person the singer addresses never wanted anything except to see the lie in everything and how they would conquer the world. Again, the singer laments that if the other person had made the effort, they would have been able to see each other again. The chorus repeats the question of what it would be like to see their lost love again and how they are not in their hands, but they often see them in their head.

The song seems to be about missed opportunities and lost love. The singer is regretful that the other person did not take the initiative to make the videotapes, which would have allowed them to see each other again. They are haunted by their memories of the lost love and long to see them again. The line "Just to see the lie in everything" suggests that the lost love was perhaps a skeptic, always questioning the authenticity of things, making it difficult for them to have a long-lasting relationship. Overall, the song conveys a sense of longing and missed chances while exploring the themes of love, loss, and the bittersweet memories that linger on.

Line by Line Meaning

You wanted to do make videotapes
You desired to create videotapes

And put everything into a screen
And compile everything onto a single screen

But you're not the one...
But you're not the right one for the task

If you did I would have.
If you were, I would have seen it

If you did I would have seen
If you were, I would have witnessed it

What it would be like to see you again?
What would it feel like to encounter you once more?

You're not in my hands,
You're beyond my control

I thought I'd see you often in my head.
I assumed I'd frequently picture you in my thoughts

You never wanted anything else
You never desired anything beyond

Just to see the lie in everything
Merely to recognize the deceit in all

And you would … the world.
And you would observe the world thus