Califone is the musical project of former Red Red Meat frontman Tim Rutili. Its regular and rotating contributors include many former members of Red Red Meat and some members of other Chicago bands, such as Tortoise. Their music is less rooted in blues-rock than Red Red Meat and is more directly inspired by experimental music and early American folk music as can be found on Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music.
Califone's current lineup includes Joe Adamik (drums), Jim Becker (banjo, violin), Ben Massarella (percussion), and Tim Rutili (vocals, guitar, keyboards). Each member is a multi-instrumentalist.
Tim Rutili has collaborated with a number of other artists as well. He joined up with Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock and others in 2002 to release the album Sharpen Your Teeth under the band name Ugly Casanova. Some members also toured with Freakwater and served as a backing band to record the album Thinking of You in 2005. In 2006, Tim Rutili teamed up with Wil Hendricks and Michael Krassner under the name The Unseen Hand to record the soundtrack for Rank, a documentary about bullriding. In the same year Califone worked with animator/musician Brent Green on a series of performance art pieces featuring animation, live music, and spoken word. They are also featured on the soundtrack for the movie Stranger than Fiction.
Alice Marble Gray
Califone Lyrics
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The lyrics of Califone's song "Alice Marble Gray" seem to describe a surreal landscape populated with various objects and experiences, many of which are tantalizingly left unexplained. The opening line, "sip bourbon from her boot," sets the tone for this dreamlike world, where unexpected things happen and rules are constantly being broken. The mention of "honey walls" and "dunes drift" evoke a sense of place, but it's one that's constantly in flux and perhaps even imaginary. The phrase "inscription on a screaming birth" is particularly enigmatic, hinting at some kind of violent or traumatic event, while "levitation over softening strand" implies a sense of weightlessness or freedom.
The titular character, Alice Marble Gray, is referred to throughout the lyrics, but it's not clear who she is or what her significance might be. The line "alice marble gray in pale arms like faraway bells" suggests that she's an otherworldly figure, and her name itself seems to evoke a sense of mystery and elegance. The lyrics also contain references to water and swimming, which together with the image of the beach, create a strong sense of place. Overall, though, the meaning of "Alice Marble Gray" remains elusive, inviting the listener to create their own interpretation of this strange and fascinating world.
Line by Line Meaning
sip bourbon from her boot honey walls dunes drift
Drinking bourbon from a boot while admiring the beautiful honey-colored walls and watching the sand dunes drift by.
inscription on a screaming birth levitation over softening strand
An intense and emotional birth experience marked with powerful words as one feels themselves lifted over a calming beach.
alice marble gray a midnight swim a slight return
Reflecting on a past love and a night-time swim with them; wishing to return to that moment in time.
a landscape rise a fractured fall driftwood boxes salt and bread
The ups and downs of life, represented by a changing landscape and settling on simple necessities like driftwood boxes and salt and bread.
a jelly glass a knife 2 guns a blanket and a spoon
Listing the random and disparate objects that may be present in one's life or memories.
alice marble gray in pale arms like faraway bells
Remembering a loved one who had pale arms and was reminiscent of faraway bells; perhaps a symbol of their gentle nature or distance from the singer.
the beach a cold kiss on the mouth ice water moon speed this heart
The ocean and beach can be both beautiful and harsh, like a cold kiss on the mouth, but still able to stir one's heart and emotions.
Contributed by Sarah C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.