Cause & Effect is an electronic fusion of cleverly crafted pop arrangements against a backdrop of layered synth textures and acoustic rhythmic flourishes. Intelligent, thought provoking lyrics and pleading melodies embedded in lush sonic soundscapes that are sure to captivate the senses of even the most discriminating listener. Cause & Effect’s Rob Rowe (co-founder) and Keith Milo return with their fifth studio album, “ARTIFICIAL CONSTRUCT.”
After developing and perfecting their own brand of electronic pop for nearly two decades, “ARTIFICIAL CONSTRUCT” marks a new level of maturity songwriting, and new way of thinking about how music is released and sold. Breaking with tradition, “ARTIFICIAL CONSTRUCT” has been designed as a three-part series to be released as individual EP’s over the course of 2010 and 2011, rather than a conventional ten to twelve-song album release.
“We wanted to try a new way of putting out our music this time around,” says Milo. “There are no rules anymore. The digital age has turned the entire industry on its head and it’s made us all rethink things. Are we artificially constructing an album by releasing it in “parts,” or is the 12 song album as we’ve come to know it just an ARTIFICIAL CONSTRUCT?
Led off by the deeply contagious first single “HAPPY?” where Milo’s sleek electronic bed of synth driven melodies lay the foundation for Rowe’s silky smooth vocals and sardonic lyrical content. “Everybody’s happy dreaming of the future,” Rowe croons seductively in a tale about finding a sense of purpose and meaning in the mundane mediocrity of corporate life. And while “HAPPY” bridges the gap sonically between previous C+E albums, it also sets the tone for the rest of the EP’s emotionally charged tracks which range in style from the electro-acoustic lover’s ballad “View of the Sea,” to the nostalgic teenage New Romantic anthem “This Is who I Am,” to the dark and brooding closer “Sleep,” which tells a deeply honest and emotional tale of love lost.
. . . . . (HAPPY?- DIRTY 8VA Remix can be downloaded for FREE at Cause and Effect’s Official Website.)
“There’s a bit of everything we love in there,” says Rowe. “We’ve never easily fit into a specific genre and that gives us the freedom to always blur the lines while being true to our roots. We can put a song like ‘HAPPY?’ right next to a song like ‘View of the Sea’ and it still feels cohesive. It still sounds like C+E.”
Cause & Effect was originally formed in Sacramento, California in 1988 by Robert Rowe and Sean Rowley. Their debut album, Another Minute, stormed onto the music scene in the early 1990’s scoring two top ten dance-pop singles and a Billboard top 20 singles hit with “You Think You Know Her.” After the tragic loss of friend, writing partner and co-founding member Sean Rowley in late 1992, singer Rowe took a step back to re-evaluate the band’s direction and the hopes he had for the future.
“Performing the tribute to Sean at the KROQ Acoustic Christmas Show in LA was a turning point,” explains Rowe, “The overwhelming support from the fans and audience made me realize that giving up just wasn’t an option.”
Determined to pick up the pieces and move forward, Rowe called upon Keith Milo, an Orange County-based electronic musician and friend to finish the remaining leg of the tour with himself and drummer Rich Shepherd (the Adored).
Although that initial tour was plagued with equipment malfunctions, thefts and travel mishaps, it was to become the start of a new beginning for C+E. Upon returning home, Rowe and Milo quickly went to work writing new material and redefining the sound of Cause and Effect.
“Coming in to Cause and Effect after Sean’s death was a scary thing to do,” says Milo, “there was so much uncertainty. Sean was a genius with melody, he was irreplaceable. I think there was solace in the fact that we became a very different band at that point and we all felt that we were doing the right thing by continuing on.”
Six months later, the three found themselves in London recording the band’s critically acclaimed sophomore album “Trip” with producer Martyn Phillips (best known for his work with Beloved, Erasure, and Jesus Jones).
A seamless integration of Rowe’s evocative vocals and economical guitar, Milo’s melodic soundscapes and Shepherd’s inventive percussion, “Trip” was an “affirmation of life and hope.” The aptly named album documents the band’s journey towards self-discovery that they made in the London flat they shared, in the studio, and in underground dance clubs they frequented between recording sessions. In addition to receiving overwhelming critical praise, the album spawned the thundering cross-over club hit, “It’s Over Now,” which respectively climbed to the #7 spot on Billboard’s modern rock charts and was C+E’s fourth release to make it onto the Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart.
Despite the success of the “Trip” album, Cause and Effect’s label Zoo Entertainment was in severe financial turmoil as a result of growing too quickly. After parent company BMG MUSIC pulled funding and distribution, the indie-run label soon folded. Rather than look for another major label contract, the band built their first Web site, formed the label, Liquefaction Records, and decided to embrace the digital DIY world brought about by the explosion of the Internet.
A year later saw the release of “INNERMOST STATION," the band’s third album. Nine extraordinary, introspective tracks including the epic single “World is Ours,” which instantly became a favorite amongst many of their adoring fans and college radio programmers alike. Soon after the recording of “INNERMOST STATION” was completed, drummer Richard Shepherd amicably left the band to pursue personal interests.
Meeting up at Milo’s LA studio for “THE SUNRISE EP” sessions marked the second major musical turning point for C+E. Sonically inspired by the laid back loungy grooves of the underground, “THE SUNRISE EP’s” lead single “Into the Light” went on to become the band’s fifth single to chart in the Billboard Club charts reaching the #20 spot in Summer 2004. The EP also featured the acoustic-driven “Stay,” which has become a fan favorite. C+E toured throughout 2004 in support of “THE SUNRISE EP” playing in 23 cities across the US and South America.
2010, today’s Cause and Effect are brimming with a renewed vigor and a surging confidence. In addition to the newly released “ARTIFICIAL CONSTRUCT PART ONE,” the duo is hard at work on the follow-up releases, “ARTIFICIAL CONSTRUCT PART TWO” is slated for release 26 July, 2011; and “ARTIFICIAL CONSTRUCT PART THREE” is to be released at a later date, with shows beginning soon after. The first track from AC2, Happiness Is Alien from was released on July 8th, 2011.
Cause and Effect is: ROB ROWE and KEITH MILO
DISCOGRAPHY: )
• Cause & Effect - CD Album (1990; Nastymix Records / Liquefaction Records)
• What Do You See - CD Single (1990, Re-Release 1992; Nastymix Records / Exile Records / Sedona Recording Company / Zoo Entertainment / BMG Music / Liquefaction Records)
• You Think You Know Her - CD Single (1990, Re-Release 1991; Nastymix Records / Exile Records / Sedona Recording Company / Zoo Entertainment / BMG Music / Liquefaction Records)
• Another Minute - Album (1991; Sedona Recording Company / Zoo Entertainment / BMG Music / Liquefaction Records)
• Another Minute (Single) - CD Single (1992; Sedona Recording Company / Zoo Entertainment / BMG Music / Liquefaction Records)
• South Paw: Zoo's Left Wing '93 - Compilation [C+E’s “hollow”] (1993; Zoo Entertainment / BMG Music)
• It's Over Now - CD Single (1994; Zoo Entertainment / BMG Music / Liquefaction Records)
• Alone - Label Promo Only (1994; Zoo Entertainment / BMG Music / Liquefaction Records)
• Inside Out - Label Promo Only (1994; Zoo Entertainment / BMG Music / Liquefaction Records)
• TRIP - Album (1994; Zoo Entertainment / BMG Music / Liquefaction Records)
• Innermost Station - Album (1997, Re-Release 1999; Liquefaction Records / Jarrett Records)
• World Is Ours - Digital Single (1999; Liquefaction Records)
• World Is Ours V2 - Digital Single (1999; Liquefaction Records)
• The Sunrise EP (2003; Liquefaction Records)
• Into The Light Remixes - EP (2004; Liquefaction Records)
• Cause & Effect - Album Digital (Re-Release 2010; Liquefaction Records)
• Happy? (Dirty 8VA Mix) FREE Single - Digital Single (2010; Liquefaction Records)
• Artificial Construct Part One - EP (April 2010; Liquefaction Records)
• Artificial Construct Part Two - EP (July 2011; Liquefaction Records)
• Artificial Construct Part Three - EP (tbd 2011; Liquefaction Records)
• Artificial Construct - Album (tbd 2011; Liquefaction Records)
Digital Albums are available for purchase at Cause and Effect’s Official Website.
OFFICIAL WEBSITES:
http://www.causeandeffect.com
http://causeandeffect.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/CauseAndEffectMusic
http://www.twitter.com/_causeandeffect
http://www.youtube.com/causeandeffectmusic
http://www.myspace.com/causeandeffectmusic
http://www.reverbnation.com/causeandeffectmusic
http://soundcloud.com/causeandeffectmusic
http://www.last.fm/music/+noredirect/Cause+and+Effect
http://www.last.fm/music/Cause%2B%2526%2BEffect
This Is Who I Am
Cause & Effect Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I’d rather take erosion over nothing
The Moz is playing on my stereo
I’ll always take the darkened over empty
Scissors and tape and my bedroom wall
Sometimes I wish that I could hang you near me
Compilation cassettes I recorded for you
Expressions of the things that I can’t show you
(This is who I am)
These posters on my wall
(This is who I am)
These things define my soul
(This is who I am)
These posters on my wall
(This is who I am)
I surround myself with the things I love
To help me find a cure for my afflictions
Eyeliner’s come back to an ideal world
We’ll put on black and quietly deceive
Come back to my room, and I’ll read you some poems
Please, lie if you can’t tell the truth
Come back to my room, and I’ll show you the things
That may mean nothing to you, oh
(This is who I am)
These posters on my wall
(This is who I am)
These things define my soul
(This is who I am)
These posters on my wall
(This is who I am)
These are the things that define me
(It’s all I know)
(It’s all I know)
(It’s all I know)
(It’s all I know)
There’s an empty space that I need to fill
Just below the window that won’t open
I like it to be a reflection of me
In an image of the ones who killed tradition
(This is who I am)
These posters on my wall
(This is who I am)
These things define my soul
(This is who I am)
These posters on my wall
(This is who I am)
These are the things that define me
(This is who I am)
These posters on my wall
(This is who I am)
These things define my soul
(This is who I am)
These posters on my wall
(This is who I am)
These are the things that could save me
The song "This Is Who I Am" by Cause & Effect is about a person who finds comfort and solace in the things they surround themselves with. They derive their identity from these things and feel defined by them. The rain outside makes the person smile as it brings erosion and change, which they prefer over nothingness. The person listens to The Moz (possibly Morrissey) on their stereo and prefers the darkened over empty. They have scissors and tape with which they may want to hang a person near them, indicating their yearning for human connection. They also have compilation cassettes they recorded for someone, expressing things they cannot show in words.
The person surrounds themselves with things they love to help them find a cure for their afflictions. They mention eyeliner, which is associated with the goth subculture, and how black clothing can deceive quietly. They invite someone back to their room to read poems and show them things that may mean nothing to them. But these things are everything to the person, and they define who they are. They have posters on their wall that define their soul, and they use them to fill an empty space below a window, which they want to reflect back at themselves. They believe that these things can save them from losing themselves completely.
Overall, the song is about the importance of finding meaning in the things we surround ourselves with and how these things can define who we are.
Line by Line Meaning
The rain outside, well, it makes me smile
I prefer a slight discomfort like a drizzle over nothing at all
I’d rather take erosion over nothing
I'd prefer something rough over nothing at all
The Moz is playing on my stereo
I always prefer something brooding over an empty sound
I’ll always take the darkened over empty
I prefer the darkness and its obscurities over emptiness and nothingness
Scissors and tape and my bedroom wall
I'd like to hang things to bring me comfort in a lonely room
Sometimes I wish that I could hang you near me
Sometimes I wish I could be with someone I love and not feel lonely
Compilation cassettes I recorded for you
I made these mix tapes to express my feelings to you
Expressions of the things that I can’t show you
These mix tapes express my love even when I can't convey it to you directly
(This is who I am)
This is who I truly am
These posters on my wall
The things I surround myself with
(This is who I am)
This is who I truly am
These things define my soul
These things define me and my personality
(This is who I am)
This is who I truly am
I surround myself with the things I love
I surround myself with things that bring me joy and comfort
To help me find a cure for my afflictions
These things help me overcome my hardships and struggles
Eyeliner’s come back to an ideal world
In my perfect world, we embrace darkness and hide behind it
We’ll put on black and quietly deceive
We'll wear black, be mysterious, and keep our true selves hidden
Come back to my room, and I’ll read you some poems
I want to share my passions with you and show you my true self
Please, lie if you can’t tell the truth
Please pretend to appreciate it even if you don't like it
Come back to my room, and I’ll show you the things
I want to show you the things that give me comfort
That may mean nothing to you, oh
You may not see their significance, but they mean everything to me
(It’s all I know)
This is all I understand
(It’s all I know)
This is all I understand
(It’s all I know)
This is all I understand
(It’s all I know)
This is all I understand
There’s an empty space that I need to fill
I have a void inside that I need to fill
Just below the window that won’t open
It's right beside the window that I can't open just like my feelings
I like it to be a reflection of me
I want it to reflect my identity and personality
In an image of the ones who killed tradition
In a way that celebrates rebellion and breaking free from traditions
(This is who I am)
This is who I truly am
These posters on my wall
The things I surround myself with
(This is who I am)
This is who I truly am
These things define my soul
These things define me and my personality
(This is who I am)
This is who I truly am
These posters on my wall
The things I surround myself with
(This is who I am)
This is who I truly am
These are the things that define me
These things define me and my personality
(This is who I am)
This is who I truly am
These posters on my wall
The things I surround myself with
(This is who I am)
This is who I truly am
These things could save me
These things have the power to give me hope and save me
Contributed by Max E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
lloyd russell
Been there with camp C&E since 91' an incredible band.
grooverunner
There's a quality of sadness in Rob Rowe's voice that is intoxicating, it draws me in, to listen closer, to gravitate to it's rhythms.
Ranger9700
underrated band with so many quality songs
John Moss
Rob is a good guy. Glad he is still doing what he does! Great song!
smithraymond09029
One of the hidden gems of 90s electronic music genre.
Сергей Пугачёв
This is my favorite song in this album !!!
marioyellow77
Sweet ! this song - is... beautiful.
Ale cam
Me encantan!
John Moss
Great song!
Mike McCready
One of there best songs- period.
I have only recently discovered this gem.
Thank yuh our so much,for posting!!!