The band's founder and singer Craig Minowa has a degree in Environmental Science, and his environmental, political, and social awareness is reflected in much of Cloud Cult's music. (Note: Craig Minowa actually has stated he intentionally doesn't sing about environmental awareness because he lives it...he doesn't need to preach it) The band's self-created non-profit record label, Earthology Records, uses the most environmentally friendly methods available to ensure minimum damage to the environment.
After two solo LP's, The Shade Project (1995), and Who Killed Puck? (2000), Minowa's sudden loss of his two-year-old son and subsequent separation from his wife, Cloud Cult emerged with They Live On The Sun in 2003, combining concepts of Minowa with performances by cellist Sarah Young and drummer Dan Greenwood, who shortly became members of the band. This album was deeply personal and painful album for Cloud Cult and you don't often hear songs from it in concert.
Minowa continued to use music to cope with the loss of his son on the following album Aurora Borealis. This album did begin to branch out more into exploration of pain and loss instead of just feeling it.
Minowa reunited with his wife, and the next album is widely considered their crowning achievement. Advice From The Happy Hippopotamus involved collaboration from a variety of musicians and has garnered praise from critics, even being acclaimed as "a work of insane genius". This album is capped off with the "happy-go-lucky" song, Lucky Today. This album was selected by esurance to be animated into a commercial. This was a contest for the most environmentally sound band because esurance labels themselves as the paperless insurance provider.
On April 10th 2007 Cloud Cult officially released their sixth LP, The Meaning of 8 (although it was available for sale online in late January): the first single was titled "Take Your Medicine." In April 2008, the band followed it with Feel Good Ghosts.
In 2009 band announced a break till 2010, though they released limited re-releases of their albums Lost Songs from the Lost Years, They Live on the Sun and Aurora Borealis (the last two as a double-disc).
Their concerts are certainly a sight to be seen. Along with Minowa on Guitars (and other fun things), they have got bass, drums, violin and cello. There are two official band members who actually do very little music during the shows; Minowa's wife Connie and Scott are painters. They create original works of art during the show (breaking only occasionally to sing or sometimes Scott plays Trumpet). Then, at the end of the show, they silent auction these paintings off to the highest bidder.
Their official website is www.cloudcult.com.
Unexplainable Stories
Cloud Cult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we have traveled through unexplainable stories.
Swear to God I fought the good fight,
Always waiting for the coming of morning.
And I heard the Captain say, I heard the Captain say,
"The more I know, the less I'm knowing."
And I heard the Captain say, I heard the Captain say,
"Activate your force-fields and just keep going..."
The opening lines of Cloud Cult's song 'The Mission: Unexplainable Stories' suggest a long, tiring journey that has led to a search for something that has been elusive to this point. The search has taken them through various experiences that could not easily be explained. The singer swears they have done everything right and fought hard to get to where they are. Despite all the effort, they have been left feeling like they are always waiting for something that never arrives. The line "always waiting for the coming of morning" suggests that the journey has been both physical and emotional, with the travelers looking for some sort of enlightenment that has so far eluded them.
The lyrics also contain the repeated phrase, "I heard the Captain say," which appears to be some sort of mantra or call to arms for the group as they continue on their quest. The Captain's words are intriguing and add an element of mystery to the song. He seems to be saying that the more he knows about what they are looking for or what they have already experienced, the less he actually understands. It's a paradoxical truth that suggests the journey towards enlightenment may not necessarily lead to clear answers.
Line by Line Meaning
We've been searching for our whole lives.
We have been seeking meaning and purpose throughout our entire existence.
And we have traveled through unexplainable stories.
Our journey has taken us through experiences that are difficult to understand or explain.
Swear to God I fought the good fight,
I declare that I have struggled valiantly and honorably.
Always waiting for the coming of morning.
I have been hoping for a new day, a fresh start, a chance to overcome the darkness.
And I heard the Captain say, I heard the Captain say,
I listened to the leader, the guide, the voice of authority.
"The more I know, the less I'm knowing."
The more I learn and experience, the more I realize how much I still don't understand.
And I heard the Captain say, I heard the Captain say,
I heard the repeated message of the leader, emphasizing its importance.
"Activate your force-fields and just keep going..."
Protect yourself from harm and obstacles, and persist in your pursuit of the goal.
Writer(s): RICHARDSON MINOWA CRAIG ANDREW
Contributed by Scarlett Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.