Craig's Brother released their first commercial album Homecoming on Tooth & Nail Records in 1998. By this time they had already released two demos: one self-titled cassette tape and a CD/LP called Keepin' It Real. They never achieved much fame, but the fans they did attain were extremely dedicated. They relied quite a bit on the Christian music market in order to gain a foothold.
In 2000, a sophomore release, Lost At Sea, was planned, when Tooth & Nail dropped the band. It is still unclear why they did so. It took more than a year before Lost At Sea became available outside the United States. Soon thereafter, the album once again became unavailable.
Right around this time, the drummer, Heath Konkel, one of the few who had stuck with the band from the beginning, left to attend school. More members left, new ones were gained, among these a certain Steven, who also performs in the band HeyMike!, that split up around this time. Dan McClintock of Inspection 12 also contributed songwriting, singing, and guitar playing to the second album. Ryan Key, Yellowcard's vocalist, also joined the band for a short while. Yellowcard's violinist, Sean Mackin, also made a guest appearance on "Back and Forth" on the Lost at Sea album.
In the end, it was too turbulent to keep going. Craig's Brother disbanded in 2001, after fans had been kept on their toes for months.
The band's website at www.craigsbrother.net, remained however, and has changed layouts numerous times. The webmaster, Eli, has stuck around and kept the messageboard running, and there have even been a few updates. In the summer of 2003, www.tedbond.com was launched, also by Eli (As of 2005, the domain is no longer up). Ted gave the fans three new acoustic songs, one of which was called "Craig's Brother". It was a sad reflection on the time in the band, hanging out with, "just a bunch of drunks I can't stand". These songs proved Ted could still write songs that were of the same caliber as the earlier Craig's Brother material.
Rumours that that the band would reunite were proven true. At the end of 2003, it was announced that Craig's Brother was back. Heath and Scott returned from school, and they also recruited some other new band members. A new EP, EPidemic (with that capitalization) was released the next summer.
In early 2009 Craig's Brother reported on their web site www.craigsbrother.com that they would be entering the studio to record a new full length album. The new album is titled 'The Insidious Lie'. The band finished the album in December 2010 and it will be released in early 2011.
Back And Forth
Craig's Brother Lyrics
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You're freaking out cause you just can't control everything
That happens around you
Set in stone with no proof of validity
Your so-called faith keeps you terrified in anything
That threatens your standing
The eyes of the world, the eyes of the church, the eyes of your peers
Have all the plans that you laid out so carefully
Fallen short of your neo-Victorian fantasy
You cling to so desperately
So look at all your hard work is coming to
Despite your effort you still can't buy security
So what is your money worth?
And maybe it's right and I should feel pain for bending the rules
But I'm not the one who's trying to choose between fools
Back and forth the orchestra plays
But neither side is tuned to the other
Back and forth the orchestra plays
But neither side is tuned
Pull the shutters and tighten the blindfold
Turn away anyone who doesn't fit the mold
The story goes untold
Despite the righteous beliefs that you profess
You still can't cover the stain that marks your Sunday dress
No need to confess
Back and forth the orchestra plays
The lyrics of Craig's Brother's song Back and Forth depict an individual's inner turmoil and struggle with control and conformity. The song begins with the image of someone alone and anxious in a bathroom, feeling overwhelmed by the world around them. The individual's faith is described as a source of terror rather than comfort, as it makes them feel vulnerable to anything that challenges their beliefs.
The chorus of the song describes two opposing forces, represented by an orchestra playing back and forth but never in tune with each other. This could be a metaphor for the clash between the individual's desire for control and the chaotic nature of life.
The second verse touches on the theme of hypocrisy, with the individual clinging to a conservative worldview that they cannot live up to. They have constructed a life that doesn't match up to their expectations, and their efforts to maintain it have only brought them more anxiety and insecurity. The closing lines of the song suggest that the individual is not alone, with others around them also struggling to make sense of a world that seems determined to undermine their beliefs.
Overall, Back and Forth presents a compelling portrait of the psychological and emotional toll that conformity and control can take on an individual.
Line by Line Meaning
Late at night all alone in the bathroom
You are alone in your thoughts in a quiet place, feeling scared and unsure of controlling the circumstances around you.
You're freaking out cause you just can't control everything
You're anxious and stressed because you're unable to have control of everything happening around you.
That happens around you
You can't control the things that happen in your life.
Set in stone with no proof of validity
You hold on to beliefs without any real evidence to support them.
Your so-called faith keeps you terrified in anything
Your belief system makes you feel alarmed and worried about anything that challenges those beliefs.
That threatens your standing
Anything that challenges your beliefs will threaten your social status.
The eyes of the world, the eyes of the church, the eyes of your peers
You feel the pressure and scrutiny of the people around you, including the wider community, the church, and your friends.
The wagging of tongues, whispering shame, upon eager ears
People talk behind your back, spreading negative gossip and shame.
Have all the plans that you laid out so carefully
You have meticulously planned and organized everything, but those plans fell short of your expectations.
Fallen short of your neo-Victorian fantasy
Your ideal of a perfect, flawless life hasn't been achieved, leaving you with a sense of dissatisfaction.
You cling to so desperately
You hold onto this ideal so strongly and desperately.
So look at all your hard work is coming to
Despite your hard work, the outcome isn't as positive as you wanted it to be.
Despite your effort you still can't buy security
No matter how much effort and money you pour in, you still can't seem to achieve a sense of security or safety.
So what is your money worth?
Your wealth doesn't bring you the happiness and security you were hoping for.
And maybe it's right and I should feel pain for bending the rules
Perhaps you deserve to experience pain because you broke certain rules and standards.
But I'm not the one who's trying to choose between fools
You refuse to pick between two options that seem equally illogical or undesirable.
Back and forth the orchestra plays
Different things are happening in your life that make you feel conflicted and uncertain.
But neither side is tuned to the other
You're unable to reconcile the opposing sides of a situation, leading to confusion and chaos.
Pull the shutters and tighten the blindfold
You ignore anything that doesn't fit your particular set of beliefs and values, being stubborn and close-minded in the process.
Turn away anyone who doesn't fit the mold
You exclude those who don't match your ideal or meet your standards.
The story goes untold
There are some things you choose to keep hidden and not disclose.
Despite the righteous beliefs that you profess
Even though you have some moral or religious beliefs, you don't always act in accordance with them.
You still can't cover the stain that marks your Sunday dress
You can't conceal or hide the mistakes and flaws that you have.
No need to confess
You don't feel the need to express your regrets or ask for forgiveness.
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BENJAMIN EINZIGER, BENJAMIN DAVID EINZIGER, JAMIN J. WILCOX, JASON CHARLES BOYD, PAUL FRIED, PAUL STUART FRIED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind