Rarity makes paying witness to an artistic arc spanning several albums during which a band is allowed to grow into its ambitions a real treat.
That’s why the Damn Seagulls, from Helsinki, Finland, make heads turn.
After a mission statement of a first album and a prodigious branching out on their second album, the band has found what is doubtless the first of many treasures on “Hunting Season”, their third album for Fullsteam Records. The success of the explorations that preceded it, gave the band the confidence to self-produce the album, with the exception of the vocals, which were produced by Miikka Koivisto of label mates Disco Ensemble.
So where are we now? “Hunting Season” is not a radical departure or an attempt at reinvention. It’s condensed soul. Take the introverted urgency of the Afghan Whigs and combine it with the extroverted bombast of the E Street Band at the height of their powers. Add a touch of storytelling magic á la The Hold Steady. If a connection can be drawn between the personal and the political, Damn Seagulls has drawn one between the intensely personal and the blindingly epic. Raw emotion, served stadium-size.
It’s a long road to travel and it took what started out as a ska-punk trio over a decade.
A lot has changed in ten years, but the band’s voracious appetite for combining these and other seemingly disparate flavors remains intact, the bedrock on which everything else rests.
You can pack a hell of a lot of hours playing shows and rehearsing into ten years. . There’s a loose-limbed grace to the playing on the album that can only come with time.
It’s easy to love a confident band and that’s what Damn Seagulls are. After two successful albums and the third one an obvious step forward, they’re aware of their upward arc.
They can feel it and you can tell.
ALBUMS:
One Night at Sirdie’s (Fullsteam, 2005)
Soul Politics (Fullsteam, 2007)
Hunting Season (WILL BE RELEASED Jan 28th IN FINLAND, ELSEWHERE LITTLE LATER) (Fullsteam, 2009)
Let It Shine
Damn Seagulls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you gotta be cruel
you gotta think for yourself
or it's gonna eat you
got a hole in my pocket but it's nothing new
and after all this time
i'm still searching for the truth
do you know what they say
when you go down do you care what they say
whatever comes your way
whatever may be the truth
whetever feels right
i think it must be right
this time there's no more playing around
the world's so cold and cruel
but there will come a day
when you're ready
and it's time for you to let it shine
i left my girl but she left me first
no matter what you do
you know it's gonna hurt
sometimes i feel like i might be cursed
dig into my soul and see what i'll find
The lyrics of the song "Let It Shine" by Damn Seagulls centers around the theme of seeking the truth and being true to oneself in a world that can be harsh and unforgiving. The first stanza describes the need to be hungry, cruel and individualistic to survive in this world. The line, "you gotta think for yourself or it's gonna eat you" emphasizes the importance of having a strong sense of self and independent thinking. The singer admits to having a hole in his pocket, indicating that he may have lost or given up on some of his dreams, but he still seeks the truth.
The chorus encourages listeners to follow their instincts and do what feels right, regardless of what others may say or think. The world can be cruel, but the day will come when one is ready to let their light shine.
The second stanza describes the pain of a failed relationship and the sense of being cursed. The singer implies that by digging into his soul, he hopes to find answers or some semblance of truth. The song is a message to listeners to embrace their uniqueness, not be afraid to stand out, and let their light shine despite the struggles encountered.
Line by Line Meaning
you gotta be hungry,
You must have a strong desire and eagerness to succeed
you gotta be cruel
You must be willing to be ruthless and harsh in order to achieve your goals
you gotta think for yourself
You need to rely on yourself and make your own decisions
or it's gonna eat you
Otherwise, you will be consumed by the pressures and expectations of others
got a hole in my pocket but it's nothing new
I am used to being broke and not having much money
and after all this time
Despite the length of time that has passed
i'm still searching for the truth
I am still searching for the answers and trying to find meaning in life
when you go down
When you face difficulties or fail
do you know what they say
Do you care about the opinions of others when you experience failure?
when you go down do you care what they say
Do you allow the opinions of others to affect you when you face adversity?
whatever comes your way
Regardless of the challenges you face
whatever may be the truth
Despite what the reality of the situation may be
whatever feels right
Following your intuition and doing what feels right to you
i think it must be right
Believing in yourself and trusting your instincts
this time there's no more playing around
It's time to get serious and stop fooling around
the world's so cold and cruel
The world can be harsh and unforgiving
but there will come a day
Eventually, a day will come
when you're ready
When you are prepared and capable
and it's time for you to let it shine
The time has come for you to show your true potential and abilities
i left my girl but she left me first
I ended my relationship, but my partner had already left me
no matter what you do
Regardless of your actions
you know it's gonna hurt
You are aware that there will be emotional pain
sometimes i feel like i might be cursed
Occasionally, I feel like I am experiencing a string of bad luck
dig into my soul and see what i'll find
Take a deeper look at my inner self and discover what lies within
Writer(s): Jani Johannes Liuhanen, Niko Yrjo Olavi Kangas, Jami Petteri Auvinen, Lauri Johannes Eloranta, Olli Ilari Noroviita Copyright: BMG Chrysalis Scandinavia AB, Fullsteam Publishing Oy
Contributed by Audrey M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jonathan Carr
One of the best sounds I've heard in a long time. Colour me impressed.
Jericho Raikkonen
You guys are awesome! Greetings from Canada! :)