The group's debut album Deltron 3030, released on May 23, 2000, is a concept album set in the year 3030 that tells of the dualistic conflict of fatalism that takes place between the moral concepts of "righteousness" and "malevolence." The story tells a prophetic tale of a warrior's thirst for battle as Del's alter ego, who goes by the name "Deltron-Zero," along with his comrade who happens to be a time-traveling cyborg wizard named "the Automator," face-off against megalithic corporations that megalomaniacally rule over our thermodynamic universe. The lyrics were written in less than two weeks and are characterized by extravagant allusions to futuristic outer-space themes in the tradition of Afrofuturist works by Sun Ra and George Clinton. Many samples originated with the contemporary French classical composer William Sheller.
Deltron 3030's second album, titled Event 2, was released in September, 2013.
Production began as far back as 2004, and in November 2006 Del told IGN that four songs were already written and that "the album's lyrical theme has been basically mapped out." Dan the Automator stated that the recording of the new album would probably be completed by December 2006, and that it would be released in 2007. Due to a series of delays, group members issued a number of statements predicting imminent completion in 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2012.
On June 11, 2012, Deltron 3030 performed at the Luminato festival in Toronto, Ontario, a show that Kid Koala dubbed the Deltron Event 2 World Premiere. The group played with a full horn, strings, and rhythm section conducted by Dan the Automator, premiered ten songs from Event 2, and revealed the visual style of the new album. In accordance with Del's statement that "3030 actually was one event, but these events can span centuries." The first single from the album was "City Rising From the Ashes," a song influenced by the story of Osiris. On September 23, 2013, Event 2 was put on Pitchfork's Advance Streaming service in its entirety, one week before its official release.
In October 2016, an expanded edition of Event 2 was released, featuring instrumentals from the album. Alongside this new addition, a live album featuring the Deltron 3030, many of their collaborators from the Event 2 album, and the 3030 Orchestra, simply entitled Live, was released.
On an episode of Red Bull Radio Peak Time in 2018, Dan The Automator confirmed he was working on a new Deltron 3030 album, stating "there's a couple songs that exist." He also hinted that Dr. Octagon would have a cameo on the album.
New Coke
Deltron 3030 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
look at all that bullshit going on down there in the street
whats all that shit floating out in the water
yea we gotta get out of here we gotta go to some island
grab your shopping cart
grab your cane
lets get the heck out of here
we gotta move closer to the equator
i used to love that guy
remember how he used to watch mr T. wrestling
coca cola doesnt taste the same as it used to
remember when a bowl of soup was a nickel
all that bass is gonna break my ears
The lyrics to Deltron 3030's song New Coke present a dystopian and apocalyptic panorama of society. The singer looks out the window and observes the chaos and degradation happening on the street and in the water. The urgency to leave this place is palpable, and the only solution is to escape to an island, closer to the equator. The singer instructs the listener to grab their shopping cart and cane, indicating that they must travel with the minimum of belongings to survive this new reality.
As the song progresses, the singer reminisces about the past and what life used to be like. They long for the simplicity of the old times, where a bowl of soup only cost a nickel, and TV shows showcased lists of programs. The memories make them realize that things have drastically changed. Coca Cola, which used to taste a certain way, is not the same anymore. The bass in the background threatens to break the singer's ears, perhaps symbolizing the oppressive nature of the new world.
Overall, the song New Coke is a commentary on the negative effects of consumerism, the pollution and degradation of the environment, and the loss of identity and culture. The singer yearns for a simpler and more authentic life while acknowledging that the world they inhabit is now a far cry from that ideal.
Line by Line Meaning
look out the window
Observed the outside surroundings
look at all that bullshit going on down there in the street
Disgusted and perplexed by the chaos on the streets
whats all that shit floating out in the water
Perturbed by the pollutants in the water
yea we gotta get out of here we gotta go to some island
Determined to leave the current place and move to an island
grab your shopping cart
Collect personal belongings in a shopping cart
grab your cane
Take along walking support for comfort and mobility
lets get the heck out of here
Expresses the urgency to leave the current location
we gotta move closer to the equator
Intention to move to a place near the equator
when are they gonna start showing those list of tv runs
Interested in the timing schedule of TV programs
i used to love that guy
Nostalgic about a person who used to be loved
remember how he used to watch mr T. wrestling
Recalling a memory of watching Mr. T wrestling
coca cola doesnt taste the same as it used to
Noticing the difference in the taste of Coca-Cola from the past
remember when a bowl of soup was a nickel
Reflecting on a time when soup was very cheap
all that bass is gonna break my ears
The loud bass sound might cause ear damage
Contributed by Brooklyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.