In 2004, the group graduated from college and moved into an apartment in Brooklyn with an aggressive, hirsute landlord named Baki. Shortly thereafter, Daniel joined the group Grizzly Bear and began playing guitar and singing with them (he went on to write a goodly portion of their sophomore album, Yellow House). Fred tried to escape his boring magazine job by going on tour opening up for the band Subtle, but the tour was cancelled when Subtle's bus crashed, tragically injuring keyboardist Dax Pierson. DOE was on something of a hiatus. Then in 2005, a British label re-released their debut album in Europe under a different title, and the group began working on new material. This time around, the music featured little-to-no electronic embellishments and was inspired by Randy Newman, Van Dyke Parks, Paul Williams, and Paul McCartney. On October 7, 2008 they released their follow-up, In Ear Park, on 4AD.
Daniel plays guitar, bass, piano, drums, cello, and sings. He majored in Linguistics. His grandfather, Robert Rossen, directed the critically acclaimed movies All the Kings Men and The Hustler. Fred plays drums and various random instruments. He majored in Art History. His father, Martin Nicolaus, wrote the definitive translation of Karl Marx's Gundrisse.
www.departmentofeagles.com
Department of Eagles went on to join Grizzly Bear with their recording of 2009 LP 'Veckatimist'
Gravity's Greatest Victory/Rex Snorted Coke
Department of Eagles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And MIT pale, present (???)
My beds are odorous with soft (??) scent
And strangely pale, present (???)
My beds are odorous with soft (??) scent
And strange, mutant flowers
Tremulous, twilight air
Oh, and strange mutant flowers
Tremulous, twilight air
Weave over all, and hear
I sing my siren song, toward all souls are bent
Within the subtle, sweet, melodious snare
Lie, making love
Hate me, love's greedy stink
The lyrics of Gravity's Greatest Victory/Rex Snorted Coke by Department of Eagles are rather abstract, with no clear storyline or message. Upon interpretation, it seems that the song is centered around a theme of nostalgia and reminiscing about the past, with the singer looking back on years gone by, now "sealed with the signet of [their] might". The reference to MIT could be interpreted as a reminisce of academic years spent there by the singer. The present, symbolized by "strangely pale" beds with "odorous with soft (??) scent"/ is portrayed as something unknown, mysterious and maybe even a little unnerving.
The references to "strange, mutant flowers/ tremulous, twilight air" are somewhat enigmatic, but they could represent a sense of unease or discomfort with these new, strange surroundings. However, the singer seems to find peace and solace in their music, singing their "siren song" and drawing in "all souls" with their melodious voice. The line "Lie, making love/ Hate me, love's greedy stink" is ambiguous but it could read as a reminder that love isn't always what it seems and that it can lead to pain and deception.
Line by Line Meaning
Past years are sealed with the signet of my might
I am confident and secure in the accomplishments of my past
And MIT pale, present (???)
I am unsure or unimpressed with my current state, as compared to my past
My beds are odorous with soft (??) scent
My bed is fragranced and comforting
And strangely pale, present (???)
I remain unsure or unimpressed with my current state, as compared to my past
My beds are odorous with soft (??) scent
My bed is fragranced and comforting
And strange, mutant flowers
There are inexplicable, mutant flowers around me
Tremulous, twilight air
The air is delicate and transitioning towards evening
Weave over all, and hear
The flowers and air are pervasive and audible
Oh, and strange mutant flowers
These strange, mutant flowers are worth note
Tremulous, twilight air
The air remains delicate and transitioning towards evening
Weave over all, and hear
The pervasive flowers and air remain audible
I sing my siren song, toward all souls are bent
I sing a bewitching song that catches the attention of all who hear it
Within the subtle, sweet, melodious snare
My song is irresistible and captivating
Lie, making love
I am lying down and having sex
Hate me, love's greedy stink
You may hate me, but I am reveling in the scent of love.
Contributed by Emma H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.