He started working as Dntel, pronounced Din-tell, in 1994. A collection of tracks created between 1995-1997 (Early Works For Me If It Works For You) was released on the Phthalo label in 1999, followed by the release of an EP recorded in 1994 (Something Always Goes Wrong) in 2000. After contributing a song to Plug Research's Voices In My Lunchbox compilation he was invited to do a full length for the label, preceded by a 12" EP (Anywhere Anyone).
Dntel released his full-length album Life Is Full Of Possibilities in 2001. The LP featured vocal contributions by many artists, including Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard on the breakout track (This Is) The Dream of Evan and Chan, which led to a single in 2002 and later, the formation of the band The Postal Service with Gibbard. With vocals buried in static, cut-up acoustic guitars and sampled symphonies struggling to find somewhere to settle, Life Is Full Of Possibilities reserved Dntel's spot as a pioneer of contemporary glitch, electro-pop, and indietronica.
Tamborello is currently working with The Postal Service and continuing his solo work, including remixes for various artists. As Dntel, he is releasing a compilation, Early Works For Me If It Works For You II, which will feature unfinished instrumental tracks from when he was working on Life Is Full Of Possibilities in 1998-2001, to be released on Phthalo. He released his newest full-length LP, titled "Dumb Luck" on April 24, 2007. "Dumb Luck" is his first LP on Sub Pop records.
To a Fault
Dntel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking all pretty when you brush your hair
Yeah I like it when you smile
Won′t you stay with me just for a little while?
Can I take you home?
Can I take you home?
We can go anywhere you wanna go
To the mountain sky?
We can go as far as you wanna go
Pa pa pa pa pa pa
Pa pa pa pa pa pa
Sittin' here in beneath the star
Makes me wanna take them wings to my arms
She′s got this way
She's got this way
Of wrapping her little heart around mine
Can I take you home?
Can I take you home?
We can go anywhere you wanna go
Can I take you high?
To the mountain sky?
We can go as far as you wanna go
Pa pa pa pa pa pa
Pa pa pa pa pa pa
Can I take you home?
Can I take you home?
We can go anywhere you wanna go
Can I take you high?
To the mountain sky?
We can go as far as you wanna go
Pa pa pa pa pa pa
Pa pa pa pa pa pa
The lyrics to Dntel's song To a Fault express a desire to be with someone and take them on an adventure, to explore new places and experiences with them. The singer is smitten with the subject of the song, admiring them for their beauty and infectious smile. The lyrics use repetition to emphasize the desire to take the person home or go as far as they want to go together. The use of "pa pa pa" adds to the dreamlike quality of the song and further emphasizes the desire to escape into the fantasy of an adventure with someone special.
The lyrics also highlight the way the person has captured the singer's heart, with "She's got this way / Of wrapping her little heart around mine." This suggests a mutual affection and a deep connection between the two, making the desire to be together even more intense. The song's romantic and dreamy quality is enhanced by the use of ambient electronic sounds and layered vocals that create a lush and immersive atmosphere.
Overall, the lyrics to To a Fault express a desire for connection, adventure and escape with someone special, capturing the intense feelings of early infatuation and the exciting prospect of new experiences together.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah I seen you there
I noticed you when you were present
Looking all pretty when you brush your hair
You look attractive when you groom yourself
Yeah I like it when you smile
Your happy expression pleases me
Won′t you stay with me just for a little while?
Would you spend some time with me please?
Can I take you home?
May I escort you to your domicile?
We can go anywhere you wanna go
We have the freedom to travel wherever you desire
Can I take you high?
Might I accompany you to the highest point?
To the mountain sky?
Shall we ascend the mountainside together?
We can go as far as you wanna go
We are free to journey as long as you wish
Pa pa pa pa pa pa
Wordless vocalization
Sittin' here in beneath the star
I'm sitting here below the sky full of luminous celestial bodies
Makes me wanna take them wings to my arms
Inspires me to enfold wings within my embrace
She′s got this way
She possesses a distinct mannerism
She's got this way
She possesses a distinct mannerism
Of wrapping her little heart around mine
Of endearing herself to me
Writer(s): Andrew Broder, Edward Droste
Contributed by Riley M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.