With a string of successful local releases to their credit, Down and Aboves newest record, Anodyne, shows tremendous growth for a band that has always strived to marry a variety of seemingly unlikely sources. Drawing on influences ranging from King's X, Rush, and Candiria, to Bjork, Tori Amos, and Richard Buckner, Anodyne promises a diverse blend of assaulting rock and singer/songwriter savvy. Bassist Ian Allison reflects, "On this record, Dave and I would always ask each other, OK, now how would Willie Nelson or Tori sing over this heavy riff? We weren't content with putting out just a 'rock' record."
Met with overwhelming anticipation, Anodyne surpassed weighty expectations and the band couldn't be happier with the record. Fans and music critics agree that Anodyne is the bands strongest effort thus far. "Anodyne is the best work we've ever done," deadpans guitarist David Young. "It was, at the same time, the most difficult and most amazing process that we've gone through as a band."
Hold Your Breath for a Rising Tide is the 4th official release from Down and Above. The album kicks off with a stereo bass lick that charges into the crescendo of the anthemic Proud (A Promise Kept). Reverb drenched guitars on tracks like So Alive, Hopesablaze, and Shark Attack are reminiscent of mid 80s Big Country or synth-pad era Rush, yet Down and Above’s urgent shirtsleeve lyrics take you to a more intimate place. The narrative hook and dark watery atmosphere of the remade Johnny Cash/Willy Nelson tune, The Highwayman, makes it a standout track – and together with tracks 4 Leaf Clover, Hope, Sunshine After Rain, and Writing in Ink, we hear a maturity and musical growth that is a nod to Down and Above’s country music Montana roots.
Fans of ass-searing rock however will rejoice with tracks like Molasses, Breakdown on Interstate 80, and Love You More. Ouch, is my ass on fire? Yes, yes it is.
Anodyne
Down and Above Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your mouth runs underground
Open up to say a word
Still don't know what you've heard
Keep it under keep it down
Your voice is always too loud
Body aches and begs
I'll do anything
I feel fine but for my banging head
And faucet nose
Keep it under my cracked cuticles
And broken bones
Spend my life and waste my time
Spin around to make you mine
Spitting out the anodyne
Spind around to make you mine
Here I am at the edge
Pull me in without protection
You know I want it
You push to make it
You never listen to me
Keep your eyes where I can see
I'm not sleeping so well
Darlin' how could you tell
I tell my mother I'm fine
Good thing I know how to lie
I feel fine but for my banging head
And faucet nose
Keep it under my cracked cuticles
And broken bones
Sleep comes easy when you're
Poppin' pills and swingin' low
You know I want it I'll do anything
Spend my life and waste my time
Spin around to make you mine
Spitting out the anodyne
Spind around to make you mine
Body aches
Stomach begs
And I hope it doesn't show through
You know I want it
You push to make it
I don't know if I feel so well
I can tell this is going to be hell
Spit it out and time will tell
Spend my life and waste my time
Spitting out the anodyne
Spin around and make you
Pull up close for your affection
End up catching your infection
You know I want it
You know
You know I want it
I'll do anything
I'll do anything
The lyrics of Down and Above's song "Anodyne" seem to be about a complicated and possibly unhealthy relationship. The singer describes feeling physically unwell, with ringing ears, body aches, and an incessantly loud voice that won't let them keep their thoughts private. They are trying to keep up appearances and lie to their mother about being fine, but they feel like they are wasting their time and spinning around in circles, trying to make the other person happy. At the same time, they admit to wanting their partner and being willing to do anything to please them.
Despite this willingness, there is a sense of tension and danger in the relationship. The singer feels like they are on the edge and being dragged in without protection. The line "spitting out the anodyne" suggests that they are struggling to find a way to numb their pain or mask their true feelings. The reference to popping pills and swinging low also adds to this sense of self-destructive behavior.
Overall, the lyrics of "Anodyne" convey a sense of desperation and longing mixed with confusion and uncertainty. The singer seems to be stuck in a cycle of wanting their partner's affection but feeling drained by the relationship at the same time.
Line by Line Meaning
Ears ring from the sound
My ears are ringing from the noise around me
Your mouth runs underground
You talk behind my back
Open up to say a word
Try to communicate with me
Still don't know what you've heard
You don't understand what I'm trying to say
Keep it under keep it down
Don't speak too loudly or reveal too much
Your voice is always too loud
You talk too much and too loudly
Body aches and begs
I feel physical pain and discomfort
I'll do anything
I'm willing to do whatever it takes
I feel fine but for my banging head
I feel okay except for my headache
And faucet nose
And my runny nose
Keep it under my cracked cuticles
Hide my problems and pain
And broken bones
And my injuries
Spend my life and waste my time
I'm spending my life and time on something pointless
Spin around to make you mine
I keep trying to win your love
Spitting out the anodyne
Trying to get by with a temporary solution
Here I am at the edge
I'm at the brink of something
Pull me in without protection
You're drawing me in without any concern for my safety
You never listen to me
You always ignore what I say
Keep your eyes where I can see
Stay where I can monitor you
I'm not sleeping so well
I'm not getting enough sleep
Darlin' how could you tell
You probably couldn't even tell I'm not sleeping well
I tell my mother I'm fine
I lie to my mother and say I'm okay
Good thing I know how to lie
It's good that I'm good at lying
Sleep comes easy when you're...
It's easier to sleep when you're doing drugs and feeling low
Body aches, stomach begs
I'm in physical pain and my stomach is empty
And I hope it doesn't show through
I hope no one can tell that I'm not doing well
I don't know if I feel so well
I'm not sure if I'm feeling okay
I can tell this is going to be hell
I know this is going to be terrible
Spit it out and time will tell
Speak up and the future will reveal the truth
Pull up close for your affection
Get closer to you in hopes of your love
End up catching your infection
I end up being negatively affected by your influence
You know I want it, I'll do anything
I really want this and I'll do whatever it takes
Contributed by Benjamin T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
GILBERTO LIMA LEITE
MUITO BOM O CD
Rohan Banerjee
I was 18 and dancing away to these guys in St Cloud MN. Cheers.
Leah C
I was 15! And went to every St. Cloud show
Rohan Banerjee
@Leah C went to every St.Cloud show as well.
Roman Richardson
Still f'ing epic. I love this album.
demagreg
Anyone know if they're still together or where I can find current news and shows? I loved seeing these guys back in the day and their music is one of the few that has gotten better with time.
demagreg
@Michael Muller Awesome! You're my hero!
mrftboy12
This made me burp!
Quentin “Bring the Nu Metal” Childs
I like Minora's version of "Joga" better.