Genuinely appreciated by their fans, they were known for music with a distinct arrangement style drawing from rock, rap (they often used a melodic-chorus/rap-verse pattern), funk, jazz, electronica, and sampling-based production. Reggae was also a very heavy influence, rhythmically and vocally. This unique blend was virtually nonexistent elsewhere.
Earthsuit only had one label release: Kaleidoscope Superior (2000). Two prior demo EPs contained early versions of some of Kaleidoscope Superior's songs, some unreleased songs, and a live medley including a cover of "Killing Me Softly". Their final album, The Rise of Modern Simulation (2003) was released after the band had already dissolved. It was available for a short time to be purchased directly from the band's website. This collection features five original studio songs, as well as 11 bonus tracks including a live remix of The Kaleidoscope Superior track “Against the Grain” and practice sessions of some of their concert material (such as the “Said the Sun To the Shine” Kraftwerk medley, an outro medley, and a cover of the Talking Heads' "Once in a Lifetime"). It also features several concert videos and Live Recordings from a Concert (at the http://murgopenair.ch) in Frauenfeld.
Members Paul Meany, Roy Mitchell, and Darren King are now in the band Mute Math, which has experienced success in the mainstream market. Adam LaClave went on to form the bands Macrosick and Club of the Sons, and has most recently recorded as a solo artist under the moniker Charlie Blacksmoke.
Against The Grain
Earthsuit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You ain't got the strength to flex so fess
You wanna get all up in my destiny
Haughty rules and words that hinder me
Go and teach men's commandments from afar, it's who you are and you dare
Build a dam on the spiritual real; your ruling is appealed
I've been sent to your boat to rock it
You separate from the life source and endorse
And force secret religious codes like morse
Constraints, why do you seize us? Just give me Jesus
I'll be free in this unruly world
Nowhere to hide, I'm going untied
Suffocation... Where's it come from; exhalation
Throw religion
I go up against the grain
You're like boa constriction, don't lube the friction
Spiritual got impeached like Nixon
Anorexic generation x result by default the inner man assault
Beat to a pulp confined from the river and no limbs for the body
Prodigals are being forced to eat pig's food
When the church has a feast for this starving crew
You cannot ever muzzle me from reprimanding what puzzles me
The rigid formalities of mankind that choke the hidden man
As you proclaim "Let us make God in our own image"
And when you're finished you've manipulated my passion
I'll come out thrashing
The sky turns red as I migrane the head
Suffocation... Where's it come from; exhalation
Throw religion
I go up against the grain
Liberty is what we need
Father set us free
Liberty is what we need
So set us free
Go up against the grain, I'm untied
Go up against the grain
The Earthsuit song Against the Grain is a powerful criticism of organized religion and the oppression it can cause. The lyrics challenge religious leaders who try to control their followers by imposing strict rules and codes of behavior that hinder personal growth and spiritual advancement. The singer refuses to be constrained by the religious establishment and instead opts to seek freedom and liberation by going against the grain.
The line "You wanna strangle me, then here's my neck" suggests that the singer is aware of the danger he faces by opposing established religious practices and is ready to face the consequences. He challenges those who would silence him by pointing out that they don't have the strength to overpower his commitment to free thinking and questioning authority. The words "Go and teach men's commandments from afar, it's who you are and you dare" suggest that the singer sees religious leaders as hypocrites who preach one thing but do another, reinforcing the idea that the religious establishment is a corrupt and oppressive force.
The song also highlights the struggles of individuals who are trying to find their own spiritual paths but find themselves stifled by religious rules and regulations. The line "Just give me Jesus, I'll be free in this unruly world" suggests that the singer believes in a personal relationship with a higher power, rather than adherence to rigid institutional practices. The phrase "Anorexic generation x result by default the inner man assault" is a poignant example of how the pressures of organized religion can lead to spiritual diminishment and emotional distress.
Line by Line Meaning
You wanna strangle me, then here's my neck
I'm not afraid to stand up to you.
You ain't got the strength to flex so fess
You don't have the power, so be honest.
You wanna get all up in my destiny
You want control over my future.
Haughty rules and words that hinder me
Your arrogance and rules are holding me back.
Go and teach men's commandments from afar, it's who you are and you dare
You're a hypocrite who tries to teach others with no authority.
Build a dam on the spiritual real; your ruling is appealed
You're trying to control the spiritual realm, but your authority is challenged.
I've been sent to your boat to rock it
I'm here to shake things up.
Men flood hell while your hands are in your pocket
People are suffering while you do nothing.
You separate from the life source and endorse
You're detached from the source of life and promote harmful beliefs.
And force secret religious codes like morse
You impose hidden religious rules that cause confusion.
Constraints, why do you seize us? Just give me Jesus
Why do you restrict us? All we need is Jesus.
I'll be free in this unruly world
I'll find freedom in this chaotic world.
Nowhere to hide, I'm going untied
I have nothing to hide, and I won't be restrained.
Suffocation... Where's it come from; exhalation
I feel suffocated by your oppressive beliefs and need to breathe.
Throw religion
Get rid of harmful religious beliefs.
You're like boa constriction, don't lube the friction
You're like a suffocating snake, making things worse.
Spiritual got impeached like Nixon
Spirituality is corrupted, like Nixon's presidency.
Anorexic generation x result by default the inner man assault
The younger generation suffers from spiritual impoverishment.
Beat to a pulp confined from the river and no limbs for the body
My spirit is broken, and I'm cut off from the source of life.
Prodigals are being forced to eat pig's food
Those who have strayed are being punished unfairly.
When the church has a feast for this starving crew
The church should be helping those in need, not hurting them.
You cannot ever muzzle me from reprimanding what puzzles me
You can't silence me when I question your beliefs.
The rigid formalities of mankind that choke the hidden man
Human traditions suffocate our true selves.
As you proclaim "Let us make God in our own image"
You create a God that fits your beliefs.
And when you're finished you've manipulated my passion
You use my passion to control me.
I'll come out thrashing
I'll fight back with all my strength.
The sky turns red as I migrane the head
My anger causes the sky to turn red in my mind.
Liberty is what we need
We need freedom.
Father set us free
God, please give us freedom.
Go up against the grain, I'm untied
I'm breaking free and going against the norm.
Contributed by Joshua P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.