From the first live appearance -- at an indie murder mystery movie -- to recent shows that sometimes feature a live cellist, Engine Down has truly come a long way. The band's diverse instrumentation -- including cello, piano, and vibraphone -- shows that they are not afraid to push their sound to new limits. At the same time, they maintain a dynamic and intense energy by balancing churning guitars, powerful bass, and intricate drums.
Before any full-length, Engine Down released two seven-inch records on Lovitt and Brave Noise Records.
"Slingshot" and "Brushes" both come from Engine Down's first full-length, Under the Pretense of Present Tense (1998, Lovitt Records). The melodic "Intent to Pacify," from 2000's To Bury Within the Sound (also on Lovitt), relies on restrained emotion and intricate instrumentation to achieve its full impact.
After the release of a 5 song ep called A Sign of Breath (2001, Lovitt Records), in early 2002 the Virginia quartet offered their third full-length, Demure, a solid record which demonstrates their continuing development in balancing emotional appeal with adventuresome rock. No, Engine Down doesn't try to wage out-and-out war on your eardrums anymore; they've grown beyond that with an increasingly diverse arsenal of tools and an appealingly groove-oriented sensibility. With its edgy staccato guitar and chanted vocals, the rhythmic "Pantomime" offers evidence of the band's complex talent, managing to be catchy and challenging at the same time.
Their fourth, and last, full-length came out in 2004. The self-titled Enginedown (Lookout Records) appeared with the band's distinctive sound, but also with a different rock accent, which was easier for those who had never listened to the band previously (and was maybe not so peculiar for those who listened to the previous albums). The Farewell Tour was the band's big goodbye, as they decided to disband before the tour. Their last release is the Farewell Tour DVD.
After enginedown:
Jonathan Fuller (guitar, vocals) is a part of "Music Composition for Licensing" studio called Black Iris Studio. Cornbread Compton (drums, piano) is in a band called Thieves Like Us. Keeley Davis (vocals, guitar) is writing a new record with Sparta. Jason Wood (bass, vocals) started a booking company called Holler Booking.
Overrated
Engine Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
to take this point to far?
A type
A type to be seen with
A shape
That complements his everyday
Its seen
And now
I now wish I'd seen it
Can I push this pin too hard
to take this point to far?
I gave your time away
to the first smile come my way
Is this what you want to hear?
Then don't ask for my ideal
I gave your time away
to the first smile come my way
Is this what you want to hear?
Then don't ask for my ideal
I gave your time away
to the first smile come my way
Is this what you want to hear?
Then don't ask for my ideal
I gave your time away
to the first smile come my way
Is this what you want to hear?
Then don't ask for my ideal dear
The song "Overrated" by Engine Down seems to be about a person who is struggling with their own identity and their relationship with others. The opening line, "Can I push this pin too hard to take this point too far?" suggests that the singer is questioning whether their actions and words are appropriate for the situation. They may be afraid of overstepping boundaries or causing conflict.
The next few lines, "A type to be seen with, a shape that complements his everyday, it's seen and now it's to be yeah, and now I wish I'd seen it" seem to be about conformity and societal expectations. The singer may feel pressure to fit into a certain mold or be with a certain type of person in order to be accepted. However, looking back on their choices, they may regret not being true to themselves.
The repetition of the lines "I gave your time away to the first smile come my way, is this what you want to hear, then don't ask for my ideal dear" suggests that the singer may have given in to societal pressures or the expectations of others, sacrificing their own desires and needs in the process. They may feel frustrated that others are not accepting them for who they truly are.
Overall, "Overrated" seems to be a commentary on the difficulties of finding and maintaining one's identity in a world that values conformity and appearances over authenticity.
Line by Line Meaning
Can I push this pin too hard
Am I going too far with my actions?
to take this point to far?
Could my actions be excessive?
A type
A certain kind of person
A type to be seen with
A person that others would want to be associated with
A shape
A physical appearance
That complements his everyday
That suits his everyday life
Its seen
It's visible to others
And now its to be yeah
And now it's popular
And now I now wish I'd seen it
And now I regret not noticing it earlier
I gave your time away
I wasted your time
to the first smile come my way
On the first person who showed me attention
Is this what you want to hear?
Do you really want to know?
Then don't ask for my ideal
Then don't ask for my perfect match
I gave your time away
I wasted your time
to the first smile come my way
On the first person who showed me attention
Is this what you want to hear?
Do you really want to know?
Then don't ask for my ideal dear
Then don't expect me to describe my perfect match, my dear.
Contributed by Molly L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jsmart8928
I can't believe how many years later I listen to this band everyday
@rgg6076
Criminally underrated.
@jeffreytruckenmiller2284
What an amazing time in my life it was perfectly perfect❤❤❤
@alalxjjnnz7021
one of my favorite bands. fortunate to have seen them once and met keeley.
@maco_5555
It is 2020. Coronavirus horrible year and I miss this band as well. Brings me back.
@lisaceblevins
Absolutely sick… in the illest way. Yes to Ace’s Basement. Hell yes to Engine Down. Take that Tchaikovsky.
@andyfetter
I miss this band.
@Newwordsforsimone7
Andy Fetter - God, me too!
Loved Denali also.
(I've had the same car since 2001, and there's a Denali sticker on the trunk, that never came off. Granted, you can barely see it. But it's still there!)
@joypatience5871
so good.
@tremolo664
16:50 this is the good one