They released their self-titled debut, "Espers", in 2004 to much acclaim and followed that with an album of cover songs, "The Weed Tree", in 2005. This release featured the band's versions of songs by artists as diverse as Nico, The Durutti Column and Blue Oyster Cult. In 2006 the band released their third full-length "Espers II" on Drag City Records.
Their fourth album, "Espers III", was released on October 20, 2009.
Byss & Abyss
Espers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Apart the memories you try.
So hard to hide from the light
Over this long, lonely night.
Thoughts linger on like a rash,
Like a slow motion car crash.
They clutter like moths to a flame,
Like clouds and the stars here from sight.
Feeling adventurous you might
Float free at dizzying heights.
Nothing can reach you at night.
The lyrics to Espers' "Byss Abyss" speak to the experience of being unable to sleep due to the weight of memories that one is trying to avoid. The singer is "struggling to pry apart" these memories, indicating that they are unpleasant, and perhaps even traumatic. The imagery of hiding from the light and being sunk in an abyss gives a sense of being overwhelmed and unable to escape from the thoughts that are tormenting the singer. The line "clutter like moths to a flame" creates a sense of being drawn to something that is ultimately harmful.
The second stanza continues the sense of being trapped in a cycle of negative thinking. The image of a "slow motion car crash" highlights the feeling that events are unfolding in a way that feels out of control or unstoppable. The reference to moths again creates a sense of being drawn towards something that is harmful or destructive. The final stanza provides a sense of hopefulness, albeit tentative. The singer feels "adventurous" and "float free at dizzying heights" indicating that there is a sense of release or escape from the memories that are plaguing them, but it is also tinged with a sense of danger, as "nothing can reach you at night."
Line by Line Meaning
Sleepless and struggling to pry
In a state of insomnia and attempting to forcibly extract memories.
Apart the memories you try.
Making an effort to separate and forget memories that cause distress.
So hard to hide from the light
Finding it difficult to evade or ignore uncomfortable truths.
Over this long, lonely night.
Enduring a period of isolation and sadness.
Thoughts linger on like a rash,
Persistent thoughts that cause discomfort and unease.
Like a slow motion car crash.
Like watching a disaster unfold in agonizingly slow motion.
They clutter like moths to a flame,
Negative thoughts accumulate and swarm like moths drawn to a light source.
Singeing your angular frame.
Emotional turmoil that causes distress and harm to oneself.
Like clouds and the stars here from sight.
Similar to how clouds obscure stars, thoughts and emotions can cloud one's judgment and perception.
Feeling adventurous you might
Experiencing a sense of bravery or recklessness in trying to confront inner demons.
Float free at dizzying heights.
Finding liberation from deep-rooted emotional struggles.
Nothing can reach you at night.
A sense of detachment and self-isolation that occurs during difficult times.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BROOKE SIETINSONS, GREGORY WEEKS, MEG BAIRD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind