Anyone who thinks the phrase “it’s all been done before” carries real weight clearly has yet to encounter Fair to Midland. Dark, heavy, moving, cryptic, progressive art rock collides with flourishes of old-school country, Americana and Delta Blues in their sound. These Lonestar boys' genre-defying and boundary obliterating ocean of sound righteously upends the old phrase “fair to middling” from which their Texas-ified moniker was drawn.
Arrows & Anchors, the five-piece band’s first album in partnership with eOne Music, is meaner, sadder and altogether more desperate of an affair than its predecessors. “It’s a very bitter album,” offers vocalist Darroh Sudderth. “The last album had some light at the end of the tunnel in some of the subject matter. This one doesn’t have that quite so much.”
This particularly invigorating yet undeniably gut-wrenching collection of songs is the product of a string of years of career strife since the group last poked their head into magazines and record shops. Arrows and Anchors follows a change in record label, a change in management and one (“maybe two,” Sudderth laughs) changes in booking agent. All of that change and upheaval definitely played a role in the creative process; artistic lemonade from business lemons.
There has never been a lack of faith from the diehard admirers who have steadily adopted the band as their own in growing numbers since Fair to Midland’s initial pair of self-released albums, The Carbon Copy Silver Lining (2001) and inter.funda.stifle (2004). Both were explorations into the furthest reaches of the musical psyche that earned them praise from critics, fans and fellow musicians. Fair to Midland are a true “band’s band.”
So much so, in fact, that eclectic musical connoisseur and multiplatinum recording artist Serj Tankian, best known as the frontman for System of a Down, signed them to his Serjikal Strike imprint, which released The Drawn & Quartered EP (2006) and the band’s third full-length album, Fables From a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True (2007).
A killer live show and intensive roadwork as a headliner, at prestigious festivals such as Coachella, Download, Rock AM Ring and Rock IM Ring and together with bands like Alice in Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, Flyleaf and Dir en Grey has brought the band’s skillful and adept approach to art rock infused prog-metal to international attention.
There are a few of their by now trademarked tongue-in-cheek dalliances to be sure but for the most part Arrows and Anchors is Fair to Midland’s most cynical offering. By the same turn, it’s a performance album with a laser-like focus on the raw passion and intensity. In an age of overly processed heavy music, the band partnered with producer Joe Barresi (Queens of the Stone Age, Coheed and Cambria, Melvins) who sequestered them into his self-appointed House of Compression in Pasadena, California and wrenched out top-tier performances.
The recording captures an authenticity and a sincerity that’s lacking in most modern records. “We always want to work with someone who is interested and enthusiastic to work with us,” Sudderth explains. “Because at the end of the day they’re going to spend that much more time wanting to make the record their own, as well. We didn’t want to worry about everything being immaculate, pristine and polished. This is absolutely a performance-driven record.”
Arrows & Anchors is also a testament to Fair to Midland’s personal chemistry and unique collaborative perspective. Some songs were written together. Others were demoed out by a particular member – say keyboardist Matt Langley or his six string cohort, Cliff Campbell – right down to the programmed drums. “Or maybe I brought a completed song where I programmed whatever instruments I can’t play,” Sudderth elaborates. It was a very open process.
The bizarrely creative and inspired vocals and guitar work in Fair to Midland play against the counterintuitive and monstrously rhythmic backbeat of drummer Brett Stowers and bassist Jon Dicken. Matt Langley’s ethereal electronics enhance everything else. The group’s canvas is as expansive and breathtaking as the state of Texas itself.
Fair to Midland is one of the rare bands who expertly walk the fine line between accessibility and integrity, between open lines of communication and introverted psychic exploration. “We’re not gifted songwriters,” Sudderth says with genuine self-effacing humility. “So we have to be really resourceful and that’s a talent in and of itself. We do our best.”
Fair to Midland's current lineup consists of Darroh Sudderth (vocals, banjo, mandolin, bass), Cliff Campbell (guitar), Matt Langley (keys), Ryan Collier (bass), and Logan Kennedy (drums).
In November 2011, the band released their first DVD, Welcome to the Dirt, consisting mainly of band shots and fan footage of live shows. The DVD is distributed exclusively through their own merchandise site. The profit from this release helped fund a professional video recording of the band's show at The Machine Shop in Flint, Michigan on December 17. This footage will be released worldwide on DVD on March 27, 2012. Arrows & Anchors will was released on double vinyl on March 26, limited to 250 copies.
A Seafarer's Knot
Fair to Midland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's diggin' for chemistry with the butcher's tools.
Shifty are the eyes of the gambler.
The sand is a ricochet.
Taste my grit?
Through the motions and waving wishes to your confidence and eloquence.
Applied ambitious faith that can keep us all safe.
Invoking a blue that's meant for us too.
What large amazing things that we'll turn into rain.
Lucky are those one headed car lights.
Those two are as thick as thieves, not a penny more.
Shaky on a cold wetted statue.
I'm digging for pattern leaks on unleaded fuel.
Gather 'round, hold your glasses up high.
Drink to love while we wait for high tide.
Keep it short, keep it brief,
You have my word.
Gather round while we wait for high tide.
The lyrics to Fair to Midland's song "A Seafarer's Knot" are poetic and metaphorical. In the opening lines, the singer describes the luck of the clover leaves, which are often associated with good fortunes. The next line, "She's diggin' for chemistry with the butcher's tools," is a metaphor for someone searching for a deeper connection with another person, but using harsh and unrefined methods to achieve it.
The following lines shift the focus to the gambler, with "shifty" eyes and the sand being described as a "ricochet." The line "Taste my grit?" could be interpreted as the singer daring the listener to take on the challenges and risks that come with gambling.
The chorus of the song speaks to the idea of striving for personal growth and achievements, as the singer encourages the listener to have confidence and ambition. The lines "He's turning a-green from these envious glorious things" could either refer to a person becoming envious of someone else's success or feeling ill due to the challenges of pursuing their own goals.
Overall, "A Seafarer's Knot" is a complex and evocative song that touches on themes of luck, love, ambition, and personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
Lucky are the leaves of the clover.
Fortunate are those who have luck on their side.
She's diggin' for chemistry with the butcher's tools.
She's trying to create a connection with someone using unconventional methods.
Shifty are the eyes of the gambler.
The gambler is known for being untrustworthy and deceitful.
The sand is a ricochet.
The sand is bouncing off the rocks, just like the words are bouncing off people's ears.
Taste my grit?
Do you dare to challenge me and see what I'm made of?
Through the motions and waving wishes to your confidence and eloquence.
Acting without passion or sincerity and being envious of someone else's skills.
He's turning a-green from these envious glorious things.
He's becoming jealous of the successes of others.
Applied ambitious faith that can keep us all safe.
Having confidence in one's decisions to create a safe environment for everyone.
Invoking a blue that's meant for us too.
Creating a serene and peaceful environment for everyone.
What large amazing things that we'll turn into rain.
The things we're building now will eventually come crashing down and turn into something greater.
Lucky are those one headed car lights.
The one headlight left is still working, which means there's still hope.
Those two are as thick as thieves, not a penny more.
Those two are very close, but there's no reason for others to be jealous or concerned.
Shaky on a cold wetted statue.
Shivering and uncomfortable, like standing next to a cold, wet statue.
I'm digging for pattern leaks on unleaded fuel.
Trying to find hidden meanings or secrets in something that's supposed to be straightforward and simple.
Gather 'round, hold your glasses up high.
Come together as a group and raise your glasses to celebrate.
Drink to love while we wait for high tide.
Celebrate love and happiness while we wait for things to get even better.
Keep it short, keep it brief,
Be concise and to-the-point.
You have my word.
You can trust me to keep my promise.
Gather round while we wait for high tide.
Come together as a group and enjoy the moment while we wait for things to improve even more.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW SUDDERTH, BRETT STOWERS, CLIFFORD CAMPBELL, JOHN MATTHEW LANGLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind