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.
Preambles In 3rd Person
Fair to Midland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics to Fair to Midland's song "Preambles In 3rd Person" describe a person who is struggling to resist the negative thoughts that often weigh him down. The singer sings about "letting them circle 'round" and ultimately "defeat" him, suggesting that these harmful thoughts have a hold over him that he finds difficult to shake. Despite his best efforts, the person feels powerless and unable to break free from the cycle of negative thinking that plagues him.
The singer goes on to describe feeling like he is "walking through Novocain," suggesting that he is numbed by these negative thoughts and unable to fully experience life's joys and pleasures. This sense of detachment is further emphasized when he talks about feeling "overtaken by a certain somberness," highlighting the consuming nature of his anxiety and depression. Ultimately, the song is a powerful exploration of the pervasive impact of mental health issues and the struggle to break free from their hold.
Line by Line Meaning
I let them circle 'round and defeat me
He allowed his own insecurities and weaknesses to consume him, causing those around him to overpower and conquer him.
He always trailed a step behind
He never quite kept up with those around him, always feeling slightly behind and out of sync.
He'll never be as clever as the rats in Aesop's fables
He recognizes his own limitations and feels inferior to those who seem to have a greater intelligence or advantage.
They seem to always have it right
These individuals who he perceives as more clever or successful always appear to make the correct decisions and have good fortune.
When he gets to the bitter end
Even as he struggles and fights to succeed or overcome his weaknesses, he ultimately finds himself facing disappointment or failure.
He buries his head in his hands
He becomes overwhelmed with hopelessness and despair, unable to face his own shortcomings and failures.
Oh the frustration
He feels intense anger and disappointment at himself and the circumstances he finds himself in.
He felt the creak in the floorboards
He notices even the slightest sound or movement, constantly aware of his surroundings and those around him.
Time will cost him dearly
He realizes that his own weaknesses and insecurities, as well as the passage of time, will continue to hold him back and cause him to suffer.
His ego will get the best of him
He recognizes the damaging effects of his own pride and self-importance, which may cause him to make poor decisions and hurt those around him.
And they'll watch him as he falls down
Others will stand by and observe as he experiences failure and struggle due to his own flaws and imperfections.
They'll watch him as he falls down
He will continue to experience disappointment and failure, with those around him observing his struggles without offering a helping hand.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW SUDDERTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@suke3823
So peaceful and dreamy... I miss these guys.
@Vegajinx
Ha, that's taken at the Machine Shop in Flint, MI. Chances are I was at whatever concert this picture was snapped at :) FTM is the best band to come out in the past decade, absolutely love them.
@naikjoyx4291
i looped this here in the attic where I sleep.. tying the knot and put it around my neck.. I was at peace and ready to walk to the stairs and tie the other end on the joist.. and then............. nothing. I wasn't in the mood anymore.
@TheHerbonniere
Best intro ever!
@KingDaveth
Circle and Defeat me.