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.
Vice
Fair to Midland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A grapevine in my ear.
Spots on the tiger while the townspeople gather to hear,
While the nests in my hands starve for rest.
Sticklers for cheap fun,
You oughta be ashamed to trade in your heirlooms.
For black market all day parades,
For a grand prize a slap in the face for you
Bold faced type covers your text,
It must have been winter.
Still frame, no dice.
Where do you get your evidence?
Move now, stay still,
It takes a luminescent hue.
The wood, the crest that's weaved outside your vest.
Still frame, no dice.
Loons light the skyline while you sleep on concrete with both your eyes open.
I just kept pullin' on both your feet.
Someday together we'll breathe on mountains of molehills
The lyrics of Fair to Midland's song "Vice" are full of striking imagery and metaphors that convey a sense of confusion, disillusionment, and frustration. The opening lines, "Mountains of molehills, a grapevine in my ear," suggest a sense of overwhelming problems and gossip that circulates around the singer. The reference to "spots on the tiger" could imply imperfections or flaws that become the focus of attention, while the image of the starving nests in the singer's hands could allude to a sense of responsibility or neglect.
The chorus of the song seems to address those who prioritize short-term pleasure or gain at the expense of long-term value or integrity, with lines like "sticklers for cheap fun" and "black market all-day parades." The reference to "a grand prize a slap in the face for you" suggests that this behavior leads to an ultimately unsatisfying outcome. The second verse introduces elements of uncertainty and mistrust, with the idea of "bold faced type" covering up the truth and the question of where the evidence comes from. The vivid image of "Loons light the skyline while you sleep on concrete with both your eyes open" seems to suggest a world that is strange and unsettling, with people refusing to see reality for what it is.
Despite all of this, the final lines of the song offer a sense of hope and potential, as the singer looks towards a future when they can "breathe on mountains of molehills" with someone else. There is a sense of connection and shared experience that could offer a way forward, even in the midst of confusion and chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
Mountains of molehills,
Small and insignificant issues that are blown out of proportion.
A grapevine in my ear.
Heard rumors that may or may not be true.
Spots on the tiger while the townspeople gather to hear,
Critics look for flaws in something that is already great and people gather to hear it.
While the nests in my hands starve for rest.
Neglected responsibilities that need immediate attention.
Sticklers for cheap fun,
People who are obsessed with having fun on a budget.
You oughta be ashamed to trade in your heirlooms.
Shameful act of selling off family heirlooms for quick cash.
For black market all day parades,
Consumerism without moral consciousness.
For a grand prize a slap in the face for you
To receive a prize that is ultimately disappointing or detrimental.
Bold faced type covers your text,
Concealing the truth by using a larger font.
It must have been winter.
A metaphor for the empty or cold nature of written words.
Still frame, no dice.
Possibility of action being frozen or unsuccessful.
Where do you get your evidence?
Questioning the validity and authenticity of someone's claims.
Move now, stay still,
Being uncertain of the best course of action.
It takes a luminescent hue.
The decision to make a bold move and take a risk.
The wood, the crest that's weaved outside your vest.
Displaying wealth or authority that is superficial and insincere.
Loons light the skyline while you sleep on concrete with both your eyes open.
Neglecting the beauty in life while being trapped in a mundane routine.
I just kept pullin' on both your feet.
Trying to get someone to wake up and see reality.
Someday together we'll breathe on mountains of molehills
Hoping that one day everything will make sense and seem less complicated.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW SUDDERTH, BRETT STOWERS, CLIFFORD CAMPBELL, JOHN MATTHEW LANGLEY, JON DICKEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
vaderland
I have seen them twice, with the privelge of meeting them the second time. These guys are the coolest, nicest guys you will ever meet. Darroh is an amazing talent and has flashes of Mike Patton brilliance in him. Amazing lyrics that run so deep it's sick. Musically you can hear some really solid influences pour through, personally, I hear Beatles in one song, Queensryche is another, but that's me. The phrasing in some ot the lyrics are genius as well, these guys really have a gift and it shows!!
luluchanel
This is so dumb but I went to high school with him--basically. He was a senior when I was a junior and I was a friend of a friend after they blew up (ex: we saved him from a gas station after a diesel mishap). Lol. Yes, he's a brilliant, sweet dude. Respectful of everyone all the time. I have many stories but I don't know him well enough to share them, he's private and I've already shared too much. Just share their music when you can! 🥰 he worked really hard.
earthscorcher
Truly one of my favourite songs from the album. I've known about FTM for quite some time, but I'm just starting to really get into them. This album is… Hard to put into words. It's a masterpiece.
Dylan Dahle
this song is so amazing darroh's voice is unmatchable and they definetly deserve to get noticed i am just stunned, especialy after their arrows and anchors album wow just amazed
dirtastegood
Damn. Extremely underrated. I picked up their cd for $1.
Jordan Phillips
OMG this band is so amazing i cant stop listening! i've known about them for about 2 years and i still listen to all of their albums through pretty much everyday
Jukebox Hero
im guessing im not intelligent enough to understand these lyrics, but ever since my brother played me uh-oh i cant stop but falling in love with all their songs... holy fuck
Paul Neibauer
absolutely love this song
Mac Brown
Favorite song by fair to midland! I just discovered them 2 days ago! How are they not way popular?
Thad 1990
This album is now on my TO GET LIST!