Recorded with Ted Hutt (The Gaslight Anthem, Lucero) in California, the album sees the band stripping down the expansive orchestration of 2009’s It’s Great To Be Alive and discovering what magic lurks at the core of Fake Problems’ collective psyche. “We wanted the album to be a little more subtle and let it speak for itself,” Farren explains when asked how found the act found the inspiration to craft a unique brand of music that manages to incorporate elements of infectious indie rock & roll and ‘60s girl groups—the latter of which is aided by crooning vocals courtesy of Fake Problems’ longtime friends/fans Arrested Development’s Mae Whiteman and Alia Shawkat.
Farren also acknowledges that Hutt helped the band realize their Phil Spector-esque wall of sound production style they had in their heads, which allowed them to transcend the DIY punk scene they grew up in without abandoning their roots. “In the past we would jam so many ideas into one song and it would just be too much,” Farren admits. “Ted helped us realize that while that approach is very creative, it’s wasn’t the best way to go about writing this record” he continues. “This album was a good exercise in restraint and filtering the ideas so we could make every good idea really count. “
From soul-inspired indie-rock experiments like “5678” and chilling compositions like “Ghost To Coast” to sparkling beach punk-inspired gems like “Complaint Dept,” Real Ghosts Caught On Tape effectively shows how Fake Problems have organically developed into one of rock’s most exciting acts and will undeniably see them attracting a whole new base of music fans who are looking for something in what they listen to that can’t be easily described or marketed. “The song ‘Complaint Dept’ was such a different thing for us to do because all of the guitar parts are so intricate and noodly,” Farren says when asked about some of his favorite moments on the album. “It was just so fun to be able to do that with our band because it’s surprising for a Fake Problems song, but it works for us.”
Real Ghosts Caught On Tape also sees Farren expanding his lyrical palette—and while he’s become well known for his theological imagery, this album sees Farren exploring himself more as opposed to any external deities. “There’s a theme in the lyrics of uncertainty,” he explains. “There’s an emphasis on fear, trying to persevere, not giving up hope and doing the best you can to stay positive,” he continues. “It’s more of a record about being yourself and living your own life than it is about any other person, concept or idea,” he summarizes. Although lines like “When I reach the pearly gates of hell, I’ll send those dimes back up the wishing well with a note tied to each that reads ‘Nobody’s listening.’” (from “Complaint Dept.”) still display Farren’s gift for wordplay and metaphor, “it’s more of a conversation than a sermon.”
That said, Real Ghosts Caught On Tape isn’t going to make Fake Problems an easy act to categorize—but that’s something that they wouldn’t change for the world. “Creatively we always molded our band from the beginning so that we’d be able to do anything and tour with anyone from Against Me! to William Elliott Whitmore to even the Dillinger Escape Plan,” Farren explains. “I think it’s kind of hard to slap our name on a sticker and recommend us if you like another band, but I think in the long term it’s definitely a blessing that we’re not pinpointed into one thing,” he continues. “We really don’t ever want to be that type of band.”
“Sometimes I dream of getting in my car and driving straight through the night,” vocalist Chris Farren croons on the intricately arranged ballad “Ghost To Coast.” Real Ghosts Caught On Tape is the perfect soundtrack to that journey from darkness to light, showcasing a band who have grown to new artistic heights lying on the other side of the horizon.
Fake Problems is an American rock band from Naples, Florida. They released their first album, How Far Our Bodies Go, on Sabot Productions on April 27, 2007. Their second record, It's Great to Be Alive, was released through Side One Dummy Records on February 17, 2009.
Growing up is never easy, but when you’re in a band it often seems impossible. Make the same record twice and you’re chastised for being repetitive, but if you make too large of a sonic shift your fan base will desert you. Luckily Naples, Florida’s Fake Problems have never had to deal with this dilemma because with each release they’ve not only organically reinvented their sound, they’ve also successfully redefined who they are as musicians and human beings in the process. The culmination of this is the band’s SideOneDummy debut It’s Great To Be Alive, which shows Fake Problems’ unique brand of indie rock finally shaking off the insecurity and soul-searching of adolescence and sees the band embracing a sense of perspective that can only be gained by spending countless months on the road touring, laughing and writing music they believe in.
In order to capture their creative vision for It’s Great To Be Alive the band packed up their van and headed to the cornfields of Omaha, Nebraska, where they spent two weeks tracking the album at ARC Studios with producer A.J. Mogis (Cursive, Rilo Kiley, The Faint). Although this might seem like an unconventional choice for a band who have toured with decidedly more aggressive peers such as Against Me! and the Riverboat Gamblers, Fake Problems were so prepared going into the studio they didn’t have to worry about getting bogged down with technicalities. “We knew exactly what order we wanted the record to be in and what auxiliary instruments we wanted to use on the songs,” Farren explains adding that Perry arranged the strings, Look Mexico’s Matt Agrella arranged the horns—and at one point the band even enlisted the help of a seven-piece horn section comprised of University of Nebraska students and teachers.
The result is an album that combines the band’s punk rock roots with elements of folk and indie rock to create a unique amalgam of music that’s as distinctive as Farren’s soulful tenor. “I’m definitely influenced by my musical surroundings, so there was never any decision to make ‘this’ or ‘that’ kind of song,” the band’s frontman explains, listing everyone from alt-country crooners like Ryan Adams to troubadours like Bob Dylan and rock revivalists such as the Hold Steady as influences this time around. “We write songs that we would want to hear from other artists,” he elaborates. “We make music that we want to listen to, so it just wouldn’t make sense to keep doing the same thing over and over again.
From the sinister shuffle of “You’re A Serpent, You’re a She-Snake” to orchestral ballads like “Tabernacle Song” and intricately layered anthems like “There Are Times,” It’s Great To Be Alive is less of a traditional album and more of a sonic journey that refuses to be limited by genre constraints.
Songs For Teenagers
Fake Problems Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wanted to be famous but ended up in Naples.
Love is not the answer, I'm in love with this stuff.
I spent every last dime in the backseat of a stranger's truck.
It's okay, I'm all right.
I'll be okay.
But I've gotten pretty good at telling myself it's fine.
Anna talks me down and gives me sips from her beer,
Head pounding reveille, how did I get here?
It's all right. I'll be okay.
Let it go, let it go, all the way down, 'til there's nowhere left to fall.
It's a shame, all the ways we build ourselves up, just to let each other down.
I was looking for drugs in all the wrong places,
Felt like a change coming but I couldn't face it.
I tried to keep my cool when I finally made it home,
I had a blood shot excuse for every lie I ever told.
It's all right. It's okay. I'm all right. I'll be okay.
Let it go, let it go, all the way down, 'til there's nowhere left to fall.
It's a shame, all the ways we build ourselves up, just to let each other down.
Last night is all a blur to me,
I don't remember anything,
But I vaguely recall waking up alone.
I'm always alone.
It's all right. It's okay. Baby, I'm all right. And I'll be okay.
Let it go, let it go, all the way down, 'til there's nowhere left to fall.
It's a shame, all the ways we build ourselves up just to let each other down.
Let it go, let it go, all the way down, 'til there's nowhere left to fall.
It's a shame, all the ways we build ourselves up just to let each other down.
The song "Songs For Teenagers" by Fake Problems delivers a message of acceptance and letting go of the past. The first verse makes a reference to searching for love and fame in the wrong places, resulting in regrettable decisions. The lyrics "Love is not the answer, I'm in love with this stuff" suggest that the singer is struggling with addiction, which is consuming his life. The line "I spent every last dime in the backseat of a stranger's truck" implies that the singer's addiction has driven him to financial instability and dangerous situations. Despite these challenges, the refrain "It's okay, I'm all right" indicates the singer's resilience and determination to overcome his struggles.
The second verse mentions Anna, who seems to be a friend that provides emotional support. The line "Head pounding reveille, how did I get here?" suggests the singer is struggling with a hangover or withdrawal symptoms, further emphasizing his addiction. The line "Let it go, let it go, all the way down, 'til there's nowhere left to fall" encourages the singer to let go of his past mistakes and focus on moving forward. The last verse reveals that the singer woke up alone, suggesting that he has lost relationships due to his addiction.
Overall, "Songs For Teenagers" portrays the struggles of addiction and the importance of accepting one's mistakes and letting go of the past to move forward towards a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking for love in all the wrong places,
I've been searching for love in all the wrong places and it's been a bust.
Wanted to be famous but ended up in Naples.
I once dreamt of fame but ended up in Naples, Italy.
Love is not the answer, I'm in love with this stuff.
I thought love was the answer, but I'm really just addicted to this lifestyle.
I spent every last dime in the backseat of a stranger's truck.
I was so caught up in this lifestyle that I spent all my money in the backseat of a stranger's truck.
It's okay, I'm all right.
I'm telling myself everything is okay and that I'm alright.
I'll be okay.
I know I'll be okay, despite all the difficulties.
First time It felt like I was gonna die,
The first time I experienced this lifestyle, I thought I was going to die.
But I've gotten pretty good at telling myself it's fine.
Now, I've become adept at telling myself I'm okay, even when I'm not.
Anna talks me down and gives me sips from her beer,
My friend Anna calms me down and shares her beer with me.
Head pounding reveille, how did I get here?
My head is pounding and I'm trying to figure out how I ended up in this situation.
Let it go, let it go, all the way down, 'til there's nowhere left to fall.
I need to let go of this lifestyle and keep going until I hit rock bottom.
It's a shame, all the ways we build ourselves up, just to let each other down.
It's a tragedy how we strive to elevate ourselves, only to disappoint and betray each other.
I was looking for drugs in all the wrong places,
I was searching for drugs in all the wrong places and it didn't end well.
Felt like a change coming but I couldn't face it.
I sensed a change was coming but I was too scared to confront it.
I tried to keep my cool when I finally made it home,
I attempted to remain calm when I finally reached home.
I had a blood shot excuse for every lie I ever told.
I came up with flimsy excuses for every lie I've ever told.
Last night is all a blur to me,
I don't remember anything from last night, it's all a blur.
I don't remember anything,
I have no recollection of what happened the night before.
But I vaguely recall waking up alone.
But I have a hazy memory of waking up by myself.
Baby, I'm all right. And I'll be okay.
I'm telling myself that I'll be alright and I know everything will turn out okay.
Let it go, let it go, all the way down, 'til there's nowhere left to fall.
I need to surrender to the downfall and accept that I have hit rock bottom.
It's a shame, all the ways we build ourselves up just to let each other down.
It's saddening how we put in so much effort to elevate ourselves but end up letting others down.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
brittahawks
Saw them last night. They have such good stage presence. I immediately fell in love with them before they even started playing.
One China
I hope you guys will make more future music videos featuring underwater scenes like this. Amazing.Good job. Could you possibly share a behind-the-scene video of this?
Zen Jon
When you relapse after 6 yrs, This song takes on a new meaning
Quinto Creations
Been there bro. It happens to EVERYBODY in that situation bro. Don't let it define you. Just start again. It's just a date. Hell, all we have is today. Just keep your head up and do it again man. You got this fam
Daniel Nesbitt
Relapse gang
Zen Jon
@Quinto Creations ask me after 2020 ends
Josh Westoby
Checking in with you, hope you're okay? Relapsing is rough. Sending love ❤
Zen Jon
@Josh Westoby doing alright. I had a daughter back in February and it's been crazy since then
Joshua Hill
Love this song, my favorite by them, such a good sound.
winz1991
cannot believe you guys are not famous yet, you guys are awesome!!!!!!