The underlying idea was to achieve three goals:
1. Produce an album featuring James LaBrie in ways that no one has heard him before;
2. Combine the elements of progressive rock, film scoring and very modern production;
3. Use the work of Richard Dawkins (one of today's most influential neo-Darwinist writers) as a concept that connects all the pieces on the album.
Its second album, called An Absence of Empathy, had the vocals of Sebastian Bach (ex-Skid Row). The basic concept behind An Absence of Empathy, was initiated by Shawn Gordon, president of ProgRock Records. Several years ago, he played keyboards for the band Zircadian; they had a partially written concept album under the name Prophet Savant, which led to the initial idea for An Absence of Empathy. In the original storyline, a man experiences different forms of violence because he becomes a kind of seer. They had written a song for an epic battle and two torture scenes.
In countless e-mails and meetings (one including Stephan Kernbach from Chain), Shawn and Henning Pauly developed this idea into the storyline and concept that is now the foundation of the new Frameshift album. They first dropped the mystical approach; then, by distancing the concept from being a story around a person, and instead focusing on what that person experiences, the story portrayed a more realistic situation. In this respect, like Unweaving the Rainbow, the album actually does not have a real storyline. Instead, it is a series of songs revolving around the same topic.
An Absence of Empathy: The Concept
"Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent"
This quote illustrates what this album is about. It is about violence -- human violence, to be precise. It is ever-present and, in varying degrees, ingrained in all of us. Just like wood grain, violence is inherent to our nature, but the question is, what factors determine who lets is show through and how does it show itself?
The same questions haunt the protagonist of An Absence of Empathy. He is a curious individual who wants to know why the media is filled with news about murder, rape and war -- and he is afraid that he might have the potential for violence himself. He starts to research the subject, but it isn't enough. It can't show him what motivates the person that acts violently or what plagues them, and it doesn't make him feel the pain of the victims. His desire to understand one of humanity's most basic traits leads to a series of vivid dreams - dreams that appear to be so real that he can't escape this dreamworld until it is all over. In them, he becomes the killer, he becomes the rapist, he becomes the soldier, he becomes the mother crying for her daughter who was raped.
The first song introduces the theme and illustrates how our main character is plagued by his questions about humanity's major flaw. He starts a journey into the minds of other people to experience violence firsthand. At the end of the album, he draws his own conclusions, and asks himself if there is nothing else to us besides hurting each other. The answer he finds is worthy of discovery.
An Absence of Empathy takes you into the psyche of several different people who are either experiencing or acting out violence. Each form of violence is dealt with in two songs, each one shedding light on a different point view of the scenario. For example, one song illustrates a torture scene from the point of view of the torturer; its counterpoint takes you into the same room, this time from the point of view of the tortured. Another pairing is about violence in schools. One song deals with a teacher using psychological violence towards his students (who then rebel), while the other song is about a school shooting.
Your Eyes
Frameshift Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your thoughts are complete
All you need is a light
This will lead us unsparingly
Toward theories that cut like a knife
And the sun as it sets
Does not go unnoticed
How I can focus on.
You Eyes
Light up the room
Your eyes
My attention consume
Your eyes
Don't blink too soon
Without that invention
I would not be here
Half an eye for me is perfectly clear
So that I find you wherever you are
I am not blind, I just can't see far
And as the sun sets
I will not regret
If I keep on moving
I won't forget
You Eyes
Light up the room
Your eyes
My attention consume
Your eyes
Don't blink too soon
Each one lashes out at me
I'm drowning in a deep green sea
I will swim for eternity
Maybe one day I will see more clearly
You Eyes
Light up the room
Your eyes
My attention consume
Your eyes
Don't blink too soon
You Eyes
Light up the room
Your eyes
My attention consume
Your eyes
Don't blink too soon
You Eyes
Light up the room
Your eyes
My attention consume
Your eyes
Don't blink too soon
The lyrics to Frameshift's song "Your Eyes" touch upon the themes of perception, focus, and clarity. The opening lines, "Down where it's deep, your thoughts are complete," suggest that the singer is searching for a deep understanding or insight. They recognize that all they need is a light to guide them towards the truth, even if it's a harsh or cutting one.
The mention of the sun setting and the singer's thoughts drifting towards the wonders of the world further emphasize the idea of seeking clarity and making sense of one's surroundings. The refrain of "Your eyes, light up the room, my attention consume" suggests that the singer has found what they were looking for in the form of another person's gaze. They find themselves captivated by this person's eyes, unable to look away or resist their pull.
The final lines of the song talk about the struggle to see more clearly and the hope of eventually gaining greater clarity. While it's not clear who or what the singer is addressing, the overall message of the song seems to be one of searching for truth and understanding in a world that can be confusing and overwhelming.
Line by Line Meaning
Down where it's deep
Deep in your mind, where your thoughts are complete and unfiltered.
Your thoughts are complete
Your deepest and most honest thoughts are in this place.
All you need is a light
A guiding light that will lead us to explore our dark thoughts without fear.
This will lead us unsparingly
The light will take us to daring places of thought we might not have otherwise ventured to.
Toward theories that cut like a knife
The light will expose harsh truths and unsettling ideas about ourselves that we must confront.
And the sun as it sets
As the sun disappears, signaling the end of the day.
Does not go unnoticed
We are aware of it and its significance.
It makes me wonder
The sunset triggers thoughts and reflections about life and ourselves.
How I can focus on.
How we can concentrate on what matters when faced with distractions and challenges.
Your eyes
The windows to your soul, shining and captivating.
Light up the room
Radiating a powerful and irresistible energy.
My attention consume
Drawing my focus and keeping it captivated.
Don't blink too soon
Stay transfixed, don't look away, keep the connection strong.
Without that invention
Without vision, sight, and the ability to see.
I would not be here
Existence without the capacity to perceive the world and its wonders would be unbearable.
Half an eye for me is perfectly clear
Even with limited vision or view, we can still interpret, comprehend and appreciate life.
So that I find you wherever you are
With sight, we can locate and connect with the people we care for.
I am not blind, I just can't see far
Lacking distance vision doesn't mean someone is blind but limited in a specific skill.
Each one lashes out at me
Your mesmerizing and mesmerizing eyes that attract my attention.
I'm drowning in a deep green sea
I am overwhelmed by the profoundness of your soul and the emotions it holds.
I will swim for eternity
I am willing to stay on this journey to know you better, understand you and love you unconditionally.
Maybe one day I will see more clearly
With time and patience, I'll learn to understand you better and love you in ways I can't yet fathom.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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