The band's first release was Patio (1992), a 10" collection of various live, home and studio recordings released on the Welsh Ankst label (this was later expanded for the 1995 CD version). In 1994 their first full studio album, Tatay appeared. Bwyd Time followed the next year - both were produced by Alan Holmes who also provided their colourful artwork. These early releases show a huge range of influences and styles: "Thema o Cartref", the opening track of Tatay, for example, is a relatively gentle harmonium-backed song, while "When You Hear the Captain Sing" appears to be a tribute of sorts to Captain Beefheart and "Amsermaemaiyndod/cinema" presents one song in the right channel and a completely different one in the left.
Gorky's also released a number of singles and EPs on Anskt. Running through all the Ankst records is a kind of psychedelia and playfulness evidently inspired by the Canterbury scene of the 1960s and 1970s (Kevin Ayers' album Shooting at the Moon is cited in the notes to Tatay as "the best LP of all time", and the record also includes a version of Robert Wyatt's "O, Caroline"). Bwyd Time in particular also features a wide range of instruments, with parts for the celesta and sitar credited on "Iechyd Da", for instance. The 1996 compilation Introducing Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, their first release in America, was a compilation of this material from the Ankst years.
For their next album, Barafundle (1997), produced by Gorwel Owen (who had also worked with the Super Furry Animals) they moved to the larger Fontana label. The wide-ranging instrumentation remained ("Diamond Dew" has a prominent part for the jew's harp) and there were still psychedelic touches, but the album as a whole is more laid back than their earlier work, tending more towards folk music.
This gentler direction was largely maintained and refined in their later records, though the occasional poppier and rockier number, such as "Poodle Rockin'" from Spanish Dance Troupe or "Mow the Lawn" from Sleep/Holiday, continued to crop up.
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci split up on 26 May 2006, Euros Childs and Richard James having released solo albums. James' is in the folky vein of later Gorky's, wheras Childs' has moments that hark back to earlier moments in their career (so far he has released four albums). And John Lawrence releases as Infinity Chimps.
As of Summer 2007, no re-issues of the first 3 albums have surfaced, but Autumn 2007 is a likely date for the expanded & re-mastered Patio.
Final lineup
Euros Childs - vocals, keyboards (1991-2006)
Megan Childs - violin, vocals (1992-2006)
Richard James - bass, vocals (1991-2006)
Rhodri Puw - guitar (1999-2006)
Peter Richardson - drums (2000-2006)
Previous members
John Lawrence - vocals, guitar (1991-1999)
Euros Rowlands - drums (1995-2001)
Osian Evans - drums (1991-1995)
Sion Lane - keyboards (1991)
Cenwyn Brain - guitar (1991)
Sammy Davies - keyboards (1991-1992)
Steffan Cravos - violin (1991-1992)
Desolation Blues
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
here they come again
tried to sell them even set up a stand
but no one touched them with right or left hand
the fortunes are twisting and a fixing for you
one look in her eyes and you'll know it's true
could be a lifetime in a second or two
when the stars they start to shine
writing his songs held so dear
that no one wants to hear
seen the sun set too many times before
sad songs are here to stay
when you're lost at sea this way
i'd move to the country if it could do good
to get away seems the thing to do
but when i look in the mirror i see you
where does he go nobody knows
when the stars they start to shine
writing his songs held so dear
that no one wants to hear
In "Desolation Blues," Gorky's Zygotic Mynci expresses the feeling of despair and loneliness, as the he sings "he's got the desolation blues, here they come again." The singer seems to have tried to sell or share his desolation with others, but nobody accepted it. He then talks about how fortunes twist and turn, and how one look in someone's eyes can hold a lifetime's worth of emotions. The chorus repeats the line, "where does he go nobody knows, when the stars they start to shine," suggesting that the singer may wander or disappear during times of darkness.
The second verse highlights the singer's passion for songwriting, a passion that seems unrequited with the line "writing his songs held so dear that no one wants to hear." The singer continues with a sense of hopelessness, stating that he has seen the sun set too many times before and that sad songs are here to stay. The final lines mention a desire to escape the desolation by moving to the country, but he cannot shake the feeling of seeing himself in the mirror.
In essence, "Desolation Blues" presents the idea that loneliness and despair can be overwhelming and that the passion for art and expression can feel meaningless without an audience. However, the singer also seems to hold onto hope that someday things may change.
Line by Line Meaning
he's got the desolation blues
He is feeling lonely and downhearted
here they come again
These feelings of desolation keep recurring
tried to sell them even set up a stand
He tried to get rid of these feelings by any means possible including selling them
but no one touched them with right or left hand
No one showed any interest in buying or helping him with his troubles
the fortunes are twisting and a fixing for you
Things are changing and getting better for him
one look in her eyes and you'll know it's true
He has found someone who can empathize with him
could be a lifetime in a second or two
The time he spends with this person makes him feel like a lifetime has passed
where does he go nobody knows
He has an elusive personality and no one knows where he goes
when the stars they start to shine
He has a tendency to wander at night when the stars can be seen
writing his songs held so dear
He pours his emotions into his songwriting
that no one wants to hear
However, no one seems to appreciate or listen to his songs
seen the sun set too many times before
He has spent a lot of time feeling lonely and downhearted
sad songs are here to stay
He continues to write sad songs because that is how he truly feels
when you're lost at sea this way
When you feel alone and unprotected
i'd move to the country if it could do good
He would try to escape his problems by moving to the countryside if it would help him
to get away seems the thing to do
He believes that the best solution to his problems is to run away from them
but when i look in the mirror i see you
Despite his desire to get away, he cannot escape his emotions and memories associated with the person he thinks about
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EURO CHILDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind