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)
Tsunami
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All alone beneath the waves
Universe all around me
Gotta human sign
La la la....
And in this place where I am on my own
You could be here with me
Maybe someday
La la la....
The lyrics to Gorky's Zygotic Mynci's "Tsunami" paint a vivid picture of isolation and loneliness. The singer is describing a place where they are completely alone, beneath the waves of the ocean. It's almost as though they are lost in the vastness of the universe, surrounded by nothingness. The repetition of the phrase "all alone" and the use of the word "universe" underscores this feeling of being completely adrift and disconnected from the world around them.
However, even in this place of isolation, the singer acknowledges that they need someone else to make it work. The line "it doesn't work without you there" suggests that the relationship that the singer is referring to is essential to their very existence. Despite the singer's intense feelings of loneliness, they are hopeful that the person they are addressing in the song will someday join them in this place of isolation.
Overall, "Tsunami" is a deeply introspective song that explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and the need for human connection. It's a powerful reminder of the impact that other people can have on our lives, even in the darkest and most isolated moments.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a place where I am on my own
I am in a physical location where I am isolated and have no companionship
All alone beneath the waves
I am completely isolated from others and feel submerged and lost
Universe all around me
I am surrounded by the vastness of the cosmos and feel overwhelmed
Gotta human sign
I need a connection to humanity to feel grounded and stable
And in this place where I am on my own
Even though I am alone, a connection with someone else would make a world of difference
It doesn't work with out you there
Being alone is not sustainable for me and I need the presence of others to function properly
You could be here with me
There is hope that I could find companionship and not be alone anymore
Maybe someday
I am uncertain if and when I will find companionship, but I still hold onto the hope that it will happen
Contributed by Andrew J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sahara jade
Man I struck gold finding your channel. Your music taste is FINE😍 thanks sm for keeping your playlists public 💜
GM
Fyi, this song, and most of Gorky's songs, are literally divinely inspired. This one is about our God, who lives in the watery heavens, surrounded by the universe with a human sign. He doesn't want to be alone, He wants us there with Him, and maybe you can be some day. I have had revelations about this recently. The lyrics otherwise are nonsensical of course, but they make perfect sense when you know who wrote them. I write at dumnonia watchman blog.
Chris Hornbostel
yeah my favorite divinely inspired gorkys song is Christina.