Perhaps that's because Geiger, a native of Lawrence, Kansas, former member of Shearwater and the Appleseed Cast, and principal member of the now-defunct Minus Story, has taken the fractured Midwestern influences of The Flaming Lips and Bright Eyes to fresh new heights. "Honey Please" is a rollicking slice of queasy, off-kilter rock, but tender tracks like "Bird In Furs" and "Phantom Limb" revisit Geiger's bedroom strengths: intimate, majestic moments of indie-pop beauty that rise and fall with the crescendos and valleys of his high-pitched tenor.
First album single "Carry On," available in a limited run of 300 pink vinyl units, is pristine and sparse, a classic for any musical age that hinges on Geiger's appeals to live life without reservations: "We will laugh till we cry and drink till we're drunk… To all of the songs that I wished I had sung, you will ring in my ears till my days are done." Yet the song rises up from Geiger's bedside table, climaxing with buzz saw electric guitars that hint at stomping anthem "Reprise," which implores the attuned Hospital Ships listener to "Hold this hope in your heart."
Lonely Twin also alights in AM pop, doom rock, and dusty folk territory, but through it all, Jordan Geiger maintains a balance between optimism and desperation, both necessary attributes to survive in these turbulent times. With Lonely Twin, Geiger ventures out of his comfort zone and into the delightful yet dark surrounding world. It's a journey on which you'll definitely want to join him. File under: Midwestern Existential Fuzz-Pop.
Galaxies
Hospital Ships Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like the soft faint light
Attendant to the end
Of some dying star
And your mind is blank
Like the humble face
Attendant to your end
O'er your body when you're dead
Galaxies of grief
Like diamonds clear and clean
You tried to spit them out
Exhale then breathed them in
You're precious, weak, and thin
And you're an empty building then
Like your body when you're dead
And they blow your chest
Out like a flat balloon
And if your ribs would break
You'd spill your life, as from a dam
And your thoughts grow dark
Like the deepest of caves
Attendant to the end
Of some awful thing
At the bottom of the world
Silent, still, and strange
Like your body when you're dead
Galaxies of grief
Like anxious little fish
You tried to spit them out
Exhale then breathe them in
They're beautiful and blind
You're a flooded river then
Like your body when you're dead
And they blow your chest
Out like a black balloon
And if your ribs would break
You'd spill your life, as from a dam
And you drop to the ground
Just like a wounded bird
And if your ribs would break
You'd be a perfect vessel then
The song "Galaxies" by Hospital Ships is a hauntingly beautiful ode to the fragility of life, death, and grief. The first verse sets the tone for the entire piece, likening the singer's heart to the soft, faint light of a dying star. This sets the stage for the rest of the lyrics, as we start to see the singer's existential crisis unfold before our eyes.
The chorus, "Galaxies of grief, like diamonds clear and clean," is particularly poignant, as it captures the idea that grief can be beautiful, in its own way. It's a sentiment that is often repeated throughout the song, as the singer struggles to make sense of their own mortality and the impact that their absence will have on those left behind.
The final verse is particularly powerful, as it describes the singer dropping to the ground "just like a wounded bird." This image is a stark reminder of the fragility of life, and how even the smallest things can cause us to come crashing down.
Overall, "Galaxies" is a lyrical masterpiece that offers a unique perspective on some of life's most intimidating topics. It's a must-listen for anyone who appreciates poetry in music.
Line by Line Meaning
Your heart is faint
Your heart is weak and feeble
Like the soft faint light
Similar to the barely visible light which appears at the end of a dying star
Attendant to the end
Signaling the approach of the end
Of some dying star
A reference to a dying star, symbolized as something coming to an end
And your mind is blank
Your mind is empty
Like the humble face
Like the face of one who is modest
Attendant to your end
Indicating the close proximity of your demise
And his quiet words said
The softly spoken words of someone in authority
O'er your body when you're dead
Words spoken about you after you have passed away
Galaxies of grief
Overwhelming feelings of sadness
Like diamonds clear and clean
Precious and clear, like valuable stones
You tried to spit them out
You attempted to free yourself from your sorrow
Exhale then breathed them in
But eventually succumbed to your grief
You're precious, weak, and thin
You are valuable and fragile
And you're an empty building then
You are a lifeless creature
Like your body when you're dead
Like a body after death
And they blow your chest
They deflate your chest
Out like a flat balloon
Like a used balloon, your chest becomes flat
And if your ribs would break
If the bones in your rib cage were to fracture
You'd spill your life, as from a dam
Blood would pour out profusely if your rib cage were to be damaged
And your thoughts grow dark
Your thoughts turn to darkness
Like the deepest of caves
As dark and deep as a cave
Attendant to the end
Signifying the end
Of some awful thing
Referring to an ominous event or occurrence
At the bottom of the world
At the very bottom of the world
Silent, still, and strange
Quiet, motionless, and eerie
And they blow your chest
They deflate your chest
Out like a black balloon
As if punctured, your chest is deflated and blackened
And you drop to the ground
You collapse to the ground
Just like a wounded bird
In the same way as an injured bird
And if your ribs would break
If your rib cage were to fracture
You'd be a perfect vessel then
You would become a lifeless container
Contributed by William Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
sean mormon
Jordan never disappoints.
zidwoq
Love Garden Kitty @ 4'28". Lawrence is like Austin . . . an oasis in a state of dispair
H Meowcauley
Samesame! I heard Hospital Ships on KJHK!
Lauren Brittain
Lawrence, Kansas should probably be the hipster capital of the world, if I do say so myself. I love my town!!!
Ashton Ploper
@whistlingiraffe sweet i love KJHK i have the app on my phone
Chris Doolittle
What? Reverb? It is just fine.
theElectricEyeofRa
who accidentally hit dislike?
Ashton Ploper
omg i live there thats in larence kansas
SKLOUNST DRAXXER
too much reverb on the vocals