Their second full length "The Answer is Never" (2004), presented Howards Alias as more mature, taking in a huge range of influences. The album was recorded mostly live, to give an honest account of the 'Howards Alias' sound and to get the intimacy of the songs and band across.
Over the next 12 months the band toured hard but growing up with the grass roots ethics of bands like The Police and The Beatles, the band were also keen to record another record, so they came back to work with 'TAIN' engineer Peter Miles. In April 2005 the band went into the studio and emerged with their third album "Beat, Heart Beat" (2005), packed with new songs and a more progressive sound. The album was very well received by fans and press alike, the press often noting the bands very unique sound and "Howards Alias sound much more at home with British rock counterparts Biffy Clyro and Reuben than their American cousins"
The band like to put forward a message of non-violence and anti-elitism, and like to consider themselves musicians playing music together, rather than a band that has to keep playing a certain type of music in order to conform to the punk rock cliche.
The band split up in 2005, then later reformed in 2006.
They are now set to record a new album, which will no doubt take them in yet another change in musical direction, with new songs on their MySpace page having a more rock feel, than the ska-punk sound which the album "The Chameleon Script".
On April 15th 2008, Matthew Reynolds announced that Howards Alias were to permanently disband. This was the first official announcement from Howards Alias in 2008, although Reynolds had been promoting his solo album - The Wreck of The Hesperus - throughout February.
Drummer Robert King had left the band in January to continue his career, and - following the initial shock - the band had decided to try to recruit a new drummer. In March, however, Matthew Roberts went on tour playing saxophone for Foals and subsequently started tour managing other bands; feeling that he could no longer commit the time to Howards Alias, he also left the band. With almost half of the core members of the band gone, Matthew Reynolds, Nicholas Horne and David Ransom agreed that it would be "a next to impossible task to replace them".
Although disbanding, Howards Alias released [ep.i.phan.ic] in a limited run for any fans who expressed an interest in pre-ordering a copy.
The Awakening
Howards Alias Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I looked for so long, and I found it so hard to find.
Twisting my insides, this is not fair,
And I can't carry on knowing this is always there. Always there.
All the faces stare straight through me, I'll watch patiently.
I'll be waiting, hate goes through me, I won't hide from the...
Truth.
If honesty is repressed by love and fear,
Does that make the fact that I lied easier for you to hear?
Tearing us apart, this is not fair,
A suit branded liar, a style I will not wear. I will not wear.
All the faces stare straight through me, I'll watch patiently.
And I'll be waiting, hate goes through me, I won't hide from the...
Truth. Truth. Truth. Truth.
And so now you've seen everything in me, that I never wanted.
And now it seems, that all this time I've been lying to you.
But I never thought I'd see the heavens bleed and rain love down
On me, for me, and you cried for me, and my heart, it bleeds love for you.
All the faces stare straight through me, I'll watch patiently.
I'll be waiting, hate goes through me, I won't hide from the...
All the faces, all the faces and all the faces All the faces.
All the faces, all the faces, all the faces. All the faces!
The song "The Awakening" by Howards Alias is a powerful and introspective piece that deals with themes of self-discovery and honesty in relationships. The lyrics describe the process of the singer awakening to their true self and the emotions that they have been trying to suppress. They express the difficulty in coming to terms with these feelings and the toll that dishonesty can take on a relationship. The singer feels exposed and vulnerable, but ultimately comes to accept the truth and embrace it, even if it means facing rejection.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for the introspective journey that the singer is taking. They have been searching for something within themselves and have finally found it, but it is not an easy thing to accept. The twisting of their insides suggests a sense of discomfort or pain at facing their true emotions. They can't go on living a lie, knowing that this truth is always there. The faces that stare straight through them could represent the judgment of others, or the sense that they are not truly seen or understood.
The second verse explores the conflict between honesty and the desire to be loved and accepted. The singer questions whether the repression of honesty with love and fear makes it easier for others to hear their lies. They acknowledge that their actions have torn them apart from their partner, but refuse to wear the label of liar. This suggests a deeper commitment to the truth, even if it means sacrificing the relationship.
Overall, "The Awakening" is a powerful exploration of the process of coming to terms with one's own emotions and being honest about them. The song is both vulnerable and empowering, with the singer ultimately choosing truth over falsehood, even if it means facing rejection.
Line by Line Meaning
Awakening to what it is I have inside,
Coming to the realization of my true feelings and emotions
I looked for so long, and I found it so hard to find.
Struggling to discover my innermost self
Twisting my insides, this is not fair,
Internal struggle that seems unjust
And I can't carry on knowing this is always there. Always there.
Feeling like I cannot move forward with this struggle constantly present
All the faces stare straight through me, I'll watch patiently.
Being observed and studying the behavior of those around me.
I'll be waiting, hate goes through me, I won't hide from the...
Anticipating an outcome and preparing myself for any negative emotions I may feel
Truth.
Confronting the reality of the situation
If honesty is repressed by love and fear,
Questioning whether love and fear can suppress honesty
Does that make the fact that I lied easier for you to hear?
Asking whether the excuse of love and fear make it easier for someone to accept a lie
Tearing us apart, this is not fair,
The situation causing strain on relationships and feeling unjust
A suit branded liar, a style I will not wear. I will not wear.
Refusing to be labeled as a dishonest person and rejecting that behavior
And so now you've seen everything in me, that I never wanted.
Revealing a side of oneself that they never intended to show
And now it seems, that all this time I've been lying to you.
Admitting to a history of dishonesty
But I never thought I'd see the heavens bleed and rain love down
Experiencing a moment of redemption or forgiveness
On me, for me, and you cried for me, and my heart, it bleeds love for you.
Feeling love and appreciation for someone after being forgiven
All the faces stare straight through me, I'll watch patiently.
Observing the reaction of others after admitting to dishonesty
I'll be waiting, hate goes through me, I won't hide from the...
Bracing oneself for any negative reactions from others
All the faces, all the faces and all the faces All the faces.
Repeating the observation that others are staring
All the faces, all the faces, all the faces. All the faces!
Emphasizing the fact that people are looking at me.
Contributed by John N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.