Taking their name from a character in J.R.R. Tolkien's novel "The Silmarillion", this Baltimore, Maryland group consists of:
Glenn McLaughlin - Vocals, Percussion
Dennis Mullin - Guitars
Jim Rezek - Keyboards
Dean Morekas - Bass, Bass Pedals, Backing Vocals
Chris Mack - Drums, Percussion
History:
The band's roots go back to the 1983 and a local progressive rock cover band called Sojourn. Many of the songs and lyrics on the first album, as well as a few on the second, were written or co-written by original Sojourn guitarist Tom Kraus (currently a member of Brave New World). Tom left the line-up when Sojourn mutated into Iluvatar in 1992.
Iluvatar began performing live in the Baltimore area and quickly acquired a steadily-growing following of devoted fans. Though the primary focus of their live performances was on their original compositions, the band occasionally accented their sets with music from Genesis, Marillion, Pink Floyd, and Styx.
Iluvatar's self-titled debut CD was released on Kinesis Records in November 1993 and quickly became the label's top-seller. Iluvatar soon began to receive international recognition for their work. Iluvatar re-entered the studio in March 1995 to record "Children", their second album for Kinesis, with Dean Morekas replacing original bassist Mick Trimble. "Children" firmly established Iluvatar as one of the premier American bands in the 90's progressive movement. Following the release of the album, original drummer Gary Chambers left the band and was replaced by Rick Fleischmann who can be heard on some of the live tracks on 1997's "Sideshow" CD, a collection of live tracks, alternate versions, and unreleased material. Allen Brunelle (currently with The Dark Aether Project) played drums on the subsequent Sideshow international tour in '97. Drummer Chris Mack has been with the band since December 1997 and plays on the latest studio CD "A Story Two Days Wide".
In addition to numerous headlining shows, Iluvatar has played before progressive rock fans at both ProgScape 94 and 96 in Baltimore, one of New York City's ProgNights in 96, ProgDay 96 in North Carolina, and ProgEast in Quebec Canada. They played to packed theaters in Buenos Aires, Argentina in September 1997, and performed in Mexicali Mexico at BajaProg 98 as well as NEARfest 2000 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
from: http://iluvatar.com
Cracker
Iluvatar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No need to ask him where his allegiances lie.
Don't get too close, he's bought a river that's run dry.
In walks a girl and she's talkin' about a miracle.
Says she saw the light and she thinks you should too.
She's got her life straight... guess who's askin' about you?
Can you make it out?
High against the moon,
It's a lover's heart shattered against a canvas sleeve.
Too many days have passed,
Since you finally said, "I do".
Don't let your mind lose track if it hasn't yet,
Etch my words in time.
In comes a girl and she's talking revelation now.
The light she saw was a reflection of hope.
She claims she's sorry that you fell too fast into her hold.
She pulled you down and left you home.
And so it goes to prove,
Words could mean so much as to bring you in.
Believing all the world's stories as they are told.
So if you'd asked me,
Well I really can't say I do.
For there's a faith in my world today,
Breathing its mist on my pane,
And it's waiting there to enter my veins,
Where he calls home.
The lyrics of Iluvatar's song "Cracker" convey a sense of disillusionment and skepticism towards religious dogma and societal conventions. The opening lines set the tone, as the wild-haired man is portrayed as someone who is unafraid to challenge the status quo and expose the hypocrisy of those who claim to hold power or moral authority. The reference to buying a river that's run dry is a metaphor for the emptiness and futility of material pursuits that leave one spiritually parched.
The second verse introduces a girl who speaks of a miracle and urges the singer to see the light. This can be interpreted as a representation of religious indoctrination and the pressure to conform to a particular belief system. However, the singer remains skeptical and sees through the girl's facade of righteousness. The line "she claims she's sorry that you fell too fast into her hold" implies that the singer was taken in by false promises and had his/her faith manipulated.
The third verse continues the theme of uncertainty and doubt, as the singer reflects on the power of words and stories to shape one's worldview. The final lines suggest that there is a personal faith that is waiting to be discovered and embraced, but it is not something that can be imposed or prescribed by external sources.
Overall, "Cracker" can be seen as a critique of the way religion and society often seek to control and manipulate individuals, while offering empty promises of salvation or happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Wild haired man throws shoulder to hypocrisy.
A man who rebels against dishonesty and insincerity with conviction, showing his allegiance through his actions.
No need to ask him where his allegiances lie.
His actions speak louder than words and his convictions are clear, so there is no need to question his loyalty.
Don't get too close, he's bought a river that's run dry.
Although he seems strong and steadfast, he may be struggling internally and vulnerable to emotional depletion.
In walks a girl and she's talkin' about a miracle.
A woman arrives and speaks of an incredible and life-changing experience.
Says she saw the light and she thinks you should too.
She claims to have had a profound spiritual awakening and encourages others to seek the same.
She's got her life straight... guess who's askin' about you?
She has found direction and purpose in life, and is now inquiring about the state of your own life and well-being.
And through your welling eyes,
As you tear up and become emotional,
Can you make it out?
Are you able to discern what you are seeing through your tears?
High against the moon,
In an elevated position, illuminated by the moon,
It's a lover's heart shattered against a canvas sleeve.
A heart that has been broken and displayed on a sleeve, visible for all to see.
Too many days have passed,
A significant amount of time has gone by,
Since you finally said, "I do".
Since you made a commitment to your partner through marriage.
Don't let your mind lose track if it hasn't yet,
Don't let your thoughts wander or become distracted if they haven't done so already.
Etch my words in time.
Remember what I am telling you, and let it remain with you for a long time.
In comes a girl and she's talking revelation now.
Another woman arrives, speaking of a divine truth that has been revealed to her.
The light she saw was a reflection of hope.
She saw a glimmer of hope and possibility in her spiritual journey.
She claims she's sorry that you fell too fast into her hold.
She expresses remorse for having led you into her sphere of influence too quickly or without sufficient warning.
She pulled you down and left you home.
Her involvement in your life caused you to lose direction and feel disconnected from yourself.
And so it goes to prove,
This situation demonstrates,
Words could mean so much as to bring you in.
Words alone can have the power to draw someone into another's influence or control.
Believing all the world's stories as they are told.
Accepting all information and narratives presented as truth without question or skepticism.
So if you'd asked me,
If you were to inquire of me,
Well I really can't say I do.
I cannot claim to have a definitive answer at this time.
For there's a faith in my world today,
Currently, there is a system of belief that is prominent in my life,
Breathing its mist on my pane,
It is influencing and affecting me, subtly and indirectly.
And it's waiting there to enter my veins,
It is poised to become a more integral, personal part of my identity and character.
Where he calls home.
It is where my faith and belief system is centered, rooted, and most earnestly called upon.
Writer(s): REZEK JAMES E, MC LAUGHLIN GLENN PATRICK, MOREKAS DEAN S, MULLIN DENNIS E, CHAMBERS GARY LEE
Contributed by Avery J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.