Formed initially by members Alex Church (bass), Steven Scott (guitar) and Brian Canning (guitar), Irving began as a thrown-together rock outfit to accompany a friend’s art opening. Within a month, Brent Turner (drums) joined, and the group began working in earnest on the songs that would eventually appear on its first album, Good Morning Beautiful. The release of GMB in 2002 showcased the band’s penchant for writing witty pop songs with whimsical backup vocals and upbeat melodies.
By the year’s end, Aaron Burrows (keyboards) signed on, and the band was back in the studio. The I Hope You’re Feeling Better Now EP, released in 2003 to critical acclaim, exhibited Irving’s unrelenting willingness to experiment with pop song structures, and highlighted the innate strengths of a band in which all five members are songwriters.
In the two years since the release of the EP, Irving has opened for such notables as Franz Ferdinand, Arcade Fire, Broken Social Scene and The Polyphonic Spree. The band’s songwriting has also taken a noticeably more thoughtful turn. While the innate pop sensibilities continue to stand out above all else, Irving’s songwriting has matured—the sounds and structures more intricate, the subject matter more thoroughly realized.
"Death In The Garden, Blood On The Flowers" is the result of five musicians and their distinct influences, bound by an uncanny knack for melody and harmony. With production and engineering help from Phil Ek (The Shins, Modest Mouse), as well as Aaron Espinoza (Earlimart) and Jim Fairchild (from Grandaddy), Irving corrals its many distinct influences into a clear vision. From the oblique percussive start of the title track, to the psych-pop chaos of “Situation” to the so-bizarre-it-works background breathing on “I Want To Love You In My Room,” the band pulls unforgettable hooks out of the most unlikely places.
In 2007, Church left the band to form his own band, Sea Wolf, while the remaining members put Irving on hold to form a new band with singer Claire McKeown, Afternoons, not to be confused with (or sure to be confused with) the Welsh pop band The Afternoons.
Faster than Steam
Irving Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you were a racehorse faster than steam
you know that I am not as old and I barely ever listen
but I'll regret it when I grow up
You leave your feet
where you plant your garden
under the smokestack lights
that keeps me up all night
my superstition is alarming
I missed you but maybe you'll write
Your toy box says it all with a car that barely whispers
over astroturf on your front porch
I'm not a fan of your meatloaf
or the train outside that shivers
through the window when I stay overnight
The opening lines of Irving's "Faster Than Steam" is an interesting take on looking back into history and realizing how things have changed over time. The singer bets on the fact that back in 1833, when the Industrial Revolution was gaining momentum, the fastest means of transportation was a racehorse, and not steam engines. As a young person, the singer admits to not paying much attention to the past, but realizes that they will regret it when they grow up. This regret could be interpreted as the failure to hold onto the knowledge of history, which can provide new insights and perspectives on the present.
The second verse speaks about planting a garden and homes under the smokestacks - this imagery seems to indicate the contrast between the natural and the industrial. The singer looks to the radio to keep themselves up at night, indicating that there is a lack of solace in the world around them, and they must turn to technology to find some semblance of comfort. They reveal that missing someone in their life is unsettling, but perhaps this person will write to them. The third verse goes on to point out the toys in the room and the artificiality of the astroturf outside. The singer confesses that they're not fond of the meatloaf being served, and even the passing train outside makes them uncomfortable.
In conclusion, the song "Faster than Steam" is a beautifully written, lyrically dense reflection on the past and present, the natural and the industrial, as well as the comforts and discomforts of life. It encourages the listener to appreciate history and to pay attention to their present surroundings, to consider the impact technology and industry have on our environment, and to acknowledge the sometimes-unsettling aspects of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me make a bet back in 1833
Let me take a wild guess about something that happened a long time ago
you were a racehorse faster than steam
You were a really fast racehorse, so fast that you could beat a steam engine
you know that I am not as old and I barely ever listen
You know that I am much younger than you and I don't pay attention to things from the past
but I'll regret it when I grow up
But I will feel bad about it later when I am older
You leave your feet
You take a risk and step out of your comfort zone
where you plant your garden
Where you choose to build your life and make your home
under the smokestack lights
In a place that is industrial and noisy, with smoke from factories blocking out the stars
where you're not stronger than the radio
In a place where technology and media can have a loud and powerful influence on your thoughts and feelings
that keeps me up all night
That won't let me sleep or rest
my superstition is alarming
My irrational fears are starting to worry me
I missed you but maybe you'll write
I missed you and I hope you will contact me
Your toy box says it all with a car that barely whispers
Your belongings reveal your personality, and your quiet toy car suggests that you are not a very loud or extroverted person
over astroturf on your front porch
On the fake grass that covers your porch
I'm not a fan of your meatloaf
I don't really like your cooking
or the train outside that shivers
Or the train that shakes and rattles outside your window
through the window when I stay overnight
That I can hear when I spend the night at your place
Contributed by Adeline L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.