During this time he also appeared in regular stints at the Wetlands Preserve. Although still relatively unknown, Devine gained some popularity with his 2003 album, Make the Clocks Move. Newer songs reflect Devine's political views and the recent death of his father to a stroke. He has recorded records for Immigrant Sun Records and Triple Crown Records and has worked with Brooklyn based producer Mike Skinner, who is also credited as the drummer on his solo records as well as the drummer for Miracle of 86. He signed with Capitol Records, who released his fourth album, Put Your Ghost to Rest, on October 17, 2006. Only four months after his major label debut, Devine was dropped from Capitol Records due to EMI merging Virgin and Capitol Records.
Devine was able to gather a strong fan base as a result of his exposure through touring with Brand New. First appearing as their opening act in their 2004 spring tour, Devine made a small splash among their fan base. However, opening for them again in April 2006, and joining their 2007 Spring tour with Manchester Orchestra, Kevin's following was multiplying by the day. (Kevin also opened for Brand New as a surprise act at the Triple Crown Records 10th Anniversary Concert.)
Devine's late 2007 touring schedule included a tour with close friend Jesse Lacey (of Brand New) and Grace Read at the end of July through early August, followed by a short trip to London, a spot on the Austin City Limits Festival, and a tour with Chin Up Chin Up throughout Germany. In October 2007 he toured with Andy Hull from Manchester Orchestra and Owen.
Kevin posted numerous demos via his MySpace profile in late 2007/early 2008 and after negotiations with Capitol records, "Put Your Ghost To Rest" was re-released on April 20, 2008 by Procrastinate! Music Traitors.
Kevin toured Europe with Jenny Owen Youngs and Tournaments in May and other tours followed throughout 2008 with Jesse Lacey, Rachael Yamagata and Matt Pryor in August and September 2008.[1]
In late 2008, Kevin announced his new album Brother's Blood would be released in early 2009 on Favorite Gentlemen records, as well as a tour with Manchester Orchestra and the I Could Be With Anyone EP in support of both.
No Time Flat
Kevin Devine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I'm thinking about thousands of things
That don't got your name
So I'm distant and weird
Stopping your all ears
But how can I say
I've just been thinking that it's harder every year
To find excuses that'll keep me in the clear
The proof the power's in my trashcan
Well I'm looking older every day
The lies I've told have turned to leather on my face
The love I've lost has turned to needles in my heart
But I'm to blame for all the bad parts
By the choices I've made (hey hey)
That's why I turn my face away
I watch the debates
Till I can't see straight
Take abortion away
And we'll dodge it just the same
So I'm not sure why I vote
Cause I just don't know what difference it makes
It seems to me we get the same shit from them both
Reforms don't work I think it's time we tried revolt
But I don't got the guts to jump up first
So I'll just shout until my throat hurts
And I curse and I curse
And while we fucked up in Iraq
You say â??support the troopsâ??
I do, I want them all brought back
And every building you bombed raised from the ground
And blow your contractors the fuck out
And if you really go and reinstate the draft
Just straight away just split the country straight in half
Try arresting everyone who sends their draft cards back
I'll be returning mine in no time flat
In no time flat
In no time flat
In no time flat
(yeah yeah yeah ba da ba)
In a sense we're the same
Struggling to save face
A question of scope
How far you're willing to go
To make right to your bones
Despite the risk involved
A question of faith
Cause if we wait until we've all been burned to ash
To tell the truth about the shit buried in our past
We'll split a taxi to that fire pit way down south
So let's rise up and open our mouths
Cause you reminder me that it's harder every year
To find excuses that'll keep me in the clear
The arbitrary lines I impress in the sand
The proof the power's in my trashcan
And if you really go and reinstate the draft
Just Straight away just split the country straight in half
So try arresting everyone who sends their draft cards back
I'll be returning mine in no time flat
The first verse of Kevin Devine's "No Time Flat" speaks about feeling distant and weird even when with someone intimately. The singer "thinks about thousands of things" that don't have the person's name on them, which makes it difficult to connect genuinely. Further, the singer ponders about how "harder every year" it is to find excuses to keep him or her "in the clear." Here, the arbitrary lines the singer impresses in the sand and proof of the power in the trashcan represent the singer's tendencies to fabricate excuses and hiding evidence.
As the song progresses, the lyrics denounce political systems and allude to global events, specifically the Iraq War. Kevin Devine's reference to dodging the same issues even when authorities take away the right to choose highlights the lack of power citizens have in the socio-political system. The lyrics aim to question the effectiveness of reforms and vote-giving, leading the singer to contemplate expressing rebellion, but with hesitance. The final verse calls for change and suggests that people have the same struggle despite their differences, referring to a collective question of faith.
Overall, the lyrics of "No Time Flat" deal with several themes such as communication, love, dishonesty, politics, war, sovereignty, and rebellion. The singer is honest about his journey, which involves acknowledging his shortcomings, highlighting the current socio-political climate's faults and shortcomings, and advocating change.
Line by Line Meaning
Your skin's in my mouth
I'm physically close to you, but my mind is distant and preoccupied with other things
But I'm thinking about thousands of things
I'm preoccupied with a plethora of thoughts not relating to you
That don't got your name
My thoughts don't involve or relate to you
So I'm distant and weird
I'm acting strangely distant because my thoughts are elsewhere
Stopping your all ears
Your attention is completely focused on me
But how can I say
I'm struggling to express my true feelings
I've just been thinking that it's harder every year
As time passes, it's increasingly difficult to come up with excuses for my actions
To find excuses that'll keep me in the clear
I'm struggling to justify my choices and actions to those around me
The arbitrary lines I impress in the sand
I create boundaries and standards for myself that are arbitrary and don't make sense to others
The proof the power's in my trashcan
My waste and rubbish reveal the truth of my actions and perspectives
Well I'm looking older every day
I'm physically aging and changing with time
The lies I've told have turned to leather on my face
The truths I've hidden behind lies have become apparent and aged me faster
The love I've lost has turned to needles in my heart
The pain of past relationships still hurts and affects me deeply
But I'm to blame for all the bad parts
I take full responsibility for my past actions and the consequences that have followed
That's why I turn my face away
I'm avoiding confrontation and responsibility
I watch the debates
I'm constantly observing and trying to stay informed on political issues
Till I can't see straight
I become overwhelmed and confused by the sheer amount of information
Take abortion away
An example of a political issue I'm invested in
And we'll dodge it just the same
People will find ways to get abortions even if it's illegal
So I'm not sure why I vote
Doubts about the impact of one person's vote on the big picture
Cause I just don't know what difference it makes
Uncertainty about the actual change voting brings about
It seems to me we get the same shit from them both
Both political parties often produce similar outcomes
Reforms don't work I think it's time we tried revolt
Attempts to change the political status quo through peaceful means aren't working and more drastic action is necessary
But I don't got the guts to jump up first
Fear and hesitation prevent me from being a leader in change
So I'll just shout until my throat hurts
I'll still express my opinions loudly and passionately
And I curse and I curse
Frustration and anger at the political situation
And while we fucked up in Iraq
Acknowledgement of the mistakes made in war
You say â??support the troopsâ??
A common phrase used to show patriotism during wartime
I do, I want them all brought back
Desire for the safe return of all military troops
And every building you bombed raised from the ground
A call for accountability for destruction caused during war
And blow your contractors the fuck out
Disapproval of private military contractors profiting from war
And if you really go and reinstate the draft
If a draft is reinstated for military service
Just straight away just split the country straight in half
An extreme reaction to the idea of being drafted
Try arresting everyone who sends their draft cards back
Willingness to take a stand against being drafted
I'll be returning mine in no time flat
A firm and quick decision to resist being drafted
In a sense we're the same
We share common struggles and flaws
Struggling to save face
Trying to preserve a positive image of ourselves to others
A question of scope
A matter of how much we're willing to reveal about ourselves and our past
How far you're willing to go
How much risk we're willing to take to be truthful and honest
To make right to your bones
To correct personal mistakes and move towards a better future
Despite the risk involved
Acknowledgement of potential consequences for our actions and choices
A question of faith
A matter of trust and belief in the possibility of change and redemption
Cause if we wait until we've all been burned to ash
If we wait until it's too late to make things right
To tell the truth about the shit buried in our past
To be truthful about past mistakes and faults
We'll split a taxi to that fire pit way down south
We'll all face the inevitable consequences of our actions
So let's rise up and open our mouths
A call to action to speak up and make change
Cause you reminder me that it's harder every year
The challenges and difficulties of speaking up increase over time
And if you really go and reinstate the draft
Repeating the same line from earlier in the song for emphasis
Just Straight away just split the country straight in half
Repeating the same line from earlier in the song for emphasis
So try arresting everyone who sends their draft cards back
Repeating the same line from earlier in the song for emphasis
I'll be returning mine in no time flat
Repeating the same line from earlier in the song for emphasis
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AMY BRACCO, CHRIS BRACCO, KEVIN PATRICK DEVINE, MIKE SKINNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind