Their style combines elements of post-hardcore and screamo in a very experimental way to something that can hardly be put into a single genre. Their first LP,Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair, was released on November 11, 2008. The album was recorded at Studiotte in Grand Rapids by Joel and Troy Otte. In late 2011 they released their second LP called Wildlife which has also been added as an accompaniment to the #224 issue of the german "Visions" music magazine.
a Letter
La Dispute Lyrics
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It's so much easier with someone or something to blame.
I've always struggled at the root of the problem.
Has it been absence or my constant lack of defense?
I've never spent a lot on finding a remedy.
I guess I figured that it hurt for a reason,
Not just in stories, but the letters in between.
And I guess that's why it haunts
The pages of everything—to self-examine.
I think the thing is that I shut off from everything.
From friends and family and my own ambitions.
From having fun. I just shut off from everything.
Self-defeating? Yeah, probably.
But I don't Know that I had total control over it.
And I'm not sure it even matters why.
Sometimes things Happen and you can't do anything.
Plus, I'm the only one who deals with it anyway.
So if Everyone could do me a favor
And just put their fingers down I'd—and keep your mouths
Sorry. I know I seem angry. I'm not, I I promise.
I just know I did this to me.
And I will deal with It accordingly.
And I don't need opinions from those never a part of it.
Don't need them pointing Out my problems, they're mine.
Don't need reminders I know better than anyone.
And yeah, I know, I should be finding another way.
I know that I should be out seeking a Substitute.
But just forgetting never really made sense to me.
So I haven't been.
Do I feel embarrassed about it?
I think you know the answer to that.
I think you'd probably feel a
Little bit embarrassed for me, wouldn't you?
I know I should've moved on ages ago, been happy already,
But it's never been that easy for Me.
Or maybe it was me that made it so hard.
I know I've only ever tried a handful of times
To sever this thing torturing me.
It never got me Anywhere, with anyone.
No friendship or hobby, no lover's bed worked.
But looking back I Maybe never tried hard enough,
And it is my fault.
Maybe I never tried at all.
The lyrics of La Dispute's "Letter" describe the internal struggle of the singer who is stuck in a cycle of self-defeating behavior. The opening lines, "Everybody wants a reason for everything. It's so much easier with someone or something to blame" establish the tendency of human beings to look for reasons to justify their actions or failures. The singer admits to struggling to find the root of their problem. They wonder if it is due to absence or a lack of defense. This acknowledgment of personal responsibility is commendable because it is easy to blame others instead of accepting one's mistakes.
The lyrics go on to describe how the singer has turned to writing to deal with their pain. They have been writing everything down, not just in stories but also the letters in between. The singer admits that they have shut off from everything, from friends, family, and their own ambitions. They have become self-defeating but they don't know if they had total control over it. The singer is struggling with their own demons, and they don't need anyone reminding them of their problems. They know what they should be doing, but the task is too hard for them.
The singer ends the letter with self-doubt and regret, admitting that they may not have tried hard enough to sever the torturous cycle. The song is a cautionary tale about the consequences of shutting oneself away and not seeking help when needed. It's a call for listeners to examine their own lives and not to be afraid of seeking help when they need it.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody wants a reason for everything.
People crave explanations for everything, and it is easier to put the blame on someone or something.
I've always struggled at the root of the problem.
I have faced issues at their core, and I am unsure whether it is due to my absence or my lack of defense mechanisms.
I've never spent a lot on finding a remedy.
I have never tried hard to fix my problems, as I believed that they were meant to hurt me in some way. However, I turned to writing to help me cope.
I think the thing is that I shut off from everything.
I isolated myself from my friends, family, and interests, and I am unsure if it was due to self-defeat or if it was out of my control. But I do not want others' opinions about it.
Sorry. I know I seem angry. I'm not, I promise.
I apologize for any negative emotions that may come off, but I am not angry. I recognize that I am responsible for my situation and will handle it myself.
And yeah, I know, I should be finding another way.
I acknowledge that I should be seeking other ways to solve my problems but choosing to forget what happened does not make sense to me.
Do I feel embarrassed about it?
I am ashamed of my situation and how long it has been taking me to move on.
I know I should've moved on ages ago, been happy already,
I understand that I should have moved on a long time ago and found happiness, but it is not that simple for me.
I know I've only ever tried a handful of times
I have attempted to fix my situation only a few times.
Maybe I never tried at all.
Perhaps I did not even try to solve my problems in the first place.
Lyrics © Roba Music Verlag GMBH, TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: David Cory Lee, Tony Mac Lane
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind