"We were so on the same page it was kind of stupid," concurs Ben. "We met at the perfect time in our creative journeys." Together they compose perfect pop songs, succinct and compelling enough to stand alone on piano or acoustic guitar, yet animated by artful production that brings out every little sonic nuance. Songs that transcend trends.
While the band's popularity is still ascending, their music has already been warmly received. Since they met eight years ago, Mackintosh Braun's songs have appeared on TV shows including Grey's Anatomy, Gossip Girl, Chuck, Rubicon, and How to Make It in America. Earlier this year, "Never Give In" was featured in the film and on the soundtrack of Veronica Mars. They have also released two previous albums, The Sound (2007) and Where We Are (2010).
With their third full-length, Arcadia, Mackintosh Braun takes a giant step forward, building on the pair's proven strengths as songwriters and producers, while expanding their sound in subtle yet profound new ways. "I hope people hear this record and go 'Wow, they're trying new things,'" says Ben.
In the beginning, Ian and Ben shared more than an aesthetic; they were also roommates, and wrote and recorded everything in their studio loft. Making music together was part of their daily routine. "On the first two records, we sat in the same room and wrote together," says Ian. Nowadays, they actually live a block apart—and by the same token, allowed a some distance between themselves while writing Arcadia.
"We gave ourselves a little bit of room, some time and space to come up with ideas and parts on our own," explains Ben. "Then we'd come back to each other and say 'what do you think of this?' and riff off of one another."
Another significant change was the equipment they used, specifically analog keyboards including a Prophet 08 and a Juno 106. "We don't have a plethora of synths in our studio, but we tried to use what we did have really well," says Ben. "Instead of making everything sound perfect, we wanted it to sound natural." To enhance that organic vibe, they used live drums on most of the eleven tracks.
Enlisting a third set of ears pushed them further outside their comfort zone. "We knew there could be another level to the music, and we'd never worked with a producer," says Ian. Lars Stalfors (Mars Volta, Cold War Kids, Matt & Kim) proved a perfect foil for the pair. From the outset, Ben recalls, "he really understood where we were trying to take the record and the chemistry just felt right."
Stalfors shared Mackintosh Braun's attention to detail, and brought out more details in each of the songs. He helped the band enhance its already polished songs with dozens of simple but thoughtful techniques: thinner guitar strings, miking amplifiers in a particular way to get a grittier tone, using old-school analog delay effects like Roland Space Echo.
"Lars would just look at us and say 'trust me,'" recalls Ben. "He was confident, and even if it was a situation Ian and I weren't used to, he made us feel at ease. It was almost like he was the third member of the group—and that's what Ian and I were looking for."
From the seductive opener "The City Below" to the dark and woozy climax of "We Ran Faster Then," each of the eleven tracks boasts a distinctive character. Yet scrutinize any single song and what leaps out is how Mackintosh Braun integrate myriad hooks—melodies, rhythms, timbres, and lyrics—into each original composition. On "Never Give In," fist-pumping cheers punctuate a simple, insistent keyboard line reminiscent of Orchestral Manoeuvres in Dark. Vapor trail guitars augment the urgency pulsations of "Outline," while "Another Place" opens with intricate little riffs that dart around each other like fighting fish, then gradually swells into a majestic, arms-wide-open chorus.
The end result is Mackintosh Braun's most fully-realized album. "We wanted to expand what we do and appeal to a large audience, but stay true to our sound," says Ben. While newcomers may find themselves asking why they haven't heard this band before, older fans will marvel at the musical evolution displayed on Arcadia. And that's exactly what the band wanted to create, concludes Ian: "An experience that lasts after you hear it, so you want to hear it again."
Frozen
Mackintosh Braun Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
cool at this but still too measured
like you know they're after you
what's the thing that leaves you frozen?
knowing what you need to do
CH
tell me that there's no where to go to
V2
more aware this time stronger
a plan like that could work out
but knowing you is your weakness
confidence replacing doubt
CH
tell me that there's no where to go to
tell me that we're already there
tell me that there's no where to go to
tell me that we're already there
CH (out)
tell me that there's no where to go to
tell me that we're already there
tell me that there's no where to go to
tell me that we're already there
The lyrics of Mackintosh Braun's song Frozen convey feelings of insecurity and uncertainty about the future. The opening lines suggest that the singer is in a state of cool detachment, but still feels pursued by something unknown. The phrase "what's the thing that leaves you frozen" alludes to the anxiety and paralysis that can result from being overwhelmed by not knowing what to do next. Despite this, there is a sense of determination in the lyrics; the singer is aware of their own strength and thinks they have a plan that could work out.
The chorus of the song repeats the same phrase: "tell me that there's nowhere to go to, tell me that we're already there." This repetition emphasizes the singer's desire for reassurance and a sense of stability. The use of the word "we're" implies a sense of community or connection with someone else, suggesting that the singer may be seeking support from another person.
In the second verse, the singer is described as being "more aware this time" and having "confidence replacing doubt." This growth and self-assurance is contrasted with the earlier feelings of being pursued and frozen. However, the lyrics make it clear that knowing oneself also means understanding one's own potential weaknesses.
Overall, the lyrics of Frozen convey a sense of inner turmoil and self-doubt, but also hint at a willingness to face challenges and move forward. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the need for reassurance and stability, but also suggests the possibility of finding those things.
Line by Line Meaning
cool at this but still too measured
You are composed but still cautious.
like you know they're after you
You have a feeling that someone is pursuing you.
what's the thing that leaves you frozen?
What is the cause of your paralysis?
knowing what you need to do
You are aware of what you must do.
tell me… that there's no where to go to
Assure me that we've reached the end of the road.
tell me… that we're already there
Reassure me that we've arrived at our destination.
more aware this time stronger
You're more perceptive and robust this time around.
a plan like that could work out
With a strategy like that, you might succeed.
but knowing you is your weakness
However, your acquaintance with yourself is your Achilles' heel.
confidence replacing doubt
Assurance is overtaking hesitation.
tell me… that there's no where to go to
Assure me that we've reached the end of the road.
tell me… that we're already there
Reassure me that we've arrived at our destination.
tell me… that there's no where to go to
Assure me that we've reached the end of the road.
tell me… that we're already there
Reassure me that we've arrived at our destination.
Writer(s): Ian David Mackintosh, Ben L. Braun Copyright: Buster Braun Publishing, Chop Shop Arch Music, Chop Shop Bert Music, Last Mackintosh
Contributed by Madison V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.