After many years of touring, the band began to accumulate a large fanbase. It was around this time, in 2005, that original bassist Blair Roberts quit to pursue a family. He was replaced by Dylan Johnstone(formerly of Yorkton, SK hardcore group Statement of Service). They remained a 3-piece until mid 2006 when Todd joined so Dylan could switch to lead vocals. This era of the band saw them switch to a straight up Metalcore sound ispired by Shai Hulud and Misery Signals.The group toured in the US and Canada constantly, and was featured in the June 2007 issue of Alternative Press magazine as well as multiple other publications. Their 2007 album, Sending You Strength, was released in the US on Facedown Record.
Their latest record, To Keep Me From Sinking, was well received and let this band drop of the scene gracefully and happily after this final album
Means disbanded after a series of farewell shows in select Canadian cities as well as a few US cities.
They played their final show to a sold-out crowd at the Riddell Centre in the University of Regina on November 28, 2008. If you want to hear the new band that the lead singer is in, check out the band Continuance
Of Dread And Dreams
Means Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because you can only hold your breath for so long
Until it's gone
I see a shadow far away in the distance
I see a target where we are aiming
And when I consider all that we have learned
All these experiences
If we walk in a sense of wonder
Or if we are in a time of reason
We can recall these days
Investigating dread and dreams
We searched long enough for the right words
Because you can only hold your breath for so long
Until it's gone
Pressing my feet on to the ground
I know that I'm here in these words like weeds
After all is said, aren't we here for something true
I throw my hands into the air and I will not be broken
Even though I may bend like a reed in the wind
We searched long enough for the right words
Because you can only hold your breath for so long
Until it's gone
We will know what to say
We will know each step to take
From what we've learned
Investigating each dread and dream
Each dread
Each dream
This tread, these dreams
We will not be broken
Though we may bend like a reed in the wind
The lyrics to Means's song "Of Dread And Dreams" begins with the struggle of finding the right words to express oneself. The metaphor of "holding your breath" is used to convey the idea that there is a certain amount of time one can keep feelings bottled up before they need to come out. The first stanza is followed by the image of a shadow in the distance and the target that is being aimed for. The singer acknowledges that in order to reach that target, they must have a sense of wonder or reason to guide them.
Moving on to the second stanza, the imagery shifts to the physical body as the singer presses their feet onto the ground. The metaphor of weeds is used to describe the words of the song - uncontrolled and growing wild, but still anchored in the earth. The ultimate goal is to find something true and meaningful, even if it means bending like a reed in the wind. The song ends with the assertion that through investigating both dread and dreams, the singer and their listeners will know the right things to say and the steps to take.
Overall, "Of Dread and Dreams" is a song that emphasizes the importance of authenticity and sincerity. It encourages listeners to explore their own beliefs and experiences in order to discover what is truly important to them.
Line by Line Meaning
We searched long enough for the right words
It took us a considerable amount of time to find the correct words
Because you can only hold your breath for so long
There is a limit to how much patience we can have
Until it's gone
And when we lose it, we can't get it back
I see a shadow far away in the distance
I perceive a vague figure in the remote horizon
I see a target where we are aiming
I visualize a goal towards which we are directing our efforts
And when I consider all that we have learned
After analyzing all our acquired knowledge
All these experiences
Every single one of our encounters
I know the roots will go down to the bottom
I acknowledge that the foundations will be deeply rooted
If we walk in a sense of wonder
If we proceed with a curiosity and fascination
Or if we are in a time of reason
Or if we resort to a period of rational thinking
We can recall these days
We are able to recollect these moments
Investigating dread and dreams
Exploring the concepts of terror and aspirations
Pressing my feet on to the ground
Firmly landing my feet on the surface
I know that I'm here in these words like weeds
I'm aware of my presence in these expressions, just like unwanted plants
After all is said, aren't we here for something true
In the end, aren't we striving for something genuine
I throw my hands into the air and I will not be broken
I raise my hands high and I won't be defeated
Even though I may bend like a reed in the wind
Even though I may adapt to changing circumstances
We will know what to say
We will have the suitable words to utter
We will know each step to take
We will be aware of every action to perform
From what we've learned
Based on our knowledge and discoveries
Investigating each dread and dream
Exploring every possibility of fear and desire
Each dread
Every source of fear
Each dream
Every aspiration
This tread, these dreams
These paths and these aspirations
We will not be broken
We will not be defeated
Though we may bend like a reed in the wind
Although we may adjust like a plant swaying in the breeze
Contributed by Claire C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.