Dangers and Stephens left Perennial Divide in 1988 to record an album, but the tapes were burnt in a studio fire. They then recorded the EP Storm The Studio, which found them pigeonholed as an industrial act. In response, they recorded 99% in 1990 which was more techno-influenced. Later that year, they released Armed Audio Warfare, which was an effort to re-record the burned tapes of the would-be debut album.
The band's live show was conceived as an intense audio-visual experience, with dancers, led by choreographer Marcus Adams, in costumes designed by artist Craig Morrison and video clips accompanying live instruments, sequenced electronic instruments, and live DJing. In the United States, they opened for Nine Inch Nails on their debut national tour in 1990. Adams appeared in many of the band's promo photos with his trademark "popcorn" hairstyle (mostly shaved, with scattered tufts of braided hair) until Satyricon in 1992.
In 1992, the band released Satyricon which continued to show Meat Beat as more of an electronica band. In 1994 Dangers relocated from England to San Francisco, resulting in Stephens' departure from the band. Dangers continued the band as a solo-plus-collaborators form, releasing Subliminal Sandwich in 1996. While this album represented MBM's major-label debut on Trent Reznor's Nothing records, it failed to reach the critical and commercial successes of previous releases.
In 1997 Dangers recruited drummer Lynn Farmer and guitarist Jon Wilson to record and release Actual Sounds and Voices in 1998, which found the group's earlier flirtations with jazz fusion featured more prominently; the record included appearances by saxophonist Bennie Maupin. The album yielded the single Prime Audio Soup which was featured in the film The Matrix.
In 2002 MBM released RUOK?, which demonstrated great steps in the evolution of their sound and prominently featured Dangers' newly acquired EMS Synthi 100. In 2003 they released a remix album for Storm The Studio, followed by ... In Dub, a remix album of RUOK?.
At the Center was released in May 29, 2005. A part of independent label Thirsty Ear's Blue Series, the album is a collaboration between Jack Dangers and jazz musicians Peter Gordon, Dave King, and Craig Taborn. It has been well-received by many critics, with one reviewer calling it "one of the best albums of the year in any genre." An EP titled Off-Centre, consisting of outtakes, a remix, and a live track, was released several months later, as well as a limited edition live album recorded during the extensive touring for At the Center. Later, in 2006, Dangers put out a DVD featuring a live MBM show at the Metro in Chicago.
Meat Beat Manifesto's 9th studio album, Autoimmune, was released on April 8th, 2008. Originally slated to be a double disc, twenty song affair, it was pared down to a single disc with fourteen tracks upon release. It features the first lyrical work from Dangers since his limited vocal appearances on 1998's Actual Sounds & Voices. In addition, Azeem and DJ Z-Trip make guest appearances. A remix EP was released on iTunes prior to the album's street date, and at least one B-side has been put up for free download on the official MBM website.
AlbumAnswers Come In Dreams was released in 2010 by Metropolis label. This time Dangers use deep dubstep bass and dark ambient sounds.
Studio albums
1989 Storm the Studio
1990 Armed Audio Warfare
1990 99%
1992 Satyricon
1996 Subliminal Sandwich
1998 Actual Sounds + Voices
2002 RUOK?
2005 At The Center
2008 Autoimmune
2010 Answers Come in Dreams
2012 Test EP
Placebo
Meat Beat Manifesto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That we patronize?
But it's alright, you're too far gone
Just realize
Taste the spice of life and you'll feel fine
Together we can climb
But it's alright, there's nothing there
Did you realize?
Yeah, my placebo will put you in Disneyland
We'll be in heaven, it will make your mind expand
Yeah, my placebo, unreality overrides
We'll be in limbo for the rest of our lives
Rise above yourself, get higher, feel on fire
Your desire will mesmerize
But it's alright, you electrify
It's getting hot
For the circular cosmic spot
It's getting too hot
For the circular cosmic spot
It's getting too hot
Yeah, my placebo will put you in Disneyland
We'll be in heaven, it will make your mind expand
Yeah, my placebo, unreality overrides
We'll be in limbo for the rest of our lives
Take a look at what you are
Take a look at who you are
Take a look at what you are
You can't ignore the fact it's dying
Take a look at who you are
I can't disguise the fact I'm trying
I know that we're too far gone
Just realize, it won't take long
Every man and woman is a star tonight
Time and time again, nothing makes sense
Time and time again, nothing relents
And time and time again, now it's alright
'Cause time and time again, it's out of sight
The lyrics to Meat Beat Manifesto's "Placebo" express a sense of disconnection between the individual and the consequences of their actions. The opening lines question if the person can understand the impact of what they support (“Can you visualize the consequences / That we patronize?”) But the singer quickly acknowledges that they are likely too far gone to realize the gravity of the situation (“But it's alright, you're too far gone / Just realize”). The singer suggests that sampling the “spice of life” may help one feel better, and that together they can rise above, but ultimately, there is nothing there to grasp. In the chorus, the singer uses the metaphor of a placebo to suggest that the imaginary world they create is better than reality (“Yeah, my placebo will put you in Disneyland / We'll be in heaven, it will make your mind expand / Yeah, my placebo, unreality overrides / We'll be in limbo for the rest of our lives”).
The song then pivots to a call to action, asking the listener to “Take a look at what you are” and then “Take a look at who you are,” juxtaposing a recognition of one’s own identity with the harsh reality of death (“Take a look at what you are / You can't ignore the fact it's dying / Take a look at who you are / I can't disguise the fact I'm trying”). The song ends with a sense of solace, acknowledging that sometimes life just doesn’t make sense (“Time and time again, nothing makes sense / Time and time again, nothing relents / And time and time again, now it's alright / 'Cause time and time again, it's out of sight”).
Line by Line Meaning
Can you visualize the consequences
That we patronize?
But it's alright, you're too far gone
Just realize
Do you understand what will happen as a result of our actions, which we continue to support despite knowing the harm they cause? Although you're too deep into it, just acknowledge the reality of what's happening.
Taste the spice of life and you'll feel fine
Together we can climb
But it's alright, there's nothing there
Did you realize?
Experience new things and you'll be okay. We can achieve great things together. But don't forget, there's nothing to gain from these empty pursuits.
Yeah, my placebo will put you in Disneyland
We'll be in heaven, it will make your mind expand
Yeah, my placebo, unreality overrides
We'll be in limbo for the rest of our lives
My placebo effect will make you feel as if you're in a fantastical place like Disneyland, and we'll feel great. But it's all an illusion, and we'll be stuck in a place of uncertainty for the rest of our lives.
Rise above yourself, get higher, feel on fire
Your desire will mesmerize
But it's alright, you electrify
It's getting hot
For the circular cosmic spot
It's getting too hot
For the circular cosmic spot
It's getting too hot
Go beyond your limits, elevate your state of mind and be passionate about what you want. You're energizing everyone around you, and things are heating up. The situation is becoming unbearable.
Take a look at what you are
Take a look at who you are
Examine what you've done and who you are as a person.
Take a look at what you are
You can't ignore the fact it's dying
Take a look at who you are
I can't disguise the fact I'm trying
I know that we're too far gone
Just realize, it won't take long
Every man and woman is a star tonight
Assess what we're doing and recognize that it's coming to an end. I can't hide the fact that I'm attempting to make a difference. I understand that we've proceeded too far. Accept the truth that even ordinary people can achieve great things.
Time and time again, nothing makes sense
Time and time again, nothing relents
And time and time again, now it's alright
'Cause time and time again, it's out of sight
Repeatedly, things don't add up. Things don't seem to change either. Finally, everything seems to be fine. Because things continuously recur until they're completely ignored.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind