His self-titled debut is the first recorded document after years of false starts, self-sabotage and amiable persistence in the face tragedy. Born in Oregon and raised in Portland and Eugene, Miles spent much of his youth on the road traveling with his comedian father as he played venues across the U.S. After completing high school, Miles gravitated eastward and by 2000 had made it to New York. Immediately he immersed himself in the burgeoning music scene; going to shows and forming a number of ill-fated bands. Each incarnation eventually met its demise due to a combination of erratic behavior, venue banishment, and indiscreet drug use. Frustrated and fatigued, Miles descended into addiction, leading to a stint in which he made his bed on the benches of Coney Island. But, throughout it all, he continued to distill from his shabby surroundings the inspiration and imagery that make up his debut record.
Under the guidance of Chris Taylor and Christopher Bear of Grizzly Bear “Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson” began in 2006 in Miles’ apartment. Chris Bear did the drums in a single day, later overdubs were added by Kyp Malone and Daniel Rosen, (Grizzly Bear), and at last, a true representation of his talent was realized.
The album begins with the demented campfire sing-a-long, “Buriedfed” - a dirge disguised as a rave-up it sets the pace for an album filled with unrepentant confessions and takes the listener through a sardonic narrative, detailing loss, excess, and blurred memories. On ‘The Debtor’ Miles turns his hands to a piano driven melody, while the clanging guitars and stomping drums of ‘Woodfriend’ recall the street tough, strung-out attitude of a 70s Lou Reed.
Miles’ sophomore album produced by Kyp Malone is set for release in 2009.
The Sound
Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Most times it lets you down.
Right when we woke up
There was nothing much on around.
Do you remember the sound?
A pervert and a priest
Were swimming in the yeast
"There's a slick skim upon your skin"
Father replied, "Well, I never eat."
You can blame yourself
Or name everyone else
Why try to hang on to anyone else?
It's a hard enough time just trying to hang
Yourself
I said "Why would I try to hang on to anyone else?"
I had a hard enough time just trying to hang myself
Most times it wants you back
Right when you let it go
Right when we woke up, everything was blown
Kid you'll never know
And you can blame yourself
Or name everyone else
I'm just trying to hang myself
Right when we woke up
Everything was dying down
Do you remember the sound?
Do you remember the sound?
The lyrics of Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson's song, The Sound, can be interpreted in different ways, depending on the perspective of the listener. The opening lines suggest a sense of ambiguity and unpredictability, with the assertion that "sometimes it fills you up, most times it lets you down." The "it" could be referring to anything from love to success, to life itself. The next lines juxtapose the absence of anything happening when they woke up with the question "do you remember the sound?" which implies nostalgia for a past sound or experience that is being sought after.
The second verse of the song introduces a pervert and a priest swimming in the yeast, a vivid image that suggests corruption and degradation. The sick kid, Jim points out the priest’s hypocrisy and Father's response of not eating is indicative that he is dealing with internal conflict. The lines "You can blame yourself or name everyone else" serves as a reminder that when things don't work out, it's easy to shift blame away from oneself. However, the realization that it's enough of a struggle to just hang oneself makes everything else trivial.
The third verse alternates between acceptance and resignation regarding the power that "it" (whatever "it" may be) has over one's life. The lines "Most times it wants you back right when you let it go" suggest that nostalgia, emotional ties, or habits can lure one back to something even when they know it is time to move on. The final plea of "Do you remember the sound?" brings the song full circle and asks the listener to remember something that may be elusive.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes it fills you up
Occasionally it brings joy and fulfillment to your life
Most times it lets you down.
More often than not, it disappoints you
Right when we woke up
As soon as we woke up
There was nothing much on around.
There wasn't anything interesting happening at the time
Do you remember the sound?
Can you recall the noise or music we heard at that moment?
A pervert and a priest
Two contrasting characters
Were swimming in the yeast
They were stuck in a difficult situation
Well the sick kid, Jim, said, "yr soul's so thin"
Jim, who is unwell, told them that their souls are weak and shallow
"There's a slick skim upon your skin"
He also noticed an unappealing layer covering their skin
Father replied, "Well, I never eat."
The priest responded by saying he's not up to any mischief
You can blame yourself
You can hold yourself responsible
Or name everyone else
Or you can point fingers at others for the situation
Why try to hang on to anyone else?
Why bother to hold onto others when it's hard enough to hold onto yourself?
It's a hard enough time just trying to hang
It's already difficult to keep oneself from falling
Yourself
Oneself
I said "Why would I try to hang on to anyone else?"
I wondered why I should hold onto anyone else
"I had a hard enough time just trying to hang myself"
I found it challenging enough trying to keep myself above water
Most times it wants you back
Usually, it desires for you to return to it
Right when you let it go
As soon as you release it
Right when we woke up, everything was blown
As soon as we woke up, everything was in a state of chaos
Kid you'll never know
You will never understand, young one
And you can blame yourself
And you can hold yourself responsible
Or name everyone else
Or you can point fingers at others
I'm just trying to hang myself
I'm struggling to keep myself afloat
Right when we woke up
Just when we woke up
Everything was dying down
Everything was losing momentum
Do you remember the sound?
Can you recall the noise or music we heard at that moment?
Do you remember the sound?
Can you recall the noise or music we heard at that moment?
Contributed by Sophie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mollie_b
just heard this on gossip girl. love it!
@sassylassy98ify
How is this song not more popular? I love it!
@MsElvi97
Dorota's wedding !
@ashabelle16
ugh he has the cutest little smile ever!! :D caught myself smiling along with him <3
@lovetodance4488
heard it on gossip girl had to find it omfg
@MJTorres17
SAME
@annaweber8172
L D44 haha Same
@samahhussain3591
Same. Lol
@musiczQT5
heard it on gossip girllllll :) amazing song
@distantandvague
Hugely underrated.