The new album was recorded with Jagz Kooner, a British producer whose services were previously called upon by the likes of Primal Scream, Kasabian, New Order and Reverend & The Makers. Kooner, a one time member of Sabres of Paradise and a prolific dj and remixer in his own right, heard a Mintzkov demo at his manager’s office and was drawn to the “undercurrent of Krautrock” in their music. In the studio he basically tried to emphasize the anthemic qualities in Mintzkov’s songs. His advice was: “If you have a great chorus, then don’t hide it at the tail end of a track”. Still the band regularly caused him to raise his eyebrows. The 5/4 signature of ‘The Simple Future’ or the downright weird structure of ‘Roadbuilding’ caught him slightly off balance.
Gradually a lack of understanding made way for admiration. One thing to remember about Mintzkov is their songs need some getting used to. And to give him credit, Jagz Kooner made some very useful suggestions during the recording process. Although ‘Opening Fire’ originally presented itself as a fairly abstract, epic tune, he managed to uncover the concise pop song that lay dormant in it. He also convinced the band that ‘Gemini’, the quiet track that closes off the album, worked better in its stripped down guise than with layered instrumentation.
Another of Mintzkov’s principal assets is the gorgeous sounding harmony of Bosschaerts’ singing with bass player Lies Lorquet. The latter can also be heard as a guest vocalist on the latest albums by dEUS and The Go Find.
Philip Bosschaerts’ lyrics are no linear stories. Instead you could compare them to a carefully woven tapestry of images and metaphors. But as you listen to ‘Rising Sun, Setting Sun’, it does not take long before certain themes start rising to the surface. The singer, who recently celebrated his thirtieth birthday, seems to be obsessed with the passing of time and crossing borders. There is also a huge amount of acceptance and resignation in the songs. “You shouldn’t waste any time or energy on things in life you cannot change anyway”, Bosschaerts says.
The artwork of the album was made by Kati Heck, a German visual artist currently living in Antwerp whose work can be seen in museums and art galleries all over the world. She made some drawings for the booklet and authorized the band to reproduce her painting ‘Fratzenpleite’ on the cover of ‘Rising Sun, Setting Sun’.
Mintzkov is:
Philip Bosschaerts : Vocals & Guitar
Lies Lorquet: Bass & Vocals
Pascal Oorts: Keyboards
Daan Scheltjens: Guitar
Min Chull Vansteenkiste: Drums
I Do
Mintzkov Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
so listen very carefully
all the system's dead
the data has left your head
there's no room anymore
no vacancy no space left
i am checking in
but i got here too late
as cool becomes stone-cold
the swing turns into backbeat
i edit all the bits
and pieces until they fit
but if beauty lies within
then i am pretty ugly
so this one is for you
as i keep driving on
and i might add some distance
to drive flat out some more
and it might take forever
as long as it goes on
this one is for you and i do
try reassembling data
and reinstall my view
on everything related
but fear is a good place
if you can take the heartbeat
cardiac or drums
i would like to stay
and i might add some distance
to drive flat out some more
and it might take forever
as long as it goes on
so this is one more drive ahead
i might add distance to forget
how long it takes to get to you
so get it off ‘cause i can't sleep
so make it stop ‘cause i can't dream
to make me quit the things i do
The song "I Do" by Mintzkov seems to be a love song about a person who is dedicated to their significant other. The opening lines, "this one is for you, so listen very carefully" suggest that the song's message is targeted towards a particular person. The singer talks about the troubles they are facing, specifically how the system has crashed and the data has gone from their head. They feel as though they have no room left for anything else, and check-in to their destination too late.
As the song progresses, the singer references the notion that beauty comes from within and suggests that they might be "pretty ugly." They are, however, still driving towards their goal, whatever that may be, and adding more distance to their journey. The repetition of this line at the end of each verse suggests a sense of commitment or perhaps even desperation.
The chorus serves to reinforce this commitment, with the singer reaffirming that "this one is for you and I do." They speak of trying to reassemble data and reinstall their view, indicating that they feel lost but are determined to find their way back. The song ends on a somewhat somber note, with the singer unable to sleep or dream and trying to quit the things they do. Overall, "I Do" seems to be a heartfelt song about the journey to find love and the obstacles that can get in the way.
Line by Line Meaning
this one is for you
The song is dedicated to a specific person.
so listen very carefully
Pay close attention to the lyrics.
all the system's dead
The established way of doing things no longer works.
the data has left your head
You've forgotten important information.
there's no room anymore
There's no space left.
no vacancy no space left
There's nowhere else to go.
i am checking in
The singer is ready to start something new.
but i got here too late
The opportunity has passed.
as cool becomes stone-cold
What was once exciting has become dull.
the swing turns into backbeat
The mood has changed.
i edit all the bits
The singer is trying to make everything fit together.
and pieces until they fit
The singer is taking a careful approach to putting everything together.
but if beauty lies within
The true value of something is in its essence.
then i am pretty ugly
The singer doesn't consider himself to be valuable.
as i keep driving on
The singer is moving forward with determination.
and i might add some distance
The singer is willing to go the extra mile.
to drive flat out some more
The singer is pushing himself to the limit.
and it might take forever
The journey could be a long one.
as long as it goes on
The singer is committed to seeing it through to the end.
try reassembling data
The singer is attempting to put together the missing pieces of information.
and reinstall my view
The singer is seeking a new perspective.
on everything related
The singer is trying to understand everything that is relevant to the situation.
but fear is a good place
Fear can be a motivator.
if you can take the heartbeat
If you can handle the stress.
cardiac or drums
Both intense situations and music can cause a rapid heartbeat.
i would like to stay
The singer wants to keep going, even in difficult circumstances.
so this is one more drive ahead
The journey is continuing.
i might add distance to forget
The singer is willing to put distance between himself and the past.
how long it takes to get to you
It's been a long time since the singer has been able to connect with the person the song is dedicated to.
so get it off ‘cause i can't sleep
The singer is struggling with negative feelings.
so make it stop ‘cause i can't dream
The singer is trying to break free from difficult thoughts.
to make me quit the things i do
The singer wants to stop the negative cycle of behavior.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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