The band's identifying characteristics, and those that distinguish them from their contemporaries, include noticeable and abrupt transitions from loud to quiet, Joy's distinct arpeggiated guitar (often undistorted and picked), and Vance's esoteric, sometimes meandering lyrical content. Earlier recordings of the band are remniscent of early Joy Division, particularly in guitar style, while later songs embodied a less blunt approach, noted by some detractors as making Moss Icon "like Grateful Dead for punks." The band championed, among other issues, the plight of indigenous peoples in the Americas, and opposed the US Government's involvement in Nicaragua and Guatemala.
Moss Icon recorded their debut 7", "Hate in Me", in January 1988 and entered the studio several months later to record their second 7", Mahpuia Luta. Their "Lyburnum Wits End Liberation Fly" LP was recorded by Les Lentz and Tony French throughout 1988 and released in mid-1994 by Vermiform. In 1990 a splinter project of Moss Icon was formed called Breathing Walker, containing all four members of Moss Icon plus Alex Badertscher on bass, Zach Fusciello on percussion, and Tim Horner on violin; Breathing Walker released a cassette that was re-released in 2001 by Joy's Vermin Scum label along with live tracks. Moss Icon's third 7", entitled "Memorial", was recorded in January 1991 along with a split LP with Silver Bearing. In 1994 Ebullition Records released the It Disappears LP, compiling several songs from "Memorial" and the split LP along with live versions of several songs.
After the dissolution of Moss Icon, guitarist Joy was a member of the bands Born Against, Lava, Universal Order of Armageddon, The Great Unraveling, and The Convocation Of.... Other band members were less involved in music, excepting Laurence's drums in Lava, and DiGialleonardo's Blue Condors. Moss Icon reformed to play a handful of shows with Brooks Headley on drums, including the 2001 More Than Music Fest in Columbus, Ohio and at the renovated Charles Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland.
Since 2007 Joy, Vance, Zak Fusciello, and Alex Badertscher have been occasionally working on new material in Baltimore, MD for a possible new recording. A complete reissue of the Moss Icon discography is slated for release by Temporary Residence Ltd. in May 2012, with live performances planned in support.
Gravity
Moss Icon Lyrics
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You are the shade breeze. you are the shade. you are the shade breeze blowing. the movers of the stream. Words eye. stops breath withholding the heart within its rib cage and it stops for a moment. Waves caress the foamed shore below, resonating ultrasonic through the cliffs of their sound. I was hoping that you would make it, and I'm happy that you could. I was hoping that you would make it. I am happy that you could. And I will see you again.
Moss Icon - _Gravity_
The opening lines of Moss Icon's song "Gravity" paint a vivid picture of waves gently crashing onto the shore, their sound echoing through the cliffs. The sun is shining and the surroundings are full of life and movement. The songwriter finds this environment comforting and inspiring. They feel grounded in this place and have a sense of purpose- to see tomorrow and breathe in the present. The songwriter goes on to describe an old and creaky floor made of ancient oak, which seems to represent the weight of the past. The enigmatic line "Words eye. Singularity. you did not sing and I would not dream" could be interpreted as a commentary on the limitations of language and perception. The shade breeze, symbolic of a cool and comforting presence, is also present in the song. The songwriter expresses relief that this presence has made it through the difficulties faced.
Overall, "Gravity" seems to explore the idea of finding a sense of belonging and purpose in the natural world while reconciling with the past. It's also a song about relief and optimism, with the idea that difficulties can be overcome and connections can be maintained with those who are important.
Line by Line Meaning
Waves caress the foamed shore below.
The waves touch the shore gently and make a soothing sound.
resonating ultrasonic through the cliffs of their sound.
The sound of the waves echoes through the cliffs in a high frequency.
the sun's shine is poured all around, drying the leaves and such.
The bright sunlight is shining everywhere, drying and warming up the leaves and other things on the ground.
there is something about here, and it does me good.
The place has an indescribable quality that makes the artist feel good.
where we have color, eyes and movement, where sound is understood.
The place is full of life, with colorful things to see, people to watch, and sounds to hear.
we have living respiration, a breath echo vibration.
The singer is acknowledging the living things in the place, where breaths echo and vibrate.
solid sun inspiration and ground where forebears stood.
The sun provides inspiration and the ground has been walked on by ancestors.
here I am going, and here I will stay.
The artist is both moving and staying here.
I have a body to do my moving, to find my home wood.
The artist has a body to move around and find a place to call their own.
I am here to see tomorrow.
The artist is grateful for being alive and can look forward to tomorrow.
I am here to breathe today.
The singer is present in the moment and enjoying the act of breathing.
there is a rust nailed floor boarded with ancient oak wooden planks that rock and creak.
The place might have an old floor with rusted nails and wooden planks that make noise.
Words eye. Singularity. You did not sing and I would not dream.
This line is a bit cryptic and can be interpreted in different ways, but it seems to refer to someone not participating in something and the singer not wanting to dream about it either.
You are the shade breeze. you are the shade. you are the shade breeze blowing. the movers of the stream.
This could be addressing someone or something as a cool breeze that provides shade and is part of the movement of the stream.
Words eye. stops breath withholding the heart within its rib cage and it stops for a moment.
The words spoken have an emotional impact that stops the singer's breath and heart for a moment.
Waves caress the foamed shore below, resonating ultrasonic through the cliffs of their sound.
This line repeats from the beginning and reinforces the calming sound of the waves resonating through the cliffs.
I was hoping that you would make it, and I'm happy that you could. I was hoping that you would make it. I am happy that you could. And I will see you again.
The artist was hoping for someone to arrive and is happy that they did. They will see each other again.
Contributed by Kaitlyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.