Since Mutemath released its first EP in late 2004 and hit the road in 2005, their musical style has transformed over the years. By the time of their 2006 self-titled debut, their blending of adverse genres earned them a reputation as one of modern music’s most daring young groups. By 2007, they found themselves Grammy nominated and declared by Alternative Press as “the #1 band you need to see live before you die.” But in the band almost broke up during the making of their sophomore album Armistice. “It was a risk we had to take,” says King looking back on what they set out to accomplish for Armistice. “This record was by far the most painful music-making experience I’ve ever had, but also the one I’m most proud of.”
The band is best known for the 2007 single “Typical”, taken from their 2006 self titled album. The song’s innovative backwards video was nominated for a Grammy in 2008 for Best Short Form Music Video. Speaking with Songfacts in a 2011 interview, Darren King poked fun at the somewhat futile nomination : "For the rest of our career, we get to say "Grammy nominated band." We don't have to say what it was for. (Laughing)." Mutemath re-enacted the "Typical" video during a live performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, using the same reverse playback technique used in the original video. The song also peaked at #33 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.
The band has contributed songs to various films such as Twilight, Transformers, Never Back Down, The Stepfather, The Rocker, and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.
Alongside contributing songs to film and product endorsements, Mutemath has appeared on every major late night television program including: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
In April 2011, it was announced on their official website that founding guitarist Greg Hill had left the band in October 2010. The new album was recorded with other band members filling in on guitar and a new guitarist, Todd Gummerman, was named shortly after Odd Soul was released and he features in most music videos from the album.
Armistice
Mutemath Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How's it feel to watch a man relenting
Let's just say that I might be a sucker
The progress is all in how you cope in spite of no end
You don't have to say it, I know
It's all my fault
You don't have to worry, I know
You don't have to say it, I know
It's all my fault
The give and take is taking its toll
It's an honest work if I can stand up on it, maybe we're
Not as far apart as it appears
Swallowing the blame is second nature, I got to
Keep on dealing my business my way
You don't have to say it, I know
It's all my fault
You don't have to worry, I know
It's how we are
You don't have to say it, I know
It's all my fault
The give and take is taking its toll
I I know (I know)
it's all (it's all)
My (my)
Fault
I
Will take the fall if it takes us somewhere
I I know (I know)
it's all (it's all)
My (my)
Fault
I
Will take the fall if it takes us somewhere
The give and take
The give and take
The give and take is taking its toll
The give and take
The give and take
The give and take is taking its toll
You don't have to say it, I know
It's all my fault
You don't have to worry, I won't
It falls apart
You don't have to say it, I know
It's all my fault
The give and take is taking its toll
You don't have to say it
You don't have to say it
You don't have to say it
You don't have to say it
The lyrics of Mutemath's "Armistice" convey a feeling of self-blame and coming to terms with one's mistakes. The first stanza illustrates a sense of being out of touch and having no direction. The singer is resigned to his situation, and he knows that he's at fault. The chorus reinforces this notion that he is taking ownership of his mistakes and how he's affected the relationship. He's aware that the give and take of any relationship is not sustainable, and it's taking its toll on both of them.
In the second verse, the singer takes stock of himself and reassures himself that he's doing fine. He's acknowledging that he's not perfect, but maybe they're not that far apart. He's also realizing that his tendency to accept blame is not helpful. In the final chorus, the singer seems to be in two minds. He acknowledges to himself that it's all his fault, but he also takes it upon himself to make amends.
Line by Line Meaning
Out of time and out of inclinations, that we're in
We are running out of time and motivation to resolve our issues.
How's it feel to watch a man relenting
You can see that I am giving up and it's painful for everyone involved.
Let's just say that I might be a sucker
I am willing to take the blame and responsibility for our problems.
The progress is all in how you cope in spite of no end
The key to moving forward is to handle things well, even if there is no clear end in sight.
You don't have to say it, I know
It's all my fault
I understand that the situation is my responsibility and don't need to be told.
You don't have to worry, I know
It's how we are
I understand that our problems are a result of who we are as people and it's not your fault.
The give and take is taking its toll
The back-and-forth nature of our issues is becoming too difficult to handle.
It's an honest work if I can stand up on it, maybe we're
Not as far apart as it appears
If I can take responsibility for our problems, we may be able to come together and resolve them.
Swallowing the blame is second nature, I got to
Keep on dealing my business my way
Taking the blame comes easily to me, and I need to continue to handle things in my own way.
I will take the fall if it takes us somewhere
I am willing to take the blame if it means we can make progress.
You don't have to worry, I won't
It falls apart
I understand that if I don't take responsibility, our situation will only get worse.
The give and take is taking its toll
The constant back-and-forth of our problems is becoming too much to handle.
You don't have to say it
You don't have to say it
I already know what is wrong and don't need to be reminded.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Dennis Craig Herring, Paul Meany, Tedd Tjornhom
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sandnsea212
It's been said before, but it's worth repeating: the bassline is SICK! The album version of this song is great, but the live performance is unbelievable!
GRaise1978
These guys definitely bring something different (and better) to the table than all of those disingenuous label-made acts. They always nail their live shows too. ...The music world needs more Mutemaths.
AudreyDelaine
oooh yeah! saw them open for 30STM and this was by far my favorite song performed live that night. so amazing.
Seth Bellas
This may be the best live track I have seen. Ever. The last 1:30 are out of this world. Paul, Darren, Greg, Roy, yall are the best!
Biggestmutemathfan
If your wondering why this doesn't have as much energy as the old tour. Its probably because this is a new set of songs that the band has just got around to play live And id say this is an amazing performance with them just having come out with these songs live. I cant wait to see the Progress. (No Pun)
SuperGamer87
So much style, so much originality, so much MuteMath! I love MuteMath! Roy's a freakin' beast, Darren King is king of the drums, Greg's keeps the guitar simple yet full of flavor, and Paul Meany should be nicknamed "Paul Meaningful."
Novalisk
I love the fact that you're back sharing your awesome music with us. The copyright stuff during the album release was getting too excessive. I was having trouble finding your music anywhere and it was frustrating.
Stephanie
I HOPE there will be a live CD, because this version is.... wow, just wow!
林偉力
one of the most underrated band
Neivlak Odin
i cant even describe how i feel about this. Mutemath you never cease to amaze me. dont ever stop