The crew augments Theo's book-open vocals and beautiful fingerpicking with a suitably eclectic array of instrumentation. Laura Carter and Robbie Cucchiaro, both formerly of Athens' legendary and notoriously horn-buoyed Neutral Milk Hotel, head up a brass-and-winds section comprised of Laura's celebratory trumpet, Robbie's Baritone Euphonium, a couple clarinets, harmonica, recorder and whatever else you can pack into a touring-trunk and bring along for a blast. Rhythmic backbone comes courtesy of Southern punkrock siren Madeline Adams' bass, Matte Cathcart's drumming and some right-on Fender Rhodes piano provided by Hot New Mexicans' mainman Patrick Jennings.
The catchy, heartfelt crunch of the album's opener, "Circles Round The Moon," segues seamlessly into the brassy, beautiful circus-lullaby, "Tambourine-n-Thyme." Things get sad and stripped down with "Tiny Rainbows" -- a gentle plaint nudged toward the light by the brilliant horns. And "Broken Cityscapes" gets positively naked: Theo's adamant vocal sounds above his acoustic guitar and a couple rattles.
Theo's lyrical voice is ruralist, lovelorn and punkrock in the most primal way: he looks to explicate a world gone way wrong on the most basic, inhumane levels. Experiences gained on the touring road and at his home at the Orange Twin Conservation Community have led him to question the empty life of the modern American, and the disquieting ways the inherent Dystopia have made itself manifest on our own interior landscapes."
-Orange Twin
Broken Cityscapes
Nana Grizol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you left something behind we'll try your best not to let it get you down
The city's full of bullshit, I don't sleep there anymore
I don't want it's schmoozy eagerness, I don't want to be it's whore
But we, we are so awestruck by the way that things just are
Like the way the sun shines 'till it's night time
We fall asleep to the sound of passing cars
It's that sinking sunken feeling
That you get on the roofs of tall buildings
Staring out over the bay or broken cityscapes that make you cry
And it's not sad you just don't know how to begin to ask why
Just a few more cigarettes and I'll come back inside
And do you ever get the feeling
Something somewhere in you is still alive
And saying "Oh and it's a big life, as big as it can be
And if you cannot see the beauty well don't give up so easily
And it's a weak-kneed conversation telling your new revelation
To a choir of a more cynical nature
"Being your ego and your I'd
The part that swears to you you'll never want kids
The part that drinks away each night
And in the morning wakes at ten and goes to work
So let's not be so bitter at least not just yet
I keep meaning to say everything's ok
Well how presumptuous is that?
And sure we all get hurt sometimes
And sure we all feel ashamed
But if our friends can't help us through these things
I don't know what friendship means
And I don't know just what it is I'm trying to say
The opening lines of Nana Grizol's "Broken Cityscapes" speak to the suburban exodus and expanse of highways as opposed to the lure of the city. The song touches on themes of disillusionment, loss, and the search for meaning in a seemingly vast and empty world. The singer is trying to reconcile their feelings of disgust and despair towards the city, which they deem "full of bullshit," with their unbridled awe for the world around them. They are struggling to balance their cynicism with a hopefulness that things can be better and more beautiful.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more introspective, touching on the complexities of the human psyche. There is a part of ourselves that resists change and growth, that clings to our ego and our sense of self, even as we try to evolve and transcend our circumstances. The theme of grappling with these competing forces within ourselves is echoed in the line "the part that swears to you you'll never want kids, the part that drinks away each night." The song ultimately asks us to hold onto hope, even when it seems impossible, to not give up too easily, and to seek solace in human connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Pushing forward, highway miles are cheaper than in town
It is easier and cheaper to travel through highways than in the city
If you left something behind we'll try your best not to let it get you down
If you forget something, we'll do our best to lift your spirits and not let it ruin your day
The city's full of bullshit, I don't sleep there anymore
The city is full of lies and deception which has caused me to avoid sleeping there
I don't want it's schmoozy eagerness, I don't want to be it's whore
I do not want to be wrapped up in the city's insincere and disingenuous atmosphere
But we, we are so awestruck by the way that things just are
However, we are amazed by the natural beauty that surrounds us
Like the way the sun shines 'till it's night time
We appreciate the beautiful way the sun sets over the horizon each evening
We fall asleep to the sound of passing cars
We find comfort in the white noise of cars passing by as we try to sleep
It's that sinking sunken feeling
It's that feeling of sadness and despair
That you get on the roofs of tall buildings
That often occurs on the roof of a high building
Staring out over the bay or broken cityscapes that make you cry
Gazing out over the water or the broken city landscape that can bring one to tears
And it's not sad you just don't know how to begin to ask why
It's not necessarily a feeling of sadness, but more a feeling of confusion and inability to understand why
Just a few more cigarettes and I'll come back inside
I'll come back inside once I finish just a few more cigarettes
And do you ever get the feeling
Do you ever have the sensation
Something somewhere in you is still alive
That something deep inside you still has life
And saying "Oh and it's a big life, as big as it can be
And that voice is saying, 'Oh, life is immense, as huge as it can be'
And if you cannot see the beauty well don't give up so easily
And if you cannot perceive the beauty, don't be so quick to give up
And it's a weak-kneed conversation telling your new revelation
It's a vulnerable and uncertain feeling sharing a newfound realization
To a choir of a more cynical nature
To an audience that tends to be skeptical and critical
Being your ego and your I'd
Referring to one's own personal wants and desires
The part that swears to you you'll never want kids
The part of you that says you'll never want to have children
The part that drinks away each night
The part of you that numbly drinks away each night
And in the morning wakes at ten and goes to work
And in the morning wakes up at ten and goes to work
So let's not be so bitter at least not just yet
So let's try not to be resentful, at least not yet
I keep meaning to say everything's ok
I intend to say that everything is alright
Well how presumptuous is that?
But that may not be entirely accurate
And sure we all get hurt sometimes
And of course, we all experience pain at times
And sure we all feel ashamed
And yes, we all feel embarrassed and guilty at times
But if our friends can't help us through these things
But if our friends cannot aid us in dealing with these struggles
I don't know what friendship means
Then we may not wholly understand what friendship truly involves
And I don't know just what it is I'm trying to say
And to be honest, I'm not entirely sure what my point is
Contributed by Brooklyn F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mary Catherine Frantz
Not even a joke, I heard this song randomly on spotify and have listening to it religiously for the past two months. I feel the lyrics on a frustratingly spiritual level. Really loved this song. Keep up the good work.
Catalin Dan
one of my fav songs
Catalin Dan
niiiiice
zomsecho
The track names are different on the CD.
C Ramirez
🌌🌆
C Ramirez
i enjou commentering