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
Window
Nana Grizol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanna see the sun blow
I sit there and am still and just a shadow
Your memory is filling up my mind
Old town, you're dancing to the drummer of a new sound
I shudder when I say it doesn't bring me down
But seldom do I say a thing at all
And I never thought I'd seek a separate sunshine, no
But I get ashamed at things that should feel just fine, oh
So we sang a song about community
I only ever listen when I come and when I leave
But yeah I'm trying to drop this habit of always apologizing
This patterns is a trap, it's agonizing
Only I will make it go away
So we can lift them
And focus on the moments that we live in
Leave apprehensions and the headaches that they've given
My heart beats, it has better things to say
So I won't stumble as I follow down this path
Cause words that are spoken are just other things to have
And love you have given in your lifetime gives you back
I hope I remember to believe that
The lyrics to Nana Grizol's song "Window" explore themes of introspection, memories, and personal growth. The opening lines, "I wanna see the sun blow, I sit there and am still and just a shadow," depict a desire to witness something extraordinary while feeling insignificant and overshadowed. The singer's mind is consumed by memories, as indicated by the line "Your memory is filling up my mind." The nostalgia and longing for the past are further emphasized in the following lines, referring to an "old town" where there is a new sound and the simultaneous feeling of being uplifted and unaffected by it.
The lyrics then reflect on the singer's tendency to remain silent and not voice their thoughts. They express surprise at seeking a different source of happiness and feeling ashamed about it, suggesting a struggle with self-acceptance. The mention of a song about community hints at a desire for connection, but only truly listening when departing or arriving implies a detachment from the present moment.
The latter part of the song focuses on breaking free from patterns, specifically the habit of apologizing. The repetition of this behavior is described as a trap and agonizing. The lyrics express a determination to let go of this pattern to allow for a focus on the present and positive experiences. The singer wishes to embrace the moments they live in, leaving behind apprehensions and the associated headaches. The closing lines convey a realization that spoken words are just possessions, while love received in one's lifetime is what truly matters. The hope for remembering to believe in the power of love and personal growth concludes the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Window
The singer expresses a desire to witness the beauty of nature, specifically the sun's explosion.
I wanna see the sun blow
The singer longs to witness the captivating sight of the sun's radiant explosion.
I sit there and am still and just a shadow
The singer remains motionless and inconspicuous, feeling overshadowed and insignificant.
Your memory is filling up my mind
The artist's thoughts are consumed by memories of someone or something significant in their life.
Old town, you're dancing to the drummer of a new sound
The artist refers to a familiar place where change and progression are occurring, symbolized by a metaphorical drummer playing a fresh beat.
I shudder when I say it doesn't bring me down
The singer experiences a mixture of emotions, feeling both apprehensive and trying to convince themselves that the changes don't affect them negatively.
But seldom do I say a thing at all
The singer rarely voices their thoughts or opinions about the situation.
And I never thought I'd seek a separate sunshine, no
The artist never anticipated desiring a different kind of happiness or contentment apart from what they had previously imagined.
But I get ashamed at things that should feel just fine, oh
The artist experiences guilt or embarrassment for feeling unsettled by things that are typically considered normal or acceptable.
So we sang a song about community
The artist participated in a song that celebrates the idea of togetherness and shared values.
I only ever listen when I come and when I leave
The singer only pays attention to the message of unity and belonging when they are present in the community and when they depart, disregarding it otherwise.
But yeah I'm trying to drop this habit of always apologizing
The artist is actively attempting to break the habit of constantly saying sorry for their thoughts, actions, or emotions.
This pattern is a trap, it's agonizing
The singer recognizes that constantly apologizing is a detrimental cycle that causes suffering and distress.
Only I will make it go away
The singer takes responsibility for breaking the pattern and resolving the issue on their own.
So we can lift them
The singer suggests uplifting others, possibly through support or encouragement.
And focus on the moments that we live in
The artist proposes directing attention towards the present moments and fully experiencing them.
Leave apprehensions and the headaches that they've given
The artist urges leaving behind worries and the associated stress they have caused.
My heart beats, it has better things to say
The singer's heart symbolizes their genuine emotions and desires, which they believe are more significant and deserving of attention.
So I won't stumble as I follow down this path
The singer promises not to falter or lose their way while navigating their chosen course of action or personal journey.
Cause words that are spoken are just other things to have
The artist implies that words alone are empty possessions, emphasizing the importance of genuine experiences and actions over mere verbal expressions.
And love you have given in your lifetime gives you back
The artist believes that the love and kindness one gives to others throughout their life will ultimately be reciprocated.
I hope I remember to believe that
The artist expresses their desire to always maintain faith in the concept of love's reciprocity and its positive impact on their life.
Contributed by Alexis H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.