Consisting of Gust (guitar/vocals), Paul Pulvirenti (drums), (initially) Gilly Ann Hanner (later replaced by Jim Talstra) and a changing roster of friends, the group produced the 1999 album "No Memory", an album which carried the style and tone of Heatmiser's final record, "Mic City Sons".
No Memory was followed up by the 2002 album "What Does Good Luck Bring?". After a lengthy hiatus, it was later revealed that the group had disbanded.
Critical Mass
No. 2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like you're just coming off of the ice
You're lit by the passing cars
For the time that passed through the night
And you're happy to be this scared
And you're thrilled to move this fast
And you leave the curb in mid air
They all want to put you at ease
They all want to pay you in cash
They're happy when you're down on your knees
You're finally at the critical mass
But you look so out of place
Underneath flourescent lights
Like you're visible from outer space
Like a brand new sattelite
They all want to put you at ease
They all want to pay you in cash
They're happy when you're down on your knees
You're finally at the critical mass
You never thought he'd ever believe
You'd go around and call him trash
And now you know he'll never be
You're finally at the critical mass
Yeah
But you were born under shattered stars
And they just let you out on the ice
You were made out of seperate parts
And they only came together tonight
They all want to put you at ease
They all want to pay you in cash
They're happy when you're down on your knees
You're finally at the critical mass
You never thought he'd ever believe
You'd go around and call him trash
And now you know he'll never be
You're finally at the critical mass
The lyrics to "Critical Mass" by No. 2 speak to the feeling of being out of place and yet oddly exhilarated by it. The subject of the song walks down a street at night, "seeing stars" as if they just came off the ice. They are both scared and thrilled by the experience, leaving the curb "in mid air" and coming down with a "crash." The lyrics suggest a sense of urgency and momentum, as if the subject is hurtling towards a critical point of no return.
However, there is also a sense of alienation and dislocation in the lyrics. The subject is "out of place" and "visible from outer space." Others want to "put them at ease" and "pay them in cash," suggesting that they are being used for others' ends. Nevertheless, the subject seems to have found a sense of power in their otherness, reaching a "critical mass" where they are no longer beholden to others' expectations or needs. The song ends on an ambiguous note, with the subject turning on someone they had previously revered, suggesting that this newfound power may come at a cost.
In many ways, "Critical Mass" can be seen as a song about the complexities of identity and the search for meaning and agency in a world that often seeks to stifle such individuality. The metaphor of the "critical mass" suggests a tipping point where one's individual power becomes irresistible, and the song seems to suggest that one must embrace their own sense of otherness in order to reach this point. It is a powerful and evocative song that speaks to the human desire for autonomy and self-expression.
Line by Line Meaning
You walk down seeing stars
You are walking under the night sky, gazing at the stars above.
Like you're just coming off of the ice
You walk like you have just gotten off of slippery ice and are still figuring out how to walk on steady ground.
You're lit by the passing cars
The headlights of cars passing by illuminate you and the path you are walking on.
For the time that passed through the night
You appreciate the beauty of the time that has passed by as you continue your journey through the night.
And you're happy to be this scared
Even though you are afraid, you are still happy to be facing your fears and stepping out of your comfort zone.
And you're thrilled to move this fast
You feel exhilarated as you walk quickly through the night streets.
And you leave the curb in mid air
You jump off the pavement as if you were airborne.
And your foot comes down with a crash
You land with a loud, satisfying thud onto the ground.
They all want to put you at ease
Everyone around you wants to make you feel comfortable and relaxed.
They all want to pay you in cash
Others are willing to pay you to make your life easier.
They're happy when you're down on your knees
People around you are pleased to see you at your lowest and most vulnerable point.
You're finally at the critical mass
You have reached a tipping point where everything is coming together and everyone is taking notice of you.
But you look so out of place
Despite your newfound popularity, you still feel like you don't quite belong.
Underneath fluorescent lights
You are standing under the harsh glare of fluorescent lights.
Like you're visible from outer space
You feel like you are glowing so brightly that you can be seen from space.
Like a brand new satellite
You feel like you are a new and exciting discovery, much like a newly launched satellite.
You never thought he'd ever believe
You never imagined that he would believe your negative opinion of him.
You'd go around and call him trash
You spread rumors and talked negatively about him behind his back.
And now you know he'll never be
You realize that he will never live up to the terrible expectations you had set for him.
And they only came together tonight
The different parts of you and your life have finally come together on this night, leading to a significant turning point.
Contributed by Michael S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Pierre S
You walk down seeing stars
Like you're just coming off of the ice
You're lit by the passing cars
The third time they passed you tonight
And you're happy to be this scared
And you're thrilled to move this fast
And you leave the curb in mid air
And your foot comes down with a crash
[Chorus]
They all want to put you at ease
They all want to pay you in cash
They're happy when you're down on your knees
You're finally at the critical mass
[Verse 2]
But you look so out of place
Underneath flourescent lights
Like you're visible from outer space
Like a brand new satellite
[Chorus]
They all want to put you at ease
They all want to pay you in cash
They're happy when you're down on your knees
You're finally at the critical mass
You never thought he'd ever believe
You'd go around and call him trash
And now, you know he'll never be
You're finally at the critical mass
Yeah!
[Verse 3]
But you were born under shattered stars
And they just let you out on the ice
You were made out of separate parts
And they only came together tonight
[Chorus]
They all want to put you at ease
They all want to pay you in cash
They're happy when you're down on your knees
You're finally at the critical mass
You never thought he'd ever believe
You'd go around and call him trash
And now, you know he'll never be
You're finally at the critical mass
Yeah!
Lorenzo Sarli
Think I just found another band to love. Thanks Elliott for introducing me to your friend Neil.