In an industry where subjectivity reigns, No Second Troy enlists an undenia… Read Full Bio ↴In an industry where subjectivity reigns, No Second Troy enlists an undeniable self-awareness of their musical space between indie and pop. Employing a realistic perspective on the band, the music and the industry, Washington DC's No Second Troy teeters on the edge of indie rock with introspective anthems rich in explosive vocal melodies, driven by railing guitars, and balanced by subtle layers of piano and organ.

The element of self-awareness could stem from the band's name itself. While many of the band's songs touch on relationships, past and present, related and romantic, No Second Troy originated as the title of a William Butler Yeats poem, in which he struggles with the unrequited love he has for Irish revolutionary Maud Gonne. The song "The Black and White Movie" references parts of the poem and reveals a thematic overlap in its lyrics. Like the poem, the band's lyrics at times seek a release from past relationships, even to the extent of apologizing on behalf of the person who caused the emotional injury. Mike Beach explains, "'The Black and White Movie' is an acknowledgment that we overanalyze our relation-ships and foolishly seek the perfection we see in Hollywood movies, thereby having our relationships fall into one of two categories - bliss or something inadequate, in other words, viewing the world as a black and white movie and failing to see all the colors and nuances.

The group acknowledges the challenges of defining a band bridging the gap between pop and indie. Our challenge has been navigating the middle ground between what is considered "pop these days and what is considered "indie rock," says Beach. "There is little room left, it seems, for bands like the Coldplay of 2002, before 'Clocks' became ubiquitous on the radio, which appeal to both critics and a broad audience. A Rush of Blood to the Head got tons of acclaim, including from critics who I imagine are less enamored with the band's subsequent, and arguably more commercial, records."

No Second Troy garnered praise from SPIN while charting on the CMJ Top 200 on their last record, Narcotic. On the upcoming release, Colors, the band was led to Inner Ear Studios where they worked with Chad Clark of Silver Sonya Studios (Fugazi, Q & Not U, Georgie James), TJ Lipple and Nick Anderson to produce and engineer the record. Lead singer Jeff Wharen notes, "We really liked Chad and TJ's vision of capturing the band's sound at its most authentic - moving away from digital editing and auto-tuning, while recording drums and bass on tape, and encouraging the band to just sound like itself, rather than trying to sound like something we think might be a critical success. We also liked Chad's commitment to mixing the songs based on what they were about, pairing the aesthetics of the musical and the lyrical."

Beach adds that Colors "captures so many different parts of the band's and each member's musical and personal character, and yet we believe it's truly a record as a whole, rather than a series of songs. There isn't a song I skip when listening, and we hope it is the same for everyone who listens to it."

Perfect
No Second Troy Lyrics

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I was so ashamed
Couldn't even say your name
I'm sitting in the dark
Searching for your spark

And i am beating from the thrill
Taken from pure will
And breathing as you stand still

And you could see
That your light reflects on me
It's perfect
And you could feel
We could fall down
But we're perfect
And i want to be

Waking from the cold
And empty getting old
And of course it's not the same
Of course i'm still to blame

And you you wait for a sleek line
Tried simple space and time
Reach somewhere sublime

And you could see
That your light reflects on me
It's perfect
And you could feel
We could fall down
But we're perfect and i i want to be

And you could see
That your light reflects on me
It's perfect
And you could feel
That we could fall down 50 stories
And we've walked this thin ledge
And it's a long drop from this edge
And you could see

That we could fall
But we're perfect

Overall Meaning

The song "Perfect" by No Second Troy captures the feeling of shame and longing after a failed relationship. The singer of the song confesses their shame about not being able to say their lover's name as they sit alone in the dark searching for their presence. However, despite the distance between them, the singer feels a connection to their former lover and acknowledges that their light still reflects on them. The chorus emphasizes the song's central message that despite the possibility of falling, the relationship was perfect as it was and the singer wants to recapture that feeling. The final lines make it clear that the relationship was risky, but worth it.

The lyrics have an introspective quality that adds to their poignancy. They explore the singer's feelings of regret and desire for the past, something that many people can relate to. The song also touches on themes of perfection and fallibility, reflecting the complexity of relationships. Despite the difficulties, the singer seems to believe that their relationship was perfect in its own way, and that it is worth pursuing even at great risk.

Overall, "Perfect" is a beautiful reflection on the complexity of relationships and the human desire for connection despite the risks involved. It is a song that anyone who has been in a difficult relationship can relate to, and its powerful lyrics will stay with listeners long after the song has ended.

Line by Line Meaning

I was so ashamed
I felt such deep remorse

Couldn't even say your name
I couldn't bring myself to utter the sound of your name

I'm sitting in the dark
I'm alone and in a state of despair

Searching for your spark
Looking for the fire that once shone bright within you

And i am beating from the thrill
I'm consumed with excitement

Taken from pure will
My actions are driven by sheer determination

And breathing as you stand still
I'm trying to catch my breath in the face of your stillness

And you could see
You have the gift of perception

That your light reflects on me
The light within you shines out and onto me

It's perfect
This feeling is just right

And you could feel
You sense deeply