“The music we like to put together is dark, but so is the subject matter, so the medium has to be as well,” O’ Brother’s lead singer/guitarist Tanner Merritt spells out the capturing of the Georgia band’s first five written songs.
To break the cimmerian shade of an album based around sleep and its emboss to the natural world a dynamic had to be created, a wall of density given breathe and firm grip around melodies unable to wander. The expected sprawl of soft, then loud, then back to soft was sacrificed projecting a new luminance where the strength was in the tiny twisting light that exhales from the EP as a whole.
The band sought to keep their on stage essence by laying the album down live, forgoing the studio temptation to fill each space. Recorded by Brad Fisher with assistance from Manchester Orchestra’s Andy Hull the best takes were chosen for keys and effects to be added in later creating the soundscapes tucked beneath each song.
Since the 2009 release the band has shared stages with Thrice, Circa Survive, Manchester Orchestra, Biffy Clyro. Ready to record again the band is in a new dawn; where the sun is rising and a new eclectic output is being embraced.
“I think we are enjoying the writing of our full length more than we did with the EP,” Martens explains the bands next step. “It is more of a shared experience with this one because everyone is writing. The music is coming out better than ever and we are really happy to be coming into our sound.”
http://www.myspace.com/obrothermusic
Killing Spree
O'Brother Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ripping through my leaves
like a killing spree, devouring
my sense of time
and its alright
you’re a perfect line
in a book unbound
you’re signs of life
you’re a neon sign
in a coal mine
place your head against me now
your tired lips, your open mouth
drink my madness if you want to drown
swallowed by fury and sound
take my name
it’s prearranged
i’ll ruin you, when i ruin me
take my name
i’m borrowing
from future you, for present me
take my name
stay the same
because of you in spite of me
take my name
love was made
for future you and future me
The lyrics in the song Killing Spree by O'Brother, describe a powerful force that is going through the singer. The force is personified as an evening breeze and it is tearing through the singer's leaves, like a killing spree, taking away their sense of time. Despite this, the singer is okay with it, as it's part of life. It is compared to a perfect line in an unbound book, a sign of life in barren ground, and a neon sign in a coal mine, all of which indicate that the force is something positive and life-affirming.
The singer is asking the force to embrace them, to drink their madness, representing the chaos that is within them and swallow them whole. They want to be consumed by the force, as it offers them an escape from their troubles. The lyrics also mention the exchange of names, indicating a desire to escape from themselves and reinvent their identity, alluding to the possibility of the force serving as a catalyst for rebirth and transformation. In the end, the lyrics suggest that love is what drives the present self towards the future self, creating a sense of hope and renewal that is inherent in the force of nature.
Line by Line Meaning
you’re an evening breeze
You are a light, refreshing presence in my life.
ripping through my leaves
Stirring up my emotions and thoughts with ease.
like a killing spree, devouring
Your impact on me is like a sudden, intense force that destroys my sense of self.
my sense of time
My ability to perceive time and keep track of it is lost when you are around.
and its alright
Despite the chaos you bring, I am content with your presence.
you’re a perfect line
You are a flawless embodiment of what I desire.
in a book unbound
You represent something that has endless possibilities and potential.
you’re signs of life
Your energy is a source of vitality and inspiration for me.
in barren ground
You are a beacon of hope in an otherwise lifeless environment.
you’re a neon sign
You are a bright, attention-grabbing force that cannot be ignored.
in a coal mine
You shine through the darkness and uncertainty of my life.
place your head against me now
Come close to me and feel my presence.
your tired lips, your open mouth
Your exhaustion and vulnerability are apparent in your physical expression.
drink my madness if you want to drown
If you want to indulge in my wild, chaotic nature, do so at your own risk.
swallowed by fury and sound
You will be consumed by the intensity of my passion and expression.
take my name
Be associated with me and all that I represent.
it’s prearranged
I have already set in motion this connection between us.
i’ll ruin you, when i ruin me
My self-destructive tendencies will have negative consequences for both of us.
i’m borrowing
I am taking from the future to satisfy the present.
from future you, for present me
I am taking away from your future potential to fulfill my current desires.
stay the same
Remain constant and reliable in my life.
because of you in spite of me
You inspire me to be a better person, even though my negative qualities try to hold me back.
love was made
The purpose of our connection is to experience a deep, fulfilling love.
for future you and future me
Our love is meant to flourish and grow over time, resulting in a brighter future for both of us.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Anton Dang, Johnny Dang, Jordan Mcghin, Michael Martens, Tanner Merritt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JomNitram
You’re an evening breeze
Ripping through my leaves
Like a killing spree, devouring
My sense of time
And its alright
You’re a perfect line
In a book unbound
You’re signs of life
In barren ground
You’re a neon sign
In a coal mine
Place your head against me now
Your tired lips, your open mouth
Drink my madness if you want to drown
Swallowed by fury and sound
Take my name
It’s prearranged
I’ll ruin you, when i ruin me
Take my name
I’m borrowing
From future you, for present me
Take my name
Stay the same
Because of you in spite of me
Take my name
Love was made
For future you and future me
@user-tq7uv9rs1e
144k minutes of music listened in 2023. O'Brother was the top 3. :) Honestly one of my favourite bands e ever.
@sovndscvpe
Dude you know when you battle with depression and social anxiety sometimes and just a general sense of not fitting in, and then you find that one band that is like your music soulmate and it helps you so much and makes it all better. O’Brother is that band.
@IllustriousUnknown416
Why is this band so underrated?
Thanks Scalene for showing me these guys (back there in 2016).
Greetings from Brazil
@obrotherpodcast
thats what im screaming! just kidding, we love the scalene dudes and thanks for listening!
@MT-nz5ef
As someone who is recently divorced, these lyrics hit me. The complexity of a marriage and inevitably of change. The entanglement is so real.
@dutchoven138
Same here my friend. this song came at the right time.
@obrotherpodcast
really sorry to hear about the tough times man, glad we can be a part of your life and hope things start looking up soon.
@emily99
i haven't been this excited for a new album in a while. y'all will forever be one of my favorite bands in the world.
@obrotherpodcast
i bet you we're more excited than you are! thanks for the ears emily!
@coryfellabaum9650
Literally changed my life watching these cats with dillinger