“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
Parasitical
O'Brother Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can't defy the inescapable outline.
Ignorance relies on parasitical design
So I try and better myself
I try and better myself.
I cannot decide between the body and the mind
And they obvious
I guess this life is better than no life
You obviously disagree.
I guess this life is better than no life
You obviously disagree.
I keep spreading my speech like a plague
Uncertainty to regulate the arrogance of self-provided truth.
I've seen the coming and the dawning of an age
When every tongue will shamefully confess
You never truly knew a single thing
We will find it out
We will find it out
When the blood that's dripping from our hands
Is swallowed by the broken ground.
We will find it out
We will find it out
When the blood that's dripping from your hands
Is pouring from your open mouth.
I guess this life is better than no life
You obviously disagree.
I guess this life is better than no life
You obviously disagree.
I guess this life is better than no life
You obvious
You obviously disagree.
I guess this life is better than no life
You obvious
You obviously disagree.
The lyrics of O'Brother's song Parasitical tackles several themes, one of which is the struggle for meaning in life. The first two lines set the tone for the rest of the song, with the singer accepting that life is better than no life but acknowledging the inescapable outline of fate. The following lines suggest that ignorance relies on parasitical design, implying that people's knowledge is limited by their environment and circumstances. Despite this, the singer strives to better themselves, but they cannot reconcile the body and mind that seem to disagree with one another.
The song's chorus repeats the phrase "I guess this life is better than no life" twice, with the added line, "You obviously disagree." This line could be interpreted in several ways, but it could be seen as a challenge to those who deny the value of life when faced with adversity.
The final lines of Parasitical paint a vivid picture of the consequences of our actions. The "blood that's dripping from our hands" signifies the harm we cause to others, and the "broken ground" is a metaphor for the consequences we face when we disregard the impact of our choices. The chorus is repeated once more, signaling that the struggle for meaning and understanding in life never truly ends.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess this life is better than no life
Acknowledging the value of life, even if it's imperfect.
You can't defy the inescapable outline.
We cannot change what is inevitable.
Ignorance relies on parasitical design
Ignorance thrives by taking advantage of its host.
So I try and better myself
Striving for self-improvement.
I cannot decide between the body and the mind
Uncertainty in choosing between physical and mental aspects of life.
And they obvious
The differences between body and mind are clear.
And they obviously disagree.
The body and mind are in conflict with one another.
I keep spreading my speech like a plague
Spreading ideas with great force and impact.
Uncertainty to regulate the arrogance of self-provided truth.
Uncertainty is necessary to balance the confidence of personal beliefs.
I've seen the coming and the dawning of an age
Awareness of change and progress.
When every tongue will shamefully confess
A time is coming when people will admit their ignorance.
You never truly knew a single thing
Realization that our knowledge is limited.
We will find it out
The truth will reveal itself.
When the blood that's dripping from our hands
Symbolizing guilt and responsibility for our actions.
Is swallowed by the broken ground.
Our transgressions will ultimately be absorbed by the earth.
When the blood that's dripping from your hands
Addressing those who have caused harm.
Is pouring from your open mouth.
Your words and actions will betray you.
You obvious
Addressing someone who disagrees.
You obviously disagree.
Confirming disagreement with a previous statement.
Contributed by Blake H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ryan Humphries
lovin it!
Hanjolina Jooly
Great stuff.
Christian Fournet
I keep spreading my speech like a plague. Uncertainty to regulate the arrogance of self-provided truth. I've seen the coming and the dawning of an age when every tongue will shamefully confess, "YOU NEVER TRULY KNEW A SINGLE THING!" We will find it out, we will find it out. When the blood that's dripping from our hands is swallowed by the broken ground We will find it out, we will find it out. When the blood that's dripping from your hands is pouring from your open mouth!
ninjasylph
awesome :)
Miles Collins
This song sounds like Blindsides singer is guest vocalling at the end.
Thomas Hendon
Thanks for reminding me to listen to Blindside lol
Thomas Hendon
This song is full of the fuzz
G C
Quaaludes. ...lol