As Okta Logue prepare for the release of their third studio album the influence of their own side projects is becoming apparent. Rollergirls; powerchording energetic postrock and the Benno Herz Band; a somewhat more relaxed indi folk creation are being gently folded into the Progressive, Psychedelic tones of Okta Logue to create something quite unique.
The first song on the recording "Bright Lights" has old Prog Rockers holding back tears of reminiscence as the video, produced and directed by Nicolai, swoops around a slow motion garden party to the undulant tone of Benno Herz and Crew. The video won several awards and enjoyed several film festival showings.
Best Music Video at SEHSÜCHTE 2011 Potsdam
Best Music Video at CLIPAWARD 2011 Mannheim
1st prize at VISIONALE 2010 Frankfurt (age 20 to 27)
LICHTER FILMTAGE 2011 Frankfurt
PROTOCLIP 2010 Paris
JUNG&FRISCH 2011 Darmstadt
KUFIFE 2010 Stuttgart
Their new album is due to be released early 2012 on Hazelwood Vinyl Plastics. Guitarist Meloi is the one to watch here with swooping solos and impeccable timing. The often idiosyncratic style of drummer Robert Herz deserves special mention. Its not often the time keeper is able to paint a picture in this manner.
Think early Pink Floyd and your halfway there. For now.
Decay
Okta Logue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or your days will be dull
You're draggin' your shell
Til your sunset will come
'cause you bury all your senses
For a little of tin
Stucked in the fences of your worn out skin
Decay
That's just iron, that's no gold
You got to be thankful
Come and have a seat
And sell out your wits for a couple of needs
The streets are riddled with blood
You walk them ankle-deep in mud
But the liqour of the digger is blood
You can't even dream steel into gold
Oh my dear turn around
Cold steel tied you to the ground
A far train is crying out loud
And don't tell me you have no fears
No fears
At all
You're a grain of sand at the shore
All of this is real now
You're just a wheel now
You're just too calm to feel alive
Say, is this deal your delight
So why do you drown your fears in wine?
Maybe you don't know
But you get no change
But you paid so much
Isn't that strange?
And still the streets are riddled with blood
And all your needs... ankle-deep in mud.
The lyrics of Okta Logue's song "Decay" convey a message of caution to listeners who may be stuck in a sense of apathy or ennui. The first few lines emphasize the importance of being careful in order to avoid leading a dull and meaningless existence. The metaphor of "draggin' your shell" implies that the person has become stagnant and is just going through the motions without any real sense of purpose. The lyric "you bury all your senses for a little of tin" paints a picture of someone who is sacrificing their own experience of life for the sake of material gains that are ultimately unfulfilling.
The chorus of the song is somewhat ironic, as the singer notes that the subject of the lyrics is celebrating despite the fact that they are in a state of decay. The line "that's just iron, that's no gold" suggests that the person is valuing something that is ultimately worthless. The second verse of the song continues to warn the listener of the dangers of getting too caught up in worldly needs, and the chorus is repeated with slight variation.
The final verse seems almost desperate in its attempt to wake the person up to the reality of their situation. The lyrics reference the bloody streets and muddy paths that the person is walking through, and how they have become desensitized to it all. The repetition of the line "you have no fears, no fears at all" seems almost accusatory, as if the person is trying to deny their own human vulnerability. The final lines bring everything full circle, with the singer noting that the person has paid a high price for their way of life and yet still seems unable to escape the cycle of decay.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got to be careful
One must exercise caution in their actions
Or your days will be dull
Otherwise, life could become uninteresting and monotonous
You're draggin' your shell
You're lethargic and unenthusiastic
Til your sunset will come
Until the end of your life arrives
'cause you bury all your senses
Since you suppress all of your feelings
For a little of tin
For insignificant, worthless things
Stucked in the fences of your worn out skin
Trapped in the barriers of your old, tired body
Decay
Deterioration and decline
But you celebrate
Yet you still find ways to rejoice
That's just iron, that's no gold
What you think is precious is truly plain and ordinary
You got to be thankful
You should express gratitude
Come and have a seat
Take a moment to relax
And sell out your wits for a couple of needs
Exchanging your intelligence for momentary desires
The streets are riddled with blood
The world can be violent and cruel
You walk them ankle-deep in mud
It's difficult to navigate through life's hardships
But the liqour of the digger is blood
Violence and death are inherent in certain professions
You can't even dream steel into gold
You can't turn your dreams into reality
Oh my dear turn around
Pause and reassess your situation
Cold steel tied you to the ground
Your struggles are keeping you stuck in place
A far train is crying out loud
There are opportunities waiting for you, far away
And don't tell me you have no fears
Everyone has something that scares them
No fears
Not even one
At all
Absolutely none
You're a grain of sand at the shore
You're insignificant and easily replaceable
All of this is real now
All of your experiences are genuine
You're just a wheel now
You're stuck in a repetitive cycle
You're just too calm to feel alive
You've become unresponsive and detached
Say, is this deal your delight
Is this agreement bringing you joy?
So why do you drown your fears in wine?
Why do you try to alleviate your anxieties with alcohol?
Maybe you don't know
Perhaps you're unaware
But you get no change
But you're not making any progress
But you paid so much
But you've invested so heavily
Isn't that strange?
Isn't it peculiar?
And still the streets are riddled with blood
Despite everything, the world is still violent and ruthless
And all your needs... ankle-deep in mud.
All of your desires are weighed down by obstacles and difficulties.
Writer(s): Benno Herz, Philip Christ
Contributed by Isaac L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.