Only Crime plays a style of melodic but hard-hitting punk rock that borrows heavily from early-1980s hardcore bands. They have released two records: To the Nines (2004) and Virulence (2007).
In early 2007, Zach Blair became the new guitarist for Rise Against, replacing the recently departed Chris Chasse.
Xanthology
Only Crime Lyrics
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We count up all the baseless laws to get by
But she's grown
She's grown so cold and left between
Haunted by what might have been
In a different life
Surrounded by what never was
We feel these claws upon us
We're so alone
Rejection desiccates these eyes
The dawn strips the shapes to gray
The destitute resign that way
Just the same
They'll never be the same
But now she's miles away from those involved
The opening lines of Only Crime's song Xanthology describe a woman who pounds out a frantic pulse. This can be interpreted as metaphorical for the fast-paced and stressful nature of modern life. The following line, "We count up all the baseless laws to get by," could be seen as social commentary on the arbitrary rules and regulations imposed on us by society. The singer of the song is then described as having grown cold and haunted by what might have been in a different life, surrounded by what never was. This could imply that she is disillusioned with her current situation and longs for something different.
As the song progresses, the lyrics suggest that we are all alone in life and feel the claws of rejection upon us. This sense of isolation is further emphasized by the line "rejection desiccates these eyes," which suggests that the experience of rejection can drain us of our vitality and energy. The dawn stripping the shapes to gray could represent the loss of hope as the destitute resign themselves to their fate. However, although things may never be the same, the singer is now miles away from those involved, suggesting a sense of escape or release.
Overall, Xanthology seems to be a contemplation on the struggles of modern life, the disillusionment that can come with it, and the possibility of escape.
Line by Line Meaning
She pounds out a frantic pulse
She is intensely alive and active, giving it all she's got
We count up all the baseless laws to get by
We are forced to navigate a system that often lacks logic or reason in order to survive
But she's grown
Despite the challenges faced, she has matured and changed
She's grown so cold and left between
She has become emotionally withdrawn and stuck between different paths in life
Haunted by what might have been
She is tormented by the possibilities of what could have been different in her life
In a different life
If things had gone differently, she could be in a different situation
Surrounded by what never was
She is surrounded by things that never came to fruition
In life alone
We are all isolated in our individual experiences of life
We feel these claws upon us
We feel shackled or oppressed in some way, possibly by societal norms or expectations
We're so alone
The sense of loneliness is inescapable
Rejection desiccates these eyes
The lack of acceptance or approval dries up and withers a person's spirit
The dawn strips the shapes to gray
The light of morning takes away distinctions, making everything seem dull and colorless
The destitute resign that way
Those who lack resources resign themselves to their fate
Just the same
Despite circumstances, there is still a sense of unity or similarity
They'll never be the same
Life has irreversibly changed them
But now she's miles away from those involved
She has separated herself from her past and the people involved in it
Contributed by Adam L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.