A turning point in Piebald's career came when they recorded seven tracks, and put them on the CD that came to be known as Sometimes Friends Fight. Their musical sound had greatly matured, and Travis' lyrical ability was finally brought to the forefront of the band's music. Another two seven-inches later, Piebald was ready for another metamorphosis.
Eleven tracks recorded at Salad Days became the first record to showcase Piebald's signature sound and wry jokes. Traditionally the most sought-after Piebald recording (before it was immortalized in its entirety on All Ages), When Life Hands You Lemons was considered to be Piebald's best music yet. This release furthered the lyrical style that had been growing within the band, and also showcased the first lead vocals by lead guitarist Aaron Stuart, and a piano track by Shettel.
Following If it Weren't for Venetian Blinds, It Would Be Curtains for Us All, Piebald released their most popular album to date, We Are the Only Friends We Have. It featured the single "American Hearts" which achieved a modicum of success, garnering some mention on MTV and college radio. This, together with the band's signing to respected indie label Big Wheel Recreation brought Piebald their most mainstream attention to that date. This trend was continued when the band signed to the very popular Side One Dummy label and released their next album, and when Piebald was chosen to play 2004's Warped Tour.
The following album, All Ears, All Eyes, All the Time, features noticeably improved vocals by singer Travis Shettel and continues their evolutionary progress toward the piano-driven fare they've tended towards over the last couple of releases, and features such additions as horn sections, increased use of vocal harmonies, and extremely catchy hand-claps.
Piebald's latest album, Accidental Gentleman was released in late January of 2007. Its mix of raw rock and roll and perfected lyricism, which has always set Piebald apart, shows the band at a peak for themselves and the rest of the music industry. With cover songs like the Kinks' "Strangers", front man Travis Shettel brings a whole new generation the universal truths famously broken down by the legendary Ray Davies into three minute pop songs.
Lead singer Travis Shettel has released solo recordrings under the name Totally Travis. Shettel is also a member of LA based The Was.
The band generally only tours during the summer due to lead singer Travis Shettel's day job as an elementary school teacher.
Piebald announced they would be breaking up following the end of their US tour with The Format, Limbeck, Steel Train and Reubens Accomplice. Piebald played their farewell tour in April 2008 with one stop in New York city and two in Cambridge, MA.
All Senses Lost
Piebald Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If it fit in your hands
Pockets and bags just won't understand
The common disorder of heads on the rise
Don't smell with the nose or see with the eyes
I am just waiting for something to happen
And all sense is lost
To make you a man
Harder to touch but that was the plan
Will you behold a revolution with style
You'd swap your hands for a new set of teeth
The chatter goes well and it's well preserved
The grass remains green if it's left undisturbed
The opening lines of Piebald’s song “All Senses Lost” suggest the singer is describing someone who refuses to hold onto things, who is more interested in experiences and ideas than material objects. This theme is mirrored in the second line, where pockets and bags are incapable of understanding this individual’s approach to life. It seems this person has a strong mind, which would explain their “common disorder” and how they understand more about the world through senses other than sight and smell.
While the song doesn’t offer any particular narrative or specific story, it’s possible that the individual being described is on the cusp of something big. The line “I am just waiting for something to happen” implies a sense of anticipation or perhaps anxiety. It’s a feeling many people are familiar with, that sense you get when you know that life is about to take a significant turn. The use of the phrase “all sense is lost” is intriguing because it suggests that whatever it is this person is waiting for, it will change them completely.
Line by Line Meaning
You'd hold on to nothing
If something seems meaningless to you, you don't cling onto it for long.
If it fit in your hands
You're only interested in something tangible and measurable.
Pockets and bags just won't understand
Materialistic objects can't comprehend the depths of the human mind and emotions.
The common disorder of heads on the rise
Mental and emotional struggles and disorders are becoming increasingly common.
Don't smell with the nose or see with the eyes
Experience something fully with all your senses, not just those deemed 'important.'
I am just waiting for something to happen
Life feels stagnant and uneventful, but there's a lingering hope for something better.
And all sense is lost
The feeling of being adrift or disconnected from your surroundings or emotions.
You'd callous the body
You intentionally desensitize yourself to avoid being affected by emotional pain.
To make you a man
Society often perpetuates the idea that men need to be emotionally tough and unfeeling.
Harder to touch but that was the plan
Purposely making oneself less approachable and vulnerable, as a way of self-protection.
Will you behold a revolution with style
Hope for a change that's not only effective, but also visually appealing and impressive.
You'd swap your hands for a new set of teeth
Wishing for the ability to tear down or fight back against what is causing emotional pain, rather than being passive.
The chatter goes well and it's well preserved
The surface-level conversations and interactions continue as usual, even though deeper issues are being ignored.
The grass remains green if it's left undisturbed
Things can appear fine and functional on the surface, but there can be underlying issues that need addressing.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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