After signing to the independent record label Run for Cover, the group issued an anthology of their early work, titled Everything So Far. Their second studio album, Cardinal, represented a breakthrough, gathering a devoted fan listenership and appearing on many music critics' top-10 year-end lists. After recording its successor, Skylight, Pinegrove took a year-long hiatus after Hall was accused of sexual coercion by a person with whom he toured. The album saw proper release independently in 2018 and was followed by several sold-out tours. The band signed to British label Rough Trade for their next efforts, including Marigold and 11:11.
Pinegrove is known for their literary lyricism and loyal following of fans, which refer to themselves as "Pinenuts". The band's name comes from a prominent pine tree row on a nature reserve at Kenyon College, where Hall attended college. They are known for their geometric iconography, specifically using square shapes and usage of the ampersand (&) in artwork and merchandise. Pinegrove is also recognized for their alignment with progressive causes, including charitable contributions to civil rights organizations.
Pinegrove's sound has frequently been referred to as a mix between alt-country, an offshoot of modern country music, and emo, a rock genre characterized by an emphasis on emotional expression. The group has toured with acts commonly labeled emo, such as The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die, while the original label RFC is known for its association with fourth-wave emo bands. Pelly of Pitchfork notes "this affiliation makes sense: Their music is open-hearted, communal, earnest, lyrical, with a discernible ease." Cardinal's success led tastemakers to include Pinegrove among a wave of "emo revival" acts, and while Hall stopped short of labeling the group, he acknowledged his work could be "lyrically confessional, emotionally direct, and emotive vocally, frequently." In response, Hall clarified the band's mission: "emo points inwards and it's our aim to point outwards." The group also has been categorized as indie rock, math rock, and Americana; Hall himself once described the band as the "midpoint between math rock and Americana."
Musically, Pinegrove augments the standard guitar/drums/bass lineup with instruments such as banjo and pedal steel guitar. The group's style has been compared to fusion genre fore-bearers the Weakerthans, as well as Wilco, Built to Spill, "Gillian Welch, and early Death Cab for Cutie." Hall has listed My Morning Jacket and Bon Iver among the band's more direct musical influences; an early profile of the band narrativizes Hall and Levine's love of My Morning Jacket's live album Okonokos as the catalyst for starting their music careers. For Hall as a songwriter, his influences are split between music and literature; he has cited artists such as Stephen Steinbrink and Phil Elverum as inspirations, as well as writers George Saunders, William Faulkner, and Virginia Woolf. To this end, Hall has referred to Pinegrove as "language-arts rock."
http://pinegrove.bandcamp.com/
Spiral
Pinegrove Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Good posture
Good lighting
Good evening
You're mourning
The loss of
A feeling
A part of
A process
Of living
A vision
To do what
You're here to
You're crying
Not sleeping
I love you
Good morning
I love you
You're singing
I see you
You're smiling
And lying
Your hair in
A spiral
Drink water
Good posture
Good lighting
Good evening
Good morning
Good morning
Good morning
I see you
The song "Spiral" by Pinegrove is a reflection of the complexities of life, love, and loss. At the beginning of the song, the lyrics appear to be a simple list of life's essentials with phrases like "drink water, good posture, and good lighting." The repetition of these phrases throughout the song emphasizes their importance and suggests that they are not only essential for survival, but also for a healthy state of mind. As the song progresses, the tone shifts, and it becomes clear that the lyrics are more than just a list of essentials. The lines "you're mourning the loss of a feeling, a part of a process of living, a vision to do what you're here to," are reflective of the deeper meaning of the song. It appears that the singer is referring to the loss of something meaningful in life, whether it be love or purpose, and the struggle to find it again. The final lines "good morning, I love you, I see you" suggest that the struggle is not insurmountable and the singer is offering encouragement and support to whoever needs it.
The song's melody and instrumentation complement the introspective nature of the lyrics, with a simple acoustic guitar strum and steady drum beat. The singer's raw and emotive vocals draw the listener in and create an intimate and personal connection with the lyrics. The repetition of certain phrases serves as a reminder of their importance and gives the song an almost meditative quality.
Line by Line Meaning
Drink water
Take care of yourself and stay hydrated
Good posture
Make sure to sit up straight and take care of your physical wellbeing
Good lighting
Set yourself in a well-lit environment to pursue your goals
Good evening
At the end of the day, take care of yourself
You're mourning
You're grieving the loss of someone or something dear to you
The loss of
You're mourning the death or absence of someone or something that mattered to you
A feeling
You're feeling a sense of loss and emptiness
A part of
You feel a sense of incompleteness without this person or thing
A process
Life is a series of experiences and changes, and you're in the midst of it
Of living
This is an inevitable part of the human experience
A vision
You have a sense of what you want to do with your life
To do what
Your purpose is to pursue the goals that you have set for yourself
You're here to
You believe that you have a reason for being alive
You're crying
You are expressing your emotions and allowing yourself to feel and process your sadness
Not sleeping
You are struggling with insomnia, perhaps due to your sadness
I love you
Despite your struggles, there are people who care about you and support you
You're singing
You are expressing your emotions and finding a way to communicate your feelings to the world
I see you
Even if you feel unseen and unheard, there are people who acknowledge and recognize your struggles
You're smiling
Despite your sadness, there are moments of happiness and joy that you experience
And lying
However, you may also be hiding your true feelings and putting on a front for others
Your hair in
Your physical appearance is an expression of your emotions
A spiral
You may feel like you are in a downward spiral of sadness and grief
Good morning
At the start of a new day, remember to take care of yourself and your wellbeing
Good morning
Wake up with a positive attitude and a sense of purpose
Good morning
Each new day is an opportunity to pursue your goals and live your life to the fullest
I see you
You are seen and heard by those who care about you, and your feelings are valid
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Evan Stephens Hall
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind