"if the prospect of a pillar-to-post ride through the post-modern gamut deosn't give you a nosebleed, then you and ROC deserve each other" (uncut).
ROC are:
Patrick Nicholson - keys, guitar, production
Fred Braunen - voice, guitar, keys
Karen Sheridan - voice, guitar, keys
The group released their third album "Night Fold Around Me" in June 2006. It's the overdue follow-up to "Virgin" (Virgin Records 1997) and their debut "ROC" (Setanta Records 1996), both widely acclaimed by press and musicians including Orbital and Radiohead.
The new album (on fast-rising London-Brooklyn label 12 Apostles) has been warmly received by UK press:
"ROC are an intriguing concern and this third album sees that continuing" 3/5 (Q)
"Their most accessible album...a terrific collection of lush, intelligent electro pop full of beauty, tempered optimism and gallows wit" 4/5 The Scotsman
2 singles have preceeded the album. "Princess" was BBC 6music's Evening Sequence Single of the Week. "Journey to the Centre of Brixton" had plays on Radio 1 and 6music and made Playlouder.com's readers poll Top 50 singles of 2005 (despite only being released in December). A further single from the album "Sink A Bite Into Life" is planned, meanwhile a 12" remix of the track by Aussie electrobrat Dsico is currently topping UK club dj charts.
From their early singles such as "God Willing" and "Girl With A Crooked Eye" (Little Star Recordings), the group was labelled 'perverse' and 'uncategorisable' for their refusal to stick to a pre-ordained genre, instead viewing the whole of pop music as fair game for their ideas. While some viewed this as mere mischief, others realised ROC were attempting something more complex:
"be young, be British, parade some sickly indie variant of pop around the shop, watch your so-called career rise in times of chest-beating patriotism and then dip sharply when people come to their senses; alternatively take the ROC route and visit a Britain that is a more paranoid place that the Albion of their Britpop peers. ROC examine the true youth stories of our time: the long-term effects of hedonism, atomised, uncertain urban lives, boredom." (nme)
"their references are as broad as the Severn Bridge, from Velvet Underground to Phil Spector, DJ Shadow to Kraftwerk, kitsch rock to Europop, but that doesn't matter because ROC still make it sound like they're treading through virgin territory." (Melody Maker).
The early singles displayed a tendecy to black humour (still evident on the latest album). "Girl With A Crooked Eye" is a story of domestic violence on the Costa Del Sol, and "X-ine" contains the line "I hope you both get Aids". But with their first album "ROC" the group revealed a more personal side. Fred Browning and Karen Sheridan delivered forlorn breakup songs, screaming rants and self-loathing. But they still weren't beyond upbeat pop songs ("Hey You Chick!"), dreamy instrumentals and spoken word. They also let loose with all manner of sound effects, real answerphone messages from friends and lovers, taped conversations, fragments of tv and radio. "Excised" starts with a secret recording of a friend's wedding.
The "Virgin" album features "Dada", a techno-riot based around Ugandan dictator Idi Amin's infectious laugh, and "Said What I Said" which predated both Goldfrapp's electro-glam stomps and the UK's appetite for Jerry Springer-type TV shows. But these are again interposed with raw emotional material such as the closer "Ocean & England". Q magazine said: "it ends with a love song - now that is unsettling."
Although branded as pranksters, ROC's story is one of committed perseverance. They gained a 'difficult' reputation when their label wrote an open letter to the industry warning people against working with them; and while critics were celebrating their 'fuck-the-formula' approach, ROC were beyond the wit of marketing departments: two lead singers; too dance for rock/too rock for dance. The band never claimed to be original, noting that artists from the Beatles to Pink Floyd to Prince had used multiple musical styles for their palette. But by mid-90s Britain the lines were drawn: post-rave superclubs versus Britpop's real rock revival. Not much room for people undoing the rules and occasionally coming up with something slightly unusual...
Despite rave reviews for their second album, Virgin dropped ROC during an executive purge in 1999. ROC seemed finished. But the albums reached open ears around the globe, and their reputation has grown. The group continued with three single releases, including "2000Mann" on ex-NME writer Ben Willmott's Spiky label, and toured the UK with Sneaker Pimps. Encouragement from fans and friends led to Karen, Fred and Patrick re-convening in 2003, joining forces with fast-growing Brooklyn label 12 Apostles. In 2004 they were back in the studio, with long-standing collaborators Danton Supple (producer of Coldplay's "X&Y") and Gareth Huw Davies at the desk. "Night Fold Around Me" was completed in Summer 2005.
Finally released this June, "Night Fold Around Me" is a sumptuous concoction of dreamy soundscapes, driving beats, rock'n'roll, trashed ballads, and down-the-centre pop; you'll find less of the Idi/Jerry stuff (though the Baader Meinhof gang made it in), leaving the stage open for Fred and Karen's raging, poignant sentiments.
"not for everyone, but oddly life-affirming." The Scotsman June 2006
Website
http://www.rocmusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/rocuk
Burn
ROC Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just wanna take the world and then go burn it up
I know I seen better days
But I don't really think you all heard enough
I get money from separate ways
So me and the gang we stay turning up
Just poured up an 8 for me and the real one
I put my cup straight into space so I can feel sum
You ain't think we bout it yeah we finna have to pop out
You don't fuck with me
I don't know what the fuck you talk about
Y'all be faker than deep-fried cheese
None of your guys will even pop-out
I swear to god we'll make you see
All of them guys they really be cop-out
I came in to get that green
Everything else you all need to knock off
If I pull up in a SRT
Then maybe you all would just believe me now
And the things that I ain't need
I was quick to really leave it all
There was some things that I ain't see
But I ain't really need to see it all
If I eat then we all eat
That's something that you all should've figured out
I ain't mean you all just ain't see
The shit that I was always putting out
I cant see cause all this green
Is finna go ahead and put me out
They ain't seem to hear my plea
So I guess I'm just go figure it out
Only thing I guarantee is I don't know why
Why I try so hard but I'm not good enough?
I just wanna take the world and then go burn it up
I know I seen better days
But I don't really think you all heard enough
I get money from separate ways
So me and the gang we stay turning up
Just poured up an 8 for me and the real one
I put my cup straight into space so I can feel sum
I keep a Nina on my waist 'case they wanna kill sum
You ain't think we bout it yeah we finna have to pop out
You don't fuck with me
I don't know what the fuck you talk about
Y'all be faker than deep-fried cheese
None of your guys will even pop-out
I swear to god we'll make you see
All of them guys they really be cop-out
I came in to get that green
Everything else you all need to knock off
The lyrics to ROC's song "Burn" express a sense of frustration and determination. The first line, "Why I try so hard but I'm not good enough?" reflects a feeling of inadequacy and the struggle to measure up to expectations. The artist desires to make a significant impact on the world, symbolized by wanting to "take the world and then go burn it up." There is a sense of urgency to be heard and recognized, as the line "I know I seen better days, but I don't really think you all heard enough" suggests that the artist feels their previous achievements have not been fully acknowledged.
The artist also mentions earning money from different sources and enjoying a lavish lifestyle with their gang, emphasizing a life of indulgence and partying. The references to pouring up an "8" (likely referring to a combination of drugs) and keeping a firearm for protection convey a sense of danger and a willingness to defend themselves. The artist acknowledges that there are doubters who don't believe they are capable of what they claim, but they are ready to prove them wrong by "pop[ping] out" and showing their true abilities.
The lyrics also indicate a sense of loyalty and sharing success with others. The line "If I eat, then we all eat" signifies a commitment to supporting their circle and ensuring everyone benefits together. The artist expresses a desire for validation, wanting others to recognize their talent and hard work. However, there is also a hint of disillusionment, as the repetition of "I don't know why" and "I ain't really need to see it all" suggests a questioning of the path they are on and the necessity of certain experiences.
Overall, "Burn" encapsulates a mix of ambition, frustration, and the constant pursuit of recognition and success. It reflects the artist's determination to prove themselves and leave a lasting impact on the world, despite facing doubts and obstacles along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Why I try so hard but I'm not good enough?
I question why I put in so much effort but still feel inadequate.
I just wanna take the world and then go burn it up
I desire to conquer the world and leave a lasting impact.
I know I seen better days
I acknowledge that I have experienced more favorable times in the past.
But I don't really think you all heard enough
However, I feel like my message and voice haven't been fully heard or understood by others.
I get money from separate ways
I earn income from multiple sources and avenues.
So me and the gang we stay turning up
My friends and I consistently enjoy ourselves and have a good time.
Just poured up an 8 for me and the real one
Recently, I mixed and drank a strong alcoholic beverage with a close friend.
I put my cup straight into space so I can feel sum
To escape reality, I consume alcohol excessively to numb my emotions.
I keep a Nina on my waist 'case they wanna kill sum
For protection, I always carry a firearm in case someone intends to harm me or my associates.
You ain't think we bout it yeah we finna have to pop out
If you doubt our readiness for action, be aware that we are prepared to confront any challenge.
You don't fuck with me
You have no interest or association with me.
I don't know what the fuck you talk about
I am unable to comprehend or understand the nonsense you speak.
Y'all be faker than deep-fried cheese
You and your group are more deceitful than artificially processed cheese.
None of your guys will even pop-out
None of your acquaintances or associates will show up or be present in challenging situations.
I swear to god we'll make you see
I promise you that we will make you fully realize and comprehend our capabilities.
All of them guys they really be cop-out
All of those individuals consistently avoid and evade responsibilities and challenges.
I came in to get that green
I entered this pursuit to acquire wealth or financial success.
Everything else you all need to knock off
All other concerns or distractions should be disregarded or eliminated by everyone.
If I pull up in a SRT
If I arrive in a luxury sports car (specifically referring to a Dodge Challenger SRT model).
Then maybe you all would just believe me now
Perhaps, if you witness my material success, you would finally have faith in my abilities.
And the things that I ain't need
Additionally, I have relinquished the desire for unnecessary possessions or objects.
I was quick to really leave it all
I promptly abandoned any material possessions or desires that were not essential or beneficial.
There was some things that I ain't see
There were aspects or details that I failed to perceive or understand.
But I ain't really need to see it all
Nevertheless, it was not essential for me to fully comprehend or experience everything.
If I eat then we all eat
If I am successful or provided with opportunities, I will ensure that everyone in my circle benefits as well.
That's something that you all should've figured out
This is an expectation that all of you should have already understood or realized.
I ain't mean you all just ain't see
My actions or intentions were not malicious; it's just that you failed to recognize or perceive them.
The shit that I was always putting out
The content or message that I consistently shared or expressed.
I cant see cause all this green
I am blinded or unable to perceive clearly due to my intense focus on wealth and materialism.
Is finna go ahead and put me out
This obsession with financial success is gradually extinguishing my true self or authentic identity.
They ain't seem to hear my plea
Others have failed to listen and understand my desperate appeal or request.
So I guess I'm just go figure it out
Consequently, I am left with the task of resolving or finding a solution to the situation on my own.
Only thing I guarantee is I don't know why
The sole certainty I can provide is my lack of understanding regarding my current circumstances.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Caleb Fulford
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind