The band is described, along with Low and American Music Club, as one of the linchpins of the slowcore movement, a subgenre of Indie Rock characterized by downbeat melodies, slow tempos, and often minimalist arrangements. The genre was shaped by musical influences like Folk Rock, Contemporary Folk, and later on, Indie Folk, creating a subdued atmosphere that clashed against most of the comparatively brash Alternative Rock that was popular at the time. Kozelek used this group primarily as a vehicle for his very personal and emotional songs of despair, pain and suffering.
While in Atlanta, Kozelek became friends with Anthony Koutsos, a drummer. He then moved to San Francisco, adding guitarist Gorden Mack and bassist Jerry Vessel to complete the line-up for Red House Painters. After forming, the group played the San Francisco scene extensively, and recorded demos from 1989 to 1992, building up an impressive amount of material. Once they were signed to 4AD Records in 1992, they put out five-and-a-half LPs worth of material in two-and-a-half years--between September 1992 and March 1995, they released three LPs, one double LP, and one EP on 4AD.
Their first 4AD release was an album made up of select demos titled Down Colorful Hill. It was a compilation of haunting melodies complemented by Kozelek's eerie yet rich and emotional vocals. In 1993, the group came out with two self-titled records (now commonly referred to as "Red House Painters I" or "Rollercoaster" and "Red House Painters II" or "Bridge" (based on their cover artwork), solidifying Kozelek's reputation as a talented songwriter with their harrowing autobiographical tales of his troubled life and errant living with no punches being pulled. The music, which ran the gamut from beautiful acoustic folk-rock to intense, dissonant, lengthy soundscapes, effectively conveyed the sadness of the lyrics.
In 1994, they released an EP entitled Shock Me and in 1995, the introspective Ocean Beach, which saw Kozelek's songs becoming more acoustic-based and folk influenced, and featured far less of the lengthy, dreamlike epics of the group's first two albums. His lyrics also showed a considerable shift in tone, as he increasingly began to write about the power of memory and the significance of geography, a subject that would become an obsession in his subsequent recordings.
While Kozelek was beginning work on a solo project, he parted ways with 4AD Records after a somewhat tumultuous relationship. Entitled Songs for a Blue Guitar, which was released on Island Records subsidiary Supreme Recordings in 1996. It was more of a guitar-driven rock album that they released under the Red House Painters name to give the album more publicity. A year later, they came up with Old Ramon, arguably their most accessible, optimistic recording to date. However, major label mergers during the late 90's would leave them without a record label, and it wasn't until 2001 that they were able to release the album on Sub Pop.
Prior to the release of Old Ramon, Kozelek released a solo six-song EP entitled Rock 'n' Roll Singer in 2000. The record was comprised of three original acoustic compositions with minor full-band arrangements and three covers: two AC/DC covers from the Bon Scott era and one John Denver cover. Following the release of the first solo EP, Kozelek released his first solo album six months later. The record, entitled What's Next to the Moon, was released in January of 2001, but would greatly surprise fans. What's Next to the Moon was comprised entirely of shimmering, melancholy acoustic AC/DC covers from the Bon Scott era. The record was also greatly uncharacteristic of Kozelek (though he was prone to enjoy covering songs by his favorite artists) in that it is the shortest full length to date clocking in at just over thirty minutes. Even the first Red House Painters album with only six tracks was more than 45 minutes in length. Both solo albums were released by Badman Records.
4AD would release the best-of package, "Retrospective", on a double-disc in 1999. Kozelek subsequently organized and appeared on a John Denver tribute album, played a part in Cameron Crowe's film Almost Famous and also appeared as a rock musician in the Steve Martin vehicle Shopgirl. He contributed to both a benefit album for AIDS and an album of classic rock covers.
In 2003 Kozelek and Koutsos, along with Geoff Stanfield and Tim Mooney, reformed as Sun Kil Moon, releasing the acclaimed album Ghosts of the Great Highway on Jetset Records. In a 2005 interview with The Onion's AV Club, Kozelek confirmed that he considers Sun Kil Moon essentially the Red House Painters, but that he changed the band name to grab the interest of critics who had gotten bored with, or stopped paying attention to, the Painters. The move was successful, as Ghosts of the Great Highway would be his best-selling album yet, while garnering extremely positive reviews.
Michael
Red House Painters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somehow in my excitement the last time you called,
It slipped again to ask your hidden whereabouts
I got a lead from your old triple ex-girlfriend, she said
"I heard he lost his mind again"
"Again?" I said
I didn't know that you ever did
Michael, where are you now?
Sleeping through the morning in flannel impaired
Getting high in southern air
Shoeless, sandy eveing down the unfamiliar
Last whiff of salt-water freedom
Skipping shells in the dead zone
With the ghost on your side
Of the state borderline
Whispering
"Take it."
Do you remember our first subway ride?
Our first heavy metal haircuts?
Our last swim on the east coast?
And me with my ridiculous looking pierced nose?
I remember your warm smile in the sun
The daydreaming boy without a shirt on
The Birmingham barfly father
Left the mother of three sons
You're the oldest juvenile delinquent bum
My best friend
The song "Michael" by Red House Painters explores the singer's search for their friend Michael, who seems to have disappeared. The lyrics are filled with imagery of Michael's whereabouts and activities, painting a picture of a person who is free-spirited, carefree, and perhaps even reckless. The singer reflects on their memories with Michael, and there is a sense of nostalgia and longing for a time that has passed.
The first stanza of the song is a conversation between the singer and Michael's ex-girlfriend, where she reveals that Michael has lost his mind again. The singer seems surprised by this news and tells her that they didn't know that Michael ever did lose his mind. This could be interpreted in different ways, but it suggests that Michael has a history of mental health issues.
The second stanza describes Michael's current state, with him being in the southern air, shoeless and sandy, enjoying the last whiff of salt-water freedom before crossing the state borderline. He is accompanied by a ghost, which can symbolize his recklessness and perhaps even his own mortality. The phrase "take it" whispered by the ghost can be interpreted as an invitation for Michael to embrace his recklessness and live in the moment, rather than fearing the future.
Overall, "Michael" is a song about friendship, memory, and the search for meaning in life. It is a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of youth and the inevitability of change.
Line by Line Meaning
Michael, where are you now?
The singer is trying to locate Michael and get in touch with him.
Somehow in my excitement the last time you called,
It slipped again to ask your hidden whereabouts
The singer was too excited during their last conversation with Michael and forgot to ask for his current location.
I got a lead from your old triple ex-girlfriend, she said
"I heard he lost his mind again"
"Again?" I said
I didn't know that you ever did
The singer spoke to Michael's ex-girlfriend who told him that Michael has gone crazy again. The singer is surprised because he didn't know Michael had ever gone crazy before.
Sleeping through the morning in flannel impaired
Getting high in southern air
Shoeless, sandy eveing down the unfamiliar
Last whiff of salt-water freedom
Skipping shells in the dead zone
With the ghost on your side
Of the state borderline
Whispering
"Take it."
Michael is currently sleeping late in his flannel shirt, possibly due to being impaired from drug use. He is getting high in the southern air and walking barefoot in an unfamiliar place. He is reminiscing about the last time he felt free near the ocean and is skipping shells in a place where nothing grows. He is peculiarly being followed or accompanied by a ghost, possibly indicative of his mental state. The ghost is urging him to take a certain action.
Do you remember our first subway ride?
Our first heavy metal haircuts?
Our last swim on the east coast?
And me with my ridiculous looking pierced nose?
I remember your warm smile in the sun
The daydreaming boy without a shirt on
The Birmingham barfly father
Left the mother of three sons
You're the oldest juvenile delinquent bum
My best friend
The artist is reminiscing about the good times they shared with Michael. They remember the first time they took a subway ride together, the first time they got haircuts to look like heavy metal musicians, and their last swim on the east coast. They also remember how the artist had a ridiculous-looking pierced nose, and how Michael had a warm smile in the sun while daydreaming. The artist talks about Michael's father who was a frequent barfly and left behind Michael's mother and three sons. He calls Michael the 'oldest juvenile delinquent bum' who is his best friend.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Mark Edward Kozelek
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Naya Jarrar
Michael, where are you now?
Michael, where are you now?
Somehow in my excitement, the last time you called
It slipped again to ask your hidden whereabouts
I got a lead from your old triple-ex-girlfriend, she said
"I heard he lost his mind again and again"
I said I didn't know that you ever did
Michael, where are you now?
Michael, where are you now?
Sleeping through the mornings in flannel impaired
And getting high in the Southern air
Shoeless, sandy evenings down the unfamiliar
Last whiff of salt-water freedom
Skipping shells in the dead zone
With the ghost on your side
Of the state border line
Whispering
"Take it, take it, take it, take it
Take it"
Do you remember
Our first subway ride?
Our first heavy metal haircuts?
Our last swim on the East Coast?
And me with my ridiculous-looking pierced nose?
I remember
Your warm smile in the sun
The daydreaming boy without a shirt on
The Birmingham barfly father left a mother of three sons
You're the oldest juvenile delinquent bum
My best friend
bloss1999
I'm turning 24 today and wanted to pay my respects to Red House Painters. This is my favourite album and has been for the last 4 years.
Perfect album with 6 great songs, it's slow, emotional, unique and heartbreaking.
it hooks you in instantly with Mesmerizing bass in 24, from there on out, you are in for the ride. Mark's brilliant entrance, with a deep, sorrowful voice. Voice of pure sadness and no hope, setting the tone of the album and generally a perfect opener for this album.
"And I thought at fifteen that I'd have it down by sixteen
And twenty-four keeps breathing in my face"
Medicine Bottle displays everything that makes the band great, soothing melancholic music with beautiful storytelling lyrics. Mark piles down on the misery, describing his bitter relationship with love. Keeping memories of a past relationship like bitter medicine pills, hard to swallow but relieves pain
"And like a medicine bottle
In the cabinet I'll keep you"
Down Colorful Hill marches you down a hopeless path, reluctantly going down a hill you are not ready to leave
"Out of the box, down colorful hill
Winds lifting tired feet, skin sensing challenge ahead"
Japanese To English another display of masterful composition. A beautiful song about his frustrations about expressing his love in a prior relationship
"It's not that simple
This dictionary never has a word
For the way I'm feeling"
Lord Kill the Pain, is a harsh song showing Mark's anger and bitterness towards life. Although I find it to start weak, it becomes incredible at 2:56, where Mark and the instruments come together amazingly, then at the end, dissolving into chaos and dissonance, which is then resolved by...
Michael.
The silver at the end of the grayscale rainbow.
The most beautiful song on this album, and a perfect way to finish this album.
In every song of this album, his cadence has always been devoid of hope and happiness, even when the lyrics did not necessarily reflect that.
although Michael is a sad song, it is also nostalgic and full of love, reminiscing of simpler times. Mark describes his relationship with Michael so vividly and picks out warm memories that he holds dear to his heart. His voice is so endearing that it is hard not to relate to him and immerse yourself in his memories. It's the first time in the album that he actually displays some hope in his voice.
And then comes one of the most beautiful moments in music.
3:59
"My best friend..."
&LoveForAll
Old friends leave your life . Passion fades .Love dies .Your bluebird escapes.....
Mark Kozelek , at his best , articulates better than most the essential loneliness that lies at the heart of the human condition .
Ana Lazovic
❤️
joebreakerx
Mark once explained on an interview, that this song was about a very close friend of his who he grew up with, who started to become quite depressive and then one day - just disappeared. Years later while taking requests at a show a fan called out Michael, a song he didn't play live often. About half way through the song he looked down and saw Michael, stood front row, crying his eyes out.
I will link the interview if I ever find it again on here
Simon
@joebreakerx So where is Michael? And is he Ok?
joebreakerx
@Robert Novick no way! I would have loved to have been there
Robert Novick
I was at that show. It was in Atlanta at Variety Playhouse somewhere around 2001 or so. That's the first time I met Michael. I met him again at one of Kozelek's solo shows in Atlanta years later.
joebreakerx
v smith nah it’s true. As per previous comments others have also heard this, the link has just gone down
v
i highly doubt it
Cheesy Cola
Man, the mood of the instruments fits the the mood of the lyrics so perfectly. Such a great song.
Gino the Nose
The perfect song, hope you're still alive and I love you