Of all the groups that the Residents signed to their Ralph Records, Renaldo & the Loaf were the closest to their label heads in sound. Twisted, high-pitched vocals, child-like melodies, an atmosphere of menace and unease with a stripped-down approach to instrumentation characterised their output.
By their own assertion, they achieved their unique sound in part by striving to get unnatural synthesizer-like sounds using only what instruments they had available (acoustic ones.) To that end they routinely used muffled and de-tuned instruments, and often to striking effect, tape loops/manipulation. The two released four full-length albums, one collection, various songs on compilation albums, and several self-produced demos. They were "discovered" by The Residents when Brian dropped off a tape at Ralph Records headquarters in San Francisco, during a visit to the US. After being signed to Ralph, they collaborated with The Residents on Title in Limbo.
By 1989, the collaboration had lost its steam, and the duo disbanded after recording a sea shanty, "Haul on the Bowline," which appeared only on a Ralph various artists release. Brian Poole ("Renaldo") contributed to sporadic recordings in the 1990s. In 2006 upon the launch of the new Renaldo & the Loaf web site, the duo were reunited for the first time in the better part of two decades.
In October of 2016 they released their first studio album in 29 years, entitled "Gurdy Hurding". Vienna Label Klanggalerie has since re-issued all their albums. In June 2018 Renaldo & The Loaf played their very first genuine live show at Klanggalerie's 25th anniversary in Vienna, documented in the album "Long Time Coming."
External Links:
Website
Renaldo & the Loaf Myspace
The Loaf's Myspace
Renaldo's Myspace
Spratt's Medium
Renaldo & the Loaf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What'll I do, what'll I do?
Throw away the gaff and the dog
Isn't it closed, isn't it closed?
There's no pain killer anymore!
I'm asking if it's very calm
Calling to you, calling to you.
It never ends, I'll never go
Lucky for you, lucky for you!
Fit to wake the dead, d'ya hear
Words from your heart,words from your heart
One day you'll say, "I'm tired, I'll stop"
Ooooo --what of the sun?
Back again with insecticide
How are the waves, how are the waves?
Calling to you, calling to you.
How are the waves, how are the waves?
The lyrics to Renaldo & the Loaf's song "Spratt's Medium" are full of cryptic phrases and fragmented imagery that leave much to interpretation. The first stanza seems to be addressing someone directly, perhaps a former lover or friend. The line "You used to hold the chair too high" could be interpreted as a criticism of this person's pride or arrogance, or maybe referring to the way they used to hold themselves up too high in some other way. The line "Throw away the gaff and the dog" seems nonsensical, but could be a command to get rid of useless or outdated tools or habits. The following line, "Isn't it closed, isn't it closed?" could be referring to a store or business that has closed down, or perhaps a door or gateway that has closed off some opportunity.
The second stanza continues the theme of loss or change with the line "There's no pain killer anymore!" suggesting a loss of comfort or escape from discomfort. The line "I'm asking if it's very calm" could be a plea for reassurance or an indication that the person speaking is feeling anxious or unstable. The line "It never ends, I'll never go" suggests a kind of resignation or acceptance of a situation that is endless or unchanging. The final line "Lucky for you, lucky for you!" seems somewhat mocking or sarcastic, as if the singer is implying that the person they are addressing is not affected by the same difficulties or issues.
Overall, the lyrics to "Spratt's Medium" are highly enigmatic and dreamlike, with shifting scenes and a sense of unease or ambiguity pervading the imagery. The song may be interpreted in many different ways, reflecting the complexities and mysteries of human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
You used to hold the chair too high
You were always too controlling
What'll I do, what'll I do?
I'm not sure how to handle it
Throw away the gaff and the dog
Get rid of unnecessary things
Isn't it closed, isn't it closed?
Aren't we done with this?
There's no pain killer anymore!
There's no easy way out
Ooooo--look at the earth!
Wow, look at what's going on around us
I'm asking if it's very calm
Wondering if it's going to be peaceful
Calling to you, calling to you.
Trying to get your attention
It never ends, I'll never go
This cycle will keep repeating
Lucky for you, lucky for you!
You're fortunate, things are going your way
Fit to wake the dead, d'ya hear
Loud enough to wake the dead
Words from your heart, words from your heart
Speaking truthfully
One day you'll say, "I'm tired, I'll stop"
You'll eventually want to give up
Ooooo --what of the sun?
What does the future hold?
Back again with insecticide
Going back to old ways
How are the waves, how are the waves?
What's happening in the world?
Contributed by Colton G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.