Philadelphia band Restorations have managed to both attract and defy labels… Read Full Bio ↴Philadelphia band Restorations have managed to both attract and defy labels since their humble origins in 2008. Formed by singer/guitarist Jon Loudon and guitarist Dave Klyman following the breakup of their post-hardcore band Jena Berlin, the two casually assembled a new band with little more ambition than having a reason to get together once a week and play. It took a couple of years to get going, but by 2010 Restorations had begun a string of releases that would garner them ardent critical praise for their marriage of post-rock, punk, Americana, folk-rock, and anthemic indie. Their self-titled 2011 debut album was preceded by a handful of singles and an EP. Clearly the floodgates had been opened and the rapid progression showed a versatile and constantly evolving band. Their efforts were aided by collaborator/producer Jonathan Low (the War on Drugs, the National), whose adventurous spirit helped bolster the new, more grandiose sounds of their second album, 2013's LP2. The band continued to gain fans and momentum and eventually landed a deal with established L.A. indie SideOneDummy Records. In October 2014 Restorations delivered their third album, the vast heartland rocker LP3.

Civil Inattention
Restorations Lyrics

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Saw a man spewing tar from his mouth
As fast as he was shaking he was gone
The kind of language that lingers behind
The kind of thing that sticks with you

I am no longer scared
I am terrified all the time

He says "I just want to work my job and come home.
Please leave me alone."
"I just want to work my job and come home.
Don't you understand?"
While we were watching mountains changing color
Cars melt into the sea
As it all went dark

And I am no longer scared
I am terrified all the time

Until all you see are signs of things you wish were true

For every double take
Hallucinations

Overall Meaning

and anxiety
Civil inattention
Feels like my only luxury

In the song Civil Inattention, Restorations paint a vivid picture of a world where communication has become strained and fear has taken over society. The lyrics tell the story of a man who is shouting and spewing tar, a metaphor for the poison that has infected his mind. The image is disturbing, but it's also an allegory of the world we live in today. The man is gone as fast as he appeared, leaving behind a residue that sticks with the listener. The song contrasts the man's outburst with the desire to work and come home, to be left alone. It's a longing for peace and stability in a world that is increasingly unpredictable.

As the song progresses, we see the world unraveling. Mountains change color, cars melt into the sea, and it all goes dark. The fear and uncertainty that permeate the song are palpable, and we begin to feel the emotion that the lyrics evoke. The chorus, "I am no longer scared, I am terrified all the time," is a powerful expression of the pervasive sense of fear that has come to define modern society. Despite this fear, the song ends on a note of hope. The last line, "For every double take, hallucinations and anxiety, civil inattention feels like my only luxury," suggests that despite everything, there is still the possibility of finding moments of peace and serenity.

Line by Line Meaning

Saw a man spewing tar from his mouth
Witnessed an individual spewing out vile, toxic language

As fast as he was shaking he was gone
The perpetrator left quickly after spewing his toxic speech

The kind of language that lingers behind
The sort of language that clings to your memory

The kind of thing that sticks with you
The sort of language that remains in your mind, causing discomfort

I am no longer scared
Once used to being fearful, the artist now experiences constant terror

I am terrified all the time
The singer feels intense fear constantly

He says 'I just want to work my job and come home.
The man wants to work and then go home without being bothered

Please leave me alone.'
The man requests to be left alone

"I just want to work my job and come home.
The man repeats his wish

Don't you understand?"
He asks if the listeners comprehend his desire

While we were watching mountains changing color
While the observers were preoccupied with the beauty of nature