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.

Misprint
Restorations Lyrics

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Nostalgia by a fake name
The time it takes to put these things away
Tell me what's been digging at you
This city's so quiet some nights
Weaving between these sleeping signs
Front page snug in its corner home
Newsprint photo of a faded face I thought I'd known
This city's so quiet some nights

There's this low hum on our closed-circuit timeline

There's this low hum of the things we left behind

Overall Meaning

In the song "Misprint" by Restorations, the singer is reflecting on the fleeting nature of nostalgia and how we often cling to memories that may not be entirely truthful. The opening line, "Nostalgia by a fake name," suggests that the act of reminiscing can sometimes obscure the reality of the past. The singer then goes on to describe the act of putting things away, which could be a metaphor for moving on from the past and letting go of sentimental objects.

As the song progresses, the singer muses about what might be bothering someone (perhaps himself?) and laments the quietness of the city at night. The imagery of "weaving between these sleeping signs" suggests a sense of disorientation and aimlessness. The mention of a newsprint photo of a "faded face" adds another layer to the theme of fading memories and the unreliable nature of nostalgia.

The chorus of the song centers around a "low hum" that is present on the "closed-circuit timeline" of our lives. This could refer to the background static of our thoughts and memories, as well as the things we leave behind as we move forward. The repetition of the phrase "this city's so quiet some nights" emphasizes the loneliness and contemplation that comes with late-night reflection.

Overall, "Misprint" is a meditation on the imperfect nature of memory and the struggles we face when trying to reconcile our past with our present.

Line by Line Meaning

Nostalgia by a fake name
The feeling of longing for the past, but not knowing its true identity or if it was ever real.

The time it takes to put these things away
The passing of time required to move on from the past and let go of sentimental items.

Tell me what's been digging at you
Asking someone to reveal what is causing them emotional pain or distress.

This city's so quiet some nights
Reflecting on the peaceful calmness of the city during certain times.

Weaving between these sleeping signs
Navigating through the still, unchanging streets of a quiet city at night.

Front page snug in its corner home
The newspaper headline securely resting in its designated spot, despite the world constantly changing around it.

Newsprint photo of a faded face I thought I'd known
A picture in a newspaper of a person who seems familiar, but is now distant and unfamiliar due to time and change.

This city's so quiet some nights
Reiterating the peacefulness and stillness of the city during certain times.

There's this low hum on our closed-circuit timeline
The faint, constant buzz of the past, present, and future events that make up our own personal journey.

There's this low hum of the things we left behind
The lingering presence of the memories, items, and people that we have moved on from, but can still feel their impact in our lives.

Contributed by Samantha D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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