West River
Restorations Lyrics

In "West River," Restorations describes a reflective journey through their memories and recognizing how far they have come in life. The lyrics vividly depict a long drive up the west side, passing by familiar places that they used to know. The mention of "all wired, twisted and storied" reinforces the idea that everyone has their own personal history and experiences that shape who they are. The glistening sheets of silver on silver plateau evoke a sense of beauty and hopefulness in the journey towards self-discovery, while the repetitive phrase "Straight on until plateau" suggests maintaining focus on the journey, despite inevitable obstacles and distractions.

As the song progresses, the focus shifts to an introspection of the different versions of themselves that they had hoped to be by now. The singer calls out to passing strangers, asking how they got to where they are and why they stayed, perhaps searching for insight and validation in their own path. The counting of people and mouths per minute can be interpreted as an attempt to quantify the passing of time, while the rooftop on the north side represents a place of temporary solace and reflection. The song ends with the realization that, despite the uncertainty and ambiguity of life, there is still value in the journey itself, even if it does not always yield tangible results.