Along with such bands as Pavement and Guided By Voices, Sebadoh helped pioneer lo-fi, a style of indie-rock characterized by low-fidelity recording techniques, often on four-track machines. The band's early output, such as Weed Forestin (1990) and III (1992), was typical of this style, and wavered between Barlow's wry, introspective folk and Gaffney's psychedelic noise-rock experiments.
Following 1993's Bubble and Scrape, Gaffney left the band. His replacement, Bob Fay, appeared on the band's most acclaimed and consistent effort, 1994's Bakesale, which saw the emergence of the songwriting talents of multi-instrumentalist Jason Loewenstein, and the follow-up Harmacy in 1996.
Fay left the band before the sessions for The Sebadoh (1999), to be replaced by Russ Pollard. Following the tour to promote this album (2000), the band went on hiatus, with Barlow concentrating on his other project, the Folk Implosion, and Loewenstein working on material for his debut solo album At Sixes and Sevens, released in 2002. The two reunited to play concerts in late 2003 and the spring of 2004.
In 2006, III was reissued with a bonus disc and expanded liner notes. In 2007, the band (reunited with Eric Gaffney) was touring.
In 2013, Defend Yourself was released followed by Act Surprised in 2019.
Discography:
* The Freed Man (1989)
* Weed Forestin' (1990)
* The Freed Weed (1990)
* III (1992)
* Rocking The Forest (1992)
* Sebadoh vs. Helmet (1990)
* Smash Your Head On The Punk Rock (1992)
* Bubble and Scrape (1993)
* 4 Song CD (1994)
* Bakesale (1994)
* Harmacy (1996)
* The Sebadoh (1999)
* Defend Yourself (2013)
* Act Surprised (2019)
Alchemy
Sebadoh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothin' grew, so mark it bland (?)
I'm sad, fuck sad, I'm teary-eyed
Want a lovey-dovey honey, that's what I like
I'm the finest drifter you'll ever meet
I'm the kindest drifter you'll ever meet
Don't think nothin' cards condemn
I'm sure we both cut and shuffle them
Gravity immune, yeah, I didn't leave town
Learn to talk, teach me alchemy
Now the witch can't spell what my future might be
Want a lovey-dovey honey that will learn to talk
I bought the gin and tonic, if you care to walk
Carry on I will, my soul melting down
Rotten beans, stumbling, now it's nothing but the town
I'm the finest drifter you'll ever hate
But I'll cook for you and I'll clean my plate
The song "Alchemy" by Sebadoh seems to be a confessional and introspective type of song about a person who is feeling down and confused about life. The first two lines of the song describe a state of apathy and dreaminess, and the line "Nothin' grew, so mark it bland" suggests that the person feels unfulfilled or stagnant in their life. The lines "I'm sad, fuck sad, I'm teary-eyed" express an intense sadness and despondency. They then declare what they long for - a "lovey-dovey honey", which could suggest that they crave affection and intimacy.
The song's narrator then introduces themselves as "the finest drifter you'll ever meet", implying that they are a wanderer or someone without a real direction. The lines "Don't think nothin' cards condemn / I'm sure we both cut and shuffle them" suggest a fatalistic view of life, that one's fate is determined by chance or fate. The lines "Gravity immune, yeah, I didn't leave town / Learn to talk, teach me alchemy / Now the witch can't spell what my future might be" suggest that the person is resisting the forces of gravity and trying to find a new path through life using the power of language or pure will.
The song ends on a bittersweet note, with the person acknowledging their own flaws and offering their companionship and domestic abilities to someone else. Overall, the song seems to be a meditation on the fragility of human connection and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in life.
Line by Line Meaning
In blase and dream away
I feel indifferent and disconnected from reality
Nothin' grew, so mark it bland (?)
My life is stagnant and lacks excitement
I'm sad, fuck sad, I'm teary-eyed
I am extremely upset and crying
Want a lovey-dovey honey, that's what I like
I desire a romantic partner who is affectionate and sweet
I'm the finest drifter you'll ever meet
I am skilled at aimlessly wandering through life
I'm the kindest drifter you'll ever meet
Although I may be lost, I am still a compassionate person
Don't think nothin' cards condemn
I don't believe in fate or destiny
I'm sure we both cut and shuffle them
I believe that we have control over our own lives
I cry 'cause I'm drunk, plead 'cause I'm down
I become emotional when I am intoxicated and depressed
Gravity immune, yeah, I didn't leave town
I feel liberated and carefree, even when I am staying in one place
Learn to talk, teach me alchemy
I want to learn the secrets of communication and connection
Now the witch can't spell what my future might be
I am unpredictable and my future is unknown
Want a lovey-dovey honey that will learn to talk
I desire a romantic partner who can communicate well
I bought the gin and tonic, if you care to walk
I am prepared to host and entertain guests at my home
Carry on I will, my soul melting down
I will keep going, even though I am deeply upset
Rotten beans, stumbling, now it's nothing but the town
I am in a bad situation and my surroundings are not helping
I'm the finest drifter you'll ever hate
I may be likable, but I am also frustrating and unreliable
But I'll cook for you and I'll clean my plate
Despite my flaws, I am capable of providing care and sustenance to others
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ERIC ALAN GAFFNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DugKeith
on Smoke a Bowl
Love this. The man.