Isaac Holman (Vocals, Drums) and Laurie Vincent (Guitar, Vocals) released their debut mini-album "Sugar coated bitter truth" through Girl Fight Records in July 2012. Where's Your Car Debbie?, Hey and The Hunter, were all released in 2014. "ARE YOU SATISFIED?", the duo's first full length album, was released in June 2015, preceded by the three track 7" Feed The Mantaray in February. Their second album, Take Control, was released in September 2016. Their third album, Acts of Fear and Love was released in August 17, 2018.
2) The Alt-Rock/Post-Hardcore band SLAVES is now renamed as Rain City Drive: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain_City_Drive Rain City Drive
Despair and Traffic
Slaves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who discovered/ they were there?
Darling don't be/ so dramatic
It's not all/ despair and traffic
Paralysed in/ paradise
Dining with the/ parasites
Interspecies/ intercourse
Old land/ new laws
This is life
This is life
This is life
Another day/ another train
Pain killers/ kill the pain
Bend down/ pick it up
Cut it out/ stick it up
Who am I to/ say a thing
Look at us/ developing
Modern day/ machinery
Gaining/ productivity
This is life
This is life
This is life
This is life
This is life
This is life
This is life this is life darling don't you realise
This is life this is life you have got to realise
This is life this is life this is life.
The first verse of Slaves's song "Despair And Traffic" describes a sense of chaos and confusion in modern society, represented by the signals flying through the air. The question "who discovered they were there?" suggests a lack of understanding of how these signals came to be and what they represent. The next line, "Darling don't be so dramatic," could be interpreted as a message to not get too caught up in the chaos and despair of the world.
The second half of the verse describes a feeling of being stuck in a stifling environment – paralyzed in paradise, dining with the parasites. The following line, "interspecies intercourse," adds to this sense of unease and discomfort. Finally, the line "old land new laws" could be a commentary on the constant changes and developments in society, and how the laws that govern us may not always keep up with these changes.
The second verse of the song continues to describe a sense of numbness and pain in the modern world, with painkillers being used to numb the pain. The line "who am I to say a thing" suggests a feeling of powerlessness or insignificance in the face of these larger societal issues. The verse ends on a more positive note, however, with the line "modern day machinery gaining productivity," indicating some sense of progress or growth despite the challenges.
Overall, "Despair And Traffic" seems to be a commentary on the complexities and challenges of modern life, with a mix of cynicism and hopefulness. The repeated refrain "this is life" could be seen as a reminder to accept and adapt to the world as it is.
Line by Line Meaning
Signals flying/ through the air
Wondering who first discovered electromagnetic signals and how they came to be so ubiquitous
Who discovered/ they were there?
Questioning who first discovered radio waves and the practical implications that discovery has had on society
Darling don't be/ so dramatic
Reassuring someone that we shouldn't unnecessarily panic or overreact to life's troubles
It's not all/ despair and traffic
Reminding oneself that life isn't just problem after problem, but also moments of joy and stillness
Paralysed in/ paradise
Feeling trapped in a seemingly perfect situation, but not being able to appreciate or act within it
Dining with the/ parasites
Being around people who leech off of others and drain their positive energy
Interspecies/ intercourse
Commenting on the way humans interact with and affect the natural world around us
Old land/ new laws
Reflecting on the tension between tradition and progress in society
Another day/ another train
Expressing the monotony and routine of daily life, comparing it to a commuter's daily routine
Pain killers/ kill the pain
Highlighting the irony of using a substance to alleviate pain caused by life's difficulties
Bend down/ pick it up
Asserting the need to be proactive and address problems before they become too overwhelming
Cut it out/ stick it up
Offering a blunt and direct solution to confronting problems
Who am I to/ say a thing
Acknowledging one's own limitations and hesitance to speak out or take action
Look at us/ developing
Commenting on the rapid pace of technological progress and its effect on human society
Modern day/ machinery
Reflecting on the way technology has infiltrated and changed our daily lives
Gaining/ productivity
Noting the drive to constantly do more and be more productive in modern society
This is life this is life darling don't you realise
Emphasizing the importance of accepting and making the most of our current situation
This is life this is life you have got to realise
Urging someone to grasp the reality and obligations of our current existence
This is life this is life this is life.
Repeating and reinforcing the message that this is our current reality, and we must make the most of it
Writer(s): HOLMAN ISAAC LLEWELLYN, VINCENT LAWRENCE WILLIAM
Contributed by Aaliyah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.