After two albums for Tooth and Nail where the band explored more anthemic avenues, the quintet found itself re-examining its hard rock and metal roots on its third record for the label. The resulting album is an 11-song sonic attack that knows when to slow down the pace and when to pounce back like a slap to the face. "We didn't intentionally go for a heavier sound," guitarist Jef Cunnigham said. "We just wrote what came to mind and I think it turned into some of our best material."
Late last year the band's hectic touring schedule slowed enough for them to start working on the record, though they had a few geographical obstacles to overcome before starting. With members spread across four states, each created a secret Myspace for a non-existent band where they would post song ideas for the others to listen to.
Singer Matt Baird would download these parts to his iPod, where he began to craft the lyrics for the record. His finished work centers on topics like redemption and restoration, and reaches its pinnacle on the album's tenth track, "When Hope is All You Have," which began as a phrase he used during his father's funeral just before recording began.
"There are songs about healing and hope and about moving on after we've made mistakes," Baird said. "I felt some pressure in writing, hoping my parts would turn out as good as the music. But I think it all came out better than I could've imagined." After their internet-aided pre-production, the band decided to set up shop in a one-room cabin in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee for over a month to mold those song ideas into the core of the album. After three weeks of work, Baird joined the band for the final two weeks to add his lyrics to the fray.
With songs in hand the band then headed to Lakeside Studios in Knoxville for a month-long session with producer Travis Wyrick (P.O.D., Disciple), who also produced 2005's "Last Chance to Breathe," a record that helped the band expand its fanbase as it ventured into poppier leanings.
"I'm blown away by the finished record," Cunnigham said. "We wrote these songs to please ourselves, to write songs that we wanted to play live and we ended up with a few that were heavier and harder than anything on the last two records." Wyrick and the band have created a sound less reliant on overdubs and layering and more focused on bringing the band's live show to mind with a more sparse sound that still rocks as hard as ever. Maybe more so. "We wanted to experiment with heavier songs and think further ahead in the lifespan of the band," Baird said. "And with these heavier songs it really feels like a step toward the future and a reflection of the past."
Stand Alone
Spoken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I stand alone in the fire
I stand alone in the fire
(Chorus)
I stand alone before the fire
A past that's been chasing me
And so I face the flame now
I beg you to hear my voice
But I stand alone
(Verse)
Screaming from the fire
Burning in the flames
Hope is my desire
Now turn your face to me
(Pre-Chorus)
I stand alone in the fire
I stand alone in the fire
(Chorus)
I stand alone before the fire
A past that's been chasing me
And so I face the flame now
I'm screaming out
I beg you to hear my voice
But I stand alone
(Bridge)
I am not alone
I am not alone
I am not alone
I am not alone
(Chorus)
I stand alone before the fire
A past that's been chasing me
And so I face the flame now
I'm screaming out
I beg you to hear my voice
But I stand alone
(Verse)
Screaming from the fire
Burning in the flames
Hope is my desire
Now turn your face to me
The lyrics to Spoken's song "Stand Alone" express the feeling of standing alone in a difficult situation. The repetition of "I stand alone in the fire" in the pre-chorus signifies the feeling of solitude and helplessness. However, in the chorus, the singer takes control of the situation and faces the past that has been chasing them for a long time. The metaphorical use of fire in the lyrics represents the pain and struggles from the past that the singer is confronting.
In the bridge, the singer repeats "I am not alone." This repetition signifies self-empowerment and the singer's realization that they possess the strength and courage to face their struggles. The final verse calls out for someone to listen to the singer's voice and acknowledges their hope for a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
I stand alone in the fire
Despite the heat and turmoil around me, I am standing by myself without any support
A past that's been chasing me
There are things in my past that have always been following and disturbing me
And so I face the flame now
I am finally facing the intense consequences of my past actions, and confronting them head-on
I'm screaming out
I am shouting my feelings as loud as I can to make sure it's heard
I beg you to hear my voice
I plead with someone to listen and understand my perspective
But I stand alone
Despite all the shouting and begging, I am ultimately still alone in this struggle
Screaming from the fire
I shout out while being amidst the fiery turmoil
Burning in the flames
I am feeling the pain of my past actions and their repercussions
Hope is my desire
I seek a positive outcome and have the desire to instil hope despite the current situation
Now turn your face to me
I want someone to face me and notice my struggles, and I am calling out to them
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ANTHONY JOHN ARMSTRONG, JASEN RYAN RAUCH, JOSEPH ROBERT RICKARD, MATT BAIRD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
KingofBuilders
Amazing song. Absolutely my favorite album ever created. SPOKEN RULES.
EntertainmentFortress
I saw them live. Jumped on stage and headbanged with Matt. It was so friggin cool. I helped them with Soundcheck, and I got a free Spoken Illusion pick.
Th3Burn1nator
AMAZING. Spoken totally nailed it with this album. LOVE the new sound.
Carla Weide Boehm
♥ Love this song and the whole CD!
G.S
That was beast. 1:49 onwards was awesome. Great mixing choice.
dylan parrott
I discovered this band yesterday I'm in love
Michael Carlile
saw these guys in OKC they played a great live show!!! needs more exposure
N3V3R RA710NAL
I stand alone before the end. My past has been chasing me. So i face my fate now i'm screaming out. I beg you to hear my voice. But i STAND ALONE!!!
chaz dietrich
saw these guys live today! amazing band! and my first concert!
Whole Lotta Nope
I will say though, this is significantly better than anything I've heard from them in the last few years!