As part of The Guggenheim Grotto, Kevin and Mick broke through with their 2006 debut Waltzing Alone. Two more critically acclaimed albums followed, 2008’s Happy The Man and 2010’s The Universe Is Laughing.
The stylistic difference of Storyman is a reflection of Kevin and Mick's time living in Brooklyn for three years and feeling inspiration the musical landscape of the city. This Time Round features New York based musicians Chris Kuffner (electric guitars, bass, synths), Elliott Jacobson (drums/percussion), and Katie Costello, Lelia Broussard and Hannah Winkler (vocals). The album shows their singer-songwriter roots with an expanded sonic and lyrical palette. This Time Round was featured as one of Brave New World’s Best Albums of 2013, and the duo also won The Deli’s year end New York City songwriter poll.
In support of the album, Storyman will join Ingrid Michaelson on her Lights Out Tour, playing shows across the United States from April 21st to June 2nd. They will also be featured with Ingrid on “You Got Me”, a track from her new album.
Strange
Storyman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dying on the telephone
Fumbling for an answer
Is there anybody home
Lampshade at an angle
Cultivate a look
Never black and navy
Now happy face good
People are strange, a little bit strange, a little bit strange to me
Living is strange, a little bit strange, a little bit strange to me
Isn't it strange, a little bit strange, a little bit strange to be
People are strange, a little bit strange, a little bit strange to me
Coughing through the movie
Dreamer on the turnpipe
Sewn out at the table
Everyone dies
Head down at the schoolhouse
Head down for the fun
Head down in your wheelchair
And what have you learned
People are strange, a little bit strange, a little bit strange to me
Living is strange, a little bit strange, a little bit strange to me
Isn't it strange, a little bit strange, a little bit strange to be
People are strange, a little bit strange, a little bit strange to me
Living is strange, a little bit strange, a little bit strange to me
Isn't it strange, a little bit strange, a little bit strange to be
The song "Strange" by Storyman opens with the lines "Staring at the carpet, dying on the telephone, fumbling for an answer, is there anybody home." The singer appears to be in a disconnected and unresponsive state, as they struggle to find the words to say or the motivation to engage with others. The next lines detail an intentional affectation of style - the lampshade at an angle, the cultivated look, and the avoidance of black and navy in their wardrobe. The final line of this stanza - "now happy face good" - suggests that the singer is putting on a veneer of happiness and contentment, perhaps to mask a deeper sense of unease or uncertainty.
The second stanza of the song continues the theme of disconnection and alienation, starting with "Coughing through the movie, dreamer on the turnpipe, sewn out at the table, everyone dies." These lines hint at a sense of meaninglessness or disaffection with traditional modes of entertainment and socializing. The following lines mention being "head down at the schoolhouse" and "head down in your wheelchair" - both potentially literal references to educational or medical settings, but also metaphorical suggestions of powerlessness or being "stuck" in a particular mode of existence. The chorus reiterates the song's primary refrain - that people are strange and living is strange, with a sense of bewilderment and introspection.
Overall, the song "Strange" by Storyman seems to be a meditation on the sense of otherness and estrangement that can sometimes accompany human existence. The singer appears to be struggling to connect with others, and to make sense of their own experiences and surroundings. The surreal imagery and cryptic lyrics contribute to a sense of uncertainty and unease, while the repeated refrain emphasizes the ongoing struggle to come to terms with what it means to be alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Staring at the carpet
Feeling lost and unsure, with nothing to do but stare down
Dying on the telephone
Struggling to come up with an answer while on the phone, feeling as if time is running out
Fumbling for an answer
Desperately searching for a response or explanation
Is there anybody home
Wondering if there is anyone there to help, to listen, to connect with
Lampshade at an angle
Feeling disoriented, like the world around you is out of place
Cultivate a look
Trying to present yourself in a certain way, to fit into a certain mold or image
Never black and navy
Being different from the expected or traditional norms of society
Now happy face good
Feeling like you must put on a smile, no matter what, to be accepted or liked
Coughing through the movie
Unable to fully enjoy or engage in an activity due to physical discomfort
Dreamer on the turnpike
Feeling lost in thought or disconnected from reality while on the road of life
Sewn out at the table
Feeling trapped in a certain situation or social setting, unable to leave or escape
Everyone dies
Recognizing the inevitability of death and the transience of life
Head down at the schoolhouse
Feeling bored, unchallenged, or uninterested in the educational system
Head down for the fun
Indulging in pleasure or entertainment, but feeling guilty or ashamed for doing so
Head down in your wheelchair
Being physically or mentally immobilized, unable to make choices or take action
And what have you learned
Questioning the value or significance of one's experiences, wondering if they have led to growth or understanding
People are strange, a little bit strange, a little bit strange to me
Expressing the idea that humanity is unpredictable and often confusing to understand
Living is strange, a little bit strange, a little bit strange to me
Acknowledging the bizarre and unexpected nature of existence
Isn't it strange, a little bit strange, a little bit strange to be
Rhetorically questioning the oddity of life and humanity
Contributed by Hudson M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.