The original use of strings: cello, violin, guitars, a full string quartet diverts the traditional perception of those classic instruments when they deal with electronics and the result is emotionally moving.
The album has been written and recorded between Berlin and Rome, it took nearly two years to be made, Teho and Blixa worked next to each other choosing carefully every sound, every word and silence.
There are 12 songs on Still Smiling, including a new version of A Quiet Life and a cover of Alone With The Moon by The Tiger Lilies.
Amongst collaborators there are The Balanescu Quartet and cellist Martina Bertoni.
Lyrics are visionary and are sung in english, german and italian, Blixa reveals a really personal and intimate side to the listener this time.
Still Smiling is an album whose special vision covers all the sky between Rome and Berlin, daytime and nocturnal.
It'll be released on Teho's label Specula on april 22nd in Italy and it'll be distributed all over Europe on June 28th 2013.
There's also an italian tour in May: 7th Roma, Circolo degli Artisti, 9th Milano, Alcatraz, 10th Moncalieri/Torino, Audiodrome, 11th Bologna, Senza Filtro where Teho and Blixa will be joined on stage by cellist Martina Bertoni.
Tracklist:
1 Mi Scusi
2 Come Up And See Me
3 Axolotl
4 Buntmetalldiebe
5 Still Smiling
6 Nocturnalie
7 Alone With The Moon
8 What if...?
9 Konjunktiv II
10 Nur Zur Erinnerung
11 A Quiet Life
12 Defenestrazioni
Here's the video by Chiara Battistini of Mi Scusi, the first track from the album http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXzcBpIGKas&feature=youtu.be
Musicians
Teho Teardo - baritone guitar, electric and acoustic guitars, bass, rhodes piano, synths, piano, percussions, electronics, programming
Blixa Bargeld - voice, hammond organ, clavichord, electric slide guitar, water percussion, re-arrangements, glockenspiel
featuring:
Martina Bertoni - Cello
The Balanescu Quartet
Alexander Balanescu - violin
James Shenton - violin
Katie Wilkinson - viola
Nick Holland - cello
Elena De Stabile - violin
Elisabetta Pacini - italian accent voice
Crew
Recorded in Berlin at Anderebaustelle studio and Rome at Basement recordings, 2012/2013
The Beast
Teho Teardo & Blixa Bargeld Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I close my eyes, the beast will close its eyes
If I stop swimming, the beast will dive
We sank a lot of ships together
Now the ocean is empty
But I'll get through
I'll make it for you
Against the numbers
Against all odds
I will get through
Whatever I'm about to say
The beast is in my throat
Even so the beast doesn't mimic me
In it's movements, gestures, speech
There is something similar to me
This is the beast
If I stop dreaming
It fully wakes the beast
If I stop pushing
The beast will close the door
And if I would start a fire
It would bring me giant trees
But I'll get through
I'll get through
I'll make it
For you
I'll make it through
Against God
And the statistics
I will get through
I don't know if the beast is there
To strangle or to embrace
I don't know if the beast is there
To strangle or to embrace
The song "The Beast" by Teho Teardo and Blixa Bargeld has a strong theme of struggle and determination against all odds. The lyrics portray a sense of an omnipresent beast that is always lurking in the background, ready to pounce at any moment. The song's protagonist acknowledges the beast's existence and understands that it is always there, waiting for an opportunity to strike. However, there is also a sense of control over the beast, where the singer believes that they can overcome it and will get through anything that comes their way.
The lyrics also have a sense of duality, where the singer can't decide whether the beast is there to strangle or embrace them. The line "Even so the beast doesn't mimic me" suggests that the beast is separate from the singer, with its own movements, gestures, and speech. However, there is also a similarity between the two, indicating that the beast could be a part of the singer's psyche.
The lyrics are open to interpretation, with some suggesting that the beast represents the struggles of life, while others interpret it as a metaphor for mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. The song's slow and melodic pace adds to the eerie undertones, creating a sense of tension and unease throughout the song. Overall, "The Beast" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that leaves a lasting impact on the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the beast
Introducing the concept of 'the beast' in the song.
If I close my eyes, the beast will close its eyes
The singer believes that they have some level of control over the 'beast' within them.
If I stop swimming, the beast will dive
The 'beast' within the singer is always present, even when they try to suppress it.
We sank a lot of ships together
The 'beast' within the artist has caused destruction and chaos in their life.
Now the ocean is empty
The consequences of the 'beast's actions have left the artist feeling empty and alone.
But I'll get through
Despite the challenges the singer faces, they are determined to overcome them.
I'll make it for you
The singer is motivated by the desire to succeed for the benefit of someone else.
Against the numbers
The odds may be against the artist, but they are determined to succeed anyway.
Against all odds
Reiterating the artist's determination to succeed in the face of adversity.
Whatever I'm about to say
The artist is about to say something important, but they are hesitant to do so.
The beast is in my throat
The 'beast' within the singer is causing them to feel anxious and nervous.
Even so the beast doesn't mimic me
The 'beast' within the artist is separate from their true self.
In it's movements, gestures, speech
Despite being separate from the singer, the 'beast' shares some similarities with them.
There is something similar to me
The singer acknowledges that they bear some responsibility for the actions of the 'beast' within them.
If I stop dreaming
The 'beast' within the singer is tied to their aspirations and hopes.
It fully wakes the beast
Suppressing one's dreams and aspirations can cause the 'beast' within to become more prominent.
If I stop pushing
The 'beast' within the artist is tied to their drive and ambition.
The beast will close the door
Suppressing one's ambition and drive can cause the 'beast' within to shut down.
And if I would start a fire
The singer is tempted to give into their destructive impulses.
It would bring me giant trees
The artist knows that giving into their destructive impulses would cause widespread harm.
But I'll get through
Reiterating the artist's determination to overcome their struggles.
Against God
The artist is willing to defy even a higher power in order to succeed.
And the statistics
The singer is aware of the odds against them, but remains undeterred.
I don't know if the beast is there
Despite the artist's efforts to understand it, the 'beast' remains mysterious and elusive.
To strangle or to embrace
The singer is unsure whether the 'beast' within them is a threat or a source of strength and power.
Lyrics © Freibank Musikverlags und vermarktungs GmbH
Written by: BLIXA BARGELD, MAURO TEARDO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@springfreesia
This is the beast
If i close my eyes, the beast will close its eyes
If I stop swimming, the beast will dive
We sank a lot of ships together
Now the ocean is empty
But I'll get through
I'll make it for you
I'll make it through
Against the numbers
Against all odds
I will get through
Whatever I'm about
The beast is on my throat
Even so the beast doesn't mimic me
In it's movements, gestures, speech there is something similar to me
This is the beast
If I stop dreaming
It fully wakes the beast
If I stop pushing
The beast will close the door
And if I would start a fire
It would bring me giant trees
But I'll get through
I'll make it
For you
I'll make it through
Against God
And the statistics
I will get through
I don't know if the beast is there
To strangle or to embrace
@proletaariat
You two are a match made in heaven! 2013's Still Smiling is my 2021 album of the year.
@adammar5hall
I like how this video is an homage to Holbein’s painting, ‘The Ambassadors’!
@-vero-
A revelation in sound, picture and lyrics. Thank you for the beast! :-)
@differentthings801
Damn i thought It was a picture, until they started moving
@hannathelion6844
that's rich comment different things
@1414carles
Same
@SpEvcoo96
It is a painting..and when seen at a certain angle..the long wooden thing on the floor is actually a skull
..
@guyjperson
Came here following DARK down a rabbit hole. Totally worth it. I love the warped skull in the foreground that you can't recognize. It's from a famous painting I can't remember. Gonna buy an album now.
@Esprox
The Ambassadors, by Hans Holbein the Younger, 1533
@lachechi1816
Amo tu música y más si lo haces con Blixa!🥰😍😍😍