Tera Melos play a brand of math rock music characterized by quickly alternating rhythmic patterns, start-stop dynamics, improvisation, two-handed tapping on the guitar, extended open-ended bridges, and the use of effect pedals and samplers. After releasing a four song demo in 2004, they self released their untitled debut full-length on October 4, 2005. The album comprises eight tracks, and was re-issued in 2008 on Sargent House. While some of the tracks on the album feature distorted vocals that are somewhat undecipherable, (guitarist) Nick Reinhart started contributing more prominent vocals to the music with the release of their 2007 split with By the End of Tonight, called Complex Full of Phantoms.
Right before they started recording their second EP Drugs to the Dear Youth, one of the guitarists, Jeff Worms, left the band. It is rumored that Worms left to become a football star. This has been confirmed by Worms, although he has not cited what college he is currently playing for. On January 19, 2007, Tera Melos released the LP on Sargent House. ‘Drugs’ for short, was a step away from the previous sound they had before and farther into more progressive and original regions.
Tera Melos have over the past few years, developed a cult-like fan base around the United States and have recently gained some popularity in Europe, Asia, and South America.
Tera Melos announced on their MySpace page on April 2, 2007, that drummer Vince would be leaving the band to pursue other things, namely returning to college to pursue a career as a math professor. The band began searching for a new drummer shortly thereafter. After a little more than a year, the band announced the addition of John Clardy as their new drummer. Originally the band had planned a long-awaited LP release after touring, however they ended up releasing an EP of covers, featuring songs by The Beach Boys and Polaris, entitled Idioms, Vol. I.
On November 7, 2009, Tera Melos confirmed a new album due out in 2010 in a myspace bulletin. The post stated that the band was set to begin recording the next day, November 8. The new album, titled Patagonian Rats, was released in September 2010, and like their 2007 split with By the End of Tonight, it included vocals.
In Citrus Heights
Tera Melos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't have to come back
Catch a cold in a head wound
In the middle of a warzone
Oh what did you take
Suburban noise
Naked crystal friends
Don't know where to pay
My penalty
Drop a holy name
Atomic wave wave wave
See, what it is
Savoring, it's a
Fantasy
What's not
See
What is
Carpet, spit and melt it
Dripping with colors
Can you picture that stereo?
Pick up the stench
I guess so
Oh what what did you take,
Suburban noise
Naked crystal friends
The neighborhoods
Don't wanna decay
The coveted
Gotta work the day
No time to play way way way
See what is
Savoring
It's so
Fantasy
What's not
See
What is
And bugs always wonder why
Policeman doesn't wanna die
The letterman let you live inside
Born with nothing to lose
Scored with three tattoos x 2
Plastic figurine
Shielding them inside
Keeps them safe at night
She took it down
From the stoop it set
Put it in the trash
Plastic figurines
Shielding them inside
Keeps them safe at night
She took it down
From the silver side
Buried for All
The lyrics of Tera Melos's song "In Citrus Heights" are enigmatic and open-ended, making it difficult to precisely pinpoint its exact meaning. The song seems to be fragmented and disjointed, with disjointed phrases written in a stream-of-consciousness style, thus making it difficult to decode its meaning. However, beneath the surface-level chaos of these lyrics lie numerous fascinating themes.
The song opens with the line "Flying outward is a drag, you don't have to come back," setting the tone of the song to be reflective and introspective. The next line, "Catch a cold in a head wound in the middle of a warzone," conjures imagery of a trauma or chaos, allowing us to imagine how it can have lasting negative effects. The chorus of the song is fragmented, with disconnected lines such as "Suburban noise, Naked crystal friends, Carpet, spit and melt it, Dripping with colors..."
Throughout the song, various themes emerge. One of the most prominent themes is that of suburban ennui and feeling out of place. Another is the theme of addiction and drug use, as evident in lines like "Naked crystal friends." The song also deals with death and the idea that one has nothing to lose, as evidenced in the closing lines about a person being born with "nothing to lose" and "scored" with three tattoos.
Line by Line Meaning
Flying outward is a drag
Going away from your comfort zone is hard and unenjoyable
You don't have to come back
You have the option to stay where you are
Catch a cold in a head wound
Deal with one problem after another
In the middle of a warzone
In a difficult and hostile situation
Oh what did you take
What drugs did you consume
Suburban noise
The loud and chaotic sounds of suburbia
Naked crystal friends
Drug paraphernalia, specifically crystals, that are used without any barrier or protection
The neighborhoods
The whole community or society
Don't know where to pay
Unclear about how to deal with the consequences of their actions
My penalty
The punishment or fee for their actions
Drop a holy name
Use religion as an excuse or justification
Atomic wave wave wave
A burst of energy that creates a ripple effect
See, what it is
Understand what's going on
Savoring, it's a
Taking pleasure in something
Fantasy
A situation that is not realistic, only imagined
What's not
What doesn't exist
See
Understand
What is
What exists
Carpet, spit and melt it
Destroy something by ruining its texture and form
Dripping with colors
Full of life and vibrancy
Can you picture that stereo?
Can you imagine the sound and visual experience
Pick up the stench
Recognize the foul smell
I guess so
Agreeing hesitantly
Don't wanna decay
Don't want to deteriorate and weaken
The coveted
Something that is highly desired
Gotta work the day
Have to be productive and do things during the day
No time to play way way way
No time to engage in leisure activities
And bugs always wonder why
Small creatures are puzzled about the behavior of humans
Policeman doesn't wanna die
Police officers value their lives
The letterman let you live inside
The jacket with a letter on it, given to high school athletes, provides a sense of belonging and security
Born with nothing to lose
Starting from a position with no advantages or benefits, which limits what one has to lose
Scored with three tattoos x 2
Having six tattoos
Plastic figurine
A small toy made of plastic
Shielding them inside
Protecting them from harm
Keeps them safe at night
Provides comfort and security during the night
She took it down
Removed the plastic toy
From the stoop it set
From where it was resting
Put it in the trash
Disposed of it
From the silver side
From the other perspective (as the toy was removed)
Buried for all
Removed from the public's view forever
Contributed by Sadie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.