A Monster Monster is on the loose.
The Almost’s second album for Tooth & Nail/Virgin Records began taking shape just as soon as the band came off the road after touring for their 2007 debut, Southern Weather, including a stint on that summer’s Warped tour.
That album, which debuted at 39 on Billboard’s Top 200, earned them a Top 10 single at Alternative radio, and a spot on MTV’s Discover & Download, was essentially the work of a single individual—Underoath drummer Aaron Gillespie, who wrote all the songs, played all the instruments and then recruited a band to play them live, starting with fellow Floridian Jay Vilardi, a veteran of several well-known area bands like Metal Blade’s Phoenix Mourning and Orlando-based Hand to Hand.
“My job was to teach everyone the songs,” explains Vilardi, who describes himself as the band’s musical director. The addition of Philadelphia-based guitarist Dusty Redman, himself a veteran of Tooth & Nail bands like Beloved and Dead Poetic and Salt Lake City bassist Alex Aponte rounded out the line-up.
The now thoroughly road-tested band was intent to make their latest a completely collaborative effort, melding their talents into a whole that was more than the sum of its individual parts. The process began with Vilardi, Redmon and Aponte e-mailing files back and forth to Gillespie, who was busy penning lyrics and coming up with musical ideas of his own while touring with Underoath, before all four of them got together in the studio to jam and work out the arrangements.
It was a system that resulted in a powerfully cohesive album that melds their diverse songwriting skills, from the thudding, Raw Power-like stomp of the title track and “Young Again,” to the stark acoustic blues and closing psychedelic jam of “Monster,” the techno-rock laced with tribal drums of “Books & Books” and the melodic Coldplay/U2/Kings of Leon arena-rock anthem, “Hands.”
“It turned out to be a really good process because we wound up with a tremendous amount of material we can use,” says Vilardi.
“We jammed on these tracks for hours before we actually laid anything down,” nods Gillespie. “This now feels like a real band. Everyone gave up a piece of his own agenda for the good of the final result. And that’s how you end up with something special. It was a relief for me because it took a lot of the weight off my shoulders. They supplied the bricks and we built the house together.”
The guys also enlisted the help of steel guitarists Chris Scruggs (grandson of bluegrass legend Earl Scruggs) and John Davis (Superdrag vocalist/guitarist) while in the studio. Both Scruggs and Davis helped they guys broaden their musical pallets on a few tracks like “West” and “Hand Grenade.”
“It was whatever each of us could do for the song,” agrees Redmon. “There were no ego issues, no one screaming, ‘I’m Eddie Van Halen!’”
Gillespie says the songs are about the dark side of the human condition, battling your demons to come out the other side, starting with the album’s title.
“I’m giving in to you,” he roars in “Lonely Wheel,” though in “No I Don’t,” which segues from an acoustic beginning to an anthemic rock chorus, he admits, “I’m learning how to wait.” The hard-hitting “Young Again” and the country-flavored “Hand Grenade” (“Oh to be young/It sounds like so much fun”) are both about lost innocence, while “Souls on Ten,” with its piano flourish and urgent intensity, has a Springsteen feel and the grungy garage-rock of “Summer Summer” offers an elegiac nod to vintage Neil Young with Crazy Horse.
“It didn’t start out as a concept album, but by accident, I think it became one,” says Aaron. “It’s about the ‘monster’ that lives inside of all of us, which we have to fight to get rid of. It’s a battle you live with every day. In the end, when that stops, the question remains, can you now live your life? Can you get all of who you are, can you find a place that makes you happy?”
That catharsis comes across loud and clear in the final song on the album, dubbed “Monster,” which starts with Gillespie alone, accompanied by a single dobro. “Learning how to see/In this weird change of space/I’m learning to believe in this life… I feel you helping me.” The song builds until, about two-thirds of the way through, the rest of The Almost come in, embarking on a spontaneous acid-soaked jam, recorded live, that provides the ultimate release.
“Everybody needs that,” says Gillespie. “For some people, it’s drinking, others run, some throw baseballs. I play music. That’s what I do. That gets rid of the garbage in my life.”
“It’s about how terrible we can be at times,” says Vilardi. “It’s hard to be a person today who stands for something. It doesn’t make you better… sometimes it even makes you worse.”
On “Hands,” the band prove they can create an arena- and radio-ready rock anthem, with its martial beat, chiming keyboards and lush ‘80s new wave fizz.
“It’s like an Achtung Baby vibe,” nods Dusty. “That song came out of nowhere. We demoed it, then got into the studio and started playing it and just got real excited.”
“I like working with a song structure,” says Gillespie. “In Underoath, that’s not what we do. We create moments, which is important, but The Almost is something different.”
“Monster Monster” and “Young Again” demonstrate Jay and Dusty’s love of classic garage punk, like The Stooges and The Velvet Underground
. “We really want to put the middle finger back in rock,” says Vilardi. “We love the attitude of bands like Guns N' Roses.”
And that’s strange, because it turns out that rebellion doesn’t conflict with being on Tooth & Nail, where the support of community is almost as important as the religious implications.
“Music should reflect who you are,” says Aaron. “I believe there’s hope in finding who you are. That’s my conviction. At the same time, I want anybody, no matter their affiliation, to react to the music in the same way. I don’t want people to feel they’re being judged.”
With the addition of drummer Joe Musten (Gillespie played all the drums on the album), The Almost is ready to hit the road and do what they do best, play for their increasing fan base around the country.
“We plan on hitting it as hard as we can,” laughs Vilardi. “We’d like to leave and not come back for two years.”
“We’re just beginning now to establish our identity,” concludes Dusty. “There were a lot of people now who are finding out about Underoath through The Almost.”
Now there’s a transformation for you.
No I Don't
The Almost Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some kinda place to lay it down
And settle for a while
I’m sick of looking for a star
I won’t show anyone my scars
Can you help me out?
I wanna see a change in me
I get in then, I bow out
I’m kinda freaky that way
I used to stand as tall as I could
I used to be better than good
I guess I’ve made my bed
I wanna see a change in me
No, I won’t listen when they tell me
They think I won’t
Come back around
Find my way out
It’s none of their business!
It’s none of their business!
I’ve got another song in me
Because of you, I’m changing
I’m learning how to wait
Ugly as I could’ve been
Down and out and all broken
You never made me wait
You saw me
You didn’t see my shame
No, I won’t listen when they tell me
They think I won’t
Come back around
Find my way out
It’s none of their business!
It’s none of their business!
I’m free because you said so
And I’m learning to grow
Because you held my hand
I’m free because you said
Go, keep walking
No, I won’t listen when they tell me
They think I won’t
Come back around
Find my way out
It’s none of their business!
It’s none of their business!
The song No I Don't by The Almost is a reflection of a person who is seeking stability in their life, both in their emotions and in their surroundings. They want to settle down and find a sense of security instead of constantly chasing unreachable goals. The singer is tired of pretending to be someone they are not, presenting themselves as perfect when that is not the case. They are looking for someone to help them change, to lift them up and make them feel understood.
The chorus of the song is about not caring what others think and not allowing them to bring you down. The singer refuses to listen to people who don't understand and don't have their best interests at heart. They are going to find their own way and make their own decisions, regardless of what anyone else may say or think. The song ends with the singer feeling free and growing because of someone who was there for them, and they are determined to keep moving forward.
Overall, the song No I Don't is about finding yourself and being true to who you are. It's about not letting others bring you down and finding happiness in your own way. It's a reminder to stay strong and keep moving forward, even when things seem tough.
Line by Line Meaning
I’m looking for some stable ground
I'm searching for a secure and reliable foundation to build my life on.
Some kinda place to lay it down
A location or situation where I can relax and rest.
And settle for a while
To remain in a calm and steady state for a period of time.
I’m sick of looking for a star
I'm tired of seeking fame or success as the solution to my problems.
I won’t show anyone my scars
I'm unwilling to reveal my vulnerability or past trauma to others.
Can you help me out?
I'm requesting assistance or support from someone else.
I wanna see a change in me
I desire personal transformation and growth.
When it’s time for another round
When faced with a new challenge or opportunity.
I get in then, I bow out
I participate briefly before withdrawing from the situation.
I’m kinda freaky that way
My behavior or actions may seem unusual or unexpected at times.
I used to stand as tall as I could
I previously had a strong sense of confidence and self-assuredness.
I used to be better than good
I was once above average or exceptional.
I guess I’ve made my bed
I have accepted the consequences of my actions and decisions.
No, I won’t listen when they tell me
I won't heed the advice or opinions of others.
They think I won’t
They doubt my ability or willingness to change.
Come back around
Return to a previous state or situation.
Find my way out
Overcome a difficult circumstance or obstacle.
It’s none of their business!
My personal choices or actions are not their concern or responsibility.
I’ve got another song in me
I have the capability and inspiration to create something new and meaningful.
Because of you, I’m changing
This change and growth is due to the influence and support of another person.
I’m learning how to wait
I'm developing patience and endurance in the face of challenges and delays.
Ugly as I could’ve been
Despite my flaws and imperfections.
Down and out and all broken
Feeling defeated and hopeless.
You never made me wait
You were always there for me when I needed you.
You saw me
You recognized my worth and potential, despite my struggles.
You didn’t see my shame
You didn't judge or condemn me for my past mistakes or shortcomings.
I’m free because you said so
You gave me the permission and encouragement to be myself and pursue my dreams.
And I’m learning to grow
I'm developing and maturing as a person.
Because you held my hand
Your guidance and support helped me through difficult times.
Go, keep walking
Encouragement to make progress and continue on my path, despite obstacles or setbacks.
Contributed by Victoria D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Luan Rodrigues
Sdds, foi durante muito tempo a minha música favorita da vida ❤️❤️❤️
DISCO LIVRO E FÉ
Olá! Lancei um vídeo sobre The Almost, e falo sobre um disco deles. Fica o convite.
M Barrios
I'm here still loving The Almost in 2021
I MISS THEM!
Acres2
Amazing. God bless you guys, keep up the great work!
Jonathon Mayes
Man I am in absolutely no way religious, but I really love this band.
グズマ
I love this band (': This song is so great, such a great message.
Josue Alvarez
Amo está canción
Vanessa Eth
one of my favourite songs ♥
Ash Kuss
i love how the tune starts off acoustic then goes into the full band, so cool ^_^
Arekkusu723
great video and song! i will sure miss aaron in underoath but i can also see myself listening to these guys as well!