In 2005, the band recorded their debut album, Good and Reckless and True, with producer Jay Joyce in Nashville, TN. The next few years were spent touring and honing their live sound. In 2006, the band won an Independent Music Award for the song "Ordinary." Later that year, the band signed with Vanguard Records.
In 2007, the band re-released Good and Reckless and True on Vanguard, and released a limited-edition acoustic album. This latter album, available only at shows, was affectionately titled The Brooklawn Sessions, referring to the house where Tim and then bass player Chip Johnson lived and recorded the album. On April 10, 2007, the Alternate Routes performed their single "Time is a Runaway" on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.
In 2008, the band recorded their follow-up LP, Sucker's Dream, again with Jay Joyce in Nashville. While waiting for its release in February 2009, the band recorded a five song EP, The Watershed EP, at Tarquin Studios with producer Peter Katis in their hometown of Bridgeport.
In 2010, longtime band member Chip Johnson left the band to pursue his home studio, Alpine Red.
The Alternate Routes parted ways with Vanguard Records in 2010 and shortly headed back to Nashville to begin work on their third studio album, Lately. Produced by Teddy Morgan at Barrio East in Nashville over the course of 6 weeks, the album featured drummer Richard Medek and multi-instrumentalist Carl Broemel of My Morning Jacket.
“The way that I make is my own, but I know what I’m in for,” sings Tim Warren, front man and co-founder of The Alternate Routes.
Whatever fate has in store for this promising young band, it’s sure to make for a good story…and an even better song. Since 2002, The Alternate Routes have never been afraid to roll the dice during their brief and turbulent journey, always relying upon their heartfelt brand of music to pull them through the ups and downs that come with the territory. It’s a trait evident in their powerful Vanguard Records debut, Good and Reckless and True, a memorable, incredibly confident opening statement from a band that takes nothing for granted.
Warren recalls the initial meeting with his future songwriting partner/lead-guitarist, Eric Donnelly, between classes at Connecticut’s Fairfield University. “Eric and I appreciated the same things about music,” Warren says. "When we started out, we didn't really fit in anywhere. We played everywhere we could, at bars, clubs, coffee shops …but we always believed in what we were doing. We believed our music was important and we’ve never lost that feeling.”
The duo’s path crossed with that of bassist Chip Johnson during a brief residency in the Boston area. He was a skinny, mild-mannered presence—a kid who could pick up any instrument and make it his own. “I always say that Tim and I had the songs, but we didn’t have a band until we met Chip,” says Donnelly.
The months following Johnson’s arrival were important ones, the trio hung onto their music, their ideals, refining their sound and never lost focus. They turned each humbling moment into a lesson, each gig into a learning experience and established the all-or-nothing attitude that has come to define them.
Carry Me Home
The Alternate Routes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh lately, the winds have been threatening
Things have been getting so hard to control
But your love is holding me close
Like a rope on a flagpole
It won't let me go
It won't let me go
Well you can't stop some poison from spreading
Once it gets let in it knows where to go
But you saved me faster then a heartbeat
Wider then these arms reach
More then you know
More then you know
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/t/the_alternate_routes/carry_me_home.html ]
I've been a miner for gold
On the outskirts of town
And there's no one like you
I've been a face in the crowd
Going without the likes of somebody who
Loves me like you do
There's nothing I know now
No way to slow down
I'm drunk on the dance floor
Carry me home
'Cause we've got the street lights
We've got it alright
We've got this whole night
Carry me home
Carry me home
There's nothing I know now
No way to slow down
I'm drunk on the dance floor
Carry me home
Carry me home
'Cause we've got the street lights
We've got it alright
We've got this whole night
Carry me home
Carry me home
The Alternate Routes’ song “Carry Me Home” touches on themes related to support, resilience, and love. The song begins with an acknowledgement of the hard times the singer is experiencing, as he notes the winds that are threatening and the difficulty of controlling things. However, through it all, he is supported and held close by the love of someone dear to him. He compares this love to a rope on a flagpole that won’t let him go, emphasizing the strength and security it provides him with.
The lyrics also touch on the concept of poison spreading, but how the love of the person he’s singing about saved him faster than a heartbeat. It’s worth noting that the lyrics don’t expand on what this poison might be, but this vagueness makes the song more open to interpretation and allows listeners to bring their own understanding of what the poison represents to them. The chorus repeats the phrase “carry me home” multiple times, emphasizing the need for support and comfort during tough times. The final lines of the song focus on the joy of the present moment, with the street lights, and this whole night making the singer feel alright.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh lately, the winds have been threatening
Recently, there have been many challenges and difficulties that are difficult to overcome
Things have been getting so hard to control
The situation has gotten out of hand and is difficult to manage
But your love is holding me close
Despite the difficulties, the love and support of someone close is providing comfort and stability
Like a rope on a flagpole
The love and support is a steady and secure anchor, like a rope holding a flag on a pole
It won't let me go
The love and support is unwavering and will not falter
Well you can't stop some poison from spreading
Once something negative is introduced, it can easily spread and cause harm
Once it gets let in it knows where to go
Negative things have a way of finding their way into people's lives and causing harm and discomfort
But you saved me faster then a heartbeat
Despite the harm that was caused, the love and support of someone close was able to quickly and effectively save and heal
Wider then these arms reach
The love and support is all-encompassing and extends beyond physical reach
More then you know
The depth and impact of the love and support is beyond what can be understood or expressed with words
I've been a miner for gold
I've been searching for something valuable and meaningful
On the outskirts of town
In a place that is not commonly explored or known
And there's no one like you
The love and support of someone close is unique and irreplaceable
I've been a face in the crowd
I've been anonymous and unnoticed, blending in with everyone else
Going without the likes of somebody who
Going without the love and support of someone close
Loves me like you do
The love and support of someone close is unique and irreplaceable
There's nothing I know now
There is nothing that I am certain of or know for sure
No way to slow down
There is no way to stop or slow down the progression of time and events
I'm drunk on the dance floor
I am caught up in the excitement and intensity of the moment
Carry me home
Provide me with support and guidance to get through the challenges and difficulties
'Cause we've got the street lights
We have the illumination and clarity needed to see the path forward
We've got it alright
Things are going to be okay and there is reason for hope and optimism
We've got this whole night
We have the entire evening to navigate through the challenges and uncertainty
Carry me home
Provide me with support and guidance to get through the challenges and difficulties
Carry me home
Provide me with support and guidance to get through the challenges and difficulties
Contributed by Ethan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Julie Morrelli
You guys have such a beautiful sound LOVE IT
jodale lee
I loved this band live and now I am
addicted to the CD.
Helena Kearns
This is AMAZING. My favorite song. I'm surprised its not more popular.
RuckMusicOfficial
You guys are amazing...I love this song!
Mirian Davies
I love you guys ! Best wishes from Switzerland !
Robert Wakefield
Only 30 days to go before we see you on The Rock Boat XVIII! Discovered through Sixthman - thanks!
Rose Nygren
AWESOME!
Kevin Seth
Wish somebody would save me ..... faster than a heartbeat. lol. great song.
Helena Kearns
Fantastic. Couldn't be better.