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.
aftermath
The Alternate Routes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got a cliche cold staring at my world
But these days the bird is on the wire
Two fingers pull a pen
Half drawn picture of a dream
And here between the writing on the wall
I try to feel forgotten for a while
But this is not a life I cannot change
And somewhere in the heart of the aftermath
There's an answer for me
'Cause you could have been anybody on the road to me
You say this time you needed answers
No time for second chances that we wasted long before
And I said you only see the problems
You're too afraid to solve
And so I headed for the door
And here between the writing on the wall
I try to feel forgotten for a while
And it's hard to see the shadow in a man
He is the last to see the light before it hits him where he stands
And somewhere in the heart of the aftermath
There's an answer for me
'Cause you could have been anybody on the road to me
And all this time your head is numb
And maybe you don't know
Maybe you don't know
And somewhere in the heart of the aftermath
There's an answer for me
'Cause you could have been anybody on the road to me
The lyrics to The Alternate Routes' "Aftermath" are filled with emotional depth and introspection. The song is about struggling through difficult times and trying to find meaning and purpose amidst chaos and turmoil. The first verse paints a picture of the artist feeling like they are constantly burning in a fire, struggling with the mundane routine of everyday life. However, they find solace in the act of creating - the "bird on the wire" represents inspiration, and the "half drawn picture of a dream" speaks to the power of imagination.
The second verse introduces another character - someone who is looking for answers, but is too afraid to confront the problems in their life. The artist believes that this person is holding them back, and their frustration ultimately leads them to leave. Despite the pain and difficulty of this decision, the artist finds comfort in the idea that there is an answer waiting for them in the aftermath. The final lines of the song suggest that anyone could have been this person on the road to the artist's journey, underscoring the idea that life is full of complex relationships and interactions that shape our paths.
Overall, "Aftermath" is a song about hope and resilience, even in the face of adversity. Through the ups and downs of life, the artist finds a way to persevere and comes out stronger on the other side.
Line by Line Meaning
Most days I'm burning in a fire
Most days I feel overwhelmed and burned out
I got a cliche cold staring at my world
I feel like I'm stuck in a rut and everything is predictable
But these days the bird is on the wire
Lately, I'm starting to feel hopeful and optimistic
Two fingers pull a pen
I start to write down my thoughts and feelings
Half-drawn picture of a dream
I begin to envision a change in my life, even if it's not clear yet
And here between the writing on the wall
In the midst of my struggles and doubts
I try to feel forgotten for a while
I attempt to forget about my problems for a little bit and find some peace
And it's hard and I get angry all the time
It's difficult to ignore my problems and I'm frustrated continuously
But this is not a life I cannot change
I have the power to change my life for the better
And somewhere in the heart of the aftermath
Even after everything has been said and done
There's an answer for me
There's a solution to my problems, waiting for me to discover
'Cause you could have been anybody on the road to me
Anyone could have helped me discover the solution, not just the person who did
You say this time you needed answers
You tell me that you need me to provide answers this time around
No time for second chances that we wasted long before
We don't have time to repeat past mistakes and missed opportunities
And I said you only see the problems
I point out that you only focus on the negative aspects without seeing a way forward
You're too afraid to solve
I suggest that you are hesitant to solve problems and take action
And so I headed for the door
I left to give us both space to think about the situation
And it's hard to see the shadow in a man
It's difficult to see someone's flaws or negative traits
He is the last to see the light before it hits him where he stands
Someone might not realize what they need to change until something drastic happens
And all this time your head is numb
All this time, you haven't been thinking or feeling anything deeply
And maybe you don't know
Perhaps you are unaware of your disconnect from the present
And somewhere in the heart of the aftermath
Even after everything has been said and done
There's an answer for me
There's a solution to my problems, waiting for me to discover
'Cause you could have been anybody on the road to me
Anyone could have helped me discover the solution, not just the person who did
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JAY JOYCE, TIM WARREN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind