Hannah Levin's review of the Black Angels album, Passover, described them as "Walking in the shadows cast by Spacemen 3 and Spiritualized mastermind Jason Pierce" and compared them to The Warlocks and Black Mountain, also invoking "dirges" reminiscent of both The Velvet Underground and the 13th Floor Elevators. The band's icon is a stylized image of Nico.
In December 2007, the group announced on their blog that their second album would be released in Spring of 2008. In March 2008 a release date of May 13th was announced for their second album, Directions to See a Ghost. Their third album was "Phosphene Dream" released in 2010. This record is slowly starting to give Black Angels international recognition.
http://www.theblackangels.com/
Better Off Alone
The Black Angels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Try me out for the evening. Living in a lie.
Your figure is alarming, take me to that fire.
I'm better off alone.
Living with a lady, one who helps me to decide.
Take me to that room girl, get me through this night.
Punish yourself on the weekend, you sneak into that bar.
Open up that box girl, all that whisky is gone.
I'm better off alone.
The Black Angels's song Better Off Alone is a melancholic piece about a person who feels low and disconnected from his current situation. The lyrics describe his desire to be left alone as he finds comfort in solitude. He doesn't want to be with someone who he feels is living a lie and wants to escape her alarming figure by being taken to the fire. The verse suggests that this person is possibly in an unhappy relationship, and he feels more comfortable being by himself.
The chorus highlights this sentiment: he feels better off alone, and he doesn't want to be with anyone. Despite having a lady who helps him to decide, he wants to be taken to a room to get through the night by himself. In the second verse, he speaks about a person who punishes herself on the weekend and sneaks into the bar. He wants to open up the box of whiskey, but he feels better off alone, suggesting that he doesn't want to drink or engage in any social activity. He wants to be by himself and find peace in his solitary state.
The somber tone of the song reflects the character's state of mind, and the lyrics suggest that he has reached a point where he feels disconnected from those around him. He finds comfort in solitude and wants to be left alone to deal with his problems. Better off alone is a poignant piece that highlights the importance of finding peace in oneself, even if it means being alone.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel so low.
I am experiencing deep emotional distress.
Try me out for the evening. Living in a lie.
Let's have a temporary relationship that is not based on honesty or reality.
Your figure is alarming, take me to that fire.
Your physical appearance is both intriguing and dangerous to me, let's engage in risky behavior.
I'm better off alone.
I am more emotionally stable and fulfilled by myself.
Living with a lady, one who helps me to decide.
Being in a committed relationship with a woman who guides my decision-making process.
Take me to that room girl, get me through this night.
Take me to a private space where we can engage in physical intimacy and distract me from my troubles.
I'm better off with one.
I am happier with a singular partner, rather than engaging in casual or multiple relationships.
Punish yourself on the weekend, you sneak into that bar.
You engage in self-destructive behavior and frequently drink alcohol at a bar on the weekends.
Open up that box girl, all that whisky is gone.
Drink all the whiskey you have been hiding away in that box.
I'm better off alone.
I am more content and fulfilled without engaging in reckless and self-destructive behavior.
Contributed by Alice P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.