Zammuto and de Jong met through a friend in New York City. Sharing similar interests but different backgrounds in acoustic music and found sound, Zammuto and de Jong took their sonic experiments to the studio. Eventually, with some urging by Tom Steinle of Tomlab Records, they created what would become their debut record, 'Thought for Food', in 2002. Within a year, the Books relocated to Hot Springs, NC, and recorded and released 'The Lemon of Pink'. With a lot of favorable word of mouth and critical buzz from the first two records, the Books relocated again in winter of 2004 and recorded in an old Victorian home in North Adams, MA. With the release of 'Lost and Safe' in April of 2005, the Books prepared to tour with their unique blend of samples and acoustic music. All three Books albums were released on Tomlab Records.
One of the most unique aspects of the band was the video compositions which play during their live performances. Video was synched with the music and provide visuals to coincide with the many found-sounds the band employs. According to the band, much of the video was pulled from home movies and ephemeral films bought from thrift stores. For example, on the track entitled 'A Cold Freezin' Night', the many audio samples were pulled from Tiger Electronics Talkboy tapes also acquired from thrift stores.
In the late 2000s, The Books announced the addition of a third member of the band, who plays violin, guitar, and electronics. In August 2010, their final album entitled 'The Way Out' was released on Temporary Residence. 2012 saw a compilation release 'A Dot in Time.'
In early 2012, Nick Zammuto announced the end of the duo and the beginning of his solo project Zammuto. Subsequently, Paul de Jong released two solo albums.
None but Shining Hours
The Books Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
living on the fat of the sweet sun shining
drawing on the times aligning
walking on the long horizon
there's a little black spot in the sky with diamonds
living off the fat of the sweet sun shining
drawn upon the times colliding
never never never never never
never never never never never
never
the number on the back of the sign is rising
the gamelan attack of the trines aligning
chance will leave the sky bedizened
sliding on the wide horizon
never is the start of a clever lying
staring at the black of the blind spot hiding
the universe's private bower
these are none but shining hours
The Books's song "None but Shining Hours" is a poetic and introspective piece that delves into themes of time, nature, and the universe. The opening line describes the singer reclining by the tide, drawing on the alignment of time and basking in the sweet sunshine. The next line connects to a "little black spot in the sky with diamonds," likely referencing the constellation of stars known as the Pleiades. The singer is living off the energy of the sun and the cycles of the universe, drawing inspiration from the collision of time and space.
The song continues with the repetition of the word "never," perhaps alluding to the finite and fleeting nature of existence and the desire to stretch out time as much as possible. The lyrics shift to a description of numbers rising on a sign and the "gamelan attack" of the trines aligning, suggesting a connection between the natural world and human-made systems. Perhaps chance and coincidence will bedizen the sky like jewels. The final line, "these are none but shining hours," implies that even in the midst of uncertainty and impermanence, there are moments of beauty and brilliance to be appreciated.
Line by Line Meaning
following the line of the tide reclining
Going along with the natural flow of things and allowing oneself to relax
living on the fat of the sweet sun shining
Taking in and enjoying life's abundance and positivity
drawing on the times aligning
Utilizing current circumstances and opportunities for personal growth or success
walking on the long horizon
Moving forward confidently towards future goals or possibilities
there's a little black spot in the sky with diamonds
Acknowledging the existence of negative or uncertain aspects in life amidst positivity
drawn upon the times colliding
Influenced by the convergence of various factors or events
walking on the wide horizon
Continuing to move forward confidently towards future goals or possibilities
never never never never never
Emphasizing the concept of never giving up or letting oneself fail
the number on the back of the sign is rising
Noticing an increase in something that could be positive or negative
the gamelan attack of the trines aligning
Referencing the convergence of various factors or events, possibly in a chaotic or unpredictable way
chance will leave the sky bedizened
Suggesting that positive opportunities or developments may arise unexpectedly
sliding on the wide horizon
Continuing to move forward confidently towards future goals or possibilities
never is the start of a clever lying
Stressing the idea that never giving up or stopping is key to succeeding
staring at the black of the blind spot hiding
Acknowledging the existence of negative or uncertain aspects in life amidst positivity
the universe's private bower
Describing a sense of peace or escape in the vastness of the universe
these are none but shining hours
Emphasizing the idea that the present moment and positive mindset is all that matters
Contributed by Jeremiah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.