Composed from a place of deep turmoil, lead singer Lucas Silveira began work on the Cliks' second album following the highly successful tours behind sophomore release Snakehouse. The band's incendiary live shows became the calling card by which they were known, and in short order, musical heroes Ian Astbury of the Cult and Cyndi Lauper hand-picked the band for their respective tours. Late-night bookers were listening too, and soon the Cliks found themselves on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, not to mention a very special performance Lucas did with Cyndi Lauper on Jimmy Kimmel Live! The band picked up momentum and fans when Logo awarded them the NewNowNext Artist On the Brink Award which ultimately led to an appearance on teenybopper mecca TRL to discuss their plans for the future.
Though critically lauded and publicly adored, Silveira returned road weary and emotionally shattered. Having spent 400 days on the road touring behind Snakehouse, Silveira was eager to return home, but home wasn't the reprieve he'd hoped it would be. "The album is based around defeat, lies, deception, loss of trust in others and yourself," explains Silveira. "I wrote the album coming from a really lonely place." Indeed, the album plumbs difficult depths in the form of relationships and identity politics, as did the band's Warner Music debut, Snakehouse, but here, there is a redemptive quality absent from the band's previous output. The price of that, however, is eternal vigilance. "Dirty King is more about having risen out of the ashes, being on your feet, but constantly having to dodge people trying to knock you down," says Silveira.
With their rise out of the ashes comes new sonic territory for the band. Their most adventurous album to date finds the band teamed with producer-engineer Sylvia Massy (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tool) at her Weed, California based Radio Star Studios. "She's my kind of producer," says drummer Morgan Doctor. "She doesn't come from a singer-songwriter background, but an engineering background, so she's more about creating sound and texture in the studio." Massy's studio -- filled with enough amps, effects and instruments to make it a veritable playground for musicians – served as the band's bedrock to create the full range of the album's sounds and correlating emotions, from the jagged rock of its denials to the soulful balladry of its admissions.
The album's namesake, and perhaps the clearest distillation of Silveira's emotional state during the writing of the album, is "Dirty King." Based on the gulf between how Silveira felt and how he was perceived, the song slides in on a surf guitar riff as Silveira alternates between a vamp and growl, teasing out the chorus in a voice that manages to sound menacing and seductive at once. Elsewhere, the band changes gears on the mournful "Not Your Boy" and "Emily," the catchiest evidence of the band's expanding sound. "'Emily' is definitely a big leap for the Cliks as a band, but for myself as a songwriter, I have lots of songs like this under my belt. I just never introduced them to the band because I didn't feel like it was ‘Cliks' material," says Silveira of the waltzing, string-laden track that's more dulcet than biting. The song's inclusion is a testament to the direction of Massy, who encouraged Silveira to continue writing after he'd played her an early version. The song also demonstrates Massy's analog approach, and the adventurousness of the band. Where most producers would have downloaded the sound of glass breaking to use on the track, the band and producer headed out onto the streets of Weed to procure their own found noise. "We were out late at night on the main street of Weed, breaking a huge piece of glass and recording it live," says Doctor.
Dirty King also sees the band writing together, as well as playing. After bassist Jen Benton wrote the bassline for "Career Suicide" while on tour, she began playing it at soundcheck. Doctor suggested she continue developing it, and ultimately all three would collaborate to write it. "On tour Lucas and I came up with the pre-chorus together, [and] we put together the chorus and the bridge, which was written to a very rhythmically defined beat Morgan came up with," says Benton. "It was a great experience for [us]."
Despite themselves, the Cliks couldn't help but make a record that made order out of tumult and sense out of turbulence. With pop hooks lacing the rock spines The Cliks are known for, the songs inhabit the specificity of the circumstances under which they were written, all the while appealing to broader audience ."
Whenever
The Cliks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I made you home
I played my cards
And I lost hard
I've been seeing double
In a world of trouble
I've been waiting patient
Won't you listen?
I bathed in salt
With open scars
I bled for fear
So many tears
I've been sitting silent
Even more defiant
I've been seeking council
Won't you listen?
Won't you listen?
All my love is for you dear
Whenever, whenever you want it
All my soul is for you dear
Whenever, whenever you want it
Ahh
The Cliks's song "Whenever" is a deep and emotional expression of love and pain. The first stanza portrays the singer's efforts to make their partner feel comfortable and happy. They sailed the boat, made a home, and played their cards, but unfortunately, they lost hard. The second stanza shows the singer's vulnerability and their struggles. They have been seeing double and living in a world of trouble. However, they have been waiting patiently for their partner to listen to them. The third stanza talks about the pain and sacrifices the singer has made for their love. They have bathed in salt with open scars, bled for fear, and shed so many tears. Despite all this, the singer is still sitting silent and defiant, hoping their partner will finally listen to them.
The entire song revolves around the theme of unrequited love, and the lyrics are relatable to anyone who has been in a similar situation. The singer's yearning for their lover's attention and love is palpable throughout the song. The refrain, "All my love is for you dear, Whenever, whenever you want it," reflects the singer's commitment and total devotion to their lover. Overall, "Whenever" is a poignant and emotional song that captures the complexities of love and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
I sailed this boat
I took control and pushed forward with determination.
I made you home
I created a safe space for you to thrive and feel comfortable.
I played my cards
I made the best decisions I could with the options I had available.
And I lost hard
But despite my efforts, things did not go as planned and I suffered greatly as a result.
I've been seeing double
I've been confused and unsure of things, which has made my journey more challenging.
In a world of trouble
The outside world has been chaotic and full of problems, which has made it harder for me to find my way.
I've been waiting patient
I've been trying to maintain a sense of calm and waiting for the right moment to act.
Won't you listen?
I need someone to hear me and understand the challenges I'm facing.
I bathed in salt
I've tried to heal my wounds and scars, even if it meant experiencing pain in the process.
With open scars
I've been vulnerable and honest about my past struggles and the marks they've left on me.
I bled for fear
I've been so scared that it's caused me physical and emotional pain.
So many tears
I've cried a lot and felt overwhelmed by the weight of my emotions.
I've been sitting silent
I've felt isolated and haven't had the energy to speak up or seek help.
Even more defiant
Despite this silence, I'm still fighting and determined to make my voice heard and my struggles known.
I've been seeking council
I've been searching for guidance and advice from people who can help me navigate my problems.
All my love is for you dear
Despite everything, I still have so much love to give to the person I care about.
Whenever, whenever you want it
I'm willing to give my love and support whenever my loved one needs it.
All my soul is for you dear
My heart and soul are devoted to this person who means so much to me.
Ahh
This is a moment of catharsis and release as the song comes to a close.
Contributed by Harper J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Oshi Tah
*-* <3 Las amo!
colbin bellamy
love it :)
Barry Sheene
@trUdeny Idem :-)