The band would perform with various line-ups under their new name The Dignity of Labour starting in 1985. Taylor moved to California in mid 1989 and TDOL became a project under his direction, occasionally performing live with supporting musicians but generally existing in the studio amidst a cache of electronics.
In 1992, TDOL released the album Tired Hands, a collection of vocal ballads and instrumentals written over the previous five years. The album was originally released on cassette in limited quantities, but was re-released on CD in 1994 with four additional tracks. The release garnered some regional success, including an enticing offer by talent scouts Barefield and Vierra, and inclusion of the track La Belle Le Anna on a syndicated compilation disc. Taylor knew his future lay in electronic pop music.
By 1994, Taylor had moved to Denver, Colorado, where he began work on the second TDOL album, Belief. The basic tracks were recorded in Taylor's studio then mixed and mastered at Colorado Sound Studios. Belief was released in December 1997 through international distributor Joe's Grille and was available from various record stores in Colorado. The album was also sent to several labels that cater to electronic musicians. Despite favorable reviews praising TDOL for its accurate depiction of 80's-style electronic synthpop, TDOL decided not to actively promote the release through club gigs or radio airplay. Nevertheless, the tracks Shores of Eternity and Echoes caught the attention of a major record label in Europe.
Fast-forward to August 2002. Taylor submitted a post to a musician's mailing list, asking if anyone would be interested in producing/engineering the next TDOL album. He received several offers, including one from Colin Mansfield, a veteran jack-of-all-trades from St. Paul, Minnnesota. After a few weeks of e-mails and song-swapping, they decided it would be a great idea to work together. Given that Colin had a lot of experience in ambient music, Taylor was excited to see how these songs would come together. In March 2003 he spent a week in St. Paul with Colin and engineer Bob Cain at Ambient Sound, recording the first handful of demos for the new album. Response from those close to Taylor encouraged him to submit the tracks to several independent electronic-based labels in the US and Europe. Among those who responded with contract offers was synthpop label kingpin, A Different Drum, who offered him a one-single/one album deal. In June 2004, ADD released the debut single XRV to critical acclaim.
Taylor recently completed his third album. This self-titled effort explores further the mix of incisive lyrics and techno beats. Here, TDOL ventures into foreign territory, voicing the third person in some instances, disguising the song's identity through allusions to science and technology, while pushing the emotional envelope. The album was released in September 2005.
Chant
The Dignity of Labour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Liberty did shield her eyes
And this was one day like any other
Before a brother betrayed another
Woman trembling cold and pale
Taken through the daily mail
But this was one life that should have mattered
This was one of a series
A chain of events
Delivered in silence
It doesn't make sense
Children dancing in the street
Flaming banner at their feet
And this was one complicated vision
Of an unavailing decision
This was one for the register
Slipping of time
When the more you deplete us
The higher we climb
Yes, the higher we climb
First one falls and then there's two
The colors bleeding red, white, blue
But humanity cannot replace
The victims in the fall from grace
Again the chant, again
Again the chant, again
Again the chant, again
Again the chant, again
The Dignity of Labour's song, Chant, is a powerful commentary on the nature of violence and its impact on society. The lyrics suggest that chaos and violence are often triggered by small, seemingly insignificant events that can spiral out of control. The opening lines describe chaos in the skies, with Liberty shielding her eyes from the wreckage. The image suggests an attack in progress, perhaps an act of terrorism or war.
The song then shifts to a more personal level, with a woman trembling in fear as she is taken through the "daily mail." The line implies that she has become a victim of the violence that is spreading across the globe. The lyrics suggest that her life should have mattered, but it was cut short by the "circuits of death" that are spreading like a virus.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the violence is affecting everyone. Children dance in the streets with flaming banners, but the mood is somber and complicated. The vision is "unavailing," suggesting that the violence is pointless and ultimately destructive. The song ends with a haunting repetition of the chant, suggesting that the cycle of violence is endless.
Overall, Chant is a powerful commentary on the nature of violence and its impact on the human psyche. The lyrics are evocative and haunting, painting a picture of a world gone mad with fear and chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
Chaos in the friendly skies
The atmosphere is disturbed and uncertain
Liberty did shield her eyes
Freedom was unable to see or act because of the chaos
And this was one day like any other
Despite the chaos, this event was typical and unremarkable
Before a brother betrayed another
The chaos was caused by betrayal and disloyalty
Woman trembling cold and pale
A vulnerable woman feeling frightened and weak
Taken through the daily mail
Transported by ordinary means through the everyday process
But this was one life that should have mattered
Despite being an ordinary event, this particular life was significant
Before the circuits of death were scattered
Before the process of killing was spread and disrupted
This was one of a series
This event was part of a sequence of similar occurrences
A chain of events
A succession of related happenings
Delivered in silence
The events occurred without making any noise or commotion
It doesn't make sense
The situation is confusing and illogical
Children dancing in the street
Young people expressing joy and enthusiasm in public
Flaming banner at their feet
The children are standing near a burning flag
And this was one complicated vision
The sight is complex and difficult to fully comprehend
Of an unavailing decision
The action being taken is ineffective and useless
This was one for the register
This event should be recorded or noted somewhere
Slipping of time
The passage of time is causing things to worsen or deteriorate
When the more you deplete us
When you take away more from us
The higher we climb
We will work harder and achieve greater success
Yes, the higher we climb
We are determined and resilient in the face of adversity
First one falls and then there's two
After the first loss, more follow
The colors bleeding red, white, blue
The patriotic colors of the nation are present during this loss
But humanity cannot replace
No act of kindness can bring back what was lost
The victims in the fall from grace
The people who suffered in this tragic event cannot be restored to their former state
Again the chant, again
The call to action or response is repeated
Again the chant, again
The call to action or response is repeated
Again the chant, again
The call to action or response is repeated
Again the chant, again
The call to action or response is repeated
Contributed by Aaliyah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.