Aside from a brief interlude in 1998 and 1999 when they were signed by major label Interscope Records, the band recorded for local label DeSoto Records. Their third record and breakthrough album, Emergency & I, was actually created during their time at Interscope; however, they were dropped from the label shortly after its completion, and thus took it back with them to DeSoto, where it wound up being released. The Ice of Boston EP is the only item of theirs Interscope actually released during their tenure there.
Following the massive underground success of Emergency & I, the band received an even higher profile after being invited to open for the European leg of Pearl Jam's 2000 tour. The band recorded and released a follow-up to Emergency & I, Change, in 2001 using the severance money they received from Interscope, and a subsequent co-headlining tour in 2002 with Death Cab for Cutie (cheekily called the "Death and Dismemberment Tour") also worked well to raise both bands' profiles and cross-pollinate their fanbases, as well as forge creative ties between several members.
Later that summer and fall, the Dismemberment Plan started to debut songs for their follow-up to Change. In 2002, the band put all the music tracks from their last two albums on their website, encouraging fans to remix the songs. The result was 2003's A People's History of the Dismemberment Plan. On January 19, 2003, however, the band announced on their website that they had decided to break up after a few tours that year. A final show was planned for July 28, 2003 in Washington D.C.'s famous outdoor show space, Fort Reno Park. However, come show-time, a heavy rain had driven off all but the most devoted fans, leading the band to add one more final show.
On September 1, 2003, the band closed out the first part of their career with a sold-out show at the renowned 9:30 Club. Following the split, Travis Morrison took the post-Change songs with him for further work, and released many of them on his first album, Travistan, in 2004. Jason Caddell worked with Morrison on Morrison's second album, All Y'all, which was released under the name Travis Morrison Hellfighters. Eric Axelson started a band called Maritime with former members of The Promise Ring; they released an album, Glass Floor, in 2004. Axelson subsequently left Maritime and joined the band Statehood in mid-2006 with Joe Easley until the tragic death of Clark Sabine in June 2009. The Dismemberment Plan itself even reunited for two shows to benefit Cal Robbins at the Black Cat in Washington, D.C. on April 29 and April 30, 2007. A full reunion still seemed unlikely, though, and on July 2, 2009, Travis Morrison announced his retirement from music, stating that there would be no more shows or bands.
In late 2010, however, the Dismemberment Plan announced that they would reunite for a full-scale tour in 2011 coinciding with Barsuk's vinyl reissue of Emergency & I. At the time, the band denied that they were planning a new record, but implied that one could be possible. By the time the tour was finished, the band played on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, as well as three performances in Washington, D.C., the Pitchfork Music Festival, Philadelphia's Roots Picnic, and ten other dates.
The band reconvened once again in 2012 and played several small-venue shows in Baltimore, Maryland and Fredericksburg, Virginia, where they debuted eight new songs; a month later, Travis Morrison confirmed that they were working on a new record. On June 26, 2013, the band officially announced their fifth studio album (and first new record in 12 years), entitled Uncanney Valley. It was released via Partisan Records on October 15, 2013.
Academy Award
The Dismemberment Plan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Letting them beat you and showing them how
Dangling yourself from the cross
All out of nails, but here's your hammer, boss
And the Academy Award for ridiculous over-acting goes to you
So get on up there and give us a speech
Taking all the attention away
After your performance, there's no one left to nominate
All out of nails, but, uh, here's your hammer, boss
And the Academy Award for embarrassing melodrama goes to you
So get on up there and give us a speech
Don't forget the little people
Who never were around
And the bigger ones who kept you down
Always knew you could do itâ?¦
We always knew you could do it
Jason Caddell!
Don't forget the little people
Who never were around
And the bigger ones who let you down
Always knew you could do it.
We always knew you could do it.
We always knew you could do it.
You couldn't do it without usâ?¦
We always knew you could do it.
The Dismemberment Plan's song "Academy Award" is a scathing criticism of those who seek attention and validation by being over-the-top and melodramatic in their actions, particularly those in the entertainment industry. The lyrics seem to address someone who is playing a character or putting on a performance for others, and encourages them to continue with their melodramatic act. The first verse, "Playing for the bleachers now, letting them beat you and showing them how," describes someone who is willing to put themselves on display and subject themselves to criticism in order to gain attention and applause.
The repeated lines about "dangling yourself from the cross, all out of nails but here's your hammer, boss" seem to suggest a willingness to sacrifice oneself for the benefit of others, particularly those in power or with influence. The reference to the Academy Awards is a direct criticism of the entertainment industry, and the culture of self-promotion and self-importance that often accompanies it. The chorus, "And the Academy Award for ridiculous over-acting goes to you, so get on up there and give us a speech," seems to mock the idea of awards for acting, suggesting that those who are willing to go to the greatest extremes to gain attention and accolades are the ones who are recognized and rewarded.
The final lines of the song seem to be somewhat ambiguous, but they suggest that the person being addressed could not have succeeded without the help of others, particularly those who were "little" or "bigger" than them. Whether this is meant as a sincere recognition of the role that others play in success, or as a sarcastic jab at the notion of self-made success, is not entirely clear.
Line by Line Meaning
Playing for the bleachers now
You're aiming for a broad appeal, trying to impress the masses.
Letting them beat you and showing them how
You're willingly subjecting yourself to criticism, so you can prove yourself to your detractors.
Dangling yourself from the cross
You're putting yourself in a vulnerable position to gain attention and sympathy from others.
All out of nails, but here's your hammer, boss
You're resourceful, finding a way to continue despite obstacles.
And the Academy Award for ridiculous over-acting goes to you
Your behavior is so exaggerated, it's deserving of an award for bad acting.
So get on up there and give us a speech
You're being urged to take the spotlight and bask in the attention you've received.
Taking all the attention away
Your performance is so dominant that it obscures the abilities of everyone else around you.
After your performance, there's no one left to nominate
Your actions have led to a situation where you're the only option for acclaim, and others don't seem desirable.
And the Academy Award for embarrassing melodrama goes to you
Your behavior is so overly theatrical, it's deserving of an award for its inanity.
Don't forget the little people
You shouldn't neglect those who have helped you in your rise to fame, even if they weren't always present.
Who never were around
Some of the individuals who have helped you may not have always been physically present, but their impact is still significant.
And the bigger ones who kept you down
Some people may have actively tried to prevent you from achieving success, but you've still overcome their limitations.
Always knew you could do it...
Despite any doubts or setbacks, there were always those who had faith in your abilities.
We always knew you could do it.
This realization has been consistent from the beginning, as those around you always believed in you.
Jason Caddell!
This person is being called out specifically, suggesting they've played a role in the depicted situation.
You couldn't do it without us...
The people around you have been instrumental in your success, and you wouldn't be where you are now without them.
We always knew you could do it.
Again emphasizing the unwavering belief in your potential from those who know you.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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