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.
This Christmas
The Dismemberment Plan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to get to know you better
This Christmas
And as you trim the tree
How much fun it's going to be together
This Christmas
We're carolling through the night
And this Christmas will be
A very special Christmas to me
My presents are cards are here
And my whole life is filled with cheer and you
This Christmas
And as I look around
Yule light is shining down on me
This Christmas
Fireside is blazing bright
We're carolling through the night
And this Christmas will be
A very special Christmas to me
In The Dismemberment Plan's song "This Christmas," the lyrics express a desire to connect with someone on a deeper level during the holiday season. The singer urges his love interest to hang all her mistletoe so that they can get to know each other better. The song continues with a festive atmosphere of caroling, fireside warmth, and holiday cheer. The singer states that his whole life is filled with cheer, but more so when he is with the person he is singing to. As he looks around, the singer sees the "Yule light" shining down on him, which is metaphorical for finding love and connection in the midst of the holiday chaos.
Overall, the song is a celebratory love song that captures the essence of the holiday season. It's about finding connection with someone and feeling the warmth of love during a time of togetherness and celebration. The song's tone is joyful, with lyrics that harken back to classic Christmas carols and a sense of playfulness throughout. Through its lyrics, the song paints a picture of a bright and festive holiday season, one that is full of magic and endless possibilities.
Line by Line Meaning
Hang all your mistletoe
Let's get to know each other better this holiday season.
I want to get to know you better
It's time for us to connect on a deeper level.
And as you trim the tree
Let's enjoy the simple but fun moments of decorating together.
How much fun it's going to be together
We're going to have a great time celebrating this Christmas side by side.
Fireside is blazing bright
The warmth of the fire illuminates the cozy atmosphere.
We're carolling through the night
We're singing joyful songs, spreading holiday cheer as we go.
And this Christmas will be
This year's holiday season is going to be something special.
A very special Christmas to me
I'm excited for the memories we'll create and the joy we'll share this holiday season.
My presents and cards are here
I have everything I need to celebrate this holiday - love, support, and good cheer.
And my whole life is filled with cheer and you
My life is full of happiness and love, and spending this holiday season with you only makes it better.
And as I look around
As I take in my surroundings and my loved ones, I feel grateful and joyful.
Yule light is shining down on me
The light of the Yule season shines bright, filling me with happiness and hope.
Contributed by Vivian N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
HeyyyMarisaa
I love this song! One of my favorite Christmas songs! :)
Michael Lile
Time for my annual listen to this 🙌