The band consists of Clark Baechle, Todd Fink (formerly known as Todd Baechle), and Joel Petersen. They signed to Saddle Creek Records and released a few singles, but were unable to establish widespread sales, though they were extremely popular in the Omaha-area. After adding Matt Bowen, The Faint released Media, which established them within a small, national community of fans. While touring, Bowen left and was replaced by Jacob Thiele who helped move the next album, Blank-Wave Arcade, towards a more dance and electronica influenced sound. The album was an underground hit. Partway through the creation of the morose Danse Macabre, The Faint added Dapose, a death metal guitarist formerly of LEAD. Danse Macabre was also a critical and commercial success and has helped to establish a wider fanbase for the band. Their 4th album, released in 2004, is called Wet from Birth.
In 2002 bassist Joel Petersen released the first album from his solo project, Broken Spindles, and he has since released two subsequent albums and had a U.S. tour. Guitarist Dapose also has a side-project, Vverevvolf Grehv, releasing his first album in 2008.
On December 12th, 2005, The Faint announced that they have moved out of The Orifice (a rented out warehouse they used to record Wet from Birth) and into ENAMEL, a 100-year-old building where they recorded the tracks for their next album, Fasciinatiion.
1995 | Sine Sierra (Norman Bailer) | Lumberjack
1998 | Media | CD Saddle Creek [LBJ-21]
1999 | The Faint / Ex-Action Figures (split) | 7» Saddle Creek [LBJ-25]
1999 | Blank-Wave Arcade | LP/CD Saddle Creek [LBJ-29]
2000 | Blank-Wave Arcade Remixes | 12»PD Saddle Creek [LBJ-33]
2001 | Danse Macabre | LP/CD Saddle Creek [LBJ-37]
2001 | Mote / Dust | 12»EP Gold Standard Laboratories [GSL 47]
2001 | Agenda Suicide | CDS Fierce Panda [NING 117]
2003 | Danse Macabre Remixes | 3LP/CD Astralwerks [ASC 83269]
2003 | The Conductor | 12»EP Astralwerks [ASC 83862]
2004 | I Disappear | 12»/CDS Saddle Creek [LBJ-66]
2004 | Wet From Birth | LP/CD Saddle Creek [LBJ-67]
2004 | Desperate Guys Saddle Creek
2008 | The Geeks Were Right Blank.wav
2008 | Fasciinatiion Blank.wav
Syntax Lies
The Faint Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you don't care if we meet
It's just conversation
We're not so compatible
But at least we know and we don't care
Syntax lies
No difference in art and life
And in order the words go
The order, they go
It's time we needed an end to this
Why not, wouldn't that make us laugh?
And discover how we used to speak
Concepts of language around these wastes
Why wouldn't we mention how it hurts?
And discover how we used to speak
Going backwards
Overlapping
Oh, tomorrow
More something
Than this ticket
For religion
But the truth unfolds
We devote it (syntax lies)
Without knowing (they say it's dark)
Saying "nightmare" (they say it's light)
And "stoning"(just what they say is confusing )
Just the name and the way that the words go
(try the dark glass blow)
Grammar, it's comedic
We're corrected
We need to stop light division
To the next calendar
It's time we needed an end to this
Why not, wouldn't that make us laugh?
And discover how we used to speak
Concepts of language around these wastes
Why wouldn't we mention how it hurts?
And discover how we used to speak
Discover how we used to speak
(I'm scared
It's just conversation
But in the window
It's how
I really feel)
In The Faint's song "Syntax Lies," the lyrics criticize the rigid structure and rules of language, suggesting that syntax often fails to convey truth or emotion. The first few lines speak of an incompatible conversation that is so meaningless that neither person cares if they meet again. The singer suggests that syntax, or the order in which words are arranged, can be a lie, and that this order can make all the difference between art and life. The repetition of "syntax lies" emphasizes the idea that language is often an imperfect tool for communication.
The second verse delves deeper into this idea of syntax being insufficient to convey meaning. The singer suggests that language is flawed in its inability to convey concepts of pain and hurt effectively, and that we should "discover how we used to speak." However, this discovery is complicated by the fact that words and their meanings have been distorted and can be confusing. The chorus repetitions reinforce the idea that we need to break free from syntax to communicate effectively.
Line by Line Meaning
Understand, I don't care if I meet
I am indifferent about meeting you and it does not matter to me.
And you don't care if we meet
You are indifferent about meeting me and it does not matter to you either.
It's just conversation
We are just talking, with no real connection or mutual interest.
We're not so compatible
We do not have a lot in common or share similar interests.
But at least we know and we don't care
We acknowledge the incompatibility and do not feel bothered by it.
Syntax lies
The way we structure sentences and use language can be misleading.
No difference in art and life
The line between artistic expression and reality can be blurred.
Just what we said
The meaning of our words is only what we explicitly express.
And in order the words go
The order in which we choose to arrange words affects their intended meaning.
It's time we needed an end to this
We should stop this conversation because it is going nowhere.
Why not, wouldn't that make us laugh?
Ending the conversation might be funny or ironic.
And discover how we used to speak
We should reflect on how we communicated in the past.
Concepts of language around these wastes
The abstractions and rules of language can be confusing and convoluted.
Why wouldn't we mention how it hurts?
We should acknowledge the pain or confusion caused by language and its limitations.
Going backwards
Looking back with nostalgia or regret.
Overlapping
Our perspectives and experiences intersecting or conflicting.
Oh, tomorrow
The promise or hope of what is to come.
More something
Something else, something more meaningful or substantial.
Than this ticket
More than just a symbolic or superficial gesture.
For religion
An act of devotion or prayer.
But the truth unfolds
The reality of the situation becomes clearer.
We devote it (syntax lies)
We commit ourselves to language, even though it can be misleading.
Without knowing (they say it's dark)
We cannot always control or understand the meaning of our words or the interpretations of others.
Saying "nightmare" (they say it's light)
Our use of language can be ironic or contrasting with its actual meaning.
And "stoning"(just what they say is confusing )
Certain words or phrases have unclear or double meanings, leading to confusion or misinterpretation.
Just the name and the way that the words go
The specific words and order we use can be misleading or unintentionally ironic.
(try the dark glass blow)
A cryptic reference, unclear in its intention or meaning.
Grammar, it's comedic
The technical aspects of language can be humorous or ironic.
We're corrected
Our use of language can be corrected or judged by others, leading to confusion or embarrassment.
We need to stop light division
We should stop trying to divide or categorize things based on arbitrary or superficial differences.
To the next calendar
To the future, or a time beyond the present.
(I'm scared
A sudden shift in perspective, expressing fear or anxiety.
It's just conversation
Returning to the original topic of conversation, suggesting that the previously-described issues are trivial or unworthy of concern.
But in the window
The artist is now observing something outside or beyond the conversation, shifting their attention away from the other person.
It's how
This new observation is framed in a specific way.
I really feel)
The artist's emotions or perceptions have been impacted by this newfound perspective or understanding.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brandy Milson
i loved this album...saw them perform it all live years ago at Rubber Gloves in Denton Tx
seans sexy music channel
@Corruption64 this is the opening track on the record, and in my opinion the best song on the album. if you enjoy it, give it a listen. it might be hard to swallow if you are in love with their synth pop stuff, but it's not a bad indie rock record. they were very new to their instruments and to song writing back then.
Andrew Jaramillo
I still love this song, I always used to play it when in middle school haha
johnnyscifi
Classic!!!
paladinpalafox
Fuck ya, I wish I could have had the chance to see them at that stage.
seans sexy music channel
@VanGogh202 that is my goal with this channel, to upload stuff that i've looked for in the past and noticed wasn't around. i haven't uploaded anything in a while tho, maybe that should change. =)?
dylan
im gay
dylan
just realized