Montreal band The High Dials make psychedelic pop shaded with folk rock, sh… Read Full Bio ↴Montreal band The High Dials make psychedelic pop shaded with folk rock, shoegaze and electro influences. Drawing inspiration from a variety of styles the band create wall-of-sound music built on swirling guitars, three-part harmonies and retro keys.

The High Dials have had an evolving line-up since their 2003 debut centred around Trevor Anderson (singer-songwriter) and Robbie MacArthur (guitars). Hailed by the likes of NME, Spin and Brooklyn Vegan, they have a deep back catalogue and extensive tour history in both North America and the UK.

Highlights from band’s live history include US and UK tours with the Brian Jonestown Massacre, support slots with Echo and the Bunnymen, the Osheaga festival in Montreal and appearances at various international events such as the Great Escape, In the City, CMJ and SXSW. In 2014, they toured the UK and Ireland with The Besnard Lakes.

The band recently collaborated with legendary Rolling Stones producer Andrew Loog Oldham on an album of Stones covers - fellow contributors included Johnny Marr, Gryff Rhys (Super Furry Animals) and Elliott Easton (The Cars).

Two of the band’s songs currently feature in the hit Netflix series House of Cards.

In February 2015 they released “In the A.M. Wilds” worldwide through Fontana North/Universal.

Official website: www.thehighdials.net

Assassins
The High Dials Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sweetness
I am backed into a corner
I am out of moves
Sunday
Sparrows sang of a disaster
Open the bottle and pass it around

Sheets of rain fall into the night

Over streets and houses
Sounds of unsheathing
The glint of a knife
As the city closes
Falling down upon the ground
Low, low, low
Down, down, down

Scimitar handshakes that twist in my side
Thrust from darkened hallways
Sinister smiles so hard and so bright
Thrust from darkened hallways
Lying still upon the ground
Low, low, low
Down, down, down

I retreat
And stumble out beneath descending roses
Destiny has passed me by

And I don't know why
I am low

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The High Dials’ song “Assassins” paint the picture of a character who is trapped and out of options. In the first verse, the singer expresses a feeling of being cornered and helpless as he passes around a bottle in despair. The following lines describe a dark and stormy night, with the sounds of swords being drawn and a glimmer of a knife. The city is closing in on him as he falls “down, down, down” to the ground in a low state.

In the second verse, the lyrics become even more ominous as the character is confronted by “scimitar handshakes,” twisting in his side, and sinister smiles. The repetition of the phrase “Thrust from darkened hallways” creates a sense of danger and unease. The lyrics then return to the character lying “still upon the ground” as he sinks further down to his low position.

Overall, the lyrics of “Assassins” convey a feeling of powerlessness and despair in the face of danger. The imagery of swords and sinister figures creates a sense of violence and threat, while the repeated descent into low positions emphasizes a sense of defeat.

Line by Line Meaning

Sweetness
Introducing the theme of the song

I am backed into a corner
Feeling trapped or cornered with no escape

I am out of moves
Having no more options or choices available

Sunday
Setting the scene of a particular day

Sparrows sang of a disaster
Symbolizing an impending doom or catastrophe

Open the bottle and pass it around
Drinking to forget or cope with the situation

Sheets of rain fall into the night
Describing the weather, adding to the atmosphere

Over streets and houses
Painting a picture of the rain engulfing the entire area

Sounds of unsheathing
Indicating the arrival of danger, drawing of weapons

The glint of a knife
Highlighting the weapon and its harmful intent

As the city closes
As the trap tightens around the singer