Although the High Llamas' output (including the eponymous debut album, technically credited to "Sean O'Hagan") shows influences including pre-1950s American pop and folk, Brazilian jazz and bossa nova, film composers of the 1960s, and 1990s European electronic music, criticism of O'Hagan's work most frequently includes references to Brian Wilson's psychedelic period and/or kitsch lounge revival. Although O'Hagan sometimes expresses discomfort at reviewers' claims of derivative works, he generally wears his influences on his sleeve, even naming several more recent songs after the composers and pop musicians who most inspired that particular track. (Examples: "Bach Ze", "Pat Mingus", "Shuggie Todd".) The Beach Boys' influence on O"Hagan is most obvious on the expansive, cinematic 1996 album Hawaii, a musical spaghetti western on themes of tourism and colonialism. It blended elements of Pet Sounds, Smile and Wild Honey so expertly that O'Hagan was even recommended by Bruce Johnston to produce an eventually mixed Beach Boys comeback LP.
The High Llamas' own musical arrangements vary according to album, but marimbas, nylon-string guitars, and heavily reverbed pounding tack pianos are often featured. For a period in the late 1990s, O'Hagan's work was often marked by distinctive vintage synthesizer "gurgling" or "bouncing" effects, first explored and developed in Turn On, his experimental collaboration record with members of Stereolab. The High Llamas' albums are also notable for frequent guest appearances by members of that band, with whom O'Hagan once played guitar, and for whom he often contributes string and horn arrangements.
The High Llamas infrequently tour and only release an album every few years; since the group was dropped by V2 Records they have made it clear that their records are personal projects that do not support them financially. O'Hagan frequently does arranging and production work for artists like The Boo Radleys, Doves and Sondre Lerche, and percussionist Allum has worked with Turin Brakes. Their work for V2 is anthologized on the compilation Retrospective, Rarities and Instrumentals, and they continue to record for Duophonic Records (UK) and Drag City (US.) Their latest album, Here Come The Rattling Trees, was released in January 2016 after a five year break.
Amin
The High Llamas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seen the time and time again
Pick it up where others fall
Rush to replicate it all
They return in silver suits
Sparky helmets, silver boots
Sparky helmets
When you're restless, when you're bored
Play the first card that you call
This machine sounds like a song
Touch the pedal, sing along
Swing a left to check the bail
Trace the fabric to the trail
Run the cards unto the bell
Tore the stitches, wear the fur
Run the cards in
When you're restless, when you're bored
Play the first card that you call
The lyrics to The High Llamas' song "Amin" are somewhat cryptic and open to interpretation. The opening lines, "Greet the fabric pattern chain / Seen the time and time again / Pick it up where others fall / Rush to replicate it all," could be interpreted in a few ways. The singer may be addressing someone who works in the fashion industry and is constantly seeking out new trends to emulate. Alternatively, they may be speaking more generally about people who feel pressured to conform to societal expectations, following trends and patterns set by others without question.
The next lines introduce the "silver suits" and "sparky helmets" of the chorus, which could be a reference to some kind of futuristic technology or high-tech fashion. The lines "This machine sounds like a song / Touch the pedal, sing along / Swing a left to check the bail / Trace the fabric to the trail" seem to reinforce the idea of someone working in a factory or warehouse setting, perhaps operating some kind of machinery or production line.
The final lines of the song, "Run the cards unto the bell / Tore the stitches, wear the fur / Run the cards in / When you're restless, when you're bored / Play the first card that you call," continue the theme of repetition and conformity, suggesting that even when we're feeling restless or bored, we are often compelled to keep doing the same thing over and over again. The reference to "running the cards" may also be a nod to the idea of gambling or taking risks, with the reminder to always "play the first card that you call" suggesting that we should trust our instincts and take chances when opportunities arise.
Overall, the lyrics to "Amin" offer an intriguing glimpse into the pressures of conformity and the power of repetition, while leaving plenty of room for individual interpretation and meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
Greet the fabric pattern chain
Acknowledge and admire the intricate design of the repeating fabric pattern
Seen the time and time again
Familiarity with the repeated fabric pattern
Pick it up where others fall
Taking over the process where others have failed
Rush to replicate it all
Quickly reproduce the pattern to keep up with the demand
They return in silver suits
The people involved in the pattern-making process come back wearing metallic clothing
Sparky helmets, silver boots
Their helmets and boots also have a shine to them
Sparky helmets
Focusing on the bright helmets worn by the pattern makers
When you're restless, when you're bored
During times of discontent or restlessness
Play the first card that you call
Take action and make a move based on instinct
This machine sounds like a song
The sound of the machinery involved in the pattern-making process is harmonious
Touch the pedal, sing along
Become part of the process and enjoy the smooth sounds by operating the machine
Swing a left to check the bail
Turn the machine to the left to inspect the components
Trace the fabric to the trail
Follow the pattern to ensure it is being created accurately
Run the cards unto the bell
Continue the pattern-making process until it is completed
Tore the stitches, wear the fur
Sustain damages while crafting the pattern but still achieve final product
Run the cards in
Continue operating the pattern-making machine
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: O'HAGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind