Now seven years since they first formed in 2002, and after some shuffling of band members, the Las Vegas-based band is back with their most radio-friendly album to date, It's Only Natural, out on Epitaph Records on June 23, 2009.
"We wrote the best songs that The Higher has ever written on this record. No matter what kind of music you listen to, you're going to find at least two songs that are your favorite," founding member and lead singer Seth Trotter says. "We have two songs the girls are going to love, two rock songs the guys who loved our old sound want, two R&B songs for those who liked our stuff like 'Insurance," two slow jams that people have been begging us to do for a long time, and two straight-up pop songs. It's like Noah's Ark on this record — there's two of everything!"
Not only is there something for everyone on this album, It's Only Natural also marks the band's first concept album, telling the story of what's been going on in The Higher's life. "It was written in the order it appears on the CD, starting with The Higher picking up the pieces of not having all the original members and going through betrayal, separation, and new beginnings, while also making the band thing happen, and moving forward," Trotter explains.
The album kicks off with two pop-rock tunes that reflect the sound early Higher fans know best with "Try Again" about separation, putting their best foot forward, and not dwelling on the past, and "Other Options" in which the band examines what they need to do in order to move forward. Those lead into the two most pop-friendly tracks, "Undertaker" about the band's roots and love for Las Vegas and the title track, "It's Only Natural," which addresses attraction and other 'natural' desires.
Next come the two most heart-wrenching tunes, the rock-based "Story of a Man Obsessed" about paranoia and obsession, and then the slow jam "The (Runaway) Artist," which Seth wrote on piano at the age 15, and adapted into a band tune, written from the point of view of a girl leaving town to follow her dreams.
"The first half of the record is about us realizing that things are falling apart," Trotter explains. "Then it goes on to make us realize we're going to be okay by ourselves."
The second half kicks off with the standout track, "Play with Fire," which Trotter calls their Michael Jackson's "Dirty Diana" of the album. The essence of the lyrics are about overconfident girls whose beauty is only matched by their unoriginality. Next up is their New Found Glory-style "Burn and Turn" about the coming and going of people and their vices, while not getting lost in the shuffle.
The song titles then hit a darker turn with the jazzy slow jam "The Black Dress" about picking a girl up at a funeral and mourning the loss in the only way that feels natural, and "Beautiful Coffins" is about the sad departure of an old friend and allowing them to dig their own grave. The album closes with a two-in-one track starting with "Scandalous" about a girl who's simply no good, and leading into "The Long Con" based off of an episode of the band's favorite show, Lost, in which two characters mutually screw each other over.
And to cap off the album, the band ends with a cover of Ne-Yo's R&B hit, "Closer." "Our band listens to a lot of R&B," Trotter says. "People who like rock may never listen to Ne-Yo, but the song is so undeniable that they might give our version a chance. Plus we like to mess around with covers and mix them up."
The Higher may not be the same band that they were on their last two albums, but they aren't ashamed to tell the story. "The album starts with the most natural way our band could have formed, to who we are now," Trotter says. Centeno adds, "This is our natural progression."
It's Only Natural that the band tells their story through the album. It's Only Natural that their music reflects their diverse mix of styles. It's Only Natural that the band is who they are today.
It's Only Natural, out on Epitaph Records on June 23, 2009.
The Higher announced their breakup in 2012
midnight
The Higher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's better just to wait,
Let's cut this tension with a knife.
Rewind and listen to her say,
"I never wanted it to end this way."
And be tired of waking up with the hope that you'll be next to me,
Convinced that's all I need.
Even though my dreams seem far away,
A midnight sky, your eyes as wide,
It's paradise and daylight brings a smile,
A smile that could chase away the night.
Remember back when everything was new,
Staring at the stars up in the sky.
Wish this could last forever. (your eyes)
You promised me that you wouldn't go, and we'd last forever.
A midnight sky, your eyes as wide,
It's paradise and daylight brings a smile,
A smile that could chase away the night.
Remember back when everything was new,
Staring at the stars up in the sky.
Wish this could last forever.
So where are we now?
This piece of papers getting torn,
And a shadow of the doubt is getting larger
And is building like a storm.
Remember when you promised me?
Don't break my heart, don't say another word.
The Higher's song "Midnight" speaks about the ups and downs of a romantic relationship through the use of vivid imagery and introspective lyrics. The song's opening lines, "Cruel intentions dating back some time. It's better just to wait, Let's cut this tension with a knife" sets a melancholic tone for the remainder of the song. The singer seems to be reflecting on their past experience with their partner and has come to the conclusion that they should have waited before acting on their "cruel intentions." The tension between the two is so palpable that it can be cut with a knife. The lines that come next, "Rewind and listen to her say, 'I never wanted it to end this way'" adds to the nostalgic feeling of the song as the singer remembers their partner's words.
As the song progresses, it shifts to a more hopeful tone as the singer remembers the happy moments they shared with their partner. The lines "A midnight sky, your eyes as wide, It's paradise and daylight brings a smile" highlights the blissful moments that the singer experienced with their partner. They remember feeling content and fulfilled with their partner's presence, and the daylight brings a smile to their face even when everything else seems bleak. The idea of wishing that these happy moments could last forever is explored in the lines, "Remember back when everything was new, Staring at the stars up in the sky. Wish this could last forever. (your eyes) You promised me that you wouldn't go, and we'd last forever." The singer reminisces about the beginning of their relationship where everything was exciting and new. They long for the feeling of the infinite and eternal love that their partner promised them.
Towards the end of the song, the lyrics become more urgent and confrontational. The singer seems to be addressing their partner directly with lines like "Remember when you promised me? Don't break my heart, don't say another word." They seem to be grappling with the reality that their happy moments with their partner might be coming to an end, and they are pleading with them to not break their heart. Overall, "Midnight" is a poignant and introspective song that explores the complexities of romantic relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Cruel intentions dating back some time.
This situation has been negative for a while now.
It's better just to wait,
It's best to be patient and not rush into things.
Let's cut this tension with a knife.
The atmosphere is tense and uncomfortable.
Rewind and listen to her say,
Remember past conversations and actions to understand the current situation.
"I never wanted it to end this way."
A realization that things did not go as planned or intended.
And be tired of waking up with the hope that you'll be next to me,
Frustration and disappointment that things did not turn out as hoped for.
Convinced that's all I need.
Belief that only one thing is truly needed.
Even though my dreams seem far away,
Despite the seemingly impossible nature of hopes and dreams.
There's a memory that still remains
Something from the past still lingers in the present.
A midnight sky, your eyes as wide,
The atmosphere is quiet and peaceful, highlighted by the brightness of one's eyes.
It's paradise and daylight brings a smile,
This moment is pure happiness that is only temporary.
A smile that could chase away the night.
The power of joy is enough to overcome darkness.
Remember back when everything was new,
Looking back at a happy memory from the past.
Staring at the stars up in the sky.
An appreciation for nature and its beauty.
Wish this could last forever. (your eyes)
Longing for the current happy moment to remain forever.
You promised me that you wouldn't go, and we'd last forever.
The fear of losing someone who was promised to always be there.
So where are we now?
Questioning the current state of one's relationship/ situation.
This piece of papers getting torn,
Something is being destroyed or ending.
And a shadow of the doubt is getting larger
Uncertainty about the future is becoming more overwhelming.
And is building like a storm.
The intensity of emotions is increasing.
Remember when you promised me?
Recalling a time when the other person promised something important.
Don't break my heart, don't say another word.
Pleading to not have one's heart broken and to avoid more hurtful conversation.
Lyrics © TUNECORE INC, TuneCore Inc.
Written by: Joshua Vitiello
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Julian Kaminski
I have such great memories watching Bruce Irons tearing everything apart in the surfing movie Campaign... Makes me wanna run to the water and come back in time when I was 20
Brent Hnatiuk
DUDE!!!! The punk version of campaign had so many good songs. It shaped my music for life. I wish they had all the songs on YouTube in a playlist
Brent Hnatiuk
To add I think they had a rap song by a Canadian rap group that was perfect for the big wave portion of the dvd
Brent Hnatiuk
Duece duece- where do we go from here. Sorry for so many responses
Joe Gerard
September Star...