Initially named "The Hush," the band changed their name to "The Hush Sound" when Geffen Records objected that their name was too similar to rapper Hush. The band consists of Bob Morris on vocals and guitar, Mike Leblanc on bass and vocals, Darren Wilson on drums and vocals, and Greta Salpeter on vocals and piano. Original bassist Chris Faller left the band in October 2008 in order to pursue other musical interests and was replaced by Mike LeBlanc, who had toured with them previously on their "Dance Across the Country Tour".
In 2005 the band released their first studio album So Sudden. Their second studio album, Like Vines, was released in 2006 on Fueled by Ramen.
The Hush Sound was founded by Greta Salpeter and Bob Morris. The two met when Greta was in 7th grade and Bob was in 10th. In the eyes of many of their peers, Bob and Greta were deemed an "odd couple." Bob had always been a player and performer of rock music, whereas Greta was a classical pianist.
By the end of March of 2005, The Hush Sound took their music into the studio to record their debut full-length album. The studio was the Gallery of Carpet located in Villa Park, IL run by owner Brian Zieske. They named it "So Sudden"--a reflection on how quickly things were moving for the band. They released their first album with no label support at the time, but nevertheless sold 300 CDs in two nights.
Five months later, the band began playing shows. They soon gained the attention of Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz. On the day they were streaming "So Sudden" on purevolume, Ryan Ross of Panic at the Disco discovered their page and passed it along to Pete Wentz. Wentz knew Bob from his previous work in Chicago-based band the AUDITION, and, after listening, he sent The Hush Sound an email saying that he was interested in signing them to his Decaydance Records label.
So Sudden was re-released on Decaydance (with some minor lyric changes) and the band soon became a part of the 2006 Black Clouds and Underdogs tour, with Fall Out Boy in the headlining slot and also featuring From First to Last, Hawthorne Heights, and the All-American Rejects. During this time, the band started recording the follow-up to So Sudden, entitled Like Vines, which was produced by Sean O'Keefe and Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump (who also does guest vocals on the song "Don't Wake Me Up").
Like Vines was released on June 6, 2006. In support of the new record, the band went on a summer tour with label mates Panic at the Disco and fellow cabaret-rock band the Dresden Dolls. The album has since sold steadily. The band took a month-long break before beginning another tour with Jack's Mannequin, Copeland, and Daphne Loves Derby.
In November 2006, The Hush Sound embarked on their first headlining tour, supported by This Providence, This Is Me Smiling, and Murder By Death. Since then, they've toured heavily all over the United States with Straylight Run, Spitalfield, HelloGoodbye, Boys Like Girls, and Pablo among others, making stops including the Wiltern in Los Angeles, The Warfield in San Francisco, and the SXSW festival in Austin, TX.
The band's third studio album, Goodbye Blues, was named one of the Most Anticipated Albums of 2008 according to Alternative Press Magazine. "GOODBYE BLUES" was recorded Fall 2007 at North Hollywood's Fairfax Recordings with producer/engineer Kevin Augunas (Cold War Kids, Jon Brion) at the helm. In tracks such as "Honey" and "Medicine Man",The Hush Sound shows influence of Blues, Swing, Rock, and Folk. On January 16th, a press release said that that album would in fact be released on March 18th and that the first single, Honey, would be available for purchase on the iTunes store on February 5th. Goodbye Blues is available for purchase through The Hush Sound's official website. Shortly after the release of Goodbye Blues the band announced an indefinite hiatus.
In August 2012 the band announced a series of fall 2012 tour dates. In Spring 2013, they released an EP, "Forty Five".
The Boys Are Too Refined
The Hush Sound Lyrics
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They are the brilliant ones who speak and write with silver luck.
They sing in clever tongues,
Oh how my knees go weak to be the one.
She kicks and bucks.
Always quick to follow.
The boys are too refined.
Oh, to be in his mind.
And if the timing is right to sneak off into the night,
I'll let myself be taken just for the thrill.
And if I'm given the chance to be a doll in his hands,
I will be sure we shake the mountains while we dance.
To daddy singing sweet, a lullaby to all his credit speak, his golden light.
To the edge with a car, he sent it off a cliff just for the spark,
to hell with why.
Always quick to follow.
The boys are too refined.
Won't matter tomorrow.
Oh, to be in his mind.
And if the timing is right to sneak off into the night,
I'll let myself be taken just for the thrill.
And if I'm given the chance to be a doll in his hands,
I will be sure we shake the mountains while we dance.
And if the timing is right to sneak off into the night,
I'll let myself be taken just for the thrill.
And if I'm given the chance to be a doll in his hands,
I will be sure we shake the mountains while we....
And if the timing is right to sneak off into the night,
I'll let myself be taken just for the thrill.
And if I'm given the chance to be a doll in his hands,
I will be sure we shake the mountains while we dance.
"The Boys Are Too Refined" by The Hush Sound is a song that explores the desires and fantasies of the singer. She speaks specifically of the "boys who kiss and bite," who are the "brilliant ones who speak and write with silver luck." These boys are clever and quick-witted, and their abilities with language make them even more alluring to the singer. She even notes that her knees go weak when she hears them sing in their clever tongues. However, despite their brilliance and allure, the boys are ultimately too refined for the singer. She is always quick to follow them, but realizes that their sophistication and polish will not matter tomorrow. Despite this, she longs to be in their minds and to experience the thrill of being taken by them. The singer also describes a particular man to whom she is attracted, a man who can sing sweet lullabies and send cars over cliffs just for the spark. She is drawn to him, even though she doesn't understand why he does what he does. Ultimately, however, the song is about her desire to be taken by someone who is as clever and refined as the boys she admires.
Line by Line Meaning
The boys who kiss and bite,
Referring to men who are aggressive and skilled with words and actions.
They are the brilliant ones who speak and write with silver luck.
These men are intelligent and charming, able to speak and write with ease and eloquence.
They sing in clever tongues, Oh how my knees go weak to be the one.
These men are able to communicate in interesting and seductive ways that attract the singer.
She kicks and bucks.
The artist is nervous and anxious in the presence of these men.
Always quick to follow.
The artist is easily influenced and drawn in by these men.
The boys are too refined.
These men are sophisticated and polished, perhaps too much so for the singer's liking.
Won't matter tomorrow.
The consequence of getting involved with these men isn't a concern for the singer.
Oh, to be in his mind.
The artist desires to understand and be a part of these men's world and thoughts.
And if the timing is right to sneak off into the night, I'll let myself be taken just for the thrill.
The artist is willing to take risks and go along with these men for the excitement and adrenaline.
And if I'm given the chance to be a doll in his hands, I will be sure we shake the mountains while we dance.
The artist is willing to surrender control and be led by these men, and she's confident that they will lead her to experiences that will be life-changing.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GRETA MORGAN SALPETER, SCOTT CUTLER, BOB MORRIS, ANNE PREVEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
just me
on Sweet Tangerine
My read- A metaphorical song about the desperation a jilted lover feels and the power that comes from experiencing such a consuming obsession.