A performance by The Milk Carton Kids is a quiet and intricate affair. The duo have enjoyed intently listening audiences across the country and abroad in their respective solo careers, but an even greater sense of urgency and demand of attention is palpable now that they've come together as The Milk Carton Kids. Their songs are written together, but you won't know there is more than one author. Â Their history together spans only one short year, but you won't know that either. They stand close together when they play, facing each other and using microphones instead of plugging their guitars in. And if they looked more alike, they'd fool you that they were brothers.
Their songs disguise the youth of the members of the band. Befittingly, so do the old guitars they play and old clothing they wear. But to be sure, The Milk Carton Kids have something new to present: harmonies & minimalist instrumentation which are a clear reference to times passed, but with an eye intently on the future; a perspective on coming-of-age in the eye of a present-day storm; and the chronicling of an American struggle for simplicity, at least musically. To present it they use two guitars and two voices, they labor over the arrangements, they record themselves live, and they release their music on their own label, and for free.
As solo artists they have 10 releases between them. As a band their career is off to an auspicious start. Starting from a highly regarded position among their peers, they've opened for the art-piano-pop critical darling Vienna Teng, Grammy nominated friend and fan Sara Bareilles, and now will take to the entire U.S. and Canada this summer supporting one of the consummate songwriters of their generation, Joe Purdy. Despite the decision to stick to acoustic guitars in their own show, both Ryan and Pattengale are multi-instrumentalists and will also comprise Purdy's backing band, joining him on bass, pedal steel guitar, piano, and harmonies.
Their first collaborative release, RETROSPECT, is a live album due out March 15th, 2011, that represents the culmination of the past year of live performance. A collection of songs from each of their solo careers, written separately but reinterpreted and performed as the duo now called The Milk Carton Kids, RETROSPECT will be released under the name "Kenneth Pattengale & Joey Ryan".
The first official release of The Milk Carton Kids, entitled PROLOGUE, comprised of original songs written by the duo for this project. It was released in 2011 on their own Milk Carton Records.
No Hammer To Hold
The Milk Carton Kids Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Upon the hill
All my love's inside
I run around
One day you will
Come down
In a slide
Everything looks better in my dream
Nine pounds' heavier than it seems
So take me back Minnesota in the snow
I turn my back and try to make it home
Clearly I've
No hammer to hold
You keep a light
And burn both ends
I live inside my mind
And you were right
I was wrong again
What will they say when I die
Everything looks better in my head
Nine pounds' heavier than they said
So take me back to Minnesota in the snow
I turn my back and try to make it home
Clearly I've
No hammer to hold
So watch my back with mercy as I go
Cause I'm attacked
By this burning afterglow
I bulit a house
upon a hill
all my love's inside
The Milk Carton Kids's song "No Hammer To Hold" is a melancholic and introspective track that seems to deal with themes of love, regret, and the haunting sense of missed opportunities. The song begins with the singer stating that they have built a house upon a hill, and that all their love is inside it. This metaphorical house could symbolize a relationship or a personal achievement that the singer has invested a lot of their emotions in. However, this accomplishment has an uncertain future, as the singer acknowledges that one day it will ultimately come crashing down.
The song then moves into a dream-like state, where the singer's perspective shifts into an altered reality. They sing "Everything looks better in my dream/ Nine pounds' heavier than it seems," which could suggest that the singer is either struggling with their self-image or trying to find solace in their imagination. This dreamy space is soon interrupted by a desire to return to a familiar and comforting place. As the singer states, "So take me back Minnesota in the snow/ I turn my back and try to make it home/ Clearly, I've no hammer to hold." This yearning for a place where they feel they belong is perhaps a way of coping with the instability of the metaphorical house they have built.
Line by Line Meaning
I built a house
I have created a home, a place where I can feel safe and loved
Upon the hill
I chose a location that is high and visible, so others can see what I have achieved
All my love's inside
I have put all of my heart and soul into creating my home
I run around
I am constantly busy, trying hard to achieve something
One day you will
There will be a time when you come to visit me
Come down
You will come to my house, possibly in a playful or childish manner
In a slide
Maybe you will slide or play in my house, showing joy and freedom
Everything looks better in my dream
I have created an idealized version of reality in my mind, where everything seems perfect and beautiful
Nine pounds' heavier than it seems
My idealized version of reality is not completely accurate, as things are different in the real world
So take me back Minnesota in the snow
I want to go back to a time or place when everything felt simpler and more innocent, perhaps when I was younger
I turn my back and try to make it home
I am determined to create a sense of security and belonging for myself, through creating a home and putting in the effort to make it mine
Clearly I've
It is obvious that I lack
No hammer to hold
I do not have the tools or strength to build or maintain the kind of life I want
You keep a light
You have a guiding light, a clear sense of purpose or direction
And burn both ends
You work tirelessly, using up all of your energy to achieve your goals
I live inside my mind
I often retreat into my thoughts and dreams, avoiding the harsh realities of the world outside
And you were right
You have pointed out a truth that I have not yet acknowledged
I was wrong again
I have made a mistake or failed to live up to expectations, yet again
What will they say when I die
I am worried about my legacy and what people will remember me for
Everything looks better in my head
I tend to idealize situations and people, imagining them to be better than they really are
Nine pounds' heavier than they said
My expectations are not always realistic, and I often end up disappointed when reality does not match my dreams
So watch my back with mercy as I go
I am asking for empathy and kindness as I face challenges and struggles
Cause I'm attacked
I am under siege, facing difficulties and hardships
By this burning afterglow
I am still feeling the effects of something that has happened, even after it has passed
Contributed by Henry D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lucas Affonso
Never surpises me how few views their songs have. Wish to you guys playing here in Brazil!
Adeilson Oliveira
+Lucas Affonso Finally I could see someone that likes The Milk Cartoon Kids here in Brazil. Yes, they're amazing...
brettteslaa
Thanks for uploading! I'm in love with this album and have been wanting to share it with other! :D
Angela Hanlon
Thank you for uploading! Such beautiful music!
Krnflakgrl 71
I love this song with my whole heart...
findingsolros
Thank you for uploading this!! <3
Allen wrench
spent many a winter week or two in Edina visiting a friend while growing up - lifelong fond memories of Minnesota..........takes me back too - beautiful song.
ProgRockDan1
Nice song
Allen Saunders
views are no measure of talent there was always popular crap but good music could be popular too not as easy now though
Ikede Ebhole
I'm here after Thor ragnarok :(