The Morning Benders is a band from Berkeley, California, formed in 2005, consisting of Julian Harmon, Tim Or, Jonathan Chu, and Christopher Chu. In 2008, they released their debut album Talking Through Tin Cans on +1 Records. The band has toured in support of Broken Bells (Spring/Summer 2010), Grizzly Bear (Fall 2009), The Kooks and Death Cab for Cutie (Summer 2008), Ra Ra Riot (Fall 2008), The Black Keys (Summer 2010), and has also played with Yo La Tengo, MGMT, Grand Archives, Yeasayer, Two Gallants, The Rosebuds, Au Revoir Simone, We Are Scientists, and White Rabbits. They also toured with The Submarines in 2009. Having shared the stage with other bands such as Beach House, MGMT, Ra Ra Riot, Grizzly Bear and Girls, these boys are seasoned vets. Don’t let their age deceive you.
In December 2008, iTunes deemed Talking Through Tin Cans the best indie/alternative album of 2008.
The Morning Benders recorded their 2010 album Big Echo in San Francisco and mixed it in Brookyln. Chris Chu and Chris Taylor (Grizzly Bear) produced it in eleven days. On the twelfth day they rejoiced. There are 10 tracks on Big Echo, which The Morning Benders think is an ideal length for an album.
In March of 2012 the band announced that they would be changing their name to POP ETC.
Wet Cement
The Morning Benders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
where we glued our eyes shut
and pressed with our fists
and while the trees are shrinking now
they forgot their roots
and sloped in the ground
and while I'm picking out my favorite names
where our future is concerned
what brought us here, why we try to say
we face back all the way
now the cement's hardened in my chest
a world of wax
scraped in through text
and someone was calling just before I woke up
my broken record spits good and bad luck
and with my broken, pale black eyes
I still see white when the snow falls lightly
in the steady blur of the days
what brought us here, why we try to say
but we face back all the way
The Morning Benders' song "Wet Cement" explores the idea of two people meeting by chance and how their lives intertwine from that moment on. The first stanza describes the initial meeting as being in wet cement, which represents the idea of being stuck or frozen in time. The two individuals are so enamored with each other that they glue their eyes shut and press their fists into the cement as if they are trying to brand the moment into their memories forever. The second half of the stanza foreshadows the potential for the relationship to wither over time, using the metaphor of trees that have been planted improperly and "sloped in the ground." The singer, however, is still holding onto hope by picking out favorite names for their future together.
The second stanza explores the aftermath of the relationship, with the cement now having hardened in the singer's chest, representing the emotional weight that he's carrying from the experience. The world around him is like wax, scraped in through text, emphasizing the idea that everything feels artificial and false. The singer's mindset is not helped by the thought that someone was calling him before he woke up, suggesting that he can never fully escape the memory of this relationship. Despite that, the singer is still holding onto the idea of hope, symbolized by the snow falling and his ability to see white with his broken, pale black eyes.
Overall, "Wet Cement" is a song about the power of chance meetings and the way that relationships can affect one's life. The use of metaphors throughout the song emphasizes the weight of these experiences and how they can shape our perspectives.
Line by Line Meaning
we met one day in wet cement
We first encountered each other in a place where everything was still uncertain and not quite set, just like wet cement.
where we glued our eyes shut
We were so attracted to each other that we couldn't bear to look away or be distracted by anything else around us.
and pressed with our fists
We were so passionate and driven that we physically expressed our emotions by pressing ourselves closer to one another.
and while the trees are shrinking now
Even though everything else around us is changing or fading away, our memories of that moment in wet cement still remain clear and vivid in our minds.
they forgot their roots
Other things in our lives that used to be important have lost their significance, but our connection and bond remains grounded and steadfast.
and sloped in the ground
Even the very earth beneath our feet has shifted or moved since that moment, but our relationship has remained strong and unwavering.
and while I'm picking out my favorite names
As I consider the future and all the possibilities it holds, I am trying to imagine what it might be like to share it with you.
where our future is concerned
I am hopeful and optimistic about what the future holds, especially when I think about the potential we have to build a life together.
in the steady blur of the days
Time has a way of flashing by and slipping away, but our love and connection remains a constant fixture in my life.
what brought us here, why we try to say
Sometimes it's hard to understand or explain why certain people come into our lives, but when it's something as meaningful as our relationship, we can't help but try to make sense of it all.
we face back all the way
Even as we move forward and explore new things, we are always looking back on our shared history and the moments that have brought us to where we are now.
now the cement's hardened in my chest
The feelings and memories associated with our initial encounter and shared experiences have become such a deep and integral part of me that they feel almost tangible.
a world of wax
My perception of the world around me has become malleable and shaped by my experiences, especially those shared with you.
scraped in through text
Even as we communicate through written words, the depth and intensity of our connection still shines through.
and someone was calling just before I woke up
As I start to shake myself out of the dreamlike state that comes with thinking about our relationship, I am reminded of the world around me and other things that demand my attention.
my broken record spits good and bad luck
Even though life is unpredictable and uncertain, I still feel lucky to have found you and grateful for the moments we've shared together.
and with my broken, pale black eyes
Even when things are tough or difficult, I am able to see the beauty and resilience of our love and connection.
I still see white when the snow falls lightly
Even as the world around me changes and shifts, my feelings for you remain clear and bright, almost like a fresh coat of white snow.
Contributed by Amelia C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
secondhandsmoke10
They'll still be "The Morning Benders" in my heart.
y1x1n
why do I always discover bands too late when they've changed their musical direction... from such a lovely genre to pop etc?! whyyyy :'(
Oak Town
They are evolving in the best way, don't give up on em!
a gonz
hahahah u snooze u lose (snooze on good music, youve just woken)
RockLization
Yes, I know. They were so unique in their own way and just perfect. So sad the world won't have this anymore. I'm all for bands that take risks but the whole Pop Etc stuff is NOTHING like their original stuff. Plus we didn't even get enough of morning benders stuff before they changed. NOT FAIR.
pinkmoti8n
Such a good band <3!
Dooke Larue
LET THE WORD OUT!! GOOD MUSIC IS HAPPENING AGAIN!!!
k
i listen to this song every morning before school so it gets stuck in my head throughout the day.
xchiaroscura
I'm in love with this band now.
GH11
this whole album would just make my vacation :)