The Most Serene Republic is a Canadian indie rock band formed in Milton, On… Read Full Bio ↴The Most Serene Republic is a Canadian indie rock band formed in Milton, Ontario, by band members Adrian Jewett, Ryan Lenssen, and Nick Greaves, who had all left school to pursue more artistic ventures. The band takes its name from the sobriquet of formerly independent Venice under the Doges, which was regarded as "The Most Serene Republic of Venice."

The Most Serene Republic released its debut album, Underwater Cinematographer, in 2005 on the Arts & Crafts label. They are the first band on the A&C label that isn't related in one way or another to Broken Social Scene (though Ryan and Adrian perform sometimes in their live shows). They later released a tour EP in spring/summer of 2006, titled Phages, capturing more of the sweep of their live performances.

Originally formed in mid-2003 as a duo (Lenssen and Jewett) known as Thee Oneironauts (O-nye-rawn-nauts). The pair would quickly record and self-release an EP entitled Night of the Lawnchairs on Lenssen's GROK Studios imprint. The Oneironauts grew to trio status with the addition of Greaves on keyboard and guitar.

Their live shows are known for being extremely entertaining, and intense with dancing, and cramming so many sounds to overload the senses.

Phi
The Most Serene Republic Lyrics

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Could you stop and take inhale, olfactory?
Accomplice to expression

It makes itself known by a changing a tone
Invisible reminder More's desired from the fizz of skin

Its umbra reminds me of past beliefs
and the holidays they had Empiricism, why'd they not preach that?

So a magic training first
How's about the musk of your own deeds?

Oh how much I want to of your smell
Dewness from the below, morning from the above
Too many developed from the eyes, ears, touch and the taste, stories of the waste

The big secrets now How we've lost and found
Something not quite said, until everything's in bed

Overall Meaning

The Most Serene Republic's song "Phi" is a poetic exploration of sensory experiences and their connection to memory and nostalgia. The lyric "Could you stop and take inhale, olfactory?" asks the listener to pause and consider their sense of smell, which is often overlooked in favor of sight, sound, touch, and taste. The lyric "Accomplice to expression" suggests that our sense of smell plays a role in how we express ourselves and communicate with others.

The following lines describe how a particular smell can trigger memories and emotions: "Its umbra reminds me of past beliefs and the holidays they had / Empiricism, why'd they not preach that?" The reference to empiricism suggests that the singer is reflecting on the value of personal experience and observation in forming beliefs and understanding the world. The lyrics encourage the listener not to rely solely on what they see or hear, but to pay attention to the full range of sensory experiences.

The song's title, "Phi," refers to the mathematical concept of the golden ratio, which is often associated with beauty and aesthetics. This may suggest that the song is an exploration of the beauty and complexity of sensory experiences, and how they shape our perception of the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Could you stop and take inhale, olfactory?
Would you please pause and smell with your sense of smell?

Accomplice to expression
The sense of smell helps to express emotions

It makes itself known by a changing a tone
The sense of smell changes our emotions and affects our mood

Invisible reminder More's desired from the fizz of skin
The sense of smell is a subtle reminder that there is more to life than just the surface level

Its umbra reminds me of past beliefs
The sense of smell triggers memories and reminds us of past experiences and beliefs

and the holidays they had Empiricism, why'd they not preach that?
The song questions why past traditions and beliefs were not based on evidence and scientific knowledge

So a magic training first
Perhaps we need to start with training our sense of smell like magic to experience life fully

How's about the musk of your own deeds?
What if we recognize the scent of our own actions and the impact they have on ourselves and others?

Oh how much I want to of your smell
How I wish I could experience your unique scent

Dewness from the below, morning from the above
Smelling the earth and the sky can bring a sense of freshness and renewal

Too many developed from the eyes, ears, touch and the taste, stories of the waste
We tend to rely too much on our other senses and dismiss the importance of smell. This results in missed opportunities to fully experience the world around us.

The big secrets now How we've lost and found
The song suggests that the importance of the sense of smell is a big secret that has been lost and needs to be rediscovered.

Something not quite said, until everything's in bed
Perhaps the full significance of the sense of smell is not yet fully understood and will only be realized when we have quieted our other senses and reflect upon it.

Lyrics © ARTS & CRAFTS MUSIC INC DBA GALLERYAC MUSIC
Written by: ADRIAN JEWETT, DAVID NEWFELD, RYAN LENSSEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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