“...songs so elegantly composed that many could pass for old standards... Burhenn is as heartbreaking and tuneful as her finest inspirations while investing her songs with a calm fatalism that sets her apart.” –Pitchfork
After touring the world as a member of the Postal Service in 2013, Laura Burhenn (The Mynabirds) took a year to get lost. She drove acros s the US twice, toured South Africa solo, made her first appearance in London (also solo), and trekked all over Europe with William Faulkner’s words ringing in her ears: “You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.” Finally she found herself in Los Angeles with a suitcase of songs to fill a whole new album.
Lovers Know, The Mynabirds’ third full-length release (out August 7th on Saddle Creek), was produced by Bradley Hanan Carter (Black English ) and recorded over a yearlong period in Los Angeles, Joshua Tree, Nashville, and Auckland, New Zealand. It’s definitely new territory for Burhenn, forging into 80s, 90s and futuristic soundscapes, recalling Kate Bush, Sinead O’Connor, Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine and even 90s hip hop and R&B. The album may be loaded with a fresh palette of new sounds (swarms of synths, gauzy electric guitars, and electronic drums), but her brooding, unmistakable voice leads the way. Lyrically this is her most personal and confessional work to date, and also her most accessible.
Whereas her last album, GENERALS , watched from a wide angle to understand the world at a distance, Lovers Know pulls in close. “There’s something about wandering the world over,” Laura says, “that makes you realize how similar we all are – everyone searching for something, so often the same thing: love. It may sound trite, but it’s true. Love – or the lack of it – is the thing we all have in common. It can destroy us. It can break us open and let the light in. And it’s also the thing that can make us sing.”
Burhenn has released two previous albums as The Mynabirds on Saddle Creek, What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood (2010) and GENERALS (2012), both of which were produced by Richard Swift and met by critical acclaim. She will be touring the US and Europe with her band this Fall in support of the album release.
http://noisetrade.com/themynabirds
http://saddle-creek.com/store/artist/themynabirds/
Generals
The Mynabirds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So I can pay my rent
When the music is on, I get my best blood drawn
But I haven’t made a dollar yet
Haven’t I paid my dues?
Haven’t I paid my dues?
Haven’t I paid my dues yet?
Calling all my generals
My daughters
My revolutionists
We got strength in numbers
And they’re goin' to pay for it
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
We burn the money in our homes
Oh our books and bones are breaking down so fast
But they keep putting all our cash
Into the next bloodbath
Honey, tell you I am sick of it
Haven’t I paid my dues?
Haven’t I paid my dues?
Haven’t I paid my dues yet?
Hey all my sisters (yeah)
What you want (love)
And all my brothers (yeah)
What you got (love)
You wanna fix it (yeah)
Or fuck it up
Come on fix it
'Cause it’s been fucked
Calling all my generals
My daughters
My revolutionists
We got strength in numbers
And they’re goin' to pay for it
Get your black boots on
Get your black boots on
Get your black, black, black boots on
Beat your marching drum
Beat your marching drum
Beat your marching drum
We’re gonna make 'em run
We’re gonna make 'em run
We’re gonna get 'em on the run
So get your warpaint on
So get your warpaint on
Let ‘em know we're out for blood
In "Generals," The Mynabirds speak about feelings of frustration and disillusionment with the current political climate. The singer has a desire to work in a blue collar profession, likely because their love for music hasn't been able to pay the bills. The repetition of "haven't I paid my dues?" emphasizes the idea that the singer feels like they've worked hard without seeing any real progress or reward.
The chorus is a call to arms for "generals," "daughters," and "revolutionists" to join together and demand change. The lyrics "we burn the money in our homes" and "they keep putting all our cash into the next bloodbath" suggest a strong distrust of political leaders and their decisions. The song ends with a pounding repetition of "get your black boots on" and "beat your marching drum," emphasizing the need for action and rebellion.
Line by Line Meaning
I need a political job in a blue collar town
I require a political job in a town that is primarily occupied by blue-collar workers
So I can pay my rent When the music is on, I get my best blood drawn But I haven’t made a dollar yet
I need the job to cover my rent, but my real passion is music. Unfortunately, I have yet to make any money from it.
Haven’t I paid my dues? Haven’t I paid my dues? Haven’t I paid my dues yet?
I have put in a lot of effort and hard work, but I still haven't received the recognition or compensation that I feel I deserve.
Calling all my generals My daughters My revolutionists We got strength in numbers And they’re goin' to pay for it
I am rallying all of my allies and supporters to take action. Together, we can make a difference and hold those in power accountable.
We burn the money in our homes Oh our books and bones are breaking down so fast But they keep putting all our cash Into the next bloodbath Honey, tell you I am sick of it
We are struggling to make ends meet, and the institutions in power are only making things worse. I am frustrated and fed up with the constant cycle of destruction and waste.
Hey all my sisters (yeah) What you want (love) And all my brothers (yeah) What you got (love) You wanna fix it (yeah) Or fuck it up Come on fix it 'Cause it’s been fucked
I am addressing all of my fellow activists, regardless of gender. We need to band together and decide whether we want to work towards positive change or cause more chaos.
Get your black boots on Get your black boots on Get your black, black, black boots on Beat your marching drum Beat your marching drum Beat your marching drum We’re gonna make 'em run We’re gonna make 'em run We’re gonna get 'em on the run
We need to physically prepare for the fight ahead. We will march together and use our strength in numbers to drive those in power out of their positions of influence.
So get your warpaint on So get your warpaint on Let ‘em know we're out for blood
Our cause is serious and we are willing to fight for it. We must make it clear that we will not back down until those in power are held accountable and positive change is achieved.
Contributed by Asher K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
3ganashy
I love her voice.
Patrick Ogle
I just came back to this....ten years later? "They keep putting all our cash into the next bloodbath and I tell you I am sick of it"....this is a revolutionary album. Literally.
TheVictim714
awesome video!!! I LOVE THE MYNABIRDS!!! I LOVE LAURA BURHENN!!!
sleeping Rhino
Great song. Great album. I hope I can see them live soon :)
Kaylan Bailey
Why are the best bands so unheard of? But then again I love it b/c no one else knows about them >:)
Mark Turner
So many great underrated band come through that place
Madeleine Haglund
Just love it! Hugs from Sweden
Scarlett Crespo
Encontré mi nueva banda favorita :D
launderground
we love the mynabirds.
Teona
Wonderful !