The band slightly evolved away from their raw early sound with their third album, We Kill Computers, and with their 2011 release, Unpersons. Their next two offerings, 2014's Do Not Engage and 2016's Positive Thinking, found them expanding their sound even further with psychedelic rock and rockabilly influences. Both members cite literature and film as huge inspiration for much of their songwriting, especially science fiction and horror genres. These inpirations are also present in their highly stylized music videos, which are often violent and visually striking homages to beloved sci-fi films.
They also like soup.
Shiny Things
The Pack A.D. Lyrics
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It must be something really good
Now I'm wondering what he's pecking at
It must be something really shiny
Look at him drumming, he's drumming, little drummer boy
And look at her drumming, she's drumming, little drummer girl
It must have something really special going on
He's getting his head blown off
And everybody's looking, taking pictures
Everybody's looking at the pieces that are lying in the street
It must be something really shiny
Shiny things
The Pack A.D.'s song Shiny Things is a commentary on the modern human fascination with materialistic possessions and the lengths we are willing to go to attain them. The lyrics paint a picture of a bird pecking at something shiny, and the singer wonders what it must be that can capture the bird's attention so completely. This metaphor stands in for our own behavior as humans, as we often find ourselves pursuing objects that we believe will make us happy, regardless of their actual value or usefulness.
The next verse introduces the motif of drumming, which is likely a reference to the frenetic pace of modern life and our constant desire for stimulation and distraction. The drumming is described as "really special," suggesting that we often elevate entertainment and material possessions to an exaggerated level of importance. The final verse contains a gruesome scene of violence, with a person's head being blown off, and yet even in this dark moment, the focus remains on the shiny object that caused the violence in the first place. This highlights the disturbing fact that our quest for shiny things can lead to real harm.
Overall, The Pack A.D.'s Shiny Things is a thought-provoking commentary on contemporary society's obsession with materialism and the harm that it can cause.
Contributed by Lila N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.