Howard and Crisp met while in college in Wilmington, North Carolina. That fall, they moved to nearby Raleigh to form The Rosebuds. Merge Records discovered their demo in early 2003 and released Make Out as a full-length debut album that October.
The Rosebuds Unwind EP, an EP with six songs, was released in April 2005, followed by Birds Make Good Neighbors in September. Night of the Furies was released in April 2007 and "Life Like" in October 2008.
The Rosebuds will release their next album in the summer of 2011 on Merge Records.
Another Way In
The Rosebuds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Burning brandy rushes noisy cloud
Trace one mark for knowledge, two more down for sin
I know there's another way in
Old books to deconstruct your smile
Grab on to your lash, bat me around
Floor planks for tuxedo, a banister for veil
Carve out inroads to somewhere no one knows
Carve out inroads to somewhere no one knows
I'll spin cages for a mouth
Teeth in hand loose bricks falling out
If you don't love me now I'll die from inside out
I know there's another way in
The lyrics to The Rosebuds' "Another Way In" are poetic and abstract, leaving listeners to piece together the meaning of the song. The opening line "In around the hive it's always loud" creates an image of chaos and noise, perhaps referencing the busyness of society and the pressure to conform to societal norms. The "burning brandy rushes noisy cloud" could be interpreted as a metaphor for the level of intensity required to fit in and succeed in this environment. The next lines "Trace one mark for knowledge, two more down for sin" suggest the idea of a tally or scorecard, where one must accumulate knowledge and experiences at the cost of giving into sin or temptation.
The following stanza speaks of deconstructing one's smile, which could signify gradually losing one's self and identity. The lines "Grab on to your lash, bat me around/Floor planks for tuxedo, a banister for veil" present an image of a makeshift costume, implying that we wear disguises or personas to navigate different social settings. The chorus "Carve out inroads to somewhere no one knows" suggests a desire to escape the confines of societal expectations and to find a place of one's own.
The last stanza speaks of desperation for love and acceptance, even at the cost of damaging oneself. The line "I'll spin cages for a mouth" could symbolize the feeling of being trapped and unable to speak one's truth. "Teeth in hand loose bricks falling out" creates another image of decay and destruction, indicating that the singer is falling apart without the validation of others. The final line "I know there's another way in" suggests that there is still hope for finding a way to be accepted and loved for who we really are.
Line by Line Meaning
In around the hive it's always loud
The environment is constantly noisy and chaotic, like a beehive
Burning brandy rushes noisy cloud
Alcohol fuels the chaos, creating a fog of distraction
Trace one mark for knowledge, two more down for sin
Keep track of how much you've learned, but also acknowledge your mistakes and wrongdoings
I know there's another way in
Despite the chaos and distractions, there is always a way to find clarity and purpose
Old books to deconstruct your smile
Reading and analyzing classic literature can challenge one's preconceptions and beliefs
Grab on to your lash, bat me around
In a tumultuous relationship, one partner may feel like they are being toyed with or abused
Floor planks for tuxedo, a banister for veil
Objects that were not intended for certain purposes can be repurposed and transformed into something beautiful
Carve out inroads to somewhere no one knows
Create your own path and find your own unique destination, rather than following the crowd
I'll spin cages for a mouth
The artist feels trapped or confined, and unable to express themselves freely
Teeth in hand loose bricks falling out
The artist's body is breaking down or decaying, and their words are losing their impact or significance
If you don't love me now I'll die from inside out
The singer's happiness and well-being are dependent on the reciprocation of love from another person
I know there's another way in
Despite the hardship and uncertainty, there is always a way to find hope and purpose
Contributed by Mila G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.