Anderson also had this to say about the renewed partnership with Bernard Butler: “For years and years after Bernard left Suede it was me running the show, but now the stakes are raised. I feel like we are duelling with each other, in some kind of friendly competition. When we were at our best it was always like that, each trying to better each other.”
The band played their first ever live show on December 14, 2004 at the Oxford Zodiac. Things went as expected for the "new" band, and most new songs were received well by those attending the first set of shows. When asked during a concert by a fan to play the famous Suede song, The Drowners, Anderson replied saying, "Did somebody say they want us to play The Drowners? They came to the wrong gig".
Apart from relatively minor reviews of the first clutch of live shows, The Tears first press, a review of Refugees, interview with Anderson and a poster(!)was in The Sun on 15 April. The next major article was by Alex Petridis in The Guardian, which ended on an extremely optimistic note: "the pair seem artistically reinvigorated by each other's company. Anderson talks excitedly of Tears songs like the ballad Asylum, inspired by his father's struggle with depression, as having moved away from "Suede cliches or Brett Anderson cliches ... it's not, you know, opiated fop territory". There's even a hint of the old provocative flash and arrogance when talk turns to the future: Here Comes the Tears feels like a debut. It will be massively bettered. On this at least there's no hint of disagreement. "This album's like rocking the boat a bit. There's been a few splashes," nods Butler. "Next time, I want to get rid of the sails and see what happens."
From the start, Anderson and Butler were very insistent that the band would not be playing any songs by Suede. Things would change over time, however, as the band ended up playing a b-side of Suede's titled The Living Dead to an enthusiastic reception, during an encore for their show at the Sheffield Leadmill in April. On April 25, 2005, the band's first single, Refugees, was released. The single was very much a success and jumped into the top ten singles chart at number nine.
The band's debut album, Here Come The Tears followed on June 6, 2005. It was released to stellar reviews that helped solidify the duo's comeback, yet it failed to crack the top 10. In late June, the band played a set at the John Peel stage at the Glastonbury Festival. The second single from the debut album, entitled Lovers, was released on June 27. Though a significantly lower charting than the previous single, it still managed a decent spot in the top 25.
More than a month later, singer Anderson announced that he would release his long awaited solo album in between the touring and the release of the band's follow up album. After playing a few festivals and international gigs, the band announced a European tour with dates in October and November. However, to the disappointment of many fans, they later cancelled the tour in favour of beginning work on their second album. Shortly after, the band were dropped from their label most likely due to insufficient touring or low sales.
In late April of 2006, Anderson posted a message on the band's message board announcing the band were on temporary hiatus because "no one ever wanted this thing to get caught up within the drudgery of the whole tour/record/tour cycle anyway". In addition, he announced that he had completed his debut solo album and that it would see light in early 2007, hinting that the second Tears record would most likely come after that, if at all.
By the end of August 2006, their website and forum are officially closed, leaving dimmer hope for the future of the band.
In September of 2006 Butler posted on his website: ".....actually tears are the same as ever....i guess coming from the suede trajectory it would look odd to make a record and not stick to the brand name plugging away endlessly at one thing....but if you take my shocking career line over 12 years its just par for the course....im on top of the world working constantly on terrific records from 1990's the mescalitas on offs, and soon we will be making the Duffy record ....
yes i always loved more than i thought"
Brave New Century
The Tears Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And lovers text in Japanese
The more you give, the more they need
The more you live, the less you see
Religion breeds
(Religion breeds)
(Like a disease)
More people spit on refugees
(can't get in with immigration)
The more you live, the less you see
The more you give, the more they need
In this brave new century
So mother where do I belong?
And mother what should I believe?
Just look what's happened to your son
In this brave new
In this brave new century
We sit and choke
(We sit and choke)
On magazines
(On magazines)
And worship shit celebrities
(No more mental masturbation)
The more you give, the more they need
The more you live, the less you see
In this brave new century
Century
Century
Century
Century
Century
Century
Century
The lyrics of The Tears' song "Brave New Century" offers a commentary on modern society, particularly on the issues of technology, consumerism, and immigration through vivid imagery. The opening lines "The pages burn, the babies scream, and lovers text in Japanese" suggest a chaotic world where technology is used to escape from the harsh reality. The next lines criticize the never-ending cycle of consumerism, where the more we give, the more is needed. The lines "Religion breeds like a disease, more people spit on refugees, can't get in with immigration" touch upon the political issue of immigration and how religion and bigotry have become a toxic combination. The chorus "The more you live, the less you see, the more you give, the more they need in this brave new century" reiterates the vicious circle of modern living.
The second verse reiterates the message of the first, criticizing the obsession with magazines and celebrities. The line "no more mental masturbation" implies that our focus on trivial things is leading to intellectual stagnation. The final lines "So mother where do I belong, and mother what should I believe, just look what's happened to your son, in this brave new century" suggest a deep sense of confusion and disillusionment prevalent in modern times, where the younger generation feels lost and uncertain about their place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
The pages burn, the babies scream
The world is in turmoil and chaos, with fires and cries of suffering and despair
And lovers text in Japanese
While love still exists, it is now overshadowed by globalization and cultural diversity
The more you give, the more they need
Society is becoming more demanding and ungrateful, expecting more and more from those who give
The more you live, the less you see
As life becomes more busy and technology more pervasive, people become less aware of their surroundings and less in touch with reality
Religion breeds
Religious beliefs and attitudes are spreading like a contagious illness, influencing and dividing society
(Religion breeds)
The strength and influence of religion is growing and multiplying rapidly
Like a disease
Religion is impacting people in a negative way, causing tension, conflict, and discrimination
(Like a disease)
The spread and impact of religion is similar to that of a harmful infection or sickness
More people spit on refugees
As immigration policies and tensions rise, refugees and immigrants are being ostracized and mistreated
(can't get in with immigration)
People are being denied access and opportunities based on their nationality or status
So mother where do I belong?
The younger generation is lost and uncertain, struggling to find their place and identity in a changing world
And mother what should I believe?
They are also questioning traditional beliefs and values, seeking new meaning and purpose
Just look what's happened to your son
Parents are witnessing the effects of society on their children, and feel helpless to protect them
In this brave new
In this new and uncertain world
In this brave new century
Amidst the challenges and opportunities of the current century
We sit and choke
People are stagnant and suffocated, trapped in routines and distractions
(We sit and choke)
Their minds and spirits are being stifled and restricted
On magazines
They are obsessed with superficial and insubstantial forms of entertainment and information
(On magazines)
They are fixated on the glossy and contrived images presented by the media
And worship shit celebrities
They elevate and follow hollow and unimportant figures, rather than true leaders and role models
(No more mental masturbation)
They are tired of indulging in meaningless and unproductive thoughts and behaviors
Century
A period of one hundred years
Century
A time of progress, uncertainty, and turmoil
Century
A chance for change and growth
Century
A reminder of the time that has passed and the time that remains
Century
A call to action and reflection
Century
A symbol of hope and resilience
Century
A testament to the human spirit
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERNARD JOSEPH BUTLER, BRETT ANDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind