Thee Oh Sees are no doubt the lightest of his excursions, but in contrast to the rest of his resume one could surmise that there are significant reasons for the change.
Thee Oh Sees have a lo-fi electric-acoustic sound that's usually soaked in reverb, making it as if you can hear and see the exact room they recorded in. It creates a very distinct mood that seems to fit their style, lyrics, and melodies.
What most people focus on is that Mr. Dwyer is in the band. While it's certainly a notable quality, the recent band members bring so much more to the table. The earliest recordings are Dwyer's solo recordings, mostly single instrument/vocal ditties that you can hear him working out. They're an intimate portrait of John, but without the recent material, the portrait would simply be incomplete.
Thee Oh Sees don't subscribe to any one style.
With the addition of Brigid Dawson, Petey Dammit, and a rotating cast of drummers, the sound has grown into the landscape that one man couldn't create alone. Brigid's soprano voice brings an almost hauntingly sensitive aspect to the lyrics and melodies, while Petey and Mike's pounding and insistent backline (and additional drums from Lars Finberg of The Intelligence on recent recordings) complete the frame in its entirety. Their energetic, sweat-laden shows coupled with their prolific recording schedule has garnered them a growing, dedicated fan base.
The catalog that this band has put together is growing and growing, albeit under several different monikers, and several different labels.
in 2017 it was announced that the band would change its name to simply 'Oh Sees'
in November of 2019, the band announced that they would be changing their name yet again to simply 'Osees'
Can You See?
Thee Oh Sees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the sky maybe more
Can you see through the door
Down the hall maybe more
The lyrics of Thee Oh Sees's song Can You See? are likely discussing the concept of perception and the ability to see beyond what is immediately visible. The repeated question "Can you see?" seems to be directed at the listener as a challenge to expand their understanding and awareness. The phrase "over walls" could represent the limitations and boundaries we create for ourselves, while "to the sky maybe more" suggests that there is a vast expanse of possibility waiting if we can only recognize it. The line "Can you see through the door" may refer to the notion of seeing beyond surface level appearances to understand the deeper truths of a situation or person. Overall, the lyrics seem to be encouraging the listener to push the limits of their perception and explore the world around them with greater depth and awareness.
One interesting fact about the song is that it appears on Thee Oh Sees's 2017 album Orc, which was recorded with a new lineup of the band after several members departed the previous year. Another interesting fact is that the song's lyrics are relatively sparse, with the repeated question "Can you see?" serving as the main focus. This repetition could be interpreted in a number of ways, such as a call to action or a meditation on the nature of perception.
Additionally, the song features a driving, psychedelic rock sound that is characteristic of Thee Oh Sees's style. The band is known for their energetic and eclectic live shows, which often involve audience participation and a sense of spontaneity. Other noteworthy tracks on the Orc album include "Nite Expo" and "Animated Violence," which showcase the band's dynamic range and experimental approach to rock music.
Chords (capo 1):
Verse: Em - G - C - G
Chorus: Em - G - C - G (×2)
Outro: Em - G - C - G (×4)
Line by Line Meaning
Can you see? over walls
Are you capable of seeing beyond physical barriers such as walls?
To the sky maybe more
Can you perceive things that are beyond the sky?
Can you see through the door
Are you able to see what's on the other side of a closed door?
Down the hall maybe more
Can you see things that are beyond your immediate surroundings or down a long hallway?
Contributed by John B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.