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'
Opposition
Thee Oh Sees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Half-time mess up, over rational operation, open surgery
Move, move, move, sorry
Admiration, estuary, want some kiss up, always worried
Operation, hope incision, laceration, always sorry
I am weary, over cursing, acid seizure, always hurting
Move, move, move, sorry
Sorry
The lyrics of Thee Oh Sees's song Opposition reflect a sense of restlessness and unease, conveyed through images of surgery, incisions, and seizures. The opening lines suggest a feeling of being constantly on edge, with the repeated use of "always" emphasizing the ongoing nature of the singer's anxiety: "Opposition, always hoped up, anti-squishy, always worried." The contrast between "hope" and "worry" creates a sense of tension and uncertainty, as if the singer is torn between optimism and pessimism.
The second verse introduces the idea of "operation," which could refer to a medical procedure or a military campaign. The repeated use of "sorry" suggests a sense of regret or guilt, perhaps implying that the singer is complicit in some kind of violence or harm. The line "I am weary, over cursing, acid seizure, always hurting" further emphasizes a sense of physical and emotional strain, as if the singer is struggling to cope with the pressures of opposition and resistance.
Overall, the song seems to capture a sense of unease and turbulence, with the lyrics reflecting the singer's conflicted emotions and the challenges of standing up against opposition.
Line by Line Meaning
Opposition, always hoped up, anti-squishy, always worried
Referring to how it's difficult to agree with people who are always on edge and resistant to vulnerability.
Half-time mess up, over rational operation, open surgery
Describing how taking a moment to pause and reflect can help prevent mistakes made by being overly logical and rigid.
Move, move, move, sorry
Possibly a commentary on how society values constant productivity, often resulting in regret for not slowing down to enjoy life.
Admiration, estuary, want some kiss up, always worried
A reference to longing for attention and affection, while still feeling anxious even about that validation.
Operation, hope incision, laceration, always sorry
Poetically describing how even when trying to fix something or someone, there can be unintended effects and a constant sense of remorse.
I am weary, over cursing, acid seizure, always hurting
Possibly a commentary on the physical and emotional toll of constantly being hard on oneself and berating oneself.
Sorry
A possible reference to how apologies can be given too easily and how people too often feel the need to apologize for things that aren't entirely their fault.
Contributed by Hannah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.