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'
Peanut Butter Oven
Thee Oh Sees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would be the dust on tv
One thing to be
Stones wet with sympathy
One thing to be
A taste, a smell, a feeling for free
A cry sometimes
Cuts a line across the sky
Sticking to my ears at night
The opening lines of Thee Oh Sees's song "Peanut Butter Oven" present a series of abstract images that, if taken literally, might not be immediately meaningful. However, through the context of the song's dreamy, psychedelic sound and the rest of its lyrics, several possible interpretations emerge. The phrase "one thing to be" suggests a desire for unity or simplicity, as though the singer is contemplating how to simplify their existence into a single form or object. The first two examples given, "the dust on tv" and "stones wet with sympathy," both suggest forms of vulnerability or powerlessness. Dust on a TV implies neglect or inactivity, while wet stones suggest weeping or mourning. The third example, "a taste, a smell, a feeling for free," suggests the desire for liberation from material or emotional constraints.
The closing lines of the verse, "a cry sometimes / cuts a line across the sky / and sleeps in close / sticking to my ears at night," shift the focus to a more personal, emotional experience. The metaphorical cry suggests pain, whether from physical or emotional sources. The imagery of a line being cut across the sky conjures a bold, vivid image of this pain being expressed or felt. The final line, "sticking to my ears at night," suggests that this pain is something the singer carries with them and can't shake off.
Overall, "Peanut Butter Oven" is a song that speaks to the complex nature of human emotions and experiences. The abstract imagery and dreamlike quality of the music encourage listeners to read between the lines and search for meaning beyond the surface level. The song's lyrics and sound both convey a sense of longing for simplicity and freedom, while acknowledging the ways in which pain and vulnerability can cling to us.
Line by Line Meaning
One thing to be
To have an identity, a purpose in life
Would be the dust on tv
To be unnoticed and unimportant, like the dust on a TV screen
Stones wet with sympathy
To be empathetic, caring for others and their struggles
A taste, a smell, a feeling for free
To experience the simple joys of life without any cost or burden
A cry sometimes
To express emotions and release inner pain
Cuts a line across the sky
To have impact, leaving a lasting impression
And sleeps in close
To rest in peace, feeling content and fulfilled
Sticking to my ears at night
To remain memorable, leaving an impression that lasts even in the quiet moments
Contributed by Mason V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.