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'
Plastic Plant
Thee Oh Sees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lifeless eyes locked in a spell
Choke on all the thoughts That float by
Filling up the empty shell
You, lame pilot at the screen yeah
Face aghast, electric glow
You're half gone, you can't deny it
Ah ghoulish information hoarding
Stinking brew that overflows
Fingers tapping at the glass yeah
Burning spear beneath your nose
Drooling saturated human
Tick tock clock of life away
In the corner, in the window
But I think that you don't know
Tear the clone apart this instant
Break the chain to anchor true
Lift your eyes up from the dirt yeah
The new way is just killing you
You, lame pilot at the screen yeah
Face aghast, electric glow
You're half gone, you can't deny it
But I think that you don't know
The lyrics of Thee Oh Sees' song "Plastic Plant" depict a society consumed by technology and the numbing effects of endless scrolling, tapping and swiping on screens. The first stanza describes a person who is no longer in control of their thoughts and emotions. Their eyes are "lifeless" and they are choking on the incessant flow of information that bombards them. The second stanza addresses the main culprit of this state of being: the computer screen. The "lame pilot" is the person who is meant to be driving their own life, but is instead lost in the endless digital landscape. Their face is "aghast" and the electric glow of the screen has half-consumed them, making it difficult for them to deny their addiction to it.
The third stanza emphasizes the physical and mental toll that technology addiction takes on individuals. Their fingers are "tapping at the glass" indicating perhaps the repetitive motions of scrolling or typing. The "burning spear beneath your nose" could possibly refer to a cigarette or any other addiction that is becoming increasingly prevalent with the rise of technology. The final stanza is both a call to action and a warning. The singer pleads with the "lame pilot" to "tear the clone apart this instant" and "lift your eyes up from the dirt." They urge them to break free from the cycle of mindless consumption and embrace the "new way" which is not only more fulfilling, but also healthy for the mind, body, and spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
Propped up in a morbid torpor
Stuck in an unproductive and depressing state of mind
Lifeless eyes locked in a spell
Eyes devoid of life and energy, as if under a trance
Choke on all the thoughts That float by
Feeling overwhelmed by unprocessed thoughts and ideas
Filling up the empty shell
Attempting to fill an emotional void
You, lame pilot at the screen yeah
Addressing the listener as someone lacking direction or control
Face aghast, electric glow
The listener's face displays shock and fascination while looking at a screen
You're half gone, you can't deny it
The listener is absorbed and consumed by technology or information
Ah ghoulish information hoarding
Describing the act of collecting or consuming excessive and monstrous amounts of information
Stinking brew that overflows
The result of such hoarding is overwhelming and distressing
Fingers tapping at the glass yeah
The listener's fingers are hovering or frantically typing on a screen
Burning spear beneath your nose
The listener is consumed and driven by an addiction
Drooling saturated human
A person who is saturated with excesses, gazing and drooling in a daze
Tick tock clock of life away
The passage of time and diminishing vitality
In the corner, in the window
Acknowledging a place of retreat or observation
But I think that you don't know
The listener is unaware of the impact of their obsession
Tear the clone apart this instant
Overcoming a clone-like existence, breaking free of conformity
Break the chain to anchor true
Breaking free of unhealthy patterns and finding true self-worth
Lift your eyes up from the dirt yeah
Rise above negative influences and see things from a new perspective
The new way is just killing you
Acknowledging that a new way of existence, such as a reliance on technology, is ultimately debilitating
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: JOHN DWYER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kenneth Perez
Greatest song of all time
David Holme
Brilliant. Best I've heard for years. Should be massive.
NEFrettiti M
I'm literally yelling at the radio, why haven't I ever heard of this song!!?? Thank God kspc.org played this song just moments ago!!
Rémi
I wasn't a fan of thee oh sees until i saw them live, now it's my favorite band.
Planetzoot
Mi Ray that’s legit. They are so good
Michael Seymour
Hard driving rock and roll - love it.
Sunni Days
Nice to hear a whole lotta oomph! A good band to enjoy live I should imagine :))
bzfgt bzfgt
A GREAT band live
Longrat
I saw them live and I can confirm that they are absolutely glorious live. Go see them if you have a chance!
Saul Villarruel
awesome, can't wait to see them again in November, such fun shows