1989 saw the formation of what eventually evolved into the band Anywhen. As various members came and left over the following years, a core crystallized with Thomas Feiner on vocals, Mikael Andersson Tigerström on bass, Kalle Thorslund drums, and Jan Sandahl guitar. The band gave some few rare concerts and put out three full length albums: "As We Know It" in 1993 on Gothenburg label "Roligan". "Anywhen" in 1996 on Roligan and German label Clearspot 1997, and "The Opiates" in 2001 on Clearspot.
While the first record contained a kind of airy, skewed pop, the second record, produced by drummer and percussionist Michael Blair (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello etc) put out much more aggressive energy - music perhaps best described as power pop, or rock even.
The release of the self-produced "The Opiates" was a venture into more brooding moods and melancholic soundscapes, and the band more or less dissolved itself in the process. Priorities shifted among many of the members, ultimately distancing some from the project. Feiner gradually started adding more songs of his own, in the end bringing the entire project home. The record was completed in 2000, with Kalle Thorslund as assistant producer.
In 2003 Feiner was commissioned to score the soundtrack of German movie "Love in Thoughts" (Was nützt die Liebe in Gedanken, X-filme 2004), which also featured his song "For Now" in the end credits.
Thomas Feiner currently resides in Gothenburg and divides his time between graphics and music, working on his first solo-album.
homepage: http://www.thomasfeiner.com/
Toy
Thomas Feiner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
About my state
In the white noise of life
I might feel like listening up
But I can't meditate
With all strange circuits in my head
I am just a toy
Nothing but a toy
For this brain
And it's pure pain
Just a few words
About my state
In the sleepwalk of life
I might feel like slowing down
But my feet won't wait around
With all the funny rhythms in those legs
Thomas Feiner's song Toy speaks about the state of feeling like one is just a toy for the brain. In the white noise of life, the singer tries to meditate but cannot due to the strange circuits in their head. They feel like a toy, used and discarded by the brain, which causes pure pain.
The imagery of the brain controlling the body like a toy is a powerful one. It highlights the feeling of helplessness and the lack of control over one's own thoughts and actions. The singer then talks about the sleepwalk of life, where they feel like they need to slow down but cannot due to the funny rhythms in their legs. This serves as a metaphor for feeling like the body is controlled by an outside force, unable to break free from the monotony of life.
Overall, the lyrics of Toy speak to the existential crisis of feeling like one is simply a pawn in the larger scheme of things. It highlights the struggle for control and the inability to escape the constant cycle of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a few words
The artist is about to express something brief about their current state
About my state
They are referring to their current state of being or general life situation
In the white noise of life
They feel like they are surrounded by constant noise and distractions, making it difficult to focus
I might feel like listening up
The artist has the desire to pay attention and be present
But I can't meditate
Despite their desire to focus, they are unable to find the mental stillness needed to meditate
With all strange circuits in my head
The artist feels like their thoughts are jumbled and chaotic like electronic circuits
I'm a toy
The artist sees themselves as a plaything or something being manipulated
I am just a toy
The artist emphasizes the idea that they have no control over their situation or life
Nothing but a toy
They repeat this to drive home the feeling of helplessness and lack of agency
For this brain
The artist's troubles stem from their own mind and thought patterns
And it's pure pain
Their mental struggles cause them intense emotional distress
In the sleepwalk of life
The artist feels like they are going through the motions without truly engaging with their life
I might feel like slowing down
They express a desire to take a break or relax
But my feet won't wait around
Despite their best intentions, the artist feels like they are unable to stop or rest
With all the funny rhythms in those legs
They feel like there is a disconnectedness between their body and mind, leading to a lack of control over their movements
Contributed by Benjamin G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.