The band initially released an independent EP, Present for a Day, in 2004. However, it was not until 2006's Pictureframe EP that the band received prope recognition. A chance inclusion of the band's song "Damage on Parade" on a sampler for Blunt Magazine roused industry attention. Shortly afterwards, the band found themselves with both a manager and a national booking agent.
The band initially toured with local Melbournian acts. As their reputation increased, tours would involve a variety of popular Australian rock bands, including Gyroscope, The Hot Lies, Kisschasy, Cog, and Horsell Common, whom the band would later record the split EP The Birds and The Bees. The band would also tour with popular international bands, such as Fall Out Boy and Yellowcard. The band played the 2007 and 2008 Soundwave Festival tours at various dates.
On May 31, 2008, the band released their long awaited debut album, New Manic Art. The album was produced by Nick DiDia, who has worked with Powderfinger, the Stone Temple Pilots, Incubus and Audioslave. It was followed up by a second LP, Living Undesigned, in 2011.
On April 16, 2012, the band announced via Facebook that "For a number of reasons all of us in the band have chosen to close down the project that is Trial Kennedy." They played their last shows in June 2012.
El Dorado
Trial Kennedy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What about the make of
Learn about the names of
Never doubt the range of
The word is not a problem
When every garment gets undone
Even though I search and survive
What about the taste of
What about the names of
What about the love
Let her know your patient
Smug imagination
The work of love must die
Then everyone else gets my life
Even though I search and survive
Call of all my search of desire
Devo, devo
Where everything is safe
With every law you break
Tearing up all devotion
Turning up all the motion
The lyrics of Trial Kennedy's song "El Dorado" seem to be about searching for something without necessarily knowing what that something is. The first verse asks about the taste and make of something, urging the listener to learn the names of things and to never doubt their range. The word is not a problem - it seems as though the singer thinks they have the vocabulary to describe what it is they're looking for. However, there's a sense that what they're searching for is elusive, as every garment gets undone and there's a call to "call off all my search of desire."
The second verse continues to ask about what it is the singer is searching for - what about the names of it, what about the taste of it, what about the love. Again, there's a sense of urging patience ("let her know your patient") and a sense of futility ("the work of love must die"). The final lines suggest that the singer has given up their life in search of this thing, but we're not sure what that thing is.
Overall, this song seems to be about the search for something intangible - something that the singer isn't quite sure how to define. It could be about the quest for happiness or fulfillment, or even a metaphor for the creative process. Either way, the lyrics seem to urge patience and caution in the pursuit of this unknown thing.
Line by Line Meaning
What about the taste of
What is the flavor, the essence, of
What about the make of
What is the origin, the construction, of
Learn about the names of
Discover the identities, the titles, of
Never doubt the range of
Do not question the extent, the scope, of
The word is not a problem
Language is not a hindrance or obstacle
When every garment gets undone
When all layers, all facades, are stripped away
Even though I search and survive
Despite my exploration and perseverance
Call off all my search of desire
Cease my quest for materialistic lust
What about the love
What of the affection, the devotion
Let her know you're patient
Communicate your willingness to wait, to be understanding
Smug imagination
Arrogant or conceited creativity
The work of love must die
The labor of commitment must end
Then everyone else gets my life
I dedicate my existence to others
Devo, devo
Devoted, dedicated
Where everything is safe
A place of security and protection
With every law you break
By challenging conventions and rules
Tearing up all devotion
Destroying all allegiance or loyalty
Turning up all the motion
Amplifying all movement or action
Contributed by James O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.