Two years after the release of their critically-acclaimed album Say Somethi… Read Full Bio ↴Two years after the release of their critically-acclaimed album Say Something, Brooklyn’s indie pop quartet Via Audio releases their sophomore opus, Animalore, a melting pot collection of eccentric sounds- songs infused with fairy tales, folklore, science fiction, romance, seduction, and adventure.
Via Audio was formed in 2003 in between classes at the infamous Berklee College of Music in Boston. After releasing a self-titled EP on the small independent Kill Normal Records in 2004, the band first garnered attention when Death Cab for Cutie’s guitarist Chris Walla dubbed them his “new favorite band,” in his column for Under the Radar Magazine.
They soon after caught the attention of Spoon drummer Jim Eno, who would become their longtime producer, collaborator and comrade. With Eno’s help behind the board, Via Audio released their first full-length, Say Something, in 2007 on California-based indie label Sidecho Records. Pitchfork Media described Say Something as having “such a beautiful gloss over everything that it sticks, hurts, and feels delicious" and the album received accolades from Spin, Nylon, Under the Radar, Alternative Press, theTripwire, and Stereogum, among others. The band has since toured the U.S. and Japan alongside the likes of Spoon, White Rabbits, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Ha Ha Tonka, and Modern Skirts, making appearances at the South By Southwest, Monolith, and CMJ festivals.
Shutting themselves up again in Eno’s Austin, Texas home studio in 2009, the group tackled their latest songbook- the lo-fi electronics of “Digital,” the soul-infused funk of “Goldrush,” the ethereal surf-lament of “Wanted,” the glittery R&B pop of “Babies”- as Eno carefully and artfully crafted different sonic palettes for each unique song on Animalore. The result is an album that plays like a pop-up book for adults, bursting with vivid colors and secret corridors at the turn of every page.

We Can Be Good
Via Audio Lyrics

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I haven't had anyone to answer to
in a long time
So forgive me if I'm rusty

I can take the time
if it's what you want
So here I am and there you are

'Cause when it's good
it's really good
But when it's bad
well, you know how it goes
'Cause we are alone
when we are together
We can [?]
[?]
And we can be good, yeah
if we try to be good
If we try, I know that we can be good

So, I fess up
but you know that's not how I meant it
I swear I never meant to hurt you

I pretend I thought it was for your own good
but [?]
it was just for my, my mind

'Cause when it's good
it's really good
But when it's bad
well, you know how it goes
'Cause we are alone
when we are together
We can [?]
we can be like this for hours
And we can be good, yeah
if we try to be good
If we try, I know that we can be good

'Cause we are alone
when we are together
We can [?]
we can be like this for hours
And we can be good, yeah

if we try to be good
If we try, I know that we can be good

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Via Audio's song We Can Be Good describe a relationship that is complex and often tumultuous, but in spite of everything, the singer believes that the couple can be good if they try. The singer admits that they haven't had anyone to answer to in a long time, suggesting that they may be used to being on their own or not used to being accountable to someone else. However, they are willing to try to make the relationship work.

The singer acknowledges that the relationship has its ups and downs, and when things are good, they are really good. But when things are bad, the singer suggests that they know how it goes, implying that they have experienced conflict before. Despite this, the singer believes that they are alone when they are together, suggesting that there is a lack of connection or understanding between the couple.

The second verse delves into the singer's past actions, admitting that they may have hurt their partner in the past. They try to justify their actions, pretending that it was for their partner's own good, but in reality, it was for their own benefit. The use of the word "pretend" suggests that the singer is aware that their excuse is not a valid one.

Overall, the lyrics to We Can Be Good explore the complexities of a struggling relationship and the singer's desire to make it work.

Line by Line Meaning

I haven't had anyone to answer to in a long time So forgive me if I'm rusty
I haven't been in a relationship for a while, so bear with me if I'm not quite smooth in my interactions.

I can take the time if it's what you want So here I am and there you are
I'll give you space if that's what you need, and I'm here when you're ready to connect.

'Cause when it's good it's really good But when it's bad well, you know how it goes 'Cause we are alone when we are together We can [?] [?]
We have our ups and downs, but even when we are together, we can feel lonely and disconnected.

And we can be good, yeah if we try to be good If we try, I know that we can be good
If we make an effort, we can improve our relationship and have a positive, fulfilling experience.

So, I fess up but you know that's not how I meant it I swear I never meant to hurt you
I want to apologize and acknowledge my mistake, but know that I didn't intend to cause harm.

I pretend I thought it was for your own good but [?] it was just for my, my mind
I may have justified my actions as being for your benefit, but it was really for my own selfish reasons.

We can [?] we can be like this for hours And we can be good, yeah if we try to be good If we try, I know that we can be good
We have our moments of genuine connection, and if we work at it, we can have a lasting, positive relationship.

Contributed by Nathaniel C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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