Since Women's dissolution, the mem… Read Full Bio ↴Viet Cong are now Preoccupations.
Since Women's dissolution, the members of the Calgary band have gone on to form various projects, and this includes Viet Cong. Formed in 2012 The group features Matt Flegel and Mike Wallace from Women, along with Daniel Christiansen from Sharp Ends and Scott Munro from Lab Coast/Reuben and the Dark.
Following a scattering of live shows, their debut EP "Cassette" was released in 2013. The songs bear some resemblance to Women, with sounds ranging from the atmospheric psych folk of "Static Wall" to the jangling haze of "Unconscious Melody," the garage-y bounce of "Throw It Away," the jagged experimentalism of "Structureless Design" and the moody sprawl of "Select Your Drone." In 2015, Viet Cong released their eponymous debut album.
Silhouettes
Viet Cong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Overwhelmed by all the drunken silhouettes
Entertained with their broken cassettes
Hey, is there any consequence
In getting lost in international time?
Uncontrollable spontaneous tirades
Trying to unmake all of the things that are made
Secondhand industry
Rusted out viciously
All the days are delayed
Becoming memories
There's no connection left in your head
Another book of things to forget
An overwhelming sense of regret
Relay, reply, react, and reset
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Relay, reply, react, and respond
The simple task of turning it on
Only receiving electrical shock
Not everything can stay interlocked
Maybe too late will be much too soon
It isn't something that's safe to assume
And anyone can disappear in a spark
There's no connection left in your head
Another book of things to forget
An overwhelming sense of regret
Relay, reply, react, and reset
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Viet Cong's song "Silhouettes" seems to be a commentary on the chaotic and disconnected nature of modern life. The first verse speaks of being overwhelmed by drunken silhouettes, which could represent the noisy and incoherent tangle of people and ideas that one might encounter in a busy city or social setting. The second line suggests that this state of being is an "inevitability," one that is "stained unnecessarily" - perhaps because it is difficult to find peace and clarity in such an environment.
The second verse begins by questioning the consequences of getting lost in "international time" - a phrase that suggests a sense of disorientation or disconnection from one's roots or sense of place. The rest of the verse, with its talk of "spontaneous tirades" and "trying to unmake all of the things that are made," paints a picture of someone who is lashing out against the world, perhaps in frustration or despair.
The chorus then gives voice to a sense of loss and regret, with the repeated phrase "relay, reply, react, and reset" suggesting a cycle of activity that has become disconnected from any real sense of purpose or connection. The final verse seems to suggest that this disconnection can lead to a dangerous sense of isolation - one that can lead to disappearing "in a spark."
Overall, "Silhouettes" seems to be a meditation on the sense of dislocation and disorientation that can come with modern life - with its emphasis on speed, connectivity, and constant stimulation - and the need to find some sense of grounding or perspective amidst the chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
Stained unnecessarily, unrestrained inevitability
The inevitable, negative outcomes of war are unavoidable and unnecessary, and have left an indelible mark on all who have lived through it.
Overwhelmed by all the drunken silhouettes
The overwhelming trauma of war is exacerbated by the constant presence of death and destruction.
Entertained with their broken cassettes
Even in moments of relative safety or respite, the war-torn populace is left to find solace in makeshift sources of entertainment and distraction.
Hey, is there any consequence
In getting lost in international time?
Amidst the endless violence and unrest, it is difficult to comprehend the consequences of losing touch with the rhythms of time or ordinary, non-war-related reality.
Uncontrollable spontaneous tirades
Trying to unmake all of the things that are made
The frustration and anger caused by living in a war zone can manifest in uncontrollable bursts of destructive behavior meant to counteract the overwhelming pain and sense of futility.
Secondhand industry
Rusted out viciously
All the days are delayed
Becoming memories
The war has ravaged once-vibrant cities and reduced them to decaying husks of their former selves, robbing their inhabitants of any sense of normalcy or stability.
There's no connection left in your head
Another book of things to forget
An overwhelming sense of regret
Relay, reply, react, and reset
The cognitive and emotional toll of living in perpetual danger has led many to detach from their feelings and experiences, attempting to shut off painful memories and start anew.
Relay, reply, react, and respond
The simple task of turning it on
Only receiving electrical shock
Not everything can stay interlocked
Even basic actions and communication become fraught with danger and difficulty in a war zone, where the danger of violent disruption is ever-present.
Maybe too late will be much too soon
It isn't something that's safe to assume
And anyone can disappear in a spark
The constant presence of death and destruction means that life can end at any moment, and that no one is ever truly safe.
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
The refrain of the song serves as a poignant reminder of the pain and sense of dislocation that infuses every aspect of existence in a war zone.
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: Daniel James Christiansen, Matthew James Flegel, Michael Brendan Wallace, Scott Cameron Munro
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@angeltellez3303
[Verse 1]
Stained unnecessarily
Unrestrained inevitability
Overwhelmed by all the drunken silhouettes
Entertained with their broken cassettes
[Verse 2]
Hey, is there any consequence
In getting lost in international time?
Uncontrollable spontaneous tirades
Trying to unmake all of the things that are made
[Verse 3]
Secondhand industry
Rusted out viciously
All the days are delayed
Becoming memories
[Chorus]
There’s no connection left in your head
Another book of things to forget
An overwhelming sense of regret
Relay, reply, react, and reset
[Bridge]
Relay, reply, react, and respond
The simple task of turning it on
Only receiving electrical shock
Not everything can stay interlocked
Maybe too late will be much too soon
It isn’t something that’s safe to assume
And anyone can disappear in a spark
[Chorus]
There’s no connection left in your head
Another book of things to forget
An overwhelming sense of regret
Relay, reply, react, and reset
@purplemoonlightthroughtheb3074
Stained unnecessarily, unrestrained inevitability
Overwhelmed by all the drunken silhouettes
Entertained with their broken cassettes
Hey, is there any consequence
In getting lost in international time?
Uncontrollable spontaneous tirades
Trying to unmake all of the things that are made
Secondhand industry
Rusted out viciously
All the days are delayed
Becoming memories
There's no connection left in your head
Another book of things to forget
An overwhelming sense of regret
Relay, reply, react, and reset
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Relay, reply, react, and respond
The simple task of turning it on
Only receiving electrical shock
Not everything can stay interlocked
Maybe too late will be much too soon
It isn't something that's safe to assume
And anyone can disappear in a spark
There's no connection left in your head
Another book of things to forget
An overwhelming sense of regret
Relay, reply, react, and reset
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
Ah, ooh, oh, oh
@martskione
A band this good with a video this good and they’re virtually unknown. Hurts my heart.
@rebelhellya7963
How ‘bout that Weeknd?
@angeltellez3303
[Verse 1]
Stained unnecessarily
Unrestrained inevitability
Overwhelmed by all the drunken silhouettes
Entertained with their broken cassettes
[Verse 2]
Hey, is there any consequence
In getting lost in international time?
Uncontrollable spontaneous tirades
Trying to unmake all of the things that are made
[Verse 3]
Secondhand industry
Rusted out viciously
All the days are delayed
Becoming memories
[Chorus]
There’s no connection left in your head
Another book of things to forget
An overwhelming sense of regret
Relay, reply, react, and reset
[Bridge]
Relay, reply, react, and respond
The simple task of turning it on
Only receiving electrical shock
Not everything can stay interlocked
Maybe too late will be much too soon
It isn’t something that’s safe to assume
And anyone can disappear in a spark
[Chorus]
There’s no connection left in your head
Another book of things to forget
An overwhelming sense of regret
Relay, reply, react, and reset
@EclecticoIconoclasta
these dudes revived the post punk revival
@eduardoenriquez9922
Ecléctico Iconoclasta that's a good one.
@jayk9777
Ecléctico Iconoclasta
post post punk
@eduardoenriquez9922
This IS post punk.
@prescottkennedy3784
Energetic Joy Division
@crankykoala8377
+Ecléctico Iconoclasta Yeah, and now there's the new Protomartyr and new Ought, sounds like the revival is up to a second round.
@renatolima9956
Melhor do álbum