River To Cross Songfacts
http://www.whitedenimmusic.com/
In March 2005, the two bands Parque Touch (Josh Block, James Petralli, Lucas Anderson) and Peach Train (Steve Terebecki) played a show together at Beerland in Austin, Texas. After the show Steve was asked to play bass for Parque Touch and the band became four, playing under the pseudonyms Byshop Massive (Lucas), Bop English (James), Nicholas Mallard (Josh), and Terry Beckins (Steve); however, in February 2006, Lucas moved to Russia and the resulting power trio changed its name to White Denim. The new line-up began playing the local Austin circuit while recording punk-infused, psychedelic blues-rock in Block's 1940s Spartan trailer.
In 2007, the band self-released its first EP entitled Let's Talk About It on 7" only, but later these tracks became available on iTunes. While on tour in 2007, the band recorded its second album and sold copies as a nine-song "tour EP" entitled Workout Holiday, which was only sold at shows. Workout Holiday caught the ear of new record label RCRD LBL (an online record label releasing exclusive and completely free music from emerging and established artists), and the band signed on to re-record three of the songs from Workout Holiday. These songs were exclusively released as the RCRD LBL EP, one Mp3 track at a time over the course of the first few months of 2008.
Since these releases, the band has toured extensively, playing shows including SXSW and CMJ Music Marathon, and also received the award of "Best New Band" at the 2008 Austin Music Awards. In order to reach European listeners, the band signed to U.K. record label Full Time Hobby (home to The Hold Steady and Viva Voce) for an overseas release.[8] The first release on Full Time Hobby was the single "Let’s Talk About It" b/w "Darksided Computer Mouth". One June 23, 2008, the band released its debut album, the Workout Holiday LP, which consists of re-recorded songs from the band's first two self-released EPs along with some new tracks.
White Denim have also finished recording their debut U.S. full-length LP, which will be entitled Exposion. Originally sold during their Spring 2008 tour as a CDR with the title 11 Songs, the album is planned to be released by the summer of 2008. The new album will be self-released much like the Let's Talk About EP (on vinyl and digital format only), reporting that "CDs seem pretty worthless to us".
Members:
* James Petralli: Vocals, guitar
* Joshua Block: Drums
* Steve Terebecki: Vocals, bass
Anvil Everything
White Denim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Faced the fear
You were on a constant
But you didn't do it here
See the great collecting sunsets
Driving tunnels in their cars
See the other actors waiting
You know it's cruel
But you're careful
Anvil everything, your direction
Canvas memory, honor
Your heart concrete upon defeat
Watching cars leaping from the ground
Even when your heart feels like a jigger
It isn't
it's one of a number of things
Performing a function in the body
Even when your heart's a play thing
It's a given, it isn't
When nothing ever really happens
The lyrics to White Denim's song "Anvil Everything" are a poignant exploration of facing fear and persevering through adversity. The singer of the song has crossed an ocean and faced their fears, but despite being on a constant, they didn't do it where they are now. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of other people around them, seeing the great collecting sunsets and driving in tunnels in their cars. The singer is aware that they are not the only ones going through struggles, as they see other actors waiting to take the kick in the dark.
Amidst this backdrop of observing their surroundings, the singer grapples with the harshness of reality. They know it's cruel, but they are careful. The chorus emphasizes the need to stay strong and focused on one's direction, while also paying tribute to memories and honoring one's own heart. The line "your heart concrete upon defeat" is especially striking, as it suggests that even in the face of defeat, one's heart can remain strong and unwavering.
The song ends on a bittersweet note, as it notes that even when one's heart feels like a jigger, it is in fact an important component of the body, performing a valuable function. The closing lines emphasize that even when life feels stagnant and nothing ever really happens, the struggles we face still matter.
Overall, "Anvil Everything" is a beautifully crafted song that speaks to the human experience of facing adversity and striving to overcome it. The lyrics are vivid, poetic, and haunting, and the melody perfectly captures the emotional weight of the words.
Line by Line Meaning
Crossed an ocean
Travelled a great distance over a large body of water
Faced the fear
Confronted a situation that caused anxiety or terror
You were on a constant
You had a steady routine or pattern of behavior
But you didn't do it here
You did not repeat that routine or pattern in your current location
See the great collecting sunsets
Observe the people who value and seek out beautiful sunsets
Driving tunnels in their cars
Driving through underground tunnels in their automobiles
See the other actors waiting
Notice the other individuals who are waiting for their turn to be in the spotlight or to take action
To take the kick in the dark
To endure a difficult situation or fight without knowing how it will turn out
You know it's cruel
You understand that the situation is unfair or harsh
But you're careful
You are cautious and thoughtful in your approach
Anvil everything, your direction
Forge your desired path through hard work and determination
Canvas memory, honor
Preserve your experiences and memories with respect and admiration
Your heart concrete upon defeat
Your emotions become hardened and unyielding after a loss or failure
Watching cars leaping from the ground
Observing vehicles jumping or flying into the air
Even when your heart feels like a jigger
Even when your heart feels small or insignificant
It isn't
It is not the truth or reality
it's one of a number of things
It is just one of many possible explanations or reasons
Performing a function in the body
Serving a necessary purpose in your physical being
Even when your heart's a play thing
Even when your heart is treated as a toy or object to be played with
It's a given, it isn't
It is expected or assumed, but not necessarily true
When nothing ever really happens
When life seems stagnant or uneventful
Contributed by Connor S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@poisonelegance
Just been introduced to the sounds this band. Love 'em already... will continue to love 'em indefinitely.
@stevetalbot6014
That Rickenbacker bass sound...I'm in love.
@Mike9201984
first time listening to this band. i'm impressed.
@honuman39
One of the highlights in an all around great album. This and Bess Street go through so many prog like changes it sounds like it's a longer song than it actually is but you want it to go on longer.
@cuideag
Hot dang, that percussion is amazing
@RyanVibez18
just discovered this band today! thanks for posting this!! :D
@TelePopGrace
I knew this band ... TODAY, and I love !
@motnotsla1
I'm looking forward to seeing them live - late January in Bay Area opening for Wilco.
@troutmask1970
the reason this isn't getting any press is that is quality rock and roll played from the heart. I hope they never go too mainstream. Don't take WD away from us quite yet, please.
@harvey_weenstain8857
11 Years later &he still can't hold down a single bandmate 😭 lucky for us he never needed a single one