The band got its first big break in the BRU Rock Hunt, an annual Battle of the Bands run by Providence commercial alternative/indie rock station 95.5 WBRU.
They have an uncanny ability to blend rock - from new wave to progressive - with ska, punk balladry, and a bit of baroque into something highly original. Miller's direct and personal songwriting derives from an unquestionable pop sensibility, while the band's sophisticated arrangements and intricate instrumentals give their songs an expansive and psychedelic edge. The band further distinguishes itself by using the electric violin as a lead instrument. Described by The Village Voice as "a cross between Eddie Van Halen and Papa John Creach," violinist Spencer Swain adds swirling textures and searing melodies that range from the pretty to the profane.
Members of the band include Eli Miller (Vocals/Guitar), John Zox (Drums/Percussion), Spencer Swain (Violin/Vocals), and Dan Edinberg (Bass/Vocals/Keys). Former members include Eli Batalion.
Currently, the band has produced three albums: Take Me Home which was released by Armo Records in 2003, The Wait which was released by SideOneDummy Records in 2006 and Line in the Sand which was released by SideOneDummy Records in 2008. The band quietly disbanded in 2009, reuniting for concerts at Lupo's in their hometown of Providence in August 2011 and October 2014.
Anything but Fine
Zox Lyrics
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With all the right words,
When would these black clouds begin to burn up
The moment you heard?
If I could make you a map,
Would you find your way home?
You know you can't keep me alive
Tell me I'm yours.
Tell me you're mine.
Tell me I'm anything but fine.
Tell me a story.
Tell me the time.
Tell me a lie.
If I could make you a tape
With all the right noise,
Would you smile when you listen and sigh
Boys will be boys?
If I could paint you a picture,
I'd turn black into white.
By now I'm not lookin' for love,
Just lookin' for tonight.
So tell me I'm yours.
Tell me you're mine.
Tell me I'm anything but fine.
Tell me a story.
Tell me the time.
Tell me a lie.
And tell me I'm yours.
Tell me you're mine.
Tell me I'm anything but fine.
Tell me a story.
Tell me the time.
Tell me a lie.
Tell me what I want to hear
Tomorrow I will disappear,
You won't ever have to see me again.
And tell me I'm yours.
Tell me you're mine.
Tell me I'm anything but fine.
Tell me a story.
Tell me the time.
Tell me a lie.
You said that words can only get you so far,
But I've got sentences that cover up all my scars.
In the end I might forget where they are,
Talk to me tonight.
And if we started all over today,
I think we know that we'd end up in the same place.
Maybe you're right and we've got nothing to say,
I want to hear it anyway.
I want to hear it anyway.
The lyrics to Zox's "Anything but Fine" explore themes of longing and regret. The singer of the song is struggling to cope with a relationship that has gone sour. In the first verse, he imagines writing a song or creating a map that could help him navigate his way back to the love he's lost. He's searching for a way to bring some light into the darkness of his heartbreak.
As the song progresses, he becomes more desperate, asking his lover to tell him anything, even if it's a lie. He's looking for some kind of reassurance that they still care about each other, that there's still some hope for their relationship.
The final verses of the song suggest that the singer may have given up hope. He's resigned to the fact that their love may never be rekindled. However, he still wants to hear the words he longs for, even if they're just empty promises. It's a bittersweet sentiment that speaks to the complexities of modern relationships.
Overall, "Anything but Fine" is an emotional and heartfelt song that captures the pain of lost love. It's a reminder that even when things seem hopeless, we still yearn for connection and affirmation.
Line by Line Meaning
If I could write you a song
With all the right words,
When would these black clouds begin to burn up
The moment you heard?
The artist wonders if he can create music that would make her feel better and brighten her mood instantly.
If I could make you a map,
Would you find your way home?
You know you can't keep me alive
Leave me alone.
The artist ponders if he can give her directions to help her navigate through life and return home, but she already knows that he isn't necessary in her life and wants him to leave her alone.
Tell me I'm yours.
Tell me you're mine.
Tell me I'm anything but fine.
Tell me a story.
Tell me the time.
Tell me a lie.
The artist is desperate for her attention and wants her to love him back, even if it's only temporary. He asks her to tell him anything under the sun to keep the conversation going.
If I could make you a tape
With all the right noise,
Would you smile when you listen and sigh
Boys will be boys?
The artist wonders if he can create a playlist that would make her happy and nostalgic enough to forgive him for his mistakes.
If I could paint you a picture,
I'd turn black into white.
By now I'm not lookin' for love,
Just lookin' for tonight.
The artist feels that his creativity isn't enough to change her world but is content with hooking up with her for one night.
So tell me I'm yours.
Tell me you're mine.
Tell me I'm anything but fine.
Tell me a story.
Tell me the time.
Tell me a lie.
The artist pleads with her once more to keep the conversation going and keep him company, even if that means telling him a lie.
And tell me I'm yours.
Tell me you're mine.
Tell me I'm anything but fine.
Tell me a story.
Tell me the time.
Tell me a lie.
The artist repeats his plea in hopes of getting the response he wants, even if it's a lie.
Tell me what I want to hear
Tomorrow I will disappear,
You won't ever have to see me again.
The artist implores her to lie to him or tell him what he wants to hear to avoid him feeling intense separation anxiety when they part ways tomorrow.
And tell me I'm yours.
Tell me you're mine.
Tell me I'm anything but fine.
Tell me a story.
Tell me the time.
Tell me a lie.
The artist continues to beg for her attention and affection, willing to keep the conversation going by any means necessary.
You said that words can only get you so far,
But I've got sentences that cover up all my scars.
In the end I might forget where they are,
Talk to me tonight.
The artist tries to convince her that his words matter and that the right conversation can heal all wounds. He asks her to talk to him tonight and forget about his past mistakes.
And if we started all over today,
I think we know that we'd end up in the same place.
Maybe you're right and we've got nothing to say,
I want to hear it anyway.
I want to hear it anyway.
The artist acknowledges that their history might prevent them from having a substantive conversation, but he still wants to hear her voice and talk to her anyway - he values any interaction over feeling isolated.
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