Their debut album BiRd-BrAiNs was first released on limited edition vinyl and cassette in June 2009, via the Portland-based imprint Marriage Records. In July 2009, it was announced that tUnE-yArDs had signed to 4AD, and a limited edition pressing of BiRd-BrAiNs was released on August 17, 2009.
A full worldwide release followed on November 16, 2009 (and November 17th in North America). The autumn 2009 pressing was remastered at Abbey Road Studios by Christian Wright, and includes two new bonus tracks: "Want Me To" and "Real Live Flesh."
BiRd-BrAiNs was entirely self-produced and recorded, with Garbus utilizing a hand-held digital voice recorder, ukulele, some noisy off-balance drums, and produced using shareware mixing software. Garbus described their sound as "a patchwork of sound snippets, of history in a present tense. It is a composer's commitment to the preservation of stories, however small and unassuming."
A second album w h o k i l l was released on April 19, 2011, preceded by the single "Bizness". It was produced by Garbus and engineered by Eli Crews at New, Improved Studios in Oakland, California. Comparing the act to Sonic Youth, Frontier Psychiatrist said, "if BiRd-BrAiNs was Garbus’ EVOL, a record bursting with musical ideas that attempted to subvert the notion of song, w h o k i l l is their Sister, a record that embraces the traditional pop song as a vehicle to convey those ideas." The song "Fiya" is featured on a 2010 commercial for the Blackberry Torch.
Synonynonym
tUnE-yArDs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sitting on a bench beside the ocean
Take some of the magic potion
Does it catch your eye?
I want you to know when you're bending down and touch your toes
You remind me of when I didn't have to wear my clothes
I want you to see when you're bending down and touch your knee
Synonynonym (??)
Sitting on a bench beside the seaside
If not, we can say that we tried?
I want you to know? cannot be sorry when it shows
Call you twinkle-toes, pass me by one thousand smells of rose
I want you to know, like the sand that sinks between our toes
You grow younger? out of your nose
Synonynonym (??)
I want you to know, like the sand that sinks between our toes...
The song Synonynonym by tUnE-yArDs is a whimsical and dream-like ode to nostalgia and memories. The first verse finds the singer sitting on a bench by the ocean, possibly with a friend or lover, inviting them to take a “magic potion” and explore the world around them. The repetition of the word “synonynonym” throughout the song adds to the dream-like quality and suggests that the singer is attempting to capture something intangible.
The second verse includes playful and flirtatious language, with the singer calling their companion “twinkle-toes” and referring to the scents of roses that surround them. The final line of the verse, “You grow younger? out of your nose,” is somewhat nonsensical but adds to the overall feeling that the song is a surreal and fantastical exploration of memory.
The final repetition of “I want you to know, like the sand that sinks between our toes” echoes the opening lines of the second verse and reinforces the idea that the song is about cherishing present moments and recognizing the fleeting nature of time.
Overall, Synonynonym is a quirky and poetic exploration of memory and nostalgia, with a playful and childlike approach to language and imagery.
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting on a bench beside the ocean
I am currently seated on a bench next to the vast ocean.
Take some of the magic potion
Immerse yourself in the beauty of the surroundings and let it enchant you.
Does it catch your eye?
Do you find the scene captivating?
I want you to know when you're bending down and touch your toes
I wish for you to comprehend the significance of this moment, when you bend down to touch your toes.
You remind me of when I didn't have to wear my clothes
This moment takes me back to a time when I felt free and unrestrained.
I want you to see when you're bending down and touch your knee
I want you to notice the similarity of this action to something you used to do.
You reminded me of the person that you used to be
It brings back memories of the version of yourself that you were before.
If not, we can say that we tried?
Should we fail, can we at least say we gave it our all?
Call you twinkle-toes, pass me by one thousand smells of rose
I affectionately refer to you as 'twinkle-toes' amidst the strong aroma of the roses around us.
You grow younger? out of your nose
It appears as if you're growing younger, as if reversing time, just by breathing the salty air.
Writer(s): Merrill Garbus Copyright: Garbus The Owl
Contributed by Annabelle P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.