Get all 9 skittish releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Midwest Handshake, Everything Loose Slides to California, Savannah Sessions, Better Out Than In, Two Legs Bad, Orphans and B-Sides, The Five Stages EP, The Perfect Shade of Green I, and 1 more.
1. |
||||
|
Living amongst the green as green can be,
a house upon the plains and sounds so sweet.
Your grandpa's ghost a'creaking attic floors,
oldies from the workshop, dishes from the kitchen,
not into the wild but into the city to be tempted.
Living amongst the green is mighty fine.
Young enough to know we'll never die.
Here we like to watch the concrete creep.
Here we spit the wind, yes, here we play for keeps.
I met a man who's face was flanked by gray.
He had fault lines where his frowns too often lay.
He said, “Son, you've got to stop this nonsense,
earn those checks andlive for weekends. We are on the side of angels, and you are not complete.”
That's when I learned never to confuse
wrinkles with wisdom. This lesson was new.
It's always something else.
I hope I go to heaven when I die,
but I have got indulgences to buy.
Tell me if that's the road you wish to take.
Tell me and I will gladly help you pay your way.
Living amongst the green as green can be.
If I don't try now I'll never be at peace.
Whatever happens in the next five minutes, I will still be here in six.
|
||||
2. |
||||
|
tell me that we're lovers
tell me that I'm all you got
cause quiet words that whisper under covers
shimmer like a pyrite rock
in a closet, under my bed, in a dark basement
i heard the thumpin, i heard the creakin, i heard you tap to get in..or are you another bump in the night?
i swear i used to feel it
i swear i used to feel your touch
but it's much too hard to keep saying 'i love you'
without receiving a response (i don't need another unrequited love)
ease your pace, the devils in the details, babe.
no more talking daydreams,
cause now that you're gone i feel
solid as stone and real alone..and cold..weren't you just another bump in the night?
you can't clothe it in language
or wrap it in a metaphor
i dropped a coin in to a food court fountain
and faded in the dull decor
like a boogeyman, or a death sentence, for my wicked ways
like a santa clause, or a gold cross, i best behave..or are you another bump in the night?
|
||||
3. |
My Fickle Anatomy
02:59
|
|||
|
MY FICKLE ANATOMY
If you hear something strange
Please pay no mind
That was just my mouth,
bouncing words in vain up off your back,
as if you'd care.
That was just my heart,
sinking, burning, numb from your attack.
Palpitating or breaking?
It's getting old...a little bit...
I say, “I want you,” you say, “Oh, not quite yet.”
So if you hear something strange, please pay no mind.
That was just my head,
working through the lines of what you said,
over and over and over over and over and over
That was just my feet,
slapping down upon the cold concrete,
outside your house
So doctor, doctor please prescribe me a personality to get me the girl
Cause the man wearing black usually ends up with a bullet in the back
Swimming in the sunset and scrolling credits,
as a sad song tells us its all for the best. And I'm sick of it.
It's getting old...a little bit...
You say you want me, I say, “Oh, not quite yet.”
So if you hear something strange, please pay no mind.
I awoke to a sound (it wasn't a loud sound)
I took a look all around for a better shade of green.
|
||||
4. |
Keep Driving
03:28
|
|||
|
KEEP DRIVING
Wrapped in your appendages,
since you said 'yes' you've never been so fair.
Breathing little ghosts on the window.
Dream now by the driver's side
and let the engines lullabye you there.
Dashboard LED's a night-lights glow.
Where we head, I cannot say.
Sometimes it's more about leaving than going.
I'll be better, I'll be sweet.
I'll be the image you've carried so closely.
Just keep driving....
Break the seal of sleepy eyes
with slender beams through windshield skies at dawn.
Wake to watch the border lines go by.
And talk of times that we played house
or revolution from the local mall.
I'll keep our life between the lines.
When you plunged in winter's curse
I planned my day by the corners of your mouth.
But I'll be better, I'll be sweet.
I'll be the picture perfect seed among thorns.
And with these little lies we'll lubricate our souls
to slip through gated walls.
You've been so strong for oh so very long.
It's only but a moment more till you'll lay your head down.
And miles to go before I sleep.
You and me, we keep driving.
If you ever go a tumbling down that hill and break apart again.
Know I'll come a tumbling after, straight away, with Elmer's Glue in hand.
|
||||
5. |
Little Things
04:10
|
|||
|
LITTLE THINGS
once there was a castle in the mountains,
a couple kids, a comely garden,
and a white knight too. Stout and true.
Now where there were stables there's a screen door,
a quarter acre by the airport,
and a dried up yard. No flowers.
Say that you won't go away.
Say you love me say you'll stay.
Or just take this ring and by up what you break.
Cause this is the life that we made,
with rusted hinges, peeling paint.
It may not be perfect, but I love it.
And I find diamonds everyday.
Mornings this old house is like a palace.
I pack her lunch and Lucy's glasses.
And I let you sleep as her bus leaves.
Boxes and bags packed, you stand.
“It's just the little things that are breaking me down.”
I'll call when I get settled.
“It's just the little things that are breaking me down.”
The upkeep of a fantasy no longer has a hold on me
Go, if you must run away, but don't be here when I wake.
(If I made a promise, I never said I wouldn't let you down)
Or just take this ring and by up what you break.
(Cause I can't be your motivation. I got so much left to do)
This is the life that we made with rusted hinges and peeling paint.
(This is the life that you made now it's not me...clamped with chains)
And I know it's not perfect (It once was about me)
And I know I'm not perfect (Then was about us)
Now it's about her (Tell Lucy goodbye, and I'm so sorry)
And I find diamonds everyday.
|
||||
6. |
Welcome to the Circus
03:26
|
|||
|
WELCOME TO THE CIRCUS
Welcome to the circus
Where you are put on display
Don't be so nervous
You really don't have a say
You've barely opened up your eyes
You've had no chance to have a life
Replace the monkey in this rotating cage
Welcome to your new home
With all the animals and freaks
We've brought the zoo home
And they've all got their own keys
Just pretend that they aren't in the room
Act the way you always do
It's never quiet so don't bother with sleep
And we will pick apart your mind
As you are breaking down
And we'll continue laughing
After all, you're just a silly clown
Pay attention to what you're saying
Make sure it's entertaining
Lights, camera, welcome to your life
Welcome to the circus
The one and only parade
Where you can serve us
Our entertainment and pay
We're eating popcorn in the stands
Conductor's striking up the band
The curtain's opening
They're lighting the stage
Welcome to this most spectacular of festivities
Where we eat off the table
While you eat off of our feet
As you will grow we won't forget
No, we'll be with you every step
Isn't it comforting to know we are here?
It's safe to say now
That you're not just a face in a crowd
We've got you in our magazines
Your world is our fantasy
Count you blessings now, child
When you're beneath the blade, we'll be right there waiting...
Hanging on your every word, We're hanging on your every word,
We're hanging for your every word, We're hanging for your every word,
We'll hang you for your every word, We'll hang you, take you down.
|
||||
7. |
Pink Noise
02:51
|
|||
|
PINK NOISE
Black tie and matching coat
I look my best on top
I hear no see no evil
I hear no speak no evil
now I'm in line
Yes, I'll survive
I hear no see no evil
I hear no speak no evil
I hear no see no evil
I wore my smile out
I made my mama proud
I hear no see no evil
I hear no speak no evil
I haven't the time, nor the money,
for the luxury of belief
I hear no see no evil
I hear no speak no evil
I hear no see no evil
But I'm not a bad man
|
||||
8. |
Bring Out Your Dead
04:59
|
|||
|
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD
Take a piece. A bouquet of posies, dried up.
Its bound to trip you up,
the things you did for love, heaven sent.
Now that you're done, bring out your dead.
(You, sitting alone)
You promised nothing would change.
Now that you're done, bring out your dead.
(Sing your saddest song)
One try and down comes the rain.
Now that you're done, bring out your dead.
(Think of days you were young)
You promised nothing would change.
Now that you're done...
(Think what you should've done)
Make your peace. A pocket of posies can help,
in the silence that comes with the
presence of large predators.
I washed your scent from my sheets,
but still it comes.
Now that you're done, bring out your dead.
you promised nothing would change.
Now that you're done, bring out your dead.
One try and down comes the rain.
Now that you're gone...
Everybody's staying, waiting for their lives to change.
But my life just changed in every way,
everyday I know.
I just want a greener lawn someday, but maybe I'll rest here for awhile.
|
||||
9. |
Due
05:14
|
|||
|
DUE
I heard there's a rhythm to all living things,
a time signature swinging us through our days.
In a 13/8 scheme, I'm unique but often off beat.
But down round the belt, so solid so sure, thumping their bibles in a perfect 4/4.
Sometimes I wish my convictions
were stronger in stance,
Than a tempo too awkward to dance.
I said, “Hey, I've never been in time with the traffic or the tide but I'm due.”
I'm in the back, with a cynical smile,
the sounds of the psalms ricocheting off the walls.
I said, “How was your talk?”
She said, “It helps me feel comforted,
connected, and loved.”
So I packed up my ugliness and I sank, the beast sank, we sank out the door,
down into the snowy night. Where I made
an angel for her.
Now I know of a teacup twirling through space.
I know of a monster at the bottom of a lake.
I know a ghost who still balks at the
thought of a treaty,
in the bout of doubt versus faith.
I said, “Hey, I've never been right a whole day in my life but I'm due.”
Slaying the clouds,
their carcass in flight,
are heavenly spears,
of sunlight
Just down the river, is the one that I love,
but freedom is options, and I got none.
Cause I met a girl who was soft and was white,
I said, “Are you an angel?”
And she stretched out a smile.
I smelled her real strong and was numb
for a night and was gone.
Her toes curled a grip over the carved stone ledge.
She said, “Stop me if you love me.”
And her knees started to bend.
I gave a good reach, all I got was a
thread now she's gone.
Cause snow angels melt in the morning.
I said, “Hey, I've never loved like they sing of in song but I'm due.”
|
||||
10. |
Hug a Tree
02:05
|
|||
|
HUG A TREE
School's out today,
since you no longer love me.
The squirrels don't want to play,
since you no longer love me.
And the buses and the taxi cars
are sitting in a dark garage,
not a single person on the street.
I'll hug a tree to ensure I don't get lost.
When you find the world has stopped
here's where I'll be.
Clocks are paralized,
since you no longer love me.
And the sun don't want to rise,
since you no longer love me.
Birds say they don't want to sing,
radio don't say a thing,
emergency broadcasting on TV.
I'll hug a tree to ensure I don't get lost.
When you find the world has stopped
here's where I'll be.
And like a cat upon your chest,
I'll kneed out a place to rest.
Glaciers kept their form, since you no longer love me.
There's no honking of the horns,
since you no longer love me.
And there's no-one being born,
since you no longer love me.
And the cliched moon up in the sky
is a slanted jack-o-lantern smile
(he must have missed the news today)
I'll hug a tree, sure to never wander off.
When you find the world has stopped
here's where I'll be.
|
||||
11. |
Killing the Mood
03:54
|
|||
|
KILLING THE MOOD
We were young,
when the days all seemed to bend to our tongues,
set, sounding out what we soaked in.
We believed, by the lights of birthday candles
we sealed our fate.
Something seems wrong but if I go along I am safe.
For the king, and by sword or by slander agree, while,
line by line we lay them down in a field.
And by lights of altar candles we sealed our faith.
Something seems wrong but if I go along I am saved.
Killing the mood, he meets me half past noon, with a head full of horrors and rue.
Just relax, my ridiculous one.
So we're told,
twenty years of preparation before you start.
Then bury me in credit cards.
So I plugged myself in to debt and decree,
till all the fight I had left was taught, bought,
and bored from me.
While débutantes danced students sat in their desks,
and the lights from their tellies did glow.
And from these small fictions
we learned our convictions,
which threats can be laid to control. (Hold still)
I didn't want to clash, so I bet the past.
I'm not mad that I lost,
I'm just mad that I laid down the cash.
|
||||
12. |
The Entertainer
06:32
|
|||
|
THE ENTERTAINER
Half an inch of wire, and one foot then the next,
I performed for you without a net.
You used to gasp in awe, the madness of a crowd.
Back and forth we've got our routines down,
so tight,
without the risk of bumping lives.
On that day, that awful day.
A little hell leaked out your mouth.
One mistake, one slip or slight.
Far too many seasons have eroded all those feelings..but I'll try...
I tried so hard.
I could do more tricks. (Let's go out tonight)
But lately all your kisses have gone dry. (Baby we are hardly Fitzgeralds round here)
I know, I know, no sudden movements.
I'll try to make you happy.
No, I'll try to be successful, though,
this beard of bees is itching me.
(Do you remember when...)
I remember you.
(You said that we were pebbles
dropped from distant cliffs)
Sinking in to seabeds' salty linen.
And destined to meet, by some mid-ocean ridge.
I still do.
We moved away, to the big city.
Thought we'd leave it all behind. (It followed us here)
One mistake, one slip or slight.
Dear, I fear we need a change.
Meet me out in Yellowstone.
Cause there's far too much world to be seen,
for me to waste my time jumping
through industry hoops.
Sitting on this frozen stoop,
in Godforsaken St. Paul.
Or Godforsaken Anoka.
Or somewhere in the middle of Minneapolis.
Or wherever it is I'm calling home these days.
|
||||
If you like The Perfect Shade of Green II, you may also like:
Delicate and personal folk-pop from Castle Theater: honest observations and reflections presented as thoughtful, well-written miniatures.
go to album
Wide Right - EP
by Bad Bad Hats
Psychedelic-flavored indie rock from the land of lakes, with stylistic nods to Pavement, the Zombies, and of course, Liz Phair.
go to album
All the Roads that Lead Us Home [2015 Album]
by Gaelynn Lea
Gaelynn Lea won NPR's Tiny Desk Contest, and it's easy to see why. Haunting, beautiful country songs, laced up with weeping fiddle lines.
go to album
Adventurous EP that embodies the sound of winter through crackly old piano and hope-filled songs.
go to album
if no one else cares, why should I care?
by Good Good Blood
Pairing lo-fi indie rock with silvery folk instrumentation, the self-described "bedroom pop wizard" casts a cozy, poignant spell.
go to album
This Living Act
by Conor Kenahan
Gentle melodies rub up against toothy guitars on the latest indie opus from Conor Kenahan.
go to album
