1. |
Back to the Grind
02:27
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Should the words that I have meant cease to mean their meaning, and I fail to take the floor for a pointless stand..
Should the last leg that I have turn to be no leg to stand on..
Kindly, be a saint, and take me by the hand and lead me down the lane where my memory's a strain. Remind me that I've quit jobs for less.
You should never change yourself, except when it's time to do so. The line is hard to see even when you held the pencil that scrawled this boundary across your soul.
When, at last, the time has come for me to lay down my axes and with a smile I turn my back to grind, I'd like it to be said I was man of good intentions and the ideals that I slaved for were mostly mine.
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2. |
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How many times have I picked you up when you fall down, your sense of balance dropped into an ivory bowl to drown? Yes, it's true; I've had better things to do, but I still chauffeured you.
I've seen you struggling to speak. You've fallen on your face. Been sent home parties, and you've wallowed in your waste. Some of those times I had to grit my teeth, but I defended you.
It's the kind of talk that can't wait till later. I've lost girlfriends because they hate her. I'll stand by friends when they have lost it, but to tell the truth I'm finally exhausted.
Veronica, Goddamn! Did you ever stop to think that it might be unsound to smear the only friend who comes around when you are slurring stupid phrases from the shoulder on your phone? Next time at 2AM, who will drive you home?
Veronica, Godamn! Did you ever stop to think?
It's the kind of talk that can't wait till tomorrow: about all the time you stole, you swore you'd borrow. You keep saying it'll be worth it, but from where I stand our friendship is just bullshit.
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3. |
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Jane, just a girl with bitter frame of mind, and I'm sure it'd be hard to find a kind word that she would lend me. After such a hairy temporary time with Mary I don't need three guesses to know where she would send me.
Darling, Darling, Darling, hesitate. Forget what you have heard of Christine, and Kate, and Sandy: some girls I thought were fun, but one night each and I was done. I don't think any of them would ever wanna see or hear from me again. Also true of Cherie, and Jen, Marlene, Francine or Darlene, and Svetlana.
Darling, Darling, Darling, you got to know that all these other girls were long ago.
Baby, they were all just placeholders for you.
You're pretty, that's not all I can say. You're dirty, and I like it that way. You're clever, and quick with a smirk. You love it when I am a jerk.
Baby, they were all just placeholders for you.
You're pretty, that's not all I can say. You're dirty, and I like it that way. You're clever, and quick with a smirk. You love it when I am a jerk.
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4. |
The Guitar and His Boy
06:07
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The Diva finds a way to go that makes it seem it wasn't so. She says with cool clarity: time before now was charity. She's got things to do now. She's got places to be with a cold beer, and a french fry, and a contest of karaoke, now.
To explain why she's not around she has tales of being let down. To hear her tell it, no one ever gave her a thing. Don't take it personally, they're just handing out help where it's needed now. Being loved ain't a handicap, even when it's by nice folks in the middle class.
There's no one left to argue now, at least no one I can see. So I'm left to argue now with a voice inside of me, begging to be free. Will we go?
The Artists find a way to leave that make it seem like bravery and cover up a lack of common courtesy. They've got plans for their busy hands. It's so hard to create with such a full plate. Don't take it personally. It's just a waste of your time and money now. Don't take it personally. It's just a waste of everything.
There's no one left to argue now, at least no one I can see. So the only driving force is a voice inside of me, so we'll go.
So we'll go on alone, and we'll find ourselves in parking lots more than not. These worlds that we create, describe, and populate will feel more full before we come to town.
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5. |
Apologist Biologist
04:39
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Any given day you can find me picking apart the words we say. I'm sure you'd agree it's tiring, so tiring, being this way. I know, in my saner mind, that things are as good as they seem, but safe in the shadows a choir of cowards comments in screams that all is lost if I take the time to examine every word you say. Every word you say could have a thousand meanings, or more. I should learn to take you at face value.
I've no reason to think that you are playing games with my head. My heart could rise or sink with every word you said. I know, in my saner mind, that things are as good as they seem, but safe in the shadows a choir of cowards comments in screams that all is lost if I take the time to examine every word you say. Every word you say could have a thousand meanings, or more. I should learn to take you at face value.
Not every phrase, action, or lack thereof contains a hidden middle finger.
I get so sick of making plans. All I want is good times again. Ante up, and double down, and risk losing what I've found.
Would it be forward? Would you allow me to go ahead and kiss you now?
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6. |
2nd St
04:58
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2nd Street is where we meet on this lonely winter's night. It's cold and dark, but spring is on the march. It will free us soon from snow and sleet, allowing us to free our feet from socks and shoes. Sandals reign supreme.
In this world that I create, I have lost my job and home; I'm alone. I have called you here to say goodbye. There is nothing for me here. We said I should live without fear, so I'm skipping town with the morning sun.
In the light and the mirrors your face shimmers. I could drown inside your hair, learn to live without air. You glitter red and green. It always seemed like such a dream, but I'm not waking.
We are taken to our chosen seats where I will say my piece. Please hold the Q&A till the end. I've got a disc in my hand, a finished record from my pointless band. I don't need advice. It's a sacrifice, an offering to you. I hope you don't feel used. You are my muse, and every song I sing I sing for you. Every show I play is just us two. Gotta get this off my chest. It's been years since I was honest. Every thing I've kept from you laid bare.
In the light and the mirrors your face shimmers. I could drown inside your hair, learn to live without air. You glitter red and green. It always seemed like such a dream, but I'm not waking.
Everybody is somebody's somebody, and you are mine.
In the light and the mirrors your face shimmers. I could burn inside your eyes. We could turn into fireflies. We'd light the evening sky, lovers on hilltops point and sigh at the path we're taking.
Everybody is somebody's somebody, and you are mine.
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7. |
Wastes of Time
03:59
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Far beyond the sadness shoals lies a land where no man goes. Just west of the crestfallen coastline. Hang a left at the splintering shame shrine. A quick push through Pointless Pass, where most heroes breathe their last. Near a spire of rock where the wind wont blow, beyond that only I know.
For I have seen the wastes of time, endless lands of soot and grime. Every step you take will lead to your demise.
I placed my signs on wood and on the stone, on ancient trails the vines have grown, to warn you from this course that could take your life, or worse. To assume your safety is to disregard my words. Turn Back.
I grant it, like granite, you'll take it for granted.
I have seen the wastes of time that you call your life, at best. Every moment in decline; each day better than the next. For I have seen the wastes of time, endless lands of soot and grime. Every step you take will lead to your demise.
If you won't heed these words and turn yourself around, you'll serve as an example of how to waste a life.
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Ray Gun Solace Norwalk, California
After the demise of Long Beach's indie-pop powerhouse, The Lyrics Game, Dan Howe started Ray Gun Solace as a project more rooted in the upbeat stylings of the midwestern emo scene of the 90s. This project became a mostly studio-oriented endeavor once Dan got involved with The Natural 20s. ... more
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