yeah, I think I read somewhere that this was to be the last album addressing some recurrent Pianos themes... I think Keep You is one of those rare instances when a band strikes perfect lucidity in a transitional phase, creating an unrivaled masterpiece, so I doubt they'll top this (and there's nothing wrong with that)... so I hope they try something new on LP4 instead of trying to build up from Keep You I want a different, sunnier, more focused and hopeful album kind of like what The Hotelier did... although in that specific case, Goodness is the better album
I prefer Home, but they're both great. I'm thinking they'll maybe go in the route you suggested, which would be great, I'd hate them to try replicate this and put out something subpar.
I'm not sure what I expect their next effort to sound like, but I'll be excited for it whenever it does come.
That I think is the key word when defining Keep You, it feels like Kyle is always on the verge of breaking down and/or screaming but the fact he finds the strength to have such self restraint is what makes the album an experience. The closest he gets to his vocal approach on the previous albums is that moment between 2:57 - 3:25 on Say Nothing, but instead of ending the album on that note, he composes himself for that last refrain. To me it's a defining moment of closure or at least acceptance.
I enjoyed this album. Recently discovered it. The deluxe version is even better and I just checked out their song Hiding, very solid tune.
I never gave their old stuff a listen until last November and was absolutely floored by The Lack Long After. Great album.
I have a 2 hour drive tonight after my band's show and I'll definitely be putting Keep You on in the car. It has, for whatever reason, become my go-to album for long, late night drives in the car.
listening to keep you now. god kyle writes song absolutely crushing stuff And oh, I've been so touch and go, Oh, I've been so touch and go, I find myself moving my legs to make sure I still can, And telling myself I don't have time. I'll just wait and curse the day I'll just wait and curse the day
this is the best part of the album. the "i find myself moving my legs" line is the most crushing, devastating thing ive heard in a song
I'm looking more like you everyday old man In every way I'm feeling phantom pains From the fire you've dropped on your legs I'm storing my uplifting-look backs for my time in that seat Alone in your world Alone in your world just a wall away Staying angry at the stages of the day Your speech has gotten slow and you've lost so much weight The family knees have gotten weak The family skin has gotten languid If you put your gums in and I let mine recede If you keep your pride I'll be your eyes I'll save my temper, save my rage For the hot on your hands because cripples can't shiver 6 hours 6 hours 6 hours Of telling fields our health deserves more Please don't disappear with the room Please don't give up on going out Spending time at a split foyer choosing up or down I've waited, he never came, I'm assuming life fair The mold promises these sheets stay damp so my lungs won't last But I swear I'd at least break the fingers of the hand that dealt this to you
A complete lyric booklet from their discography would essentially be the saddest collection of poems ever assembled.
My pick for most crushing lyric: I got your picture sitting on the sink, you were so young, so skinny, so quick to laugh, water dripped and hit your cheek in the right spot, it ruined my week, when I just wanted to wash the filth off. I have this feeling where I'm still owed something, every April I'm reminded about those bright flowers they talk about, every May I'm reminded that it's better buried in black and white, and I'll allow myself this tonight.
I love a lot of their lyrics but this part from "I'll Get By" will probably always be my favorite: I guess the means that ends us means nothing, I just hope it's the peace we all need, Because I could love and drown in your God damned smile lines, but I think I burnt up watching you rallying to stay alive, and I guess that's fine. It seems we all get sick, we all die in some no name hospital with the same colored walls, and I guess that's fine, but I want to swallow, I want to stomach, I want to live.
I've posted this a lot probably but this section in Late Lives gets me every single time: And I know you hated being late But I guess you arrived Right on time
"Because I say it all, when I say nothing at all, So let's say nothing some more And let the words burn their way across the floor Because if these walls could talk I still couldn't get over a God damned soul"
it's about who you love, it's about who you tell, and my voice carries more than it should but not now, it's not the thought that counts, it's the pulling through, not my mind that wanders, it's your heart that keeps me and mine you, mind you I can hold my breath forever, for as long as I can, mind you,
This thread had me listening to this album like 5 times today, God damn the end of say nothing still kills me every time.
I lost my dad the fall before The Lack Long After. I still have not been able to get through the full record since the first time I listened to it in full. I've only been able to completely finish I'll Get By 6-7 times by itself. That record just hits home too hard. It's a perfect record, in that it encapsulates the inconsolable grief to a T. But it's just not something I want to subject myself to emotionally and viscerally. Keep You was a little easier to take, but it was still painful. Hoping for something with a little more light at the end of the tunnel so I can give it more spins. Guy's lyrics are other-worldly though Because I could love and drown in your God damned smile lines, but I think I burnt up watching you rallying to stay alive, and I guess that's fine. It seems we all get sick, we all die in some no name hospital with the same colored walls, and I guess that's fine, but I want to swallow, I want to stomach, I want to live.