You know what I think’s really sad?
I know how really sad you are.
I’m probably gonna leave real soon,
Just wanted to let you know before I say Au Revoir.
1. Au Revoir
This is a continuation from my last post, where I covered each song off The Front Bottoms’s self-titled album. For the opening track of Talon of the Hawk, this is easy.
Au revoir. Au revoir. You probably don’t even know that means.
My interpretation of this track (if it even needs interpreting) is that two people are going through an argument and realise how silly it is before they walk away. The simple lyrics are hilarious and even though they break into a chorus singing “Rock and roll”, the track is still taken very seriously by me.
2. Skeleton
A mix of absolute foot-stomping with vulnerable sorrow, is what makes up most of The Front Bottoms to be fair, but certainly is what powers this song. The riff is juicy and catchy: very hard not to adore. While most of the lyrics are genius, I particularly enjoy the rampage of ranting that follows the second verse
Cause I’m so fucked. But in a good way. I start to cough (literally coughs) taste the butane…
And I can tell that he’s asking her yes or no questions from the way she’s shaking her head from left to right and then UP and down and then left to right again…
It is a song that very openly about getting stoned, but also still beautifully whimsical and creative in how that is depicted; Brian’s ranty singing almost perfectly conveys his hazy thought process throughout his night. Genius.
3. I swear to god the devil made me do it
This is the song. The song that I had to endure my frustrations and eventually become mature enough to realise how good it is. I always get a bit tearful listening to the simple guitar riff over the chorus.
4. Twin Sized Mattress
SHE HOPES I’M CURSED FOREVER TO SLEEP ON A
TWIN SIZED MATTRESS IN SOMEBODY’S ATTIC OR BASEMENT MY WHOLE LIFE
Wow. This song is truly a work of art, but my main reason for liking this song is actually because I think it sounds like it could be from adventure time. Something about the way Brian sings “Wiry broke-down frames of my friend’s bodies” just seems so much like a song an adventure time character would sing, I don’t know.
5. Peach
May have used to skip this one, but can’t justify it anymore. Every verse is written beautifully, but if I had to highlight one:
You were my light, no need to hide.
You were my clock, keep me on time.
You were my angel, you were my crime.
I’ll serve the sentence the rest of my life.
6. Santa Monica
Jolly passing-of-time fluff. A beautiful track full of pleasures, but my pet-love about this track is the way Brian sings:
Loving who I am ’cause what we are.
Something about the way he shakes halfway through the ‘are’ is just so sweet to me.
7. The Feud
A fast-paced song to kick off the second half of the album, perhaps with parallels to ‘Be Nice to me’ from their later Rose EP. I think their songwriting had improved so much since their first album that there really aren’t many synths about here; the songs and their shape are enough.
He… is the sound you want now
And I… am just a noise you don’t
The comparison between ‘sound’ and ‘noise’ here is really clever in my opinion, because it’s a subtlety that is often unnoticed.
8. Funny you should ask
Other than the absolutely popping drums and tracking to this stomper, this song paints a very detailed picture (as long as you don’t watch the music video of them just holding animals) of a real lifetime bitterness built up here that is so reachable.
Come on Chelsea, speak a little French to me,
heard you spend two whole semesters drinking wine.
While I was stuck in Jersey trying to save some money…
9. Tattooed Tears
You had me go from what I thought was sliding carefully to seriously slipping out of control.
We’re getting to the part of the album where instead of laughing or crying, the hairs on my spine are simply standing. The above lyric isn’t only what cuts it, the rhythmic gallop through this simple space is so carefully crafted, and then suddenly ripped through with the most simple plea:
I’m gonna have to learn that this love will never be convenient.
10. Lone star
A really tangible piece of realism here. I love when singers use their own names in the lyrics too. Goes really hard for a song about… an abortion?
437 dollars spent to put things back to where they used to be.
I guess the entire song isn’t completely about just an abortion. Still, it doesn’t beat Arizona by Wunderhorse, which is probably the most deep-cutting song about an abortion you’ve ever heard.
11. Backflip
I’LL MOVE TO FLORIDA
I don’t think those words have ever been more moving in a song. If you find a song where “I’ll move to Florida” is as emotionally compelling, you deserve some brownie points. Somehow, despite the indie/footballish yelling behind lots of the track, it doesn’t fail to appetize.
I also love the simple mono guitar segments. Which just a single string describing where we are. Does that make sense?
12. Everything I own
And finally, a banging closer for what is more than a banging album. Talking of everything I own, I am pleased to brag that I own a copy of this rascal on vinyl disk thanks to my lovely girlfriend Nancy.