Random Artist Feature: Kaddisfly (3 videos,new Vinyl)

So making a video or videos about Kaddisfly was in the works, but not necessarily on this week's Half-day, but so be it. When something comes in the mail, it can motivate or influence these decisions.

Another long video of course, but I wonder if by trying to cram them in to be so short, it kind of defeats the purpose. I dunno. If they end up 10-18 minutes? so be it. And when I get around to some of the longer dicographies, making 2-4 videos shouldn't be all that surprising, especially considering COLLECTION SIZE, etc..singles, imports, pictures discs, etc.

But at any case, this was quite a cool thing to show and talk about today...

Kaddisfly - Horses Galloping on Sailboats (MMXV)

2/4/16 1:30AM
VINYL LINK



finally!. I'll likely make a video of unboxing, etc.

6/29/15 6:46AM

Video review. I unfortunately said "The Watchman" accidentally. That and the whole *um* is the only issue I had with this, other than there are a ton of other points I just didn't have time to include, but maybe will down the road.

Maybe when I get the Vinyl I'll be able to show it and say a lot more about this album which I can't get enough of right now.


6/25/15 2:47PM
good interview I just saw on 1 of the forums with Chris. He does mention this may or not be their Swan Song. Overall, that's good to read.
Interview with Chris

As far as a review, I filmed a video review this morning that I am going to not share per a few reasons, #1, just per the length (16 mins).

But I should have time this weekend.

I'm Loving this album a ton, and am starting to think it may find 5-stars soon, and belongs in the discussion with Small Leaks, Sink Ships for favorite album of the year/season.

1 thing I noticed today, a reprise on the track "Guru" being that it reprises not only the phrase from Forest, but also the melody from "The Middleman"

HGOS is a puzzle, and a trip, and a journey like their other albums. It seems it's about the main character meeting different people (men?) etc from a literal standpoint.

More soon..gotta go though as I have dinner (and a Living Social credit as a gift from the 'rents) at my fiancee's favorite place, Cravings tonight that includes my favorite cake, Seasalt Caramel Chocolate.

6/21/15 4:59PM
Link

I haven't listened to any of it yet per Birthday/Father's Day activities, and now watching the US Open which goes potentially til 9:30PM, lol.

I have read some comments about it, and for the most part people are liking it, but are not sure how it compares to Set Sail..I guess I always kind of almost assumed it would be almost monumental to match or even top Set Sail..but then again, I look at the Soundscape follow-up and they almost topped that album..so I dunno.

I'm just still super excited to hear this and also hopeful we may see more acitivity from them and even re-releasing their back catalog in the near future.

1, The Architect 5:49
2. The Companion 3:54
3, The Middleman 4:32
4, The Traveler 1:57
5. The Watchmaker 4:03
6. The Painter 4:59
7. The Butcher 4:21
8. The Raconteur 4:16
9. The Guru 1:47
10. The Sage 3:48
11. The Author 4:40
12. The Apparition 12:15
56 minutes 20 seconds


6/16/15 2:18PM

27 second teaser. I'm not sure what to make of this sample. Chris sounds like he's screaming which almost harkens back to their pre-Trilogy sound.

But, too short to fully judge of course. Also nice to know precisely what time it goes on sale on Sunday, so expecting to go to the youaretheend site at 12:01AM or 1:01AM etc to download it won't be confusing if it's not there.

Also a word about the auction, I was the high bidder briefly last night, but decided not to go as high as it went, Congrats to the winner.

Also now seeing the YouTube teaser below, I do really like the brief message about "no single, no stream" etc..which reminds me of how music used to always get introduced. You just went to the store the day it got released and heard every song/part of the album for the 1st time.

Both Mike Portnoy and Steven Wilson would appreciate that I imagine.


summersolstice from Kaddisfly on Vimeo.




  6/12/15 4:30PM

http://youaretheend.com/

I'll definitely watch this and would consider bidding on Monday, but as a realist fan, I'm skeptical I'll have enough disposable money to shell out to win this thing. Especially considering I'm trying to save for a few other things like a Wedding, lol and even a trip to Irvine, CA for Mayer Hawthorne/Hall and Oates and Amoeba Records in late August.

But..who knows what will happen on Monday I suppose. I was close to getting a Kevin Gilbert Thud Vinyl test pressing, but I suspect plans changed for that availability. This would mean a lot like Thud, to have an extremely rare item of.

I assume I will be purchasing a number of copies of this album regardless in all formats.

Horses Galloping on Sailboats will be available Digitally on Summer Solstice (06.21.15) via intheclouds. 
On the prior Monday (06.15.15) there will be a 24 hour auction for a test press of the record
and hand written lyric book exclusively at youaretheend.com.

The winner of the auction should receive the album by Friday (6.19.15), giving them the opportunity to have a true "first listen" experience.

Horses Galloping... will mark the first time the band’s music has been pressed on vinyl (Due later this fall)
and will be available in both a Standard and Limited collectors edition 12"/10" vinyl package.  

6/8/15 5:57AM

A Likely Preorder/Order Page on Intheclouds Site

For sale including as a Vinyl release on the Summer Solstice aka June 21st, 2015. Which is actually the day after my birthday in fact, lol. And of course a reference point on Set Sail the Prairie.

Facebook Announcement

Our new album HORSES GALLOPING ON SAILBOATS will be available via intheclouds records on Summer Solstice. Details on limited edition vinyl packages to follow soon.



1, The Architect
2. The Companion
3, The Middleman
4, The Traveler
5. The Watchmaker
6. The Painter
7. The Butcher
8. The Raconteur
9. The Guru
10. The Sage
11. The Author
12. The Apparition





6/5/15 5:02PM

"iamariver"?

Everything's been so ***CRYPTIC*** I'm wondering this could be a little movement or something in 1 of the songs.

Hopefully more about that and details beyond the track list will be coming non Monday.


iamariver from Kaddisfly on Vimeo.

6/1/15 3:00PM

It is JUNE now, so..we finally get a small part, which I imagine a lot of stuff will be coming in the month of June about this album. One thing I wonder tho, if they signed to this label, might that suggest there could be more releases after Horses Galloping?..ala Set Sail and Buy Our Intention Vinyl even?

just received this email...

http://youaretheend.com/





Kaddisfly sign with intheclouds
New album Horses Galloping on Sailboats
Coming Sooner & Later... and no that's not a typo


intheclouds is proud to announce our latest signing, Portland OR's Kaddisfly and we welcome them to the family! 7 years after their last release, Set Sail the Prairie, the band returns with the long awaited third album in their concept Trilogy: Horses Galloping on Sailboats.

Tracklist:

The Architect

The Companion 

The Middleman

The Traveler

The Watchmaker

The Painter

The Butcher

The Raconteur

The Guru

The Sage

The Author

The Apparition

More details to come one week from today.

internet us. 
inthecloudsrecords.com / youaretheend.com

5/15/15 4:33PM
New interview from Eatgeekplay.com

Some nice info/update albeit vague in some ways.

Kile Brewer: This album was created for you.

I also like how Kelsey mentioned getting into Gatherer. Who knows, maybe Gatherer finds their way to the US and Kaddisfly could play some dates with them? It would be an amazing bill if it happened.

Still waiting on more details like a release date and artwork, etc..format even. I wonder if they will put out a lead single though.

edit:
another short teaser
Here

3/24/15 10:15PM

June 2015?

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153303013260039&set=vb.7849795038&type=2&theater

itisnowtime 

.--- ..- -. . / ..--- ----- .---- .....

"it is now time...to open the doors"




2/19/15 9:26:AM

just a sample/clip/teaser

https://www.facebook.com/Kaddisfly/posts/10153213254755039

"The Architect"



1/5/15 7:16PM

https://www.facebook.com/Kaddisfly/photos/a.10150672788040039.450235.7849795038/10153102055405039/?type=1&theater

Obviously not certain, but appears to be likely a TRACKLIST?.

1, The Architect
2. The Companion
3, The Middleman
4, The Traveler

5. The Watchmaker
6. The Painter
7. The Butcher
8. The Raconteur

9. The Guru
10. The Sage
11. The Author
12. The Apparition




They have been posting little teasing quotes it appears a few times over the last 4 or 5 months on FB,
But now this after on New Years Day

"This will be the year. Have a safe and happy one. Cheers."


7/10/14 12:07PM
https://www.facebook.com/Kaddisfly/posts/10152652346040039

it's being MIXED.

2/22/14 12:09AM

from Facebook. A tracklist/possible track names/influences, etc? (I know it's not much, but at least it's something, lol)




12/31/13 7:02PM

Not 2013 (MMXIII) but 2014 it appears with the MMXIV, it's coming...

And I would't be surprised to see some of these tunes here http://kaddisfly.bandcamp.com/  included, perhaps in different arrangements.

COLOR ME STOKED.

https://www.facebook.com/Kaddisfly/posts/10152215047705039

our seeds are planted. we're building and nurturing. things are progressing and we're excited to show you. it has been a bit. thanks for sticking it through with us. LOVE

to MMXIV, cheers


4/2/13 9:36PM

So excited. This year hopefully will include more of these leading up to the details and release.

"vos estis finis," "you were finished" in Esperanto?


vos estis finis from KADDISFLY on Vimeo.

there are few things in this world that are entirely undeniable. commonly, these things are encompassed in a feeling. less commonly are these feelings felt shared and communicated between people. even less common is to have the chance to create something that celebrates and communicates this feeling, and to share it with with those who have been a part of it, as well as those willing to lend a curious ear. to share this level of joy and intimacy between people is a lacking trait in a modern and momentary world.

we are honored and endlessly excited to create and develop "HORSES GALLOPING ON SAILBOATS" in 2013.

VOS ESTIS FINIS

1/31/13 11:55AM

"The Dark and Stormy Tour"
New (Old) Documentary the guys posted. About 6 minutes, from 2005 (through 2008?). I haven't watched it yet though.

also the HGOS (Horses Galloping on Sailboats) part is shown on some places. The one thing to add to this, the album likely won't be released until late in the year given the guys are living in different places now. I wouldn't expect to see it until late Summer August/September at the earliest. Which will mean no matter what else is released prior to it as far as Album Index rankings, the Kaddisfly card very easily will find a way to change the results come early December. Even if the sucker is released the 3rd week of November, I won't be surprised to see a different top 10 or even top 5 only a few weeks after it's released.

1/25/13 9:39AM
Come to this blog/twitter/facebook or just  Watch this Space

http://www.facebook.com/Kaddisfly/posts/10151462633685039





we can travel forever this way from MMXIII on Vimeo.



only guess work right now (and no I of course haven't heard the song in the video "We Can Travel Forever This Way" but this is likely 1 of 2 things.

1) This is in effect, Horses Galloping on Sailboats, just named a little more cryptically.

2) This is a reunion/new work/album, but still under the Kaddisfly name.

the MMXIII = 2013?

The one thing I hope though is they talk about the status and it includes Kelsey Kuther who was in, but is not now currently in Water & Bodies.

I know people like Dan Fury and some others I know from the forums have more or less any and all details about this information, but then again, they may not be privy to share it with me just yet. It may not matter because this stuff is far too far already for the band not to post some kind of detailed announcement.

Significant Albums: Kaddisfly - Set Sail the Prairie (2007)

In becoming a fan of dredg in 2005, I ended up finding an active online community known as "Traversing" and like I had with some other bands, namely Dream Theater about 10 years before, I ended up enjoying talking about and learning of other bands who the fans of dredg really enjoyed.

And it may have been from a user named Spectre1982 aka Shane or some others, but I remember checking Kaddisfly out in the early months of 2006 with their record Buy Our Intention: We'll Buy You a Unicorn.
It may have been the identical trip to Cheapo in late 2005/early 2006 among the cds I picked up, 1 was a promo of Oceansize's Everyone Into Position and that Kaddisfly cd.

Both of them I liked, but didn't fall in love with right away. But I remember about Buy Our Intention, thinking, this band has a lot of interesting ideas, but I'm not sure if they have perfected them all on this album. From various kinds of songs, using piano, to hardcore screaming to a thematic or conceptual element.

And I'd guess I listened to Buy Our Intention at least a dozen times over the next 3 or more months. I even recall the band playing at Station 4 in February or March, but I missed them for some reason. I just recall thinking, parts of this album I find a bit low-fi or missing something, but there also were these great little sections I loved and found were worth getting through the rest of the songs/album to hear. Although I also recall part of why I didn't love everything on the record was Chris Ruff's vocals. His annunciation and  some of the vocal melodies did sound sort of *emo* for lack of a better word.

But, I would guess it was around May, a few users (not Shane) started talking about the next record for Kaddisfly. And even getting to hear it, and it was supposed to be released in the late Summer or Fall. I even think the band may have shared the song "Campfire" online, likely on myspace or their official site perhaps. And I know I found that song impressive, even more than anything on BOI.

And not too much later, I was able to hear the whole record and suddenly, I began to see and hear Kaddisfly in an entire new and better way.

The record was titled Set Sail the Prairie, which was the title of the 2nd-to last track on BOI in fact, and the 3rd-to-last was that album's title track. The last track also was connected being titled Horses Galloping on Sailboats, which many now know of course is still yet to be released (but it seems imminent sometime in 2014 now it finally will).

But as I, like many others had the chance to hear SSTP in the Summer of 2006, I became addicted to it. It was a record that took you on a journey, even just in terms of the themes, styles and titles of nearly each track, which represented a month on the christian calendar and seemed to capture that period of time's mood, weather (in North America at least) and such. Which added another dimension to this album and the band's sound.

Tracks:

Summer Solstice: this is a nice intro narrative poem, which kind of foreshadows many parts of the lyrics. the ending kind of tells me, there's this fast coming storm, that will be impossible to ignore.

Campfire (Junio) 4:43: the aforementioned impressive track, really has great energy. The rhythm is almost dance-able.

Welcome to your life, you better watch your steps. they can turn to fire, they can sear it through your shoes.

And through your feet Move up your legs and eat away your heart until you
You walk a path with love Then you could be happy And your feet and head and heart will
Get along comfortably And you might even breathe easily

Albeit obvious We hardly seek But hope to find you there
Albeit obvious If we don't speak No one can lend an ear
With anyone Or with anything Or underneath a budding tree
No matter how much you've thought Or how much you've grown Or how much you've learned
Or how much you think you known Or how much you've grieved
Or you've forgiven Or how much you love You will never know
Albeit obvious We hardly seek But hope to find you there
Albeit obvious We'll never die We'll merely disappear

I absolutely love the bridge and the way there's almost this soaring element to the vocals and guitars.  The "You will never knohhhhhhhhhhhh."

this song explores many moods, from happy to serious, to almost funny. It really sets the stage for the trip you as the listener takes, and even the story of sorts of an Owl's trip around the globe through different seasons, seeing different lifeforms, people, weather, messages, and even revelations from learning through experience.

Waves (July) – 4:37
This track opens with a nice piano intro.

The lyrics almost sound like gibberish. But the line "No prophet has ever been Accepted in his own village" I've always found interesting.

edit: thanks to a passionate fan/online friend, he pointed out the opening lyrics which are sort of a word play (and I still struggle with at times what they sound like) actually spell out alphabetically.

(An)apostolic Beliefs Conjure Divine Earthly Faith... yeah, yeah Gainsaying Heavenly Intu-, intuition Juxtaposing... yadda-yadda-yadda-ya Kindred Love Make No Opposition Providing Quizzical Rationality Stunning Treasure Undy-, undying Virtuous Will X, Y, Z, oh...

I listen to this song and picture canoeing with a formidable tide. Aaron Tollefson's guitar riffs and Beau Kuther's snare pattern drive the chorus of this song really well. Very tight rhythms and interplay between the rhythm section and the vocal melodies. I also often think the line "But here's the thing with time" Later on they reference time and needing it (Clockwork?) and how its value is made from perception.

An owwwwl over the hill knows the moon And clear as a river, like flowers, we bloom
Fahhh-ster when we're farther from the shayyyde Before you growwww ohhhld, don't get snipped and sohhld.

I really love the sort of echoing, and banging guitar lines on this song. As I grew to really get into Kaddisfly's music, I think one of the biggest parts were Aaron Tollefson and Kelsey Kuther's dual guitar assault; they use a  variety of moods and textures, even within 1 song. And "Waves" is one of many examples of that throughout SSTP. They use what sounds almost like a wobbly echoing effect so well.

Waves eventually leads to this cool almost reggae-like section, which beyond the band's influences, I suppose part of that on this song, and many others on this record, it is overtly bring various cultural styles of music.
Since we all are dealt zero sum hands We should have a little compassion
But people sure can be incompetent At understanding this concept
Be offended by the things we've done Be offended by the shade of our thumbs

Be offended by just where we stand One day, I swear

I've probably said "One day I swear" more times I care to admit, but the lyrics there do speak to many ideals, in wondering why people don't understand your interests, tastes or perspectives, for better or for worse. I suppose the band may have dealt with some of that personally as well.

Harbor (Agosto) – 4:35 This song starts off with this cool off-beat rhythm.
It goes into this section that the lead part is almost played on the off-beat. "Under-stah-annndeeen is only comeeen when you dispose of the breathless bahhhhdeee."

The part where Chris Ruff repeats "when you deees-.pohhz uhhhhv a boh-ah- boh-awww-boh-awww-bawwww-deee" and the guitars get rather playful.

Then the little piano part comes in before 'Be aware, Be aware, Be aware"..which takes it back to the "Understandeeeeeeen.." chorus again.

The last verse the lyric "At this point. I'm off" I usually heard as "This boy. A moth" lol, which I suppose says something about the annunciation of so many of the lyrics and vocal melodies/phrases singer Chris Ruff uses, but I think for those who actually got into Kaddisfly's music, those silly little aspects to the music are so secondary, that he could be singing in a made up language and it wouldn't matter, because the music and the actual vocal sounds work on many levels past that.

The almost ragtime piano in the bridge is another part of this song that I enjoy as well.

Birds (Septembre) – 6:03:
Naturally, with a song titled "Birds," they use what sounds like a bird-sound of chirping as an intro and throughout other moments on this song. I guess overall, I have always enjoyed the soaring, methodical tone of this song. It almost is a narrative of a bird's perspective.

As we said a prayer the night gave us a song and gave us a voice so we sang along.

This tune is like 1 beautiful ballad-jam of some kind, that I'm sure could have lasted twice or 3 times as long.
Maybe my favorite part of it though is the soaring almost ethnic sounding female chanting vocals with the acoustic guitar, which eventually you hear her sing the chorus from Campfire.
Albeit obvious We hardly seek But hope to find you there

I get goosebumps every time I hear that part. Although it kind of sounds like the journey of a traveler on horseback in the old west at the same time.

Clouds (Heshvan) – 3:41
Maybe the heaviest song and heaviest part of this record with the opening riff. I know they sort of took the idea of going from the warmth of Summer and how in October mother nature can be a bit cruel in the changes in climate. Also the way "Birds" being probably the quietest or softest track into "Clouds" being the heaviest, was likely intentional, and a cool dynamic. Although I got into a terrible habit of always having to turn the volume down when that opening riff came in. I suppose it was due to not having it on so loud, my co-workers wouldn't have to ask me to turn it down.

But beyond that riff, I really grew to enjoy "Clouds." The chorus "After all that we've said and done, the sky still gives us the sun every morning when we wake up. So feel privileged that we're the ones, who are given so much and yet are so undeserving.  Including on the 1st verse the echoing "whoah whoah whoah" I often think of this song for.

Also the thick, driving, forceful., angry guitar riffs lasting more or less throughout the whole track. It really does show yet another side to their sound. I've seen a number of bands who people hear or compare Kaddisfly to. I suppose this may be one of the tracks that people heard Incubus in.

Empire (Noyabr') – 4:25
Maybe the catchiest track on here, and the one they made an official video for. I came to the point, introducing anyone to them and this record, this had to be the song to suggest 1st.  It's really catchy and happy sounding. Among other things, it features some great high-hat patterns.

We are quiet like birds With swiftly tilting minds And wings that are made of humility, yeah
We are quiet like birds With secrets like butterflies And we can only fly if we use our wings

The wording "a decent fashion" is another example, where the lyric's sound didn't matter, but I always hear "80's in fashion," lol.

That chorus is just so bloody strong and ear-wormy, I just wondered how most music lovers couldn't enjoy it. And the little piano part in the bridge stands out as well.

How big is a rainbow? How big is a smile? And can you tell me which weighs more?
We can all fly if We just believe

That last line, very much makes me think of the title of their 1st record Did You Know People Can Fly?

"Winter Solstice" – 1:20: This is a nice interlude piano piece from Chris Ruff that leads to the big epic track"Snowflakes."

Snowflakes (Desember) – 7:48: A little like "Clouds," the intro riff is extremely heavy. But then it transitions well, mainly a few minutes in after the 1st verse with the guitar melody and the line "A body's not a home Free will is not an art The wind can either help this sail or rip it apart...We're not as much a part of Earth as we see fit."

The band almost sound like a machine on this song. So many layers and the tones sound really thick.
"Human experience can be a misleading cartoon The true nature of things shadows our human"
Right after that line, what I suppose could be called a guitar solo, just gets crazy and insane. It's like noise, but refined or something. Because I'm not into noiserock really (I'm looking at you St.Vincent), but this song and that part of the song, over some time, totally grew on me. It's really badass.

The chorus comes back in and eventually leads to this gorgeous piano section, which is among the best transitions and use of dynamics on this album. I totally love that section (and I'd almost go for it to last longer than it actually does of course). But the band then finds a dynamic call-and-response between ragtime piano, and heavy riff back and forth in conversation. I remember distinctly hearing some little trailer clip, likely around or after hearing "Campfire," or them playing that example of the quick change in dynamics in a split second. It's clever editing and mood changing that works incredibly well.

Eventually the heavy riff leads to a HUGE climax of noise, energy and chaos.

Via Rail (Janvier) – 5:23 My 1st and still probably my favorite Kaddisfly song. This song is so grand and majestic. It's like a fairy tale or prayer for the world. I suppose representing January fits that, sort of looking to have a good new year, etc.

The way it marches on in the narrative and the drums works so well. Even the vocal harmonies I often get goosebumps from hearing because they sound so dreamy.

I guess my strongest among many memories about this song is playing it a number of times 1 in July or August of 2006 and thinking, from the bridge-on, the crazy off-beat section is like King's X and Faith No More and a bunch of other bands wrappd into one. And I thought if the progheads heard this, they should catch on. Which I suppose it may have been this song or others, that did it to a point, but sadly probably not what I figured (silly me).

Amen

The nest of clay was forged into eternity atop the corner of the world, while the ocean floor was now covered..covered in gold, silver, and sand, yes it was!

the ocean floor was now covered in gold, silver, and sand.

The nest of clay was forged for eternity atop the corner of the world, while the ocean floor was now covered..covered in gold, silllllver..silver and gold..silver, and goh-h-ohhh-old

So build a house of clay and never ever, ever, ever uhhhhhhnder-estihhhhmayyyyte
what the dead can do for the living. If you listen closely you'll hear the harmony of
every man and woman who's passed away You better believe it's a song for the living.

The riff in the outro is so badass.

The lyric about the nest of clay withstanding the heat, almost reminds me of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade with the Holy Grail not being made out gold or silver, but Clay "That's the work of a Carpenter" lol as Harry Ford says.

But that vocal phrasing and line is crazy badass and so infectious. Even the line about every man and woman who passed away..and it's a song "for the living" etc sort of speaks out, in a profound and desperate way. It really could be memorable and important, if it and maybe its message of some kind, actually found more ears and resonated with people, younger people namely, but unfortunately Kaddisfly were/are a little too obscure at this point for that to happen sadly.

Silk Road (Pharvarì) – 5:27 Igt "Life is not a perfect game."
I often think this song represents India or some middle eastern perspective.

Fauuuuult isn't the emerald sky It is the ivory lie told through our eyes when there's no other way out, there is another way out your feet are the ground, one field of white


Crimson solitude lends yellow waves Patches of what was green now is white And what was future now is hindsight Brick and turquoise, dancing violet strands Bluish topaz acquiescent nerves bleed magenta

That 1st verse uses the term "Crimson Solitude" which also is the title of a track from BOI, which is another tie-in or part of the concept between the 2 albums.

I love this track nearly as much as "Via Rail," for different reasons I suppose.

so avoid the ones with the quick tongues those who talk away, way too much pour one out for those who've been blessed with the gift  of silence and the grace to use it.

This line referring to those who talk too much, for one, I often think of the lyric "sometimes we talk so damn much" from the following track "Mercury." But also from a literal sense, I suppose it can be referring to people who are fast-talkers with an agenda. For money or persuasion. Even in a religious motivation. I suppose the point of this being in some middle eastern perspective and religion being so visible in that part of the world's culture (or just spiritual beliefs) it might suggest coming from an important spiritual person. Whether it be the Dali Lamma or someone like Deepak Chopra even.

we are the speed of light and we ride frequencies like the wind

Eventually a part this song includes these little slightly jazzy/cloudy synths over Chris's vocals. And from the last words "just wait" the band goes into such a magical climax with the soaring guitar and piano layers. and then the chorus

Fauuuuult isn't the emerald sky It is the ivory lie told through our eyes when there's no other way out, there is another way out your feet are the ground, one field of white

Mercury (Sān Yuè) – 5:07 Many people I used to notice adore this track. And I've always liked it, although after the previous two I think it hurt my ability to enjoy it as much as I could have. That being said, I still like it and it did grow on me over time.

"Sometimes we talk we talk so damn much..that we forget for what we ever started talking in the first place...

In a land of pirates, I'd be more concerned With what comes from your mouth than what you put in So flood your deck with quips fit for royalty I bet your ship sinks with the wave of so many

Maybe my favorite section is the last verse

There's a battle in a backyard alley Brothers fight over what's not there These siblings will be sad to find that war is the winner We keep fighting for position in a human race that never began Where the start and the end are both made up of the same thin air

The reference to a battle of a human race that never began is kind of compelling. The music and concept of this album and BOI is kind of about our planet Earth, life on it, how it evolved and humans evolved. So that line does speak to it in a bunch of metaphorical ways. It kind of reminds me a little of some of the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (or 1 of the other Douglas Adams books) when they meet the cavemen if I recall and trying to teach them how to play checkers I think, but don't recall exactly. I mean the War part, and Pirate Ship maybe not so much, but just the start of human evolution. BOI is the beginning or past, SSTP is the present, and Horses Galloping is the future.

Clockwork (Sì Yuè) – 3:46 Kind of an odd track, and transitional.

They say, "wait for such and such an event to happen,"
Call their bluff After all, the end is the beginning, my friend Oh, we exist in four...

There are a million points of view And a billion conversations
But there is only one end It will end one day  There's one reason

We live in three dimensions But we exist in four, not three, oh...

The line "after all the end is the beginning" kind of hints towards the 12 month cycle is coming close to being reset. The line "we exist in four..." being 4 dimensions, not 3, is some kind of step into another evolutionary point. Like the character has a revelation of some kind ala Neo in The Matrix or you name the Scifi story.

Musically, the section that starts "There are a million points of view" almost sounds kind of math-rock like, which for a song titled "Clockwork" it sort of fits as mathrock can be described like it's using a clock or clockwork in terms of the emphasis on rhythms.

The outro also features albeit brief but still wonderful energy. And then slows down saying to grab a cocktail and then we hear some woman interviewing or chatting with 1 of the guys, I think Beau, Kaddisfly's drummer about their albums and mentioning it being followed by "Horses Galloping"...which to me totally foreshadows what is or should come. But again, goes back to BOI and the last 3 tracks. But on this album, transitions into "Forest" which mentions the title of the album.


Forest (Maй) – 11:13 
Very epic track. "It is our birthday"

"We will be the ones with our hands raised to the sky"

It will be the end of the world, it will be the beginning of it all. Don't let ignorance harm you, ignore your circumstance. Don't. Don't be. Don't be Summer.

This song is like a march and statement that more or less anything that comes your way, shouldn't stop or affect you.

The driving guitars and drums continue  Namely after one of the parts with the line "Don't be Summer."

That angry, intense movement then leads to this wonderful, peaceful sounding section, which is another great use of changing dynamics and time. It also includes some Eastern or ethnic percussion (xylophone? although I also know they used things like melodica and some other non-traditional percussion at points on this record, so I can't be sure).

Then this great clean-toned guitar part comes in and the vocal:
"You were born today, to Set Sail the Prairie..."..which gets really dreamy including vocal chants.

It will be the end of the world, it will be the birth of it all, oh of it all

Then the big climax starts up and gets bigger and bigger and so great. That repeated section with the way the percussion guitars and increasing of layer after layer, including some almost Pat Metheny-like trumpet-synthy guitar parts.

Two big things that I always think of when listening to this song and the ending in particular. For one being I think of some kind of journey and reaching a point of getting out of a vastly big and long Forest or Woodsy trek, and reaching the point of destination.

2ndly from a musical standpoint, the way that great line is repeated I dunno, 25 times or something, but eventually stops and we just hear the guitars and drums and such, I always hear it beyond that point until the very end of the album. I recall telling Chris Ruff that once and he was really moved by it. Maybe it's a timing thing (is in 9? I forget what meter it is in), but it fits rhythmically perfectly for the rest of the track.

And of course, the last few seconds you hear the galloping horses which I suppose pretty much is assumed will be referenced if not started off on the Horses Galloping on Sailboats with, when that record does come out.

In conclusion, this record kind of possessed me, at a time a ton of music sort of did. But I don't think I ever was so taken in by a record and had such high hopes for the response to it. Ultimately, the response maybe wasn't what I envisioned or hoped for, but as time has passed since that period of 2006 and 2007, I've come to not worry and be happy about its place in modern rock music and my personal love of music and great albums.

It was and still is such an inspirational record and so many songs stand out in diffrent ways. Even the big concept, which the band themselves may not have desired to overshadow how great the music is, still is fascinating enough for me and many others. I think it'll probably be one of those records that will be loved by a niche audience for many years. Whether Horses Galloping helps or hurts its legacy, I somehow doubt it. I even wonder how HGoS will stack up, but it really won't matter a ton because how much of a landmark record this is.

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