Can Dallas Green, a man covered in tattoos (even the album cover is tattooed), lead-guitarist of a very screamo band like the Canadian Alexisonfire, produce an intimate, whispered, totally acoustic album? The answer is...of course YES!! (but damn if it was NO, would I have written this whole introduction, really?)
"Sometimes" 2005 @ Universal is that "sometimes" it's better to turn down the volume, "sometimes" it's better not to shout, "sometimes" we unplug the guitar jacks from the pedals (which also consume energy, let's fight against global warming).
His guitar, his voice, and his skin (and I'd say his guts too), a man trying to express his doubts and demons in a calm manner. "Your words are like knives", Dallas complains, speaking to his woman, why hurt each other? And with sharp weapons, the guy must have had some problems if in "Save Your Scissors" he begs Her (or Him, you never know) to keep the scissors for someone else's skin, his is too sensitive. You can almost see him sitting on the stool picking, strumming, and soloing (??) while his voice sometimes comes, sometimes goes. Entering the album is like leaving the rest behind, I hadn't felt something like this in years and if I did, I was asleep out of boredom. Here the risk is to fall asleep with a smile on your face or with a tear wetting the pillow.
Skin and wounds, words and tattoos. The album is lacerating and very personal. Sometimes too insistent on the chords, but a feeling, a wound, takes too long to disappear. That's how life goes, particularly Dallas's, traveling and thinking, suffering and brooding. "Hello I'm In Delaware" and "Comin' Home" seem like postcards from a repentant man who wants to go back but is afraid of making another mistake ("How many hearts will die tonight... But I will see you again..") or of the truth waiting for him upon return ("But I have just one last question, will it be my heart or will it be his?"). To speak or not to speak, to say "I love you" or play it tough? And what if I lose you for that reason? ("In The Water, I Am Beautiful").
But I am not a simple man, and if I were simple would you still be by my side? ("Sometimes (I wish)"). Questions that anyone with a heart has asked themselves.
A simple and touching album. Honest and direct. Green's guitar warms the heart and ears like only the words of a broken heart can do. For those who love or those who lack the courage to do it again.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Like Knives (04:30)
Your words are like knives
They peel my skin and pierce my soul
Your body will learn tonight
Though your heart may still remain cold
And I blame myself
And I blame myself
If holding onto what I hope will keep you by my side
I will blame myself
The sheets are stained with
Memories of your soft kiss
Now this is all I have
Paper and pen
to remember you with
And I blame myself
And I blame myself
Holding onto what I hope will keep you by my side
I will blame myself
Could I have you?
Can I have you?
Could I have you?
Can i have you?
04 Save Your Scissors (04:48)
So go on
And I will refrain
And I'll keep on running this never ending race
And maybe next time will be the right time
And maybe next time will be your time
So save your scissors
For someone else's skin
My surface is so tough
I don't think the blade will dig in
Save your strength
Save your wasted time
There's no way that I want you to be left behind
Go on and save your scissors
Save your scissors
So why does it always seem
That every time I turn around
Somebody falls in love with me
This has never been my sole intention
And I have never claimed to have patents on such inventions
Just save your scissors
For someone else's skin
My surface is so tough
I don't think the blade will dig in
Save your strength
Save your wasted time
There's no way that I want you to be left behind
Go on and save your scissors
Save your scissors
There is something that I must confess to you tonight
To you tonight
And that is I expect nothing less from you tonight
From you tonight
Go on and save your scissors
Save your scissors
Save your scissors
08 Comin' Home (05:05)
Well I've been down to Georgia
I've seen the streets in the west
I've driven down the 90, hell I've seen America's best
I've been through the Rockies, I've seen Saskatoon
I've driven down the highway 1, just hopin' that I'd see you soon
Cause I'm coming home, I'm coming home
I've never been to Alaska, but I can tell you this
I've been to Lincoln, Nebraska and hell you know it ain't worth shit
I've been through Nova Scotia, Sydney to Halifax
I'll never take any pictures cause I know I'll just be right back
Cause I'm coming home, I'm coming home
I've seen palaces in London; I've seen a castle in Wales
But I'd rather wake up beside you and breathe that ol' familiar smell
I never thought you could leave me, I figured I was the one
But I understand your sadness, so I guess I should just hold my tongue
But I'm coming home, I'm coming home
I know we're takin' chances, you told me life was a risk
But I have just one last question
Will it be my heart or will it be his?
Coming home... I'm coming home
10 Sometimes (I Wish) (06:00)
If I was a simple man
Would we still walk hand in hand?
And if I suddenly went blind
Would you still look in my eyes?
What happens when I grow old
And all my stories have been told?
Will your heart still race for me
Or will it march to a new beat?
If I was a simple man
If I was a simple man
I'd own no home, I'd own no land
Would you still stand by my side?
And would our flame still burn so bright?
Sometimes I wonder why
I'm so full of these endless rhymes
About the way I feel inside
I wish I could just get it right
If I was a simple man
And I could make you understand
There'd be no reason to think twice
You'd be my sun, you'd be my light
If I was a simple man
If I was a simple man
Sometimes I wonder why
Im so full of these endless rhymes
About the way I feel inside
I wish
Sometimes, sometimes, sometimes
Sometimes, sometimes, sometimes
Sometimes, sometimes, sometimes
Sometimes, sometimes, sometimes
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