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Rating: I begin this 2006 of reviews with a very good album by an excellent band that unfortunately has been forgotten too quickly. The Soul Asylum of David Pirner, originally from Minnesota, released what would be their best-selling album in 1992, just after their transition to Major Columbia Sony records. Known, perhaps, by many for some successful singles such as "Misery" and "Runaway Train" (included in this album), Soul Asylum has always stood out in all their albums for good songwriting skills, excellent melody, and the ability to create beautiful rock songs, perhaps simple and radio-friendly but still appealing.
The best to date is all on this "Grave Dancers Union." The already mentioned "Runaway Train," which at the time was released accompanied by a serious and touching video about missing children. When it was released, the video contained images and photos of boys and girls who had actually gone missing in the areas where the video was then broadcast. Their rock is nothing new under the sun, but it is honest, well-played, varied, and supported by David Pirner's excellent voice, now raspy and rough, now sweet and melodic.
Thus, we find two excellent songs "New World" and "The Sun Maid" with a folk-rock flavor, the first enriched by an excellent string arrangement that offers delicate and dawning atmospheres; while the second enriched by the presence of brass together with the almost whispered singing, sounds like a relaxing lullaby. But there's more; there's also the semi-punk-rock "Somebody to Shove" that pairs with "Get on Out" or the Zeppelin-like "April Fool," which boasts a really captivating riff that persistently repeats throughout the song. Another noteworthy song is "99%", which, thanks to the filtered voice and well-distorted guitar, almost reaches the definition of noise-rock. Then, in my opinion, there's a little gem of melody, intensity, and joy, "Without a Trace," built around the dialogue between acoustic and electric guitars, syncopated drums in the chorus, and keyboard inserts that give the whole song great brightness.
If you only know them by name, this album is a good appetizer while waiting to hear something new from a good band that, after several problems and eight years of absence, should release something new by March 2006.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Somebody to Shove (03:15)
Grandfather watches the grandfather clock
And the phone hasn't rang for so long
And the time flys by, like a vulture in the sky
Suddenly he breaks into song
I'm waiting by the phone
Waiting for you to call me up and tell me I'm not alone
I'm waiting by the phone
Waiting for you to call me up and tell me I'm not alone
Hello, speak up, is there somebody there?
These hang ups are getting me down
In a world frozen over with over exposure
Let's talk it over, let's go out and paint the town
Cause I'm waiting by the phone
Waiting for you to call me up and tell me I'm not alone
Cause I want somebody to shove
I need somebody to shove
I want somebody to shove me
You're a dream for insomniacs, prize in the Cracker Jack
All the difference in the world is just a call away
And I'm waiting by the phone
Waiting for you to call me up and tell me I'm not alone
Yes I'm waiting by the phone
I'm waiting for you to call me, call me
and tell me I'm, tell me I'm not alone
Cause I want somebody to shove
I need somebody shove
I want somebody to shove me
Yes I want somebody to shove
I need somebody shove
I want somebody to shove me
03 Runaway Train (04:26)
Call you up in the middle of the night
Like a firefly without a light
You were there like a blow torch burning
I was a key that could use a little turning
So tired that I couldn't even sleep
So many secrets I couldn't keep
Promised myself I wouldn't weep
One more promise I couldn't keep
It seems no one can help me now
I'm in too deep
There's no way out
This time I have really led myself astray
Chorus
Runaway train never going back
Wrong way on a one-way track
Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I'm neither here nor there
Can you help me remember how to smile
Make it somehow all seem worthwhile
How on earth did I get so jaded
Life's mystery seems so faded
I can go where no one else can go
I know what no one else knows
Here I am just drowning in the rain
With a ticket for a runaway train
And everything seems cut and dry
Day and night, earth and sky
Somehow I just don't believe it
CHORUS
Bought a ticket for a runaway train
Like the madman laughing at the rain
Little out of touch, little insane
It's just easier than dealing with the pain
CHORUS
Runaway train never coming back
Runaway train tearing up the track
Runaway train burning in my veins
I run away but it always seems the same
05 Homesick (03:34)
I want to live with you
In the fifth demension
In a dream I've never had
Cause I just can't live like this
In a world like this
I just want a kiss goodbye
We are not of this world
And there's a place for us
Stuck inside this fleeting moment
Tucked away where no one owns it
Wrapped up in a haste,
And by mistake got thown away
And oh, I am so homesick
But it ain't that bad
Cause I'm homesick for the home I've never had
I know I sometimes get annoyed
I know just where I'm at
This is my song of joy
And now I know there are no secret tricks
No correct politics
Just liars and lunatics
And we are not of this world
And there's a place for us
Stuck inside this fleeting moment
Tucked away where no one owns it
Wrapped up in a haste,
And by mistake got thown away
And oh, I am so homesick
But it ain't that bad
Cause I'm homesick for the home I've never had
And though I would not take it personally
It's just the child in me
I never really knew how much I had
And woe is me, I am so homesick
But it ain't that bad
Cause I'm homesick for the home I never had
08 April Fool (03:45)
Quittin' after one more last one
Tired of playin' the clown
If I want your opinion I'll ask ya
I can get myself down
Night driving without headlight
Wearin' sunglasses too
Lookin' good but sure don't feel right
Anything to be cool
Doin' hopscotch with my legs tied
Jumpin' rope in wet cement
Black leather in midday sunshine
All your mother's money's spent
Doin' time on the metal detector
Like to drown in your pool
Coverin' up everything that's defective
Anything to be cool
A burning heart could be so cool
Won't you be my fashion victim
Come on, I'm an April Fool for you
Holdin' on to what's left of real life
Anything to be cool (x4)
A burning heart like an April Fool
Won't you be my fashion victim
Come on, I'm an April Fool
I'm a mid-spring snowfall, joke's on you
I'm an April Fool for you
I'm an April Fool for you
I'm an April Fool
(x3)
09 Without a Trace (03:33)
I fell in love with a hooker
She laughed in my face
So seriously I took her
I was a disgrace
I was out of line
I was out of place
Out of time to save face
See the open mouth of my suitcase
Saying "Leave this place...
Leave without a trace..."
Leave without a trace
I tried to get a good job
With honest pay
Might as well join the mob
The benefits are okay
Standing in the sun with a popsicle
Anything is possible
With a lot of luck and a pretty face
And some time to waste
Leave without a trace...
Leave without a trace...
I tried to dance at a funeral
New Orleans style
I joined the Grave Dancers Union
I had to file
Trying to do the right thing
Play it straight
The right thing changes from state to state
Don't forget to take your mace
If you're out working late
I liked to see your face
You left without a trace
Leave without a trace
10 Growing Into You (03:13)
You never grow out of mischief making
You never grow out of taking
You never grow out of complicating
When simple things are waiting
But I'm growing into you, I'm growing into you
There's one thing that I know that's perfectly clear
You never grow out of fear, you never grow out of fear
You never grow out of contemplating
When it ain't worth debating
You never grow out of mistake making
You never grow out of faking
But I'm growing into you, I'm growing into you
There's one thing that I know that's perfectly clear
You never grow out of fear, you never grow out of fear
I'm growing into you, I'm growing into you
There's one thing that I know that's perfectly clear
You never grow out of fear, you never grow out of fear, you never grow out of fear
You never grow out of fear, you never grow out of fear, you never grow out of fear
And will I ever, ever, ever get over it, get over it...
11 99% (03:59)
I don't own you but I know you're mine
Never disown you, never treat you unkind
But once in a while, you get on my nerves
Once in a while, you get what you deserve
I need you ninety-nine percent of the time
Ninety-nine percent of the time (x3)
If I asked you what's on your mind
Would you say me, would they be thoughts unkind
But once in a while, I'm not myself
Once in a while, I think you're someone else
I want you ninety-nine percent of the time
Ninety-nine percent of the time (x3)
Let's move in together
Happily ever after
I can't touch you but you feel so f*cking fine
Let's just stay like this and waste some more time
Once in a while, you get in my way
Once in a while, you know I've got to say
I love you ninety-nine percent of the time
Ninety-nine percent of the time (x3)
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