“This Rest Stop Sucks” by Curious Quail – A Song Feature

     “This Rest Stop Sucks” has a gentle intimacy and contrasting energies. The contrast is the light, bouncy melody against the slight anguish in the lead vocals. That contrast is amplified by the lyrical explanation of circumstances (Rain, sheets of water pourin' through these holes) against the justification for holding on and moving forward:

I know it feels like we have had enough

And all these things are empty to the touch

But we're not alone

No we're not alone

Though we may be fallin' deeper still

I'll hold on if you promise that you will

     The violin in “This Rest Stop Sucks” has an endearing warmth. And while the piano plays a smaller role, the song would be less effective if it were missing.

      The song belongs to Curious Quail, which has members from various locations, but is based in San Jose, California. “This Rest Stop Sucks” is one of twelve beautifully crafted tracks on the album “Twelve Months.” The credits for the album explain that Curious Quail is a project that features:

  Josh Hotlosz on bass, Alan Chen on violin, Abe Myers on lead guitar, Erin Keely on vocals, Delicaye Shirley-Donnelly on vocals, Joey Guthrie on drums, percussion, piano and moral support, and lastly Mike Shirley-Donnelly on vocals, guitars, gameboys, keys and Frankensteining all of these things together from various locations around California and Washington.

     The only time we witnessed a Curious Quail performance was at a Live105 BFD Festival. With their next performance in our area, that will change.

     “This Rest Stop Sucks” by Curious Quail

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CuriousQuail

Website: https://curiousquail.com/

Bandcamp: https://curiousquail.bandcamp.com/

Lyrics of “This Rest Stop Sucks” by Curious Quail

Tired

Open window stings your tired face

How long's it been since laughter was replaced

All these things just end in our disgrace

No

I won't give up so easily

There may be nothin' as far as we can see

But we're not alone

No we're not alone

I know it feels like we have had enough

And all these things are empty to the touch

But we're not alone

No we're not alone

Though we may be fallin' deeper still

I'll hold on if you promise that you will

Stop

I swear we've already seen that truck

Can I just say this rest stop fuckin' sucks

But we will be safe

Rain

Sheets of water pourin' through these holes

We shoulda fixed 'em weeks ago, I know

Hindsight must be laughin’ I suppose

But no

We won't give up so easily

And though this may be the end of all we see

Well we're not alone

No we're not alone

And though it feels like we have had enough

When everything is empty to the touch

But we're not alone

No we're not alone

Though we may be fallin' deeper still

I'll hold on if you promise that you will

     “You Need Better Friends” by Curious Quail