“Hellraiser” by Illiterate Light – A Song Feature

 

      The staccato delivery of lyrics in “Hellraiser” artfully invites the listener to piece together the references that might otherwise seem disjointed, although interesting. The beginning is a coherent, but choppy, description of the setting and perspective on watching the horror film from which the song borrows its title. But a listener is unlikely to put in any effort if not for the instrumental creativity and the dynamic intensity of “Hellraiser.” Illiterate Light seamlessly progresses from a reflective and quiet start to a rhythmically energized conclusion.
 
     Illiterate Light is the duo of Jeff Gorman (vocals, guitar) and Jake Cochran (drums). They are based in Harrisonburg, Virginia, but Cochran has his roots in Nashville, Tennessee. “Hellraiser” is on their album “Sunburned,” which was released on January 27 via Thirty Tigers. Gorman said, “On our first record, we were very live-focused and wanted to make sure whatever we were writing was translated in person. Without that crutch, we could be more adventurous and take more risks. We definitely weren’t timid in the studio.”
 
     Regarding the single, Gorman added:
  “‘Hellraiser’ is not an autobiographical song. Much of our new record is autobiographical and emotionally intimate, but ‘Hellraiser’ is a different beast. It came about while I was conducting a series of psychological experiments on myself after reading a chapter of the ‘Red Book’ by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung. The song is a voodoo gumbo of my own subconscious grappling with uninitiated masculinity, pain vs pleasure, and a childhood love of horror films. I wrote the form and lyrics, Jake played keys and drums, and we embraced the studio in a new way, rejecting previous limitations we’d put on ourselves.”
 
     Jake Cochran directed the lyrical video for “Hellraiser.” He also played the male role. The female part is Eliza Eaton. Regarding the video, Cochran said:
  “I decided to shape the imagery and emotion of the lyrics into a haunting story of regret. Pulling from the horror roots of the song title, it is a tense look into a failing relationship from a creepy, voyeuristic perspective. From the shadows, the main character haunts his past self, peeking through windows and reliving the meaningless victory that ruined his life.”
 
     “Hellraiser” by Illiterate Light

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/illiteratelight
Website: https://www.illiteratelight.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illiteratelight/

Lyrics of “Hellraiser” by Illiterate Light
Summer night
Hellraiser
The horror film
At your brother’s
Rocky road
I hate the sight
Of Butterball
And the cenobites
 
Torture scene I start to curse
I shield my eyes with your sweatshirt
 
Let's get real with one another
Let's go drive out past the suburbs
 
Are you a Gemini?
Or a Scorpio?
I'm a virgin
I mean Virgo
 
You ran a red light
And then another
In the backseat
In the backseat
 
Somethin' startin’ to not feel right
We turned left we should've turned right
 
Open lament configuration
Mother Mary invocation
 
We're goin’ faster now
Than I thought we would
It's getting late and
You're givin' out ultimatums
 
Like a samurai
With a sharp sword
But you ain't got the trainin'
So you're just goddamn dangerous
No you ain't got the training
So your just goddamn dangerous
No you ain't got the training
Yeah you're just goddamn dangerous
 
Back to Jake's
Blowout basement
Party time
Time to erase it
 
You with your boys
Startin rumors
Ten shots of wine
Wanna feel it sooner
 
Torture scene I start to curse
You better get those paws out of my purse
(We never even nearly kissed
You little lyin’ hedonist)
 
I never said that I'd go home with you
I never said that I'd go home with you
I never said that I'm in love with you
I never said that I, I, I, I...
 
We're goin' faster now
Than I thought we would
It's getting late and
You're givin out ultimatums
 
Like a samurai
With a sharp sword
But you ain't got the trainin'
So you're just goddamn dangerous
No you ain't got the training
So you're just goddamn dangerous
No you ain't got the training
So you're just goddamn dangerous
 
I'm ready to fast forward
Past this scene
 
We're goin' faster now
Than I thought we would
It's getting late and
You're givin out ultimatums
Like a samurai
With a sharp sword
But you ain't got the trainin
Yeah you're just goddamn dangerous
No you ain't got the training
Yeah you're just goddamn dangerous
No you ain't got the training
So you're just goddamn dangerous
 
Nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah
[Repeating]

“Lost Within (re-imagined)” by Fivefold - A Song Feature

 

     Without impacting its credentials as Rock, Fivefold gave “Lost Within” a makeover that covered wrinkles, smoothed some rough edges, and accentuated attractive features, such as solos. The song was re-imaged at a time when its message is needed and welcomed. “Lost Within (re-imaged)” addresses depression and the hopelessness that is shepherded by the emotions accompanying depression. The message is delivered most effectively in the second verse:

And I know you're feeling low

Feel like you've lost control

But the darkness that you know

It's not your home and you're not alone

 
     The galloping percussion that begins at 1:24 is among the appealing features of “Lost Within (re-imaged).” And the elegant finality of piano carries the power of Linkin Park, such as during both the start and the conclusion of the single from Fivefold. Additionally, the enunciation style of vocalist Ryan Cheney is refreshingly distinctive. His style makes it difficult to understand some of the verses, so the lyrics are included at the bottom of this post.
 
     Still, for many, it is the guitar work that makes or breaks a Rock single, and “Lost Within (re-imagined)” surpasses expectations. The song does not include a conventional instrumental bridge, so the guitar must compete with the vocals and other instruments for the listener’s attention. The competition turns in favor of the guitar just beyond the two-minute mark, when the chorus is revisited.
 
      Pictures of Fivefold typically show five members, while sometimes include a sixth. The are Ryan Cheney, Derrick Huskey, Matt Benne, Jorden “Coco” Murray, and Al Carretta (who we believe is the “intermittent” member). They are based in St. Louis, Missouri, and signed with SNAFU Records. In talking about their song, the band explained:
  “’Lost Within’ is a song about finding the light at the end of the tunnel. This world and its many obstacles can be soul breaking. It’s easy to give up. It’s up to each one of us to fight the darkness and come out the other side victorious. That’s why we re-imagined this song.”
 
     “Lost Within (re-imagined)” by Fivefold

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FivefoldOfficial
Website: https://www.fivefoldband.com/

Lyrics of “Lost Within (re-imagined)” by Fivefold
Crawl out of the hole you're in
Who you are is not who you've been
Now's the time to sink or swim
Will you fight the tide or get lost within
 
And I know you're feeling low
Feel like you've lost control
But the darkness that you know
It's not your home and you're not alone
 
And all you've wanted was just so much more
This world has taken a hold
Don't let 'em get your soul
The silence
You feel it
Cold as a winter storm
This world has taken a hold
Don't let 'em get your soul
 
Well iron bars are hell to break
Tell me now, do you know what's at stake?
Your whole life in a blank stare haze
You walk around like the end of days
 
And I know you're feeling low
Feel like you've lost control
But the darkness that you know
It's not your home and you're not alone
 
And all you've wanted was just so much more
This world has taken a hold
Don't let 'em get your soul
The silence
You can feel it
Cold as a winter storm
This world has taken a hold
Don't let 'em get your soul
 
I'm callin' out to you
Can you hear me?
They can't break you down
Let you hit the ground
I promise you it won't be long
You're feeling overwhelmed here
Drowned by the pain and the fear
The sun will come with the dawn
 
And all you've wanted was just so much more
This world has taken a hold
Don't let 'em get your soul
The silence
You feel it
Cold as a winter storm
This world has taken a hold
Don't let 'em get your soul
Oooh

“Worthy” by KIDS – A Song Feature

 

      The guitar riff at the start of “Worthy” lacks complexity, but not personality and not compatibility with both the spoken-word start or the melodic vocals that follow. Later in the song from KIDS, an uncomplicated piano plays the role of the guitar, but this time during band vocals confessing their unworthiness (starting at 1:35). In comparison, “Worthy” addresses meaningful subject matter and also includes segments with skillfully layered instrumentation.
 
      KIDS are a five-member band from Kentish Town, North London. Lyrically, “Worthy” begins with low-resolution spoken-word vocals. The purpose might be to distinguish the selfless concern for his “sweetheart”/”queen” from the more self-consumed description that follows. KIDS explain:
  "’Worthy’ is an admission of guilt to the negative aspects of masculinity. It talks about the self-destructive side of dating without an end goa l- not being ready to commit and in the process hurting yourself and others around you because of your own insecurities. It is a discussion on masculinity, how a lot of men are taught to fight through their problems without fixing or resolving the issues that cause them."
 
     The melody of “Worthy” is upbeat and sunny, despite functioning as a vehicle for a lyrical passenger that is honest but sullen. The song is the title track of a four-track EP from KIDS. The EP is embedded in this post. The core of KIDS is Beau Blaise and Alex Harvey, who identify themselves as live-long friends. Older pictures of the band show a total of six members - Shaq Noir (guitar), Jessica Walker (bass), Rory Bett (keys), and Anoushka (drums). It appears that Bett is the member not included in the more recent band pictures.  
 
     It is not possible to pigeon-hole the sound of KIDS. For example, the song “Night Bus” is melodically and vocally calming. A common thread through the songs is the subject of early breakups and growing up. KIDS are signed with Scruff of the Neck Records and are represented by Longevity PR. They are scheduled to headline a show at Camden Assembly on March 16^th (for ticket information, CLICK HERE).
 
     “Worthy” by KIDS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kidsmusicuk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kidsmusicuk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsmusicuk

“Los Angeles” and “Patti Smith” by Annabel Lee – Song Features

 

     Annabel Lee possesses a force generated by her ability to write intelligent and relatable lyrics, even when the subject matter is confessional and beyond the experiences of the listeners. That is particularly accurate for “Los Angeles,” a song she identifies as representing her low point. The song exposes her mental well-being at a time when she allowed herself to be victimized by her own weaknesses. Lee explains:
  “’Los Angeles’ is a song I wrote at my rock bottom. It’s the true story of leaving an eight year relationship, living out of my car, escaping all the way into all of my vices, and entering the darkest mental space I’ve ever experienced. I guess it felt easy to blame the city where it all happened, but this place can really feel like it has a personal vendetta against you. It’s the feeling of that Winston Churchill quote--‘If you’re going through hell, keep going.’” 
 
     The songs “Los Angeles” and “Patti Smith” are among the eleven tracks on an upcoming debut album, “Mother's Hammer.” The album is scheduled for release on March 8. The album was written mostly while in quarantine in 2020. Following a cross-country move to pursue music, Lee found herself in challenging situations, from struggling with addiction and running out of money to ending the eight-year relationship that left her without a place to live. While talking about the album, Annabel Lee said:
  "Some of the stories on the album relate to being strung along by vampires in the industry. Being mistreated and taken advantage of. Fumbling around trying to fall in love and staying numb at every turn. Grieving the loss of friends, gone much too soon, and trying to see the silver linings but losing hope. Being 3,000 miles from anyone that actually knew me. It was a very dark and informative time."
 
     “Mother's Hammer” is available for pre-order on various platforms – CLICK HERE 

     “Los Angeles” by Annabel Lee

Lyrics of “Los Angeles” by Annabel Lee
I’ve been filling all my voids with boys
Let them have me for a night or two, then destroy,
I can’t be blamed if I would rather hold a man than hold myself,
‘Cause when I do I pinch my skin and cry out loud I’m certain this is hell.
 
You’re wasting me Los Angeles
You’re wasting me Los Angeles
 
I was living in my car, parked outside the hotel bar-
My hands are shaking-
I would smoke a pack a day I wish the cancer’d have its way so I quit waking
 
I crossed the line with my best friend, just to numb myself again
Let’s ruin everything
Buy a bottle every night
Lay in bed and grip it tight like it was loving me.
 
You’re wasting me Los Angeles
You’re wasting me Los Angeles
And I can’t go home
 
Fell out of love with the greatest man I’ll ever know-
Can’t believe it, all those years, it seems as though I’ll never be hole.
I’d love to see him with a woman who brings him peace-
Not a woman like me, not a woman like me who’s rotting underneath.
 
You’re wasting me Los Angeles
You’re wasting me Los Angeles
And I can’t go home

     “Patti Smith” by Annabel Lee

Lyrics of “Patti Smith” by Annabel Lee
New York
Scorching in the summer
I sweat
Underneath my lover
Is it too late
Is it too late for me?
 
East side
My infatuation
My guy
Inflicted and impatient
Is it too late
is it too late for me?
 
I wander the lobby of the
The Chelsea Hotel
I dream about begging
To sleep in a cell
 
Oh I wanna live like Patti Smith
I wanna fear god with a self-made grit
don’t wanna suffer the age I’m in
 
Mornings
Day old bread, you found me
My lungs
Blackened like my coffee
Is it too late
Is it too late for me
 
My dress
Frayed and full of memory
I choose
Romance over cleanly
Is it too late is it too late for me
 
I wander of the lobby of the
The Chelsea Hotel
I dream about begging
To sleep in a cell
 
Oh I wanna live like Patti Smith
I wanna fear god with a self-made grit
don’t wanna suffer the age I’m in
 
Oh I wanna live like Patti Smith
I wanna make love and destroy with it
don’t wanna suffer the age I’m in
 
Today feels so hard and I’m searching for why
I’m pining for something that's so far behind
 
Yeah I wanna live like Patti Smith
I wanna fear god with a self-made grit
don’t wanna suffer the age I’m in
 
Oh I wanna live like Patti Smith
I wanna make love and destroy with it
don’t wanna suffer the age I’m in

Website: https://www.annabelleemusic.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourannabellee/

“Get Away” by Almost Barely – A Song Feature

     Could he showcase another riff-heavy sequence beyond what we’ve heard already? That would be a fair question to skeptically ask two minutes into “Get Away.” Turns out the answer is an emphatic “Yes!” In fact, Almost Barely saves the most energized and energizing guitars for the final 30 seconds.

 

     Almost Barely features spirited guitar through much of “Get Away.” But the power of the layered guitars at the 2:26 mark is setup by preceding transitions that occur in three 10-second increments. At 1:56, the lead vocals drop and the backing vocals are “distanced.” Ten seconds later, one guitar transitions out. After another 10 seconds (2:16), the vocals stop and the guitar picks up the slack, but not to the extent that the abruptness of the final power surge is telegraphed.

     Of course, we do not recommend watching the timer while listening to “Get Away.” But we do want to tip our hat to the composition and performance skills of Almost Barely, who generates his music in his San Francisco studio apartment. Almost Barely is the moniker of Ty Cassutt. Interestingly he says:

  “I decided when quarantine started that I was going to pursue making music. I had no experience before that, but started learning the guitar right away. Once I got to the point where I was good enough to play rhythm and melody I started to learn to produce. I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm not a musician, I just make songs.”

 

     “Get Away” by Almost Barely

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/almostbarely
Bandcamp: https://almostbarely.bandcamp.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@almostbarely

“Good To You” by Rhodes – A Song Feature

 

     There is a soft spot in our ears for songs that feature a choir-like sound. The warmth of “Good To You” increases with each occurrence of the choir. The song is about the emotional importance of those who matter. Said Rhodes:
  “There was a period of time in my life where I thought I was about to lose someone, and it spurred me to write a few songs trying to encapsulate a kind of admission of guilt that I am the problem, and I knew that I needed to change. I wanted to play on the idea that without this person I would be literally nothing and no-one. I actually co-wrote this song with my partner, who was the person I feared losing, and our good friend Steve Weston. The interesting thing about this song is that it was actually written as a dance song to pitch to other artists but as time went on, I realized that the lyrics were so close to me and that the sentiment is too personal so I wanted to make a version of the song that I could imagine existing on my album.”

     Rhodes is from Hertfordshire, UK, but is now based in London. His latest recordings (via Nettwerk Records) mark a new period in RHODES’ creative output, which promises to be his most intimate and relatable to date. 

     “Good To You” by Rhodes

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhodesmusicuk
Website: https://rhodesofficial.co.uk/
 
Lyrics of “Good To You” by Rhodes
When you gonna come and wake me up
Cause I don't feel so well
 
When you gonna come and shake me up
Cause I've not been myself
 
When you cleared out your clothes, yeah you left my head in a mess
I let you down and I've never been so aware
I'm a broken man and I've never felt so depressed
It's making me so goddamn nervous
 
I'm good for nothing if I'm not good to you
I'm good for nothing if I'm not good to you
Good to you
Good to you
 
It's been this way for a long long time, and I don't know why
But I woke up this morning filled with light
 
So when you gonna come and give me love
Cause I have been missing the way it was
 
I'm drinking on my own cause I'm trying to feel something less
I'm all alone with the thought of you in my head
I'm a broken man and I've never been so aware
It's making me so god-damn nervous
 
I'm good for nothing if I'm not good to you
I'm good for nothing if I'm not good to you
 
I don't wanna be the one to tell you that there's something wrong
I don't wanna be the one to tell you what you saved me from
 
I don't wanna be like this, only like this
I don't wanna be like this
 
Cause
I'm good for nothing if I'm not good to you
I'm good for nothing if I'm not good to you
I'm good for nothing if I'm not good to you
 
I don't wanna be the one to tell you that there's something wrong
I don't wanna be the one to tell you what you saved me from
 
I'm good for nothing if I'm not good to you
I'm good for nothing if I'm not good to you
Good to you

“Low Lying Sun” by Low Lying Sun – A Song Feature

 

     The charisma carried in the vocals of “Low Lying Sun” absorbs the attention during the initial listening opportunities of the song. So, a fair evaluation is difficult without repeatedly replaying the single from the UK band that shares the song’s name. The emotional vulnerability that is apparent in the vocal inflections is enhanced by the instruments and by melodic features.
 
     The guitar that is first heard around the 52-second mark is anguished. It enters after the question “But did you mean it?” and wanders for almost ten seconds before a new verse begins. The wandering guitar is repeated two minutes later, perhaps ironically after “But I don’t mean it.” “Low Lying Sun” effectively uses a crescendo and instrumental variations to maintain the interest in and increase the impact of the single.
 
      The band explains that the song led to the naming of the band:
  "’Low Lying Sun’ was the first song we wrote together as a band. We were messing around writing and the song came together really quickly and laid down the foundations of what we wanted the band to sound like. Once we’d written a few more songs we were trying to think of a name for the project and it felt right that we should be named after the seminal track."
 
     The story sidetracked us into considering other eponymous songs. Some of the more well-known songs are “Black Sabbath,” “Green Day,” “Bo Diddley,” “Iron Maiden” and “Bad Company.” We wish Low Lying Sun success comparable to the bands associated with those songs.
 
     The band is based in Essex, UK and is formed of Michael Hemmings (vocals, guitar), Ross Connell (guitar), Matt Chan (bass), and Noah Booth (drums). Low Lying Sun is scheduled to release the EP “Did You Mean It?” on February 17, 2023. The single “Low Lying Sun” will be among the tracks on the EP. The sound of the band is described as lively and introspective, combining ambitious orchestrations, earnest storytelling, and an energy that feels at once both fresh and timeless.
 
     “Low Lying Sun” by Low Lying Sun

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LowLyingSun
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lowlyingsun_o_/

“Liars” By VNXI – A Song Feature

 

     The vocals of “Liars” are compelling, as they sit somewhere between Bastille (Dan Smith) and Kodaline (Steve Garrigan). Like Kodaline, VNXI is based in Dublin, Ireland. The impressive skills of the lead vocals are fully displayed in the final 30 seconds of “Liars.” And the backing vocals more than carry their weight by enhancing the lushness of the single.
 
     Instrumentally, “Liars” begins artistically, but modestly. As the song progresses, the texturing varies. At times, there are non-assertive strings (or strings-like synth). The lyrics are included in this post. The song is about avoiding being the first person in a relationship to “admit” a strong attachment to the other, so both are liars. The cleverest line is a twist on the playground taunt “pants on fire,” which VNXI turns into “I see liars with hearts on fire.”

     VNXI is a Dublin quartet formed of Kurtis Wade Murphy (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Noely Musgrave (bass, synth), Andy L'Estrange (lead guitar, keys), and Leo Cassandro (drums). The band crafts cinematic rock uplifted by pop ambition, soundtrack-worthy sonic architecture, and good old-fashioned hometown authenticity. While talking about “Liars,” Kurtis explained:
  "I think we live in a time when it’s really difficult to be honest about how we feel about each other. There seems to be a collective vulnerability to let yourself be open and honest with that. ‘Liars’ is about how hard it can feel to be the first person in a relationship to say how much the other means to you. Lying in a relationship seems to always be told from the unfaithful point of view, but I think just as many people, if not more, are scared to be vulnerable and will lie about how much they are in love to protect themselves."
 
     “Liars” is the first in a string of releases leading to an EP, due later in 2023. In support of the new single, the band will perform a free gig at London’s Amazing Grace on January 25th. Info regarding the show can be found HERE. The band’s website states that VNXI will be “heading to the U.S. immersed in new music, ready to tour, and excited for the future.” Thus far, only the London show is on their schedule, but monitor the upcoming shows at https://www.vnxiband.com/tour. Kurtis said:
  “We just want people to connect with the music. Music saved us in a lot of ways and has added so much value to our lives that we want our music to do the same thing for others.”
 
     “Liars” By VNXI

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vnxiband
Website: https://www.vnxiband.com/

Lyrics of “Liars” By VNXI
We go out
To the untrained eye
We're no different than the loving kind 

But we are liars
No, not the ugly kind
We keep secrets that stay on our minds
 
If there is something for you to do by all means follow through and
Don't you worry about me, don't you worry about me
It's the reason we’ve kept our distance and
If there is something
For you to do by all means follow through and
Don't you worry about me
If this is meant to be, there's no point in worrying
 
Oh
We kissed and swore we'd never fall in love
Though we won't admit it, we're afraid to be alone
What happened to the hearts that got encased in stone?
When I look in your eyes, I see liars
With hearts on fire
 
We are young
So there's plenty to remind us now's not the time to find someone
But we are strong
Strong-willed and stubborn since the day we were born
And we are fire
So, who's to say that we won't burn through the night?
I’ll keep you warm till daylight
 
Oh
We kissed and swore we'd never fall in love
Though we won't admit it, we're afraid to be alone
What happened to the hearts that got encased in stone?
When I look in your eyes I see
We kissed and swore we'd never fall in love
Though we won't admit it, we're afraid to be alone
What happened to the hearts that got encased in stone?
When I look in your eyes I see liars
I see liars with hearts on fire

“Infinity Song” by Robin Kester – A Song Feature

 

     The first half of “Infinity Song” is best characterized by its energy and vocal strength. The song from Robin Kester goes into a brief Dream mode and exits with a guitar that interestingly does not have a focus on either melody or energy. The guitar the starts at 2:24 is more aligned with Psych Rock. Thus, “Infinity Song” is a genre bender/blender that has something for many different tastes without sounding anything like a sellout.
 
     “Infinity Song” is the third song from Robin Kester’s debut album “Honeycomb Shades,” which comes out on February 24th. In an explanation of the single, she said:
  "’Infinity song’ came about during a time where I was still trying to wrap my head around a series of events that happened in a relatively short time span and had really shaken me: my uncle’s untimely death, news that my dad had an incurable illness, and the covid pandemic. Things had irrevocably changed, and I was trying to find ways to accept this new reality on the one hand and feeling more nostalgic than ever as a counter reaction to this. Both feelings seeped into the writing process, resulting in infinity song."
 
     Robin Kester is based in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The credits for the instrumentation on “Infinity Song” are Robin Kester (vocals, synths, guitar), Marien Dorleijn (hurdy-gurdy, piano, programming, percussion), Michiel Stam (guitar), Sam van Hoogstraten (guitar), Thijs Visscher (bass guitar), Joep van Osch (drums, percussion), and Ali Chant (piano).
 
     “Infinity Song” by Robin Kester

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobinKesterMusic
Website: https://showcase.fm/robinkester

Lyrics of “Infinity Song” by Robin Kester
Infinite time, come back
What is going on
 
I was in the car
Going somewhere else
When they called
With the news
 
What is going on
 
Drawn to a distant light
Too many cups of coffee
Lay awake in bed that night
I guess I am ungrateful
Because I don’t really care
For a short-lived reprieve
When nothing’s really changed
Just postponed
 
What is going on
I don’t even know
Where to begin

"The Hymn Of Ten Lives" by The Check Marks – A Song Feature

 

     The Check Marks were founded by Check Scaringi (also known as Pieter ter Veen). He was born in New Jersey, but now resides in the Netherlands. The band records in Okapi Recordings in Rotterdam. The other members are Jan Pohl, Judith Renkema, Julien Graute, and Erwin Tuijl.
 
     On December 16, 2022, The Check Marks released the album “Broken Yoga Dolls.” They describe their sound as “classic and nostalgic pop-rock sound and lyrics that cut straight to the hear.” Our favorite single from the album is "The Hymn Of Ten Lives." It’s a song about finally letting a relationship go. The lyrics are included in this post.
 
     "The Hymn Of Ten Lives" by The Check Marks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecheckmarks
Website: https://www.thecheckmarks.com/
 
Lyrics of "The Hymn Of Ten Lives" by The Check Marks
100 ways, 100 days
We set our trap and threw it all way
I really wish that I could stay
Solitude, alone can drive the pain away
 
I miss you now and I missed you then
Now I'll miss you most to find myself again
I finally learned why I am crying
Is this a dream or am I dying?
 
Ten loves, ten lives
Is it real or is it a lie?
I wish that I didn't have to go
I wish that I didn't have to know
 
I did the work, I put in the time
Put love and life all on the line
Taught myself how to survive
Want to see the ocean and take a dive
 
It's not only me, we both know
You have to grow, to become hole
Just like me you're hurt inside
True love comes round we run and hide
 
My whiskey bottle is empty now
I drank the lies till I puked them out
What is ego and what is mine?
I'll work real hard and the truth I'll find
 
Isolated and alone
I wish for once that I could come home
But home to where God only knows
I hope you're there with your polished toes
 
Your smile, your lips, your shiny eyes
Maybe we won't have to wait ten more lives
 
But not for now, I hate to say
The game of life on full display
 
Last night, I dreamed of you
You were in a house on a hill
Your light shone brighter than before
Your happiness couldn't be ignored
 
Couldn't see his face, but there was a man
You hugged him tight, you held his hand
I didn't know and I felt peace
Finally let go, finally released
 
There is light where there was dark before
Had to run, had to hide, had to close a door
Our love is real you are in my core
Turn the key and receive what love and life have in store