Finding Melody in the Broken

      This post features songs from bands that include the term “Broken” in their band names.

     Broken Back is based in Saint Malo, France. Broken Back is the performance name of Jérôme Fagnet, a singer and songwriter perhaps most aligned with the Folktronica genre.

     "Wind Says Low" by Broken Back
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrokenBackMusic 

Lyrics of "Wind Says Low" by Broken Back
Morning breaks, the road's long
Shadows stretch where I belong
Every turn hide the sun
I take a step, but I come undone
 
Map is torn, the trail's gray
Miles weigh like damn stones
Dreams I held drift away
Oh God I am tired to walk alone
Oh yes I am tired to walk alone
 
But wind says low: carry on
Night is slow, but it's not gone
I may bend, I may fall
But still the path will find it all
Yeah still the path will find it all
 
Heading on my way
But Moon hide its face
Still I move, come what may
Cause I know light waits in some place
 
Map is torn, the trail's gray
Miles weigh like damn stones
Dreams I held drift away
Oh God I am tired to walk alone
Oh yes I am tired to walk alone
 
But wind says low: carry on
Night is slow, but it's not gone
I may bend, I may fall
But still the path will find it all
Yeah still the path will find it all

     Broken Social Scene is a Canadian (Toronto) indie rock band, a musical collective including as few as six and as many as nineteen members. The credits for the recently released single “The Call” identify:
   Andrew Whiteman - Vocals, Organelle, Trez
   Jill Harris - vocals
   David Newfeld - bass, electric guitar, drum machine
   Justin Peroff - drums
   Evan Cranley- trombone, percussion
   David French - sax
   Rachel McLean - percussion, hand claps
   Charles Spearin - synth, trumpet
 
     “The Call” by Broken Social Scene

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brokensocialscene/
Website: https://brokensocialscene.ca/
Bandcamp: https://brokensocialscene.bandcamp.com/

Lyrics of “The Call” by Broken Social Scene
I doubted I was alive
dreaming only
she said to not just describe but
be something holy
I read the verse in her eyes
It’s real experimental
It’s on a different level
she’s my favourite rebel
I heard my name
I held my breath
Glistening sweat on the back of my neck
keep up! keep up!
Because we are what we are stripped down to
elemental scar that needs you, feeds you
Forget the mind, the body’s wearing thin
your bones and your skin
and you must follow them
I heard my name
I held my breath
Glistening sweat on the back of my neck
Let me hear the call
“We’re going!”
Either restless or reborn, we’re going
 
She’s my favourite rebel
she’s holy and austere
something about the claim of the breath that
glistens like sweat on the back of my neck.

     The Broken View, is an independent alternative rock band originating in Saratoga Springs, NY. The band was formed in 2018 by singer/song-writer Austin Kranick and drummer/producer Tyler Hayes. The two quickly bonded over their shared love for intricate songwriting and  lyricism while working together on Austin’s solo project at the time
 

     “Nobody Knows (Who She Is)” by The Broken View

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

     “I Want To Hold You (Forever)” by The Broken View

Lyrics of “Nobody Knows (Who She Is)” by The Broken View

Poor man
He's changed his ways
Poor man
Makes you wonder what went astray
 
Got a new girl
She weighs heavy on his mind
Yeah, he'll swap the button up for leather
And only small talk about the weather
 
She's got a hold on him
Tighter than a noose
Whispering pretty little evil thoughts
He's feeding a love that will eat him alive
And who she is, nobody knows
 
She comes in, dressed in burning red
No one dares to meet the eyes
Fear she'll take thеm with him to the end
The violеnce he feels
In silence is surreal
You know he'll love her till the end
 
She's got a hold on him
Tighter than a noose
Whispering pretty little evil thoughts
He's feeding a love that will eat him alive
And who she is, nobody knows
 
She's got a hold on him
She's got a hold on him
She's got a hold on him
Tighter than a noose
Who she is, nobody knows

     Broken Chanter is a project based in Glasgow, UK. The project is spearheaded by David MacGregor, but he typically recruits talented musicians.
 
     “Shake It To Bits” by Broken Chanter

Website: https://www.brokenchanter.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrokenChanter/

“18th Floor Balcony” by Blue October

 

     A band’s “sound” is sometimes characterized by a specific instrument, such as the jangly 12-string guitar of early releases from The Byrds. Other times, the “sound” is based on a distinctive framework, such as the minimalist Bluesy Garage Rock of The White Stripes. For Blue October, their songs have wide-ranging musical styles and lyrical messaging, but the unifying energy lies in the charismatic, deeply emotional vocal deliveries.

 

Blue October at The Fillmore
in San Francisco 2017

     Blue October’s 2006 album “Foiled” exemplifies the diversity. In celebration of the twenty-year anniversary, the band is sharing videos of selected songs, releasing the first-ever vinyl of the album, and touring in Europe and then North America. Scheduled visits include San Francisco and Sacramento. The full schedule of the FOILED tour is available at https://www.blueoctober.com/tour-dates.
 
      “Hate Me” showcases the 2006 album. The song is an admission of drug addiction and depression, as well as an urging to “hate me so you can finally see what’s good for you.” The song begins with an actual voicemail from the mother of frontman Justin Furstenfeld. She expresses concern in her voicemail as to whether Justin has been taking his medications.
 

Blue October at Mountain 
Winery 2024

     Blue October recently shared a new video for “18th Floor Balcony,” which is also from the “Foiled” album. In contrast to “Hate Me,” the song is about vulnerability, trust, and that rare moment of finally feeling safe enough with someone to open up. Yet, the video is dark and open to interpretation, perhaps because fans of Blue October understand and embrace pain that is part of appreciating the emotional experiences relating to the band's music. The video shows Justin watching himself from afar while he creates, then investigates, and finally sanitizes and mourns a murder of a loved one – as if witnessing relationship destruction caused by your dependence on drugs.  
 
     In March, the band shared a new music video for "Congratulations" which kicked off the anniversary year. That video is also included in this post.

     “18th Floor Balcony” by Blue October

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueoctober
Website: http://www.blueoctober.com/
 
Lyrics of “18th Floor Balcony” by Blue October
I close my eyes
And I smile, knowing that everything is alright
To the core, so close that door
Is this happening?
 
My breath is on your hair, I'm unaware
That you opened the blinds and let the city in
God, you held my hand
And we stand
Just taking in everything
 
And I knew it from the start
So my arms are open wide
Your head is on my stomach
And we're, we're trying so hard not to fall asleep
Here we are
On this 18th floor balcony
We're both, flying away
 
So we talked about mom's and dad's
About family pasts
Just getting to know where we came from
Our hearts were on display
For all to see
I can't believe this is happening to me
 
And I raised my hand as if to show you that I was yours
That I was so yours for the taking
I'm so yours for the taking
That's when I felt the wind pick up
I grabbed the rail while choking up
These words to say and then you kissed me
 
I knew it from the start
My arms are open wide
Your head is on my stomach
And we're, we're trying so hard not to fall asleep
Here we are
On this 18th floor balcony
We're both, flying away
 
And I'll try to sleep
To keep you in my dreams
'Til I can bring you home with me
I'll try to sleep
And when I do I'll keep you in my, dreams
 
I knew it from the start
So my arms are open wide
And your head is on my stomach
And we're, we're trying so hard not to fall asleep
So here we are
On this 18th floor balcony, yeah
 
I knew it from the start
So my arms are open wide
And your head is on my stomach
No, we're not going to sleep, sleep
 
Here we are
On this 18th floor balcony, we're both
Flying away
 

     “18th Floor Balcony” by Blue October

“Honeypot” by Lethal Sister

     The Paris-based band Lethal Sister shared their song about the society-generated seductive pull of status and riches. Radio, television, newspapers, and even your personal laptop present a trap fashioned to pressure people to pursue wealth and power. That is, they present a “Honeypot.” As stated in the lyrics, “They all say the same shit / About things you need to get /It’s just a honeypot.”
 
      The song blends Rock and Post-Punk sensibilities into an energetically aggressive melodic fabric with an emphasis on tension. The gritty guitars present a steady rhythm almost throughout “Honeypot.”
 
     Lethal Sister recently released the nine-track song album “Plunge,” which is available at their Bandcamp site https://lethalsister.bandcamp.com/album/plunge. The members of the band are Vincent Dangla (drums), Lubin Lemonnier (bass, vocals), Pierre Massé (guitar, vocals), and Martin Teychené (guitar, vocals). Their bio states:
  Lethal Sister is a rock band built on a love of post-punk and stoner rock. Initially formed for a concert, this project is now our outlet, our window, our refuge. “Everyone puts a piece of their soul into it. The world is as beautiful as it is disgusting, life is as magnificent as it is insane, I still need to shout it out.”
 
     “Honeypot” by Lethal Sister

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Lethal-Sister/61572333864823/#
Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/lethal_sister

Lyrics of “Honeypot” by Lethal Sister
When you’re poor it ain’t funny,
I see my mother’s face
She told us we could get honey
But I'm sitting in front of a plate that doesn’t look tasty, sorry…
 
When you’re rich you ain’t lucid,
You have to crush your own brother,
They told us we could have power
But now I have no one to call except the guy who takes care of my money
 
On the magazine
On the radio
On the TV screen
On your personal laptop
 
When you read the newspaper
When they sell you happiness
When they tell you to work hard
When they smile at you
 
They all say the same shit
About things you need to get
It’s just a honeypot
 
Being alive makes no sense
I heard that from a cousin
Sometime I feel like I need to change
Sometime my eyes are caught by a screen I just can’t stop watching
It changes as I’m scrolling
I just can’t stop watching
It changes as I’m scrolling
 
I could have no face, it wouldn’t change
I could forget how to smile and greet
I could become invisible
The zombies never pay attention…
 
To the magazine
To the radio
To the TV screen
To their personal laptop
 
They all say the same shit
About the things they need to get
It’s just a honeypot
 
Money!
Or people…
Money!
Or people

“We're Gonna Be OK” by Empty Kodiak

 

     In an almost celebration of resilient acceptance, Empty Kodiak released “We're Gonna Be OK.” The intelligently crafted lyrics of the song are included in this post. The first verse refers to a childhood experience of an unplanned Christmas stay in a Super 8 motel. Things are far from the ideal, but we’re gonna be okay.
 
      The bio of the band explains, “Empty Kodiak is a seven-piece band from Cleveland, Ohio, weaving shoegaze haze with flashes of surf-pop light. Frontman and songwriter Charles “Chaz” Stead leads vocals and rhythm guitar alongside Kennedy Stead (vocals/synth), Brandon Thompson (lead guitar), Dave Gorski (saxophone/vocals), DJ Douglas (keys/vocals), Jul Big Green (bass), and Devin Tudela (drums).” The Spotify credits of “We're Gonna Be OK” additionally identify Jacob Hazlett on bass and electric guitar.
 
      Chaz Stead states:
  “The song traces a lineage of moments where survival meant endurance rather than rescue, including a childhood Christmas spent in a Super 8 motel. Those early memories, set against the backdrop of the Rust Belt’s fading steel factories, broken neon, and weathered dive bars, echo throughout the track's imagery alongside synth, saxophone, and harmony.”
 
     “We're Gonna Be OK” by Empty Kodiak

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

Lyrics of “We're Gonna Be OK” by Empty Kodiak
I love you to the moon
But we don't have gas to get there
Nights in motel rooms
'Cause we stick together
 
If the end is coming soon
I'm happy with whatever
We're gonna be ok
We're gonna be ok
 
I love you to the moon
Tell me how we're gonna get there
One hot night in June
With the AC broken
 
If the end is coming soon
I'll sleep with one eye open
We're gonna be ok
We're gonna be ok
 
All our lives we've been waiting
Waiting for something
Waiting for nothing
And waiting too long
 
If you want, we can make it
Make it worth something
Better than nothing
We're gonna be ok
 
I love you to the moon
Only made it to the dark side
Neon lights in view
Your arm around my shoulder
 
If the end is coming soon
I can feel it getting colder
We're gonna be ok
We're gonna be ok
 
All our lives we've been waiting
Waiting for something
Waiting for nothing
And waiting too long
 
If you want, we can make it
Make it worth something
Better than nothing
We're gonna be ok
 
We're gonna be ok
We're gonna be ok
 
I love you to the moon
But we don't have gas to get there
Nights in motel rooms
'Cause we stick together
 
If the end is coming soon
I'm happy with whatever
We're gonna be ok
We're gonna be ok
 

“Florida” by Neon Pilgrim

 

     “Florida” begins with an inviting lyrical and vocal warmth. The song from Neon Pilgrim even begins with an urging - “Come on!” But while the warmth carries on, the inviting nature dies as the first verse eloquently describes the difficulty of the relationship – “You decided to fix your heart up with some glue,” and “I swallowed all the pride I could chew.”
 
     That first verse ends with a release – “Do what you wanna do” – which leads to a chorus during which apology stands in stark contrast to thunderous percussion. The chorus is the strength of “Florida.” The protagonist takes ownership of his share of blame, but the song concludes with a repeating pattern of “I’m so sorry to [leave you].” Is the troubled relationship with someone or with a location, such as the state of Florida?
 
     The lead vocals belong to Harry Williams, who drives Neon Pilgrim. Williams, a resident of London, composed “Florida.” The female backing vocalist is Amber Wilson. Other contributors are Dom Morley (producer and synth), Ed Harcourt (guitar and piano), Jason McGerr (drums), and Damon Minchella (bass). 
 
     “Florida” by Neon Pilgrim 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neon.pilgrim
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578647105752 

“The House Was Haunted, But It Knew My Name” by Neo Brightwell

 

     The strength of the song is in the lyrics, which are poignant and open to interpretation. Neo Brightwell sings of entering a house that he remembers well, even recognizing the “same hinge squeak.” More significantly, the house remembers him. The house was haunted but it held me close - said my name like a psalm, although a psalm that no preacher knows.
 
      The house is a metaphor for the mind (or soul) of the person. We all have weaknesses, painful memories, and emotional damage of past experiences. And most of us have no desire to revisit where those flaws reside. But “The House Was Haunted, But It Knew My Name” represents a revisit.
 
     The song begins with acoustic guitar and articulate accounting of the visit. The texture is enhanced shortly after the one-minute mark, although the additional instrumentation carefully stays away from interfering with the lyrical description.
 
   And “The House Was Haunted, But It Knew My Name” ends with a degree of defiance and resilience – The house still knows my name, I’m home, I never left. Neo Brightwell says, “I don’t sing to the camera. I sing to the silence. Through walls, through ghosts, through time itself. This song was never meant to stay inside.” Appropriately, the song is the opening track from an album entitled “We Didn’t Survive to Be Quiet.”
 

     Brightwell is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He self-identifies with “Moonshine Disco” as he “writes scripture for the silenced and songs for the scorched.”

      “The House Was Haunted, But It Knew My Name” by Neo Brightwell

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neobrightwell
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neobrightwell

Partial lyrics of “The House Was Haunted, But It Knew My Name” by Neo Brightwell
I stepped through the door
I swore I’d burn
Same hinge squeak
Same porch light turn
 
Dust in the lungs
Breath full of flame
And damn if that hallway
Still whispered my name
 
No screams
No chain
No holy blame
Just old wood knowing what I became
 
The wallpaper curled like it missed my shame
Yeah, the house was haunted
But it knew my name
 
The house was haunted
But it held me close
Said my name like a psalm no preacher knows
 
No curse in the creak
No fear in the flame
It didn’t haunt me
It just knew my name
 
I tried to run
But I stayed the same
This ain’t escape
It’s where I came
 
It didn’t flinch
It didn’t flame
The house was haunted
But it knew my name

“Autopilot” by Alexsucks

 

     The discography of the Los Angeles-based band Alexsucks shows a diversity of influences. For their single “Autopilot,” there are signs of Bloc Party, a standout UK band. The song carries an urgency similar to Bloc Party’s “Banquet.” Autopilot” travels at 155 beats per minute and lyrically asks “Why am I bleeding,” while “Banquet” is only a slightly less frantic 149 beats per minute while explaining “Cause I’m on fire.”
 
     The quick tempo of the Alexsucks' single belies the lyrical subject matter, which relate to the confusion with a flawed relationship. “Autopilot” is the title track of the band’s recently released album. The band members are Alex Alvarez (vocals, guitar), John Luther (guitar), drummer Jonny Ransom (drums), and Garrett Orseno, aka DJ Topgun (bass),
 
     “Autopilot” by Alexsucks

Website: https://www.alexsucks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/ALEXSUCKS-100091128336982/?_rdr

Lyrics of “Autopilot” by Alexsucks
There you are, you sit around and all you got
Is yourself to talk and you go on and on
You bite your tongue, you bite your tongue
When your thoughts are loud, when your thoughts are loud
 
Don't wanna hear it
If I'm the one that holds the gun
Then tell me, why am I bleeding? I'm bleeding
So what? We lost control
Autopilot, I need you, I need you
 
And there you go, you're never one to take it slow
Where you off to now? Where you off to now?
You lost your touch and you've lost touch
And now you're freaking out, you're freaking out
 
Don't wanna hear it
If I'm the one that holds the gun
Then tell mе, why am I bleeding? I'm bleeding
So what? We lost control
Autopilot, I need you, I need you
 
I need it
If I'm the one that holds thе gun
Then tell me, why am I bleeding? I'm bleeding
So what? We lost control
Autopilot, I need you, I need you

“Miyazaki” by Paris Paloma

 

      The latest release from outspoken Paris Paloma is named for outspoken Hayao Miyazaki, who is famed for his era-defining body of work and who is unabashed in criticizing AI-generated art as “an insult to life itself.” Paloma presents songs as a commentary on societal imbalances and injustices. While talking about ““Miyazaki,” she explained:
   “I wrote this song about art, about the burning, urgent desire to create art as my way of making sense of the world, and as my way of resisting darkness and hatred. It’s a defiant song, about defending the human need of artistic creation in a world that is increasingly devaluing it in the face of AI; that’s why it is named after renowned director Hayao Miyazaki. I wrote this song for everyone who has an urgent and unexplained need to express themselves through their art; it is for the painters, the dancers, the writers, the storytellers, the crafters, the directors, the singers, musicians, anybody who relates to this creative fire, and the threat that AI generated slop might take the place of essential humanity.”
 
     Paris Paloma is based in London. Originally hailing from Ashbourne, Derbyshire, Paris Paloma channels the experience of womanhood into her songwriting, speaking to the female experience, grief, love, death, and power.
 
     “Miyazaki” by Paris Paloma

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parispalomamusic/
Other Socials and Tour info: https://parispaloma.ffm.to/links

Lyrics of “Miyazaki” by Paris Paloma
I have something to say
As has anyone who’s ever made
Anything worth enjoying
Nobody can destroy it
Left unchecked it mutates
Bleeding desperation to create
Collapses me like a star
Sickness inside my heart
 
Whenever I fear death I think of that which I would fear much more
Never dying Is that what you all are striving for
I leave a stream of greenery in every path I walk
Chased by a monster of a thousand voices that always wants
One more
 
Please don’t ever take it from me
Changes the color of the air that I breathe
 
In grief’s fertile land
The space in between clapping hands
They say it’ll pass
I used to pray that it would
But its absence never brought anything good
I wake in the morning
Do all of my chores then
Of thinking in silence
And drinking sweet wine
Putting my mind somewhere outside
Where it can feel the sun
Maybe it’ll connect with someone
 
The world’s the world
And I’m a person in a tiny body
I vow to live
I won’t let fear be anything that stops me
I’m not a violent person but I make things with aggression
I’m not a violent person but my work is one exception
 
I won’t let you take it from me
Changes the color of the air that I breathe
 
I wasn’t always tortured
I made art long before then
I call into the void until I lose my voice but
Sometimes a cry reverberates back
A child with mud caked hands
Or a prolific and obsessive older man
I’d do it unpaid, unseen, unthanked
It’s worth more than anything that I have
 
(You can never have it ever)
(You can never have it ever)
(You can never have it ever)
 
 
I won’t let you take it from me
Changes the color of the air that I breathe
I won’t let you take it from me
Changes the color of the air that I breathe
 
I won’t let you take it from me

“Familiar Faces” by Two Connors

 

     “Familiar Faces” merges two storytelling approaches that are compelling on their own but become especially potent in tandem. In their song, Two Connors craft an aural portrait of their hometown, and in doing so unreservedly name names that bring the subject matter to life.
 
     Writing about one’s hometown radiates nostalgia that’s found relatable, even by listeners who have never visited the city. In the Indie Universe, our favorite is "Feather on the Clyde," in which Passenger crafts a lyrical painting of his childhood city of Glasgow. Looking back some decades, other hometown songs include:
   “Mainstreet” - Bob Seger
   “My Little Town” - Simon & Garfunkel
   “My Hometown” - Bruce Springsteen
   “Small Town” - John Mellencamp
But the song from Two Connors is most closely aligned with “My City Was Gone” by The Pretenders, since both sets of lyrics lament the changes to the city. As Two Connors state, “This ain't the town we knew.”
 
     As noted, “Familiar Faces” doesn’t shy away from identifying people by names, although we suspect that actual names are avoided for legal and sensitivity reasons. Other examples of naming names in lyrics include:
   “Walk on the Wild Side” by Lou Reed
   "People Who Died" by The Jim Carroll Band
   “We're All Gonna Die!!!” by Baby FuzZ
   “Pepper” by Butthole Surfers
   “Strange Friends” by little image
  “The All Encompassing Need To Say Goodbye” by My Best Unbeaten Brother
 
     Two Connors are brothers Danny and Callum Connor. Their song is about Oldham, a hamlet in Devon, England.
 
     “Familiar Faces” by Two Connors

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090940387826

Lyrics of “Familiar Faces” by Two Connors
The town that I call Oldham, so many characters I've seen
When a cold pint in the Scruples bar was a localer's big dream
And the lads all in the stolen cars of a run-down 1.4 Capri
 
From drinking on the corners with Pete Taylor and Craig Lindsay
When Spanner and Pete Grimley were hiding shotguns in the chimney
Oh, well, some hard times in this town, but it's the place that we loved
 
And Mick Taddy's in the pub again, and he's barred from every boozer
And the Durker Hotel's round again, we never thought much of the future
Oh, no, if I could go back in time, I wouldn't change a single thing
About these stories we wrote, 'cause that's when we were young
 
This ain't the town we know, this ain't the town we knew
Them young guns coming through, and I know that times are changing
But I still don't feel the same way that I do
When I'm here thinking of you and familiar faces
 
This ain't the town we know, it just don't feel like home
'Cause all of my friends that I grew up with, most are dead and gone
And I'm holding on to pictures in my mind
Just wanna spend the night with you and familiar faces
 
Well, the town that I call Oldham was born on childhood memories
And the legends' names are carved in stone on the graves in the cemeteries
We were singing to the Irish songs on the fairy tales of Yorkshire Street
 
And Glyn Gardner's in the cells again for doing grows up in his home
And the police outside of Pat's old house at 16 Pripy Road
Oh, no, some hard times in this town, but it's the place that we loved
 
And the council tax keeps going up, destroying our estates
The pubs we spent the good nights in are just buildings gone to waste
Oh, there were times I used to hold your hand and go see our favourite place
Those memories will live a lifetime once again, 'cause that's when we were young
 
This ain't the town we know, this ain't the town we knew
Them young guns coming through, and I know that times are changing
But I still don't feel the same way that I do
When I'm here thinking of you and familiar faces
 
This ain't the town we know, it just don't feel like home
'Cause all of my friends that I grew up with, most are dead and gone
And I'm holding on to pictures in my mind
Just wanna spend the night with you and familiar faces
 
Familiar faces
Familiar faces
Familiar faces
Familiar faces