This long and winding epic tale of a deposed amphibian king, out to score any and all booty and bounty, whose people, oppressed by his avarice, exile him to a dry desert where he must beg for survival, where he speaks with the sun god, plots his revenge, and then retakes the throne in a violent coup. I can’t say I loved prog rock by this point, but certainly enjoyed e.g. the Smashing Pumpkins’ more epic, multi-part tracks and definitely loved the idea of prog rock (the real education and love came later), along with the more exploratory aspects of the usual suspects Pink Floyd, Queen, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and especially the Beach Boys (Smile et al.). I am also one of those weird Ummagumma apologists, and that was earned by many young afternoons wishing I had weed and spinning the studio disc on my record player as a replacement. Anyway, the Axolotl (or the alternate Axlotl spelling used here) is an endangered salamander in Mexico that, fully evolved, only grows to a nymph state. I always thought they were so weird and cute, and am heartened that they’re getting much more attention now, as they deserve to thrive instead of getting bulldozed (that goes for all the critters, too!) I remember I wrote all the lyrics out in my school agenda book, taking up a whole page I hadn’t used for anything (typical). The melodic parts were quickly compiled through tooling around on the old piano. This song is in line with other things I was writing at the time about anthropomorphized animal political leadership and intrigue (“Kelp-Bed Confessional”, for one). –Ross
What can be said about this masterpiece? What an emotional journey, with so many distinct musical chapters. It straddles the line between experimental and beautiful, goofy and heartfelt. My slide guitar solo is ok but a couple of those notes are perfect Pink Floyd! And any time we could add a backwards track, we did. “He’s on the throne tonight!!” –Adam
lyrics
I am your forsaker
Your words are paper thin
You split the sun
I part the clouds
The heavens sing when I'm alone
Your lips are sin
Mine are pure
You make me think I'll endure
Combat the spirit within
Anoint the pilgrim's skin
Surge forward
Knock the door down
When it snows
I'm all yours
Surge forward, Axlotl
When I'm prone
You're alone
Don't complicate it more
I'm only out to score tonight
Out to score tonight
I don't know how
Someone found out
We've got to get out
Grab all your clothes
Fill up the holds
We've got to leave
Don't complicate it more
We've got to get out that door tonight
We've gotta get out!
The valley glistens in the moonlight
The lake is looming in the night
We'll take our time, watch the lights fade
Leave our burden in the shade
Come with me
There were places in the desert I used to like to be
Places where I felt like I was free
By the big butte mountain where the sand creatures walk
I used to go up and watch the sunset from the plateau
Then one night, long after he had dropped below the mountains
The sun god arose and peeked up from the top of big butte mountain
It was like day again
Eyes blinded, heart swollen
And then the sun god spoke to me
And he said "Kill your master!"
I said "why should I believe you? Maybe you're just a dream"
And he said "Dream this!"
And I looked up at the spirit star
And as I watched
I rose into the air, feeling the flight of my ancestors
as I ascended further into the expanse
Everything was exploding in colossal shapes and textures
The sky moved me
I looked down and then looked up
"Thank you, Sun God!" I said
and then I knew,
I knew everything
EVERYTHING!!!!!!
Please mister, can I have some food?
You know I'll starve to death quite soon
You wouldn't let that happen, would you?
Please mister, can I have some food?
"He's working his way through the country..."
"He shan't return; he's been taken away"
"It's a happy time for us in Raeghull; we spit upon his open grave"
"We spit upon his open grave"
"We spit upon his open grave"
"He's not a monster, but a baby by design"
"He'll sleep eternally below our nation's soil"
"But he will rise once again!"
"He'll take control of our kin! Don't let him fool you, no!"
"You know he's still on the prowl"
Surge forward, knock the door down
Let their blood feed the earth!
Surge forward, Axlotl
Taking back what should be yours
Don't complicate it more
He's only on the throne tonight
Yeah, he's back on the throne tonight
He's on the throne tonight
On the throne tonight
credits
from Sonic Irony,
released April 7, 2003
Ross Howard- piano, drums, keyboards, vocals
Adam Cohen-Leadholm- guitar
Starting in 2003 as a high school home recording project in Boston, Adam Cohen-Leadholm and Ross Howard reunited in 2009 in
Chicago to again carry the flame for weirdo art pop everywhere. The 'Layers have a knack for unexpected melodies/chords and satisfying pop songs couched in shifting atmospheres....more
Brilliant experimental outfit Parlor Walls return with a killer new single boasting chest-collapsing digital beats and snarling guitars. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 2, 2023
Tation天聲樂隊 are a post-rock band from Tibet, whose expansive songs are meant to replicate the feel of a sprawling landscape. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 28, 2020
