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Schweiz (Deutsch)A Slight Figure of Speech
A Slight Figure of Speech
Posted: Monday, September 7, 2009 - 23:25
This is by far the most substantial piece of music I have ever heard!!! I understand that a lot of what I know about the Avett Bros is dying with this new album, but that's why I have their old albums... regardless I think they are onto something with this new pop sound that is just fun to listen to and dance to. It satisfies a different mood. This song is like the first time people hear the beatles. I don't really like the beatles too much, but Im positive that people had this much fun while playing their fist beatles record. I am still panting from dancing/ waltzing/ headbanging/ skipping/ frolicking/ screaming/ jumping/ twirling about my house.
Love from the Wine Country Bros, this new s**t is epic legit!
Replies for this Board Topic
i approve this message...
--
Peace,
Worth
~~~Roll Tide!~~~
Well put Spiffyman.
--
"Rock & Roll means well, it just can't help telling young boys lies." Mike Cooley
Epic legit. It's going to be hard for me not to say that now.
I love the song as well, it's basically a direct statement to those who would complain about them changing or moving forward down their path rather than always staying the same. Kudos to them.
I agree blasto... I love it! Take THAT nay-sayers!!!
--
Peace,
Worth
~~~Roll Tide!~~~
There's certainly a handful of people on this board that should listen very closely and understand the message in the song. Sure, maybe you don't have to love everything they do, but they hear it when comments go farther than that, and apparently they don't really care. Go them.
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~Megan
"Life's too short, just be nice."
I only wish I could get 100% of what Scott says in the fast break-down part... i can only catch every other line...
--
Peace,
Worth
~~~Roll Tide!~~~
Well I guess I can post it now, since as of Saturday the song is legitimately available. Thanks to my anonymous transcription-genius friend from the other coast!
They say you gotta lose a couple fights to win
It's hard to tell from where I'm sittin'
They said that this is where the fun begins
I guess it's time that I was quittin'
A slight figure of speech
I cut my chest wide open
They come and watch us bleed
Is it all like I was hopin' now?
They said I hope that you will never change
I went and cut my hair
They said don't take your business to the big time
I bought us tickets there
A slight figure of speech
I cut my chest wide open
They come and watch us bleed
Is it all like I was hopin' now?
What did you expect and what did you forget
??? (couldn't figure this out, at the end we hear "a measly step"?
I won't let regret manifest to aggression
Are you to assess what I've been what I am or what I've become?
Did you try to accept how hypothetically dumb it might be to attack those around you
Cause youre true to a color a town or a time or a place
It's not you it's not mine
and besides it is gone and you will never find it again
but i don't want to fight
I'll just ask let me be
i won't give you a chance to be my enemy
so go home think it through
THINK THINK THINK !
A jet plane and a big idea
I jump over the sea
But it's hot on my trail
But they can't catch me, no
A slight figure of speech
I cut my chest wide open
They come to watch us bleed
Is it all like I was hopin' now?
Slight Edit of Speech
...
I've listened to it a few more times since the show this weekend. Still can't get quite figure out that second line of the fast part, though.
What did you expect and what did you forget
??? that leads to ? ..."a measly step"...
That becomes a progression
I won't let regret manifest to aggression (YES YES YES YES!)
Are you to assess what I've been what I am, I've become?
Did you try to accept
how pathetically/how pathetic and *???*dumb it might be to attack (ATTACK!) those around
Cause you're true to a color a town or a time or a place
It's not you, it's not mine
and besides it is gone and you will never find it again
but i don't want to fight
I'll just ask let me be
I won't give you a chance to be my enemy
So go home think it through
THINK THINK THINK !
A jet plane and a big idea
I jump over the sea
What if's hot on my trail
But they can't catch me, no-oh
A slight figure of speech
I cut my chest wide open
They come to watch us bleed
Is it all like I was hopin' nowwwww?
What are the rest of y'all hearing?
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I think you have nailed it, Mooncutter! I guess we will know for sure when the deluxe sets come in the mail!
I don't really hear that as a match, but at least it's something rather than just gobbledygookbabbleramble
How did y'all get that much? I tried playing it at 33 speed on my record player... didn't really help.
But it did sound like GIANT AVETT BROTHERRRRRSSS... haha. y'all should try it... it's also funny on the other extreme. teeeenny tiny avett brothers.
--
Peace,
Worth
~~~Roll Tide!~~~
Scott told us in Arcata that Paleface was on this tune. I'd guess that is him screaming Think Think Think!
--
"Rock & Roll means well, it just can't help telling young boys lies." Mike Cooley
Love the song and the very clear message. Thanks for those who transribed the lyrics. They seem pretty accurate. Can't wait to get the box set in the mail and see them!!!
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Braxton: " Would you like to purchase the super delux 8-Track tape edition featuring a twelve min recording of scott humming to himself in the car?....Yes please."
I am one of those who is less impressed with this song. But not for it's lyrical content, which is a WHOLE 'nother argument, but for it's contrived poppiness. I just feel like they were trying to satisfy some desire, either internally or externally, for a "pop" (parenthesizing intentional) song.
Not that I have one thing against a good pop song, but not some overly chewed piece of bubblegum (complete with cute little rap). And the HOOK! HUGE! (that little bounce, nod, or grin you partake in just before "A jet plane ..."). I just think they didn't have to prove they could do this.
But maybe it's their favorite song too, and I just have issues. However, I think It Goes On is a GREAT pop song mainly because it's not trying to be.
I also happen to love Beside The Yellow Line and most people are like "meh", so I could just be a weirdo.
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http://www.tablive.net
Nice job mooncutter and blasto, (just dont forget the uh huh's and na uh's). I cranked it up and my mother and aunt were doing the 50's swim move on the pool deck. I believe this to be a good thing
Thanks for the update on Lunchbox Records !
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" The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated " - Gandhi
i'm not sure about the second line (let your immunity slip), but if it's not 100% match, that's sure damn close!! nice work!
I slowed down the audio, and I still can't figure out the 'let your immunity slip' line. It sounds like 'let your amealty step' to me, but that doesn't make any sense.
Slowing the audio down was the first thing I tried, too, but I didn't have much luck with that.
I hear the specific words best at full speed with a good pair of headphones.
I may be wrong, but I believe that's how Angi did it!
how about annuity? i know the boys are very concerned about the world's current financial situation.
Mao... I'm with you on the "contrived"-ish part... But I was thinking that was on purpose... I mean the whole song is about people telling them not to change and not to sell out and go commercial and whatnot. Just a thought, but, I think it's a perfect way to tell those nay-sayers that it doesn't matter... what better way than in the form of an overly poppy song.
It makes sense to me... I laughed the first time I thought about the idea of them telling people in their fanbase to calm down about going poppy and commercial by singing to them about it in an overtly poppy and commerical-esque song...
Just a thought... what do y'all think?
--
Peace,
Worth
~~~Roll Tide!~~~
TMA -
I think you very well could be on to something. It's hard to tell really what their motivations were without asking them, but your theory is certainly supported by the lyrical content of the song. I don't see why they would try to send a different message with the music than the lyrics, so it makes perfect sense to me.
Ok, finally got my copy and a new needle for my USB TT. I listened to SFOS once. Three things:
1. It sounds radio friendly to me
2. It sounds like Everclear, who I like, which is probably why
3. I like it
Edit: listened again, I really like it, honestly, very groovy tune... sounds surfy
TMA, you nailed it. Exactly my thoughts... One of the most overlooked aspects of their songs and the delivery of them is the humor and irony, I've always thought...
if SFOS had come out in the spring, then it would've been THE song of the summer, and really catapulted an "unknown" band into stardom. ( the way that Modest Mouse and "Float On" was a few summers back.
Its a groovy tune, not my favorite, but i definitely catch myself turning the volume up a couple numbers when this comes on.
This could start a whole 'nother thread (which would be appropriate) but it looks like I'm not the only one noticing a trend in the lyrics on this album.
For a band who is best known (other than their sound) for their honest lyrics, I almost think that this album has their most honest lyrics to date. A good chunk of the songs deal with them going to the "big time" and seemingly mixed feelings on it.
With their never-ending tour schedule, they've got to be run down and ready for some appreciation beyond the hardcore fans, which seems to resonate with the lyrics of "I and Love and You" ("Brooklyn, Brooklyn, take me in, are you aware the shape I'm in? My hands they shake, my head it spins. Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in")
Also, playing to throngs of people every night, people that don't know them personally, but singing along to to their songs, wishing they were one of their "pretty girls" seems like it could get old. The lyrics from Tin Man seem to explain that "back then, each day was different, now each moment is the same", and back to I and Love and you, you hear them say "3 words that became hard to say, I and love and you". Given that that ended up being the album's title and first song could be saying something. And notice there aren't any "pretty girl from ___" songs, which sets it's own tone to the album.
My main point being that whereas many songs on previous albums could be fictional stories about people around the country, many of the songs on this album (SFOS, January Wedding, Tin Man, I&L&Y) seem to be directly autobiographical and a snapshot of where they have come to throughout the years and where they are now.
And don't get me wrong, I'm not bummed at all about it, I think it's the boldest and bravest thing they've done, and I completely salute them (Epic legit).
--
I'm like my grandma: short, but I stand tall, playing every card that's dealt to me. Some days are aces, and some days are faces, and some days are twos and threes.
T.A.F.K.A.M
I also happen to love Beside The Yellow Line and most people are like "meh", so I could just be a weirdo.
I love love love Beside The Yellow Line!!!
Well put TH...
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"And my heart is like a mason’s, Hands of weathered skin...
Each scar makes it harder, For me to hurt, again..."-TAB
"My main point being that whereas many songs on previous albums could be fictional stories about people around the country, many of the songs on this album (SFOS, January Wedding, Tin Man, I&L&Y) seem to be directly autobiographical and a snapshot of where they have come to throughout the years and where they are now."
I don't disagree with you, it really is interesting to see this new aspect to some of their lyrics, most likely a direct reflection of what they are going through right now. And I love this honesty, even if it might be a bit hard to hear sometimes! But while I can't say for sure, I think that many of their older songs, too, are pretty autobiographical--I think they have always been that way, it's just that their experiences are changing. (hell, they've said the Pretty Girl series started being named that way so they don't have to use the real girls' names they're about.) I mean, obviously they take artistic license, I'm sure.
I could be wrong, but didn't I read somewhere that even Jim Avett made a comment about this?
Hmm, I will make a half-ass effort to search that.
--
Wish me luck, I know you think I'll need it.
For all the hardest roads we have to walk alone.
first and foremost i want to say that i ordered the box set so this post doesn't start another heated debate. I was given an early copy of the cd and I am just wondering if the fast part of SFOS rAp part is really low and hard to hear on the released vinyl version. I can barely make out two lines, not because it is so fast bust because it is so much lower than instrumentals. It is so hard to hear which is annoying but I love the song. A well written, ironic f*ck you to the naysayers. Anyways, Is the released version really low on the fast part?
though the boys are so polite, it's hard to imagine them FUing anyone, it seems more like a "tough cookies, deal with it or feel free to go your own way."
--
I’m walking with you,
I’m walking with you,
I might miss the meaning, but I’m catching the truth
i think that they're just writing a damn good pop tune. some people can't listen to that. i notice that there are a lot of dead heads around here and the grateful dead couldn't write a pop tune for the life of them. it's not for everybody, some will write all of that off.
i think that this album they're just writing the songs that they're feeling. It wasn't conceptual. it was "i think that the piano sounds better on this song" they're not saying f u to anyone. the lyrics remain as honest and true. and wouldn't you know it they still love all the hardcore fans, but maybe just had a better batch of songs that just happened to not be titled pretty girl. they're at the point that they can take it to the next level and not worry about being the "typical avett brothers" they're mature enough to make this album.
When I first put this on my turntable, it was set to 33 rpm, and I didn't realize the single needed 45 rpm. I was extremely confused about who was singing (some dude with a really low voice).
Now that I've listened to it at normal speed, I'm a fan.
I see what you are saying, chilixx. This is probably all true. Same honesty, just different stuff going on in their lives. Either way, good on them for fu-ing the naysayers and being themselves.
If they're too polite to say FU, at least they could give them naysayers a Child Please.
--
I'm like my grandma: short, but I stand tall, playing every card that's dealt to me. Some days are aces, and some days are faces, and some days are twos and threes.
--
We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams.
~Willy Wonka
im with thisheart on this one.
Beatles_gal -- me too! i sat there for a minute going WTF, just staring at the record like "are you possessed?"
How much does Bobby Crawford's bassline on this song kick ASS?!
can't wait to see him do this live!
And the correct lyrics are (taken straight from the album sleeve):
They say you're got to lose a couple fights to win
It's hard to tell from where I'm sitting
They say that this is where the fun begins
I guess it's time that I was quitting
A slight figure of speech
I cut my chest wide open
They come and watch us bleed
Is it art like I was hoping now?
They said "I hope that you will never change"
I went and cut my hair
They say "Don't take your business to the big time"
I bought us tickets there
A slight figure of speech
I cut my chest wide open
They come and watch us bleed
Is it art like I was hoping now?
What did you expect
And what did you forget
That to live you let go of me with each step
It becomes a progression I won't let regret manifest
To aggression
Are you to assess what I've been? What I am? Or become?
Did you stop to accept how pathetically dumb
It can be to
Attack those around 'cause you're
True to color, a town, a time, or a place?
It's not you, it's not mine
And besides it is gone
And you never will find it again
But I don't want to fight
I just ask let me be
I won't give the chance to be my enemy
So go home
Think it through
A jet plane and a big idea
I jump over the sea
What ifs hot on my trail
But that can't catch me, no
A slight figure of speech
I cut my chest wide open
They come and watch us bleed
Is it art like I was hoping now?
--
Team Avett #36
lildeadhead: that pen she uses to keep her setlists? it's a human-finger bone. dipped in the blood of the ones who yell out during "murder in the city". poetic, no?
I have to admit that I'm not completely crazy about SFOS. I know this discussion board is the wrong place to say that... it's just not one of my favorites. With that being said, I wasn't crazy about kick drum and it really grew on me so hopefully that will be the case.
I am completely excited about tin man, january wedding, and ten thousand words. I wish I had a record player.
I haven't kept up with the boards a lot lately, but I don't think it's hating to state a respectful opinion about any of TAB's songs.
That being said, I don't enjoy this song. I'm not going to pick up the album until 9/29, but it worries me that (from what I've heard) the album is full of 1. Ballads (Laundry Room, I&L&Y, Head Full of Doubt...) and 2. Pop songs (Slight Figure of Speech, Kickdrum Heart). Where's their raucous bluegrass/punk influence? I still love them and appreciate what they do and am happy that they're becoming what they want to become as a band, I just don't anticipate this album being more enjoyable than some of their previous ones.
--
This is no longer
Only my travel, but yours,
To both you and me.
I just heard Slight Figure of Speech on NPR's site. I thought it was good, although I don't really agree that it is single material. The fast bit in the middle is a little too rough sounding, and I think a general audience would dismiss it as a painful attempt at rap.
I do think the overtly pop sound of the song is more facetious than serious. The Avetts can be very puckish, and I think SFoS is a perfect example of that as an answer to the don't-go-changin' fans.
However, they played this song in Charlotte, and it didn't leave much of an impression. Actually, my friend had to remind me that they played it because I completely forgot.
I've heard some people compare it to Kickdrum Heart, but I don't think it's as catchy or as much fun. Then again, Kickdrum Heart just makes me happy. SFoS confuses my ears a little.
)
Just like the complaint in laundry room of the repeat "teach me how to use..." sort of dilluting that part, I feel the over-done middle rap portion does the same. If done in a talk on indolence style, it would be more convincing. Other then that its a catchy tune with that retro-pop sound such as die die die or sweet green eyes (nightmare). Lyrics are also great.
Ok, so I like it...alot.
and Thisheart...I'm pickin' up what your puttin' down. nice post.
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I love these lyrics and this "Is it art like I was hoping now?" makes more sense. thanks for posting, ME!
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Wish me luck, I know you think I'll need it.
For all the hardest roads we have to walk alone.
Ah, "is it art like I was hoping now" makes sense. Not that "is it all I was hoping now" (which is what I heard) doesn't, but art makes more sense.
Man, this album is full of good songs. I can not stop listening to it!
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I'm like my grandma: short, but I stand tall, playing every card that's dealt to me. Some days are aces, and some days are faces, and some days are twos and threes.
Thanks for taking the time to post the lyrics, Littledeadhead! (I always think your name should be "Littlebedhead") I would have been frustrated, trying to listen to that tune without any words to read along with...
--
"one with Earth and one with God"
//However, they played this song in Charlotte, and it didn't leave much of an impression.//
I had the opposite reaction at that show... I really loved the energy of the fast talking bit, and definitely remembered it!
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Dawn
To any doubters of this song or any other individual song on the album... Make sure you listen to these songs in context with the album.
I wasn't too crazy about Kick Drum Heart or Slight Figure of Speech at first, then after hear the two in the context with the album, they floored me, and it made sense...
If you have heard them with the rest of the album, then that's fine too...
Just sayin'...
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Peace,
Worth
~~~Roll Tide!~~~
I think it needs one more verse. 2min 22 seconds is too short.
I like it anyway. After 3 times through it is hard not to nod your head.
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www.twitter.com/ncsustash
Love TAB. not a fan of that song at all! Sounds Jonas Bros! Sorry just being honest