If anyone has any better interpretations, or feels I am going down completely the wrong track, please let me know of your view; as with the missing lyrics "competition", if I agree with you, I will put up the change, giving you a credit at the end. Anyway, here we go:
1. Midmay - The first single from released from the album - a thrashy one about vegetarianism with the message that eating meat will send you to hell. The track is also about the plight of a mice, cow, aliens and a prostitute who are "victims of others' ignorance". However, it's not all that sad a song, since every creature goes to heaven in the end. The album version features an extended guitar intro, which those who have seen them live will be familiar with, since they have, in the past had it as their opening.
2. She's A Honey - Clearly some influence from the grunge era bands such as nirvana, but also has a "bush-like" sound, the song "swallow" springs to mind. There are some excellent backing vocals to go with it, climaxing in a quite beautiful chorus, in a similar vane to "Lady Lazarus", coupled with some rather angry vocals. The topic of the song gives the impression of a tragic love story, maybe written from past experience.
3. With The Clumsiness of a borrowed Father - This song is about those moments in life when you think back and say 'I wish I was sixteen again' realising how old you really are or feel. The song starts off with a thrashy metal riff that fades into a harmony of vocals similar to the previous track, only to revert back to the heavier style between verses. Parts bare a slight resemblance to the chorus to "gas chamber" from Music For Chameleons.
4. Bleed - Any suggestions as to the subject of this track would be greatly appreciated, since I have no idea whatsoever what it's all about; no doubt, some clever English student will point me in the right direction (I hope). The song features some rather interesting effects, which some may consider a little excessive, though no where near as much as "Superbadasssweetdaddyjones", an acoustic guitar accompaniment, and a host of backing vocals to go with it.
5. Christmas on Mars - This was the b-side to Midmay, and features some of their most experimental "gnarled guitars and fuzzed out bass", combined with some lyrics that seem to depict the day to day life of a serial killer, or perhaps a manic depressant. It is one of the more popular tracks at the gigs, since it's one where you can really mosh to, and get your air guitar out to.
6. Khartoum - This is quite an old track, and the next single to be released. The band have performed it as part of their repertoire for the past few years. The song is all about the atrocities of life, and how some people are happy to take life for granted, and each day as it comes, without thinking about what goes on outside their own little world. The killings, the environment, the deception et al means nothing to these people, and just passes them by. With lines such as "I know nothing is real" says a lot about Ben Smith's outlook on life. As for the general sound of the song, it is one of their best works to date, as one journalist stated "Khartoum is like Placebo if they spent more time on the music and less on the mascara" (© Michael Byrne @music365, click link to read the whole review). However, my more subjected opinion is that the song is one of the new style Stony Sleep songs, featuring power chords combined with lilting melodies, powerful vocals and interesting echo effects.
7. Lady Lazarus - This song has been described by many as a truly beautiful song, with which I would have to agree with, and I would add that it has one of the most catchy melodies since they began. It is perhaps the only song where the excessive echo effects in the style of Bowie's "Life on Mars" actually work well because it's that type of song with which it fits. The opening guitar intro fits the mood perfectly only to be slammed down with some true power chords and Ben's aggressive vocals, really getting the song going. The song then gets down to the nitty gritty as the vocals start using stronger words to portray yet another tragic story which is difficult to decipher. The moving bass line in parts gives the song a totally different sound.
8. Superbaadasssweetdaddyjones - My initial reaction to this song, was what are all those effects doing in this song simultaneously, and it's a shame in some ways, since it is a little excessive, and overindulgent. I don't mean to criticise the song, since a lot of fans will think that it's a great track, and start complaining bitterly. However, I must say that it is not one of my favourite tracks on the album, but then again great songs have a tendency to grow as you listen to them over and over again. So, now to the ultimate question, who is the title referring to? The answer lies in the credits list, which calls someone named Chris Brock, who I guess is one of the manages, since his name is placed next to Anthony (Shaw) and Paul (Adams). I must say, despite my criticisms, that some of the distortion effects are quite fitting for the song.
9. Purr - Having a string accompaniment is not the norm for this style of music, but hey! This is Stony Sleep! They did it before on "A song before I go" and have this time used a violin to perform the accompaniment in a "weeping" style. However, this doesn't last for long, as the guitars come out of hiding, with their penetrating sound, yet rather plain and repetitive riffs.
10. I hope You Understand - Featuring additional percussion from Julius Naidu on the djembe. Another story about a love affair, with rather confusing lyrics describing the featured girl as a "saint", "angel", and coming from "hell"; while he is the monster. So, I think it's up to the listener to give their own interpretation. The distorted guitars add balance to the tribal drumming. Plenty of effects pedals in use, and parts have a very uplifting feel.
11. Precious State - This is another interesting use of additional instruments, with the sitar played by Robert Elliot. It is a very non descript sort of song, with lyrics seemingly plucked out of thin air with no particular connection. The intro is with the sitar acoustic guitar and violin with Ben coming in mumbling the lyrics like a dirge, in a way that would surprise a depressant. The violin and sitar then fade out, and the backing vocals, in parts with some rather strange chords, and even out of tune with each other. Overall, a song that is a bit of a mix and match, as if someone thought lets put a sitar in with some depressing lyrics, add some odd backing vocals, and that's the song in a nutshell. There's always one song you don't think you'll ever like on an album, and precious state is the one on this album.
12. Feline Groovy - This is one of the best tracks when played live, and it is a little frustrating that they decided to use the echo effect on it, since it is such a good song without it. The backing vocals are a little too strong, loosing the power from the song. The lyrics are really just a load of rantings about school life and the monarchy, with references to drugs and the police. Basically it's all about everything that they find annoying. The intro to the song is just a classic, and has plenty of distorted guitars, combined with violent drumming and power chords. Another intro that has previously opened gigs, where they speed it up. I still believe it bears a little resemblance to "drive" by REM.
13. Extreme Paranoia (I lend my smile) - Another use of classical music, by using an extract from Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, and features a duet with backing vocalist Mira Manga and Ben Smith, alternating lines in certain parts. It is a song about a suicidal wreck, who just wants thinks it's no longer worth the effort. If you listen closely you can the ex disco pistols singer cough a little before the end of the intro. Ben's vocals give a very meaningful feel as he powers out the line "kill me". Mira gives a good balance, although his voice makes it a little difficult to sing a duet with, and at times sounds a little discordant. However, it's quite a nice "ballad" in the loosest use of the word, since the word brings up the impression of cheap '80s rock bands, trying too hard. Extreme Paranoia is certainly not one of those songs, but is not a thrashy "Midmay" type song, although the guitar riffs do get pretty close. If you listen long enough, there is secret song, that starts with a stereo effect of a car going past.
There we go. I got to the end. I interpreted to my best, for a band that exist on entwining their message under a mass of metaphors. I hope that you can judge for yourself, now, and come up with your own ideas on what all the songs are about. If you do, let me know, and I can stick your opinions in too, building up a whole variety. Well, thanks anyway
Laurence Pulle 25/3/99
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