1. |
The Buffalo Electric
03:53
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The Buffalo Electric is at your service. This is most unexpected; my crew is nervous. We’ve met before (in Singapore). Before the war, before the fog. I’m back for more, returning to action. I fear no soldier nor assassin. I hunt no animal; I wear no knife. Highly adaptable, and highly civilized.
“Well, lo and behold!”
Every tunnel and road is abandoned. There’s no sign of patrols, there’s no sign of the ghosts or the bandits.
“Steady as she goes!”
We have already attracted quite enough attention. Everybody agrees there are invisible foes, that started out as sheep but now they’re wearing wolves’ clothes. And you still wouldn’t see them right in front of your nose. And on the final approach, I feel the tempo slow down.
“Well, that was bloody close!”
…but we ain’t giving up the ghost now. I definitely don’t remember how this goes.
ALARM!
OBEY!
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2. |
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“Is he wicked? Yes I am!”
Ain’t no space for gentlemen! I see what’s what. (The why doesn’t matter much). You seem disgusted. (I barely give a fuck). Come on. Now where have all my manners been? You’re such a lovely specimen! God speed my dove, this is your Commandant.
“Marines! Recover my lady astronaut!”
Demolition has already begun. My intention was to bring you along. My opposition has contracted the plague. And I should mention that I’ve got ahold of the pin on your grenade.
“The people that I represent must receive their dividends!”
We will all be best of friends, and soon you will not mind the stench.
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3. |
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I could lie here forever and ever. Way up high where it’s quiet and slow. You go down and you’ll have all the answers that I’ll never know. I’ve repeated this over and over: I believe every story I’ve told. About how I’m free, and I’m much more ingenious than the thousands of creatures below. You people need a release from your suffering, this is a dream that’s for me to bestow. Watching our screens, we can cheer on the beast as it rises from the crater below.
“You have awakened to save our fair Nation!”
And now you shall feed on my enemies’ bones. Up here we are safe, we can still make it great as it was all those ages ago. All the man says:
“Make all your purchases!”
“Make all your plans!”
“We are impervious!”
Son of a bitch, changing his promises. Walks on his hands, prays to his goddesses. Stands on his head, walks on the water. Out on the ledge, what a performance. Those who resist? There are no pardons. Those on the list are left out. A life underground, a life with no majesty. No King and no Crown, no lies and no heresy.
“Fire up the factories!”
“Bury the tragedies!”
…and pull it all down. I am not leaning toward one or the other, I just clean up the litter and bones. I wasn’t there when they came for my brother, I didn’t care as they burned down our home. I didn’t move when they asked me to answer, I didn’t watch all the bannermen fall. I am still waiting for my invitation, and I’m pretty sure that what happened was never my fault. All of the plants, all of the creatures all of our flags all of our cameras.
“All of this crap, can’t take it with us!”
(Everyone laughed) …departed for Jupiter. All that is left, nothing but garbage. Nothing but trash, cans we discarded. All of our friends. All of us desperate. Always together.
“Three cheers for Lucifer!”
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4. |
The Emperor's Blues
02:43
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I stand here all alone, atop the holy citadel. We were once formidable. I was once the Emperor. Our age left a giant gorge (the seas fried and the forests scorched). Just like that meteor done for the dinosaurs. “We break the radicals!”
“So you shut your mandibles!”
“For we are not animals!”
I see the whole rebellion is upon my door, but I am cruel as hell (that’s what they pay me for). Must I shake ‘em on down? I shall destroy the threat, I shall enslave the horde. And they won’t soon forget I am the overlord. Must I shake ‘em on down?
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5. |
The Fisherman
04:03
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When I was a fisherman, we’d drink to the gods and then sink to the bottom for days. We’d run out of cigarettes and pull up the empty nets, whistling Anchors Aweigh. First the squalls came, and then the coughing. And when the fog came, this was all that remained. A blind odyssey. Sea serpents and pirates for ten thousand leagues. And the sirens will sing:
“What good’s a King who’s as rotten as we are?”
When I was a cattleman, got thrown from my saddle and bit by a copperhead snake. I strapped on the oxygen, extracted the venom and kept the better part of my leg. And when the law came, I didn’t much feel like talking. And then the shots rang until no one remained. A blind odyssey. Old man Poseidon was no friend to me. None lost at sea shall ever be as forgotten as we were.
“Follow Antares!”
“Follow the meteor!”
“Follow ol’ glory!”
“For King and country!”
Long live this dream. Long live this odyssey. Long live the Queen.
“Bells for the king!”
(Which has a nice ring), but this here’s the thing: What if this plan isn’t really that good? And let’s say the dam doesn’t bust like it should? And what if the point don’t sink in like it could? Then the guillotine would.
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6. |
The Mole People
04:49
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“All hands, to me!”
“Form up, infantry!”
“Find this treachery, root it out!”
“This day our deeds live in infamy!”
“Vices, lechery, sack the whole town!”
We are not paid to be fair, we are not saints among men. We are but humble servants of the billions that we represent.
“We shall proceed!”
“There is much to see!”
“Mephistopheles will be proud!”
“Join us for tea!”
“Feed the treasury!”
“Turn this apathy upside down!”
We are not paid to be fair, we are not saints among men. We are but humble servants of the billions that we represent. Look at you, in your solitude. You promised us everything: Amnesty, the cavalry, you said that we’d all go free. But we stayed in our caves, as we summoned our faith. We sent out our brave. Well we’ve paid for our crimes, and we’ve wasted our primes. Now we stand in our lines, we wait for our times, and the sun leaves us blind.
“WHAT?!?”
We are not paid to be fair, we are not saints among men. We are but humble servants of the billions that we represent. The masses that we represent. The masters that we represent. The bastards that we represent. The fascists that we represent.
Blind.
We were warriors.
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7. |
The Moontower
03:31
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We five, atop the old Moontower. Far above the rocks below, we keep watch for thieves and travelers. The hunger keeps us comatose. Alive (for now) among the shadows, we spin a tale of loss and woe. Of ghosts that haunt this ancient battleground, where Hannibal laid them low.
“We’ve done nothing wrong!”
Survived out here this long, they’ll find our wasted bones. We hide within this frozen obelisk, with no fire to stay the cold. Our hearts remain ever loyal, our swords are sworn to Lords of old. We five, atop the old Moontower. Far above the rocks below, the buzzards crowd the sky around us, and wait for us to decompose.
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8. |
The Pirate Train
06:05
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We watched the towers drop, the world was appropriately awed. That was no time for a pause, we were now brothers-in-arms.
“We do not believe that we have been deceived!”
“It’s our turn now!”
Out of the fire, ran straight into the cult. Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law.
“We do not believe that we have been diseased!”
It weighs a thousand tons, it’s under construction. I hear it’s nearly done (any day now). So, if the war has come, well then it must be won. We’re leaving destruction in our wake! We’re gonna walk our guns into the restaurants, we’re telling everyone that it’s safe now.
“It’s our turn now!” (Again)
Free to be proud and corrupt, free to be lethal as fuck! We’re gonna need a bigger truck, we’re gonna run amok!
“We do not believe that we have been deceased!”
I will still support the mirage. I am still adored by you all. I have built this up so tall, it shall never fall. Some of you will not return, but it’s alright. That’s alright. And you’ll never have to respawn (once you’re gone). It’s so still within the mirage, before the barrage. It weighs a thousand tons, it’s under construction. I hear it’s nearly done (any day now). If civil war has come, well then it must be won. We’re leaving destruction in our wake! We’re gonna walk our guns into the restaurants, we’re telling everyone that it’s safe now. We’re wearing all-new duds (they fit a little snug, but for the demon’s son it’s a small price to pay!). He’s coming back again, he will attack again, he will exact revenge on the foes in our way.
“He gave his voice to us!”
“Why aren’t you nice to us?”
Don’t be so boisterous, you cannot behave as such aboard the Pirate Train.
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9. |
The Assassin
04:25
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My head is stuck…drunk way too much. I’ve heard enough. I’m already up (mostly sobered up), not too loaded to confront what I’ve got to do. I’m the only hope, I’m a rolling stone. Check the periscope, all is visible. I assume control of the vehicle (the dirigible). I meet the oil man. He firmly shakes my hand.
“This is the greatest land!”
“I am a citizen!”
I have been sent to restore what’s been broken, as the torpedo doors start to open. Now I’m taking aim, no distractions.
“I’m a burning flame!” (Not a madman)
I’m filled with chemicals, they’re foaming in my throat. I am invulnerable, there’s thunder in my bones. And there’s no antidote, which keeps me on my toes. It keeps me on my toes. I’m above the shame, I’m above all the laws. I ignore the pain, I ignore the applause. (I don’t have to wait for the voices to pause). I can smell the air as I line up the shot. I don’t really care if it’s wrong or it’s not. He who hesitates will surely be lost, and I can hardly wait to light it up!
“I can hardly wait to make it go pop!”
I’m as guilty as you. I’m as filthy as you are.
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10. |
The Lion Tamer
04:42
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Doubt is just not allowed, this is too critical. We’re at the pinnacle! Grace fell on its face and took a sabbatical. Just when we had it all, got dropped by a cannonball. Ugliness is understandable, we are only average animals. Zeus is leaving at dawn ‘cause he’s got to ramble. He somehow got loose, and back on the juice (he’s planning to travel). He’s coming this way! Taking in strays and dodging his predators. They’ve all given chase (or they’re lying in wait), and none of it registers. All that remains of the former me is half of my brain and some stories. All of my friends left before me, this isn’t the palace that I thought it would be. Maybe I’ll say that I’m sorry about all things that I said and I’ve figured it out. And maybe they’d say:
“My! He’s turned it around!”
Well that moment is gone, but the show must go on. Don’t ever go in anger. Shall I supply the answer? Will I avert disaster? Or blindly run to the danger? Well…
“I am a forest ranger!”
“I am a Sergeant Major!”
“I am the lion tamer!”
“I can maintain the framework!”
We both froze in the floodlights, bloodied noses and bug bites. Your ankle is sprained, and I’m missing an eye (a wound I sustained from my years in the salt mines). We are at home in the spotlight, but don’t want to be known at the same time. The children are grown and they’re alright now, but the building is riddled with termites and owls. You stay here alone in this airtight room, like sacred tomb or a warm cocoon. Well, we could be having this same fight, or tuck in and wait for the daylight.
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11. |
The Deep Space Barge
02:40
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Instrumental
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12. |
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It snaps at your face and you dodge. Before you can land a punch, everyone sees you (quel dommage)! The place is in a state of disrepair, the hour is getting late, as I’m sure you are aware. Everyone sees you (quelle horreur)! Whenever you depart with the police, I call and I arrange for your release, because everyone knows you (quelle surprise)!
“I don’t know the way, but I remember the place.”
“I’ve forgotten the dates, but I remember the faces.”
“I’ve had a good run, and I’ve met everyone.”
“I don’t watch the news, but I remember the clues.”
We followed the sound, followed it down, and tunneled you out. Now you are saved! Sound as a pound! Well, no one found out, no one gave chase, as we made our way back above ground. You never slowed down, never wore out (as insane as I know it must sound). So don’t bother about how this all came to pass, just wave to the crowd! As we gather around the greatest and the last, you’re the jewel in the Crown.
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13. |
The Tide
07:03
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No use reminding me that I took a vow. No need to ask why I’m standing around, feet in the tide where all the children washed out. You know all too well. We’ve been here before, we’ve said it all before. I realize, of course, that this means war. The mood is sullen, so I make no remark, no sudden movement to provoke the alarm. I see no future when I’ve fallen this far in your esteem. Because I’ve lost the painting now. And it’s a long, long, long way down. And if I give you the sun, are you content with just one? And if I gave you the moon, you’d ask for Jupiter too? And if you couldn’t have both, I think you’d rather have none. If you suffer me, I’ll suffer you (suffering is all we ever have to do). Oh, woe is me! Oh, woe is you! Woefully we go, until we’re hopefully through. Now that we are three, you are not wrong, all the tragedies are not gone, but we are alive. We have arrived, we are inside of your design. We can deny, we can divide, we can hide, or we can try to turn the tide. The more you make, it won’t matter. The failure rate won’t matter. And what’s at stake won’t matter. We will escape or go mad. We’ve been here before.
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The Brontosaur Los Angeles, California
The Brontosaur is:
Gruidl - bass
Kellii Scott - drums
T. Parks - guitar and vocals
Live pics by Memo Villasenor
The Brontosaur recommends:
Louise and Coco and Culley recorded a great EP during the pandemmy and you've gotta check it out! (Kellii on drums too!)
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Louise's tour de force from earlier this year!
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Gruidl's main band has a new single out!
go to albumIf you like The Brontosaur, you may also like:
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supported by 27 fans who also own “Reaver”
Color You Black makes me want to rent out a stadium and fill it with people and put Louise on stage playing this song and have everyone put their flashlight up and sway to it forever and ever and ever until the earth evaporates
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Sleepwalker Demos
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supported by 12 fans who also own “Reaver”
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Midnight Heavyweight
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Brighton, UK band leaven surging hard rock with spaced-out stoner-doom on their second LP, recorded in an old chapel on the English coast.
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