The first track, "We Become Roses," has a beautiful opening, vocals and cello. "Don't be alarmed/We become roses," Paul Hansen sings. "I know that feeling when it comes around." And then the beat takes over, grounding us and helping to take us on the ride. "I know we've been here before/It doesn't bother me, let's just go/I'll drive." And we all pile into the car driven by this band. It's a beautiful and human ride. This track features some lovely vocal work, and there are some playful aspects to the lyrics, particularly when the song becomes one side of a conversation about ordinary and intimate choices: "You can change it after this, I just want one more song from this album/I promise you can pick the music, I'll listen to anything you want." I love the guitar work during the instrumental section in the second half. There is something uplifting and comforting in its sound. "And if we're all just dust/We'll pack a lunch, enjoy the weather and sing." This song will remind you of the beauty of living. "I know that feeling when it comes around."
"I don't need anything all," they tell us at the beginning of "See You In The Hall." This track has a cool bass line, which plays a prominent role, both in the direction of the song, and in its appeal. There is also some wonderful work on drums. The song is addressed to a special someone. "I always thought that we would walk down the aisle of/More than a convenience store." There is a sweet, thoughtful feel to the vocals. There is often a mix of joy and longing to the sound of this band's music, a band that can make us smile and also feel we're at the edge of tears without knowing exactly why. That's followed by "Anxiety," a song that makes particularly good use of backing vocals, as a sort of conversation. "My ship is sinking/Let go and swim, you can swim to me/Okay, where will we go/There is a place, trust me, you will know." Aine sings on this one (and also on "See You In The Hall"). This one also features a good bass line and a wonderful rhythm. "I know the hours move slow, but we're running out of time/We can't step into this without stepping out of bliss." The songwriting talent of this band is clear, but it's also the way these guys are able to then deliver the song that sets this band apart. This track features some gorgeous work on strings that lifts us. This band has its own special magic.
As "Get Lost" begins, it has something of a progressive feel, in that opening moment. It then kicks in and takes on a catchy element. "You've really got to feel it/To know just what I mean/And see just what I see." This song has a good rhythm and some interesting changes, and also features Aine on backing vocals. "It's not so easy/Hiding from the meaning." And at the end Paul repeats, "Get lost again." And it sounds so appealing. That's followed by "Change Your Mind," which has a somewhat easygoing vibe. "I'm going to change your mind," Paul sings at the beginning. I'm no longer certain we can change other people's minds, but I remain hopeful. "Try a thousand times, and then randomly it all comes out right." Ah, we hope for that, but I think we still have to try. Don't we? This song is pretty, particularly the vocal line. And having said all it needs to say, it's over in less than two minutes.
Then in "Where's K," Paul sings, "We were oh so hungry/For this life that we heard of/Far back when we were young." There is a jazzy element to this song. There is something playful here too, as heard in lines like "You were the favorite/Yeah, I'll just say it" and "You spoke every language/Of desire and good attire." That humor adds to the song's sense of reality, and gives the sadness and worry more of a punch when he sings, "I just want to know you're alive." Interestingly this song contains the line, "I'll show you yours if you show me mine," a variation of the line "Will you show me yours, because I want to show you mine," which is in "Anxiety." And the line "Now we're all grownup now" is a nice nod to the fact that all The Grownup Noise members are now performing again. Katie sings lead on "Day Moon." "I miss our conversations about nothing," she sings at the beginning. And I love the little pause before "about nothing," for the meaning of the first few words has just enough time to settle into our brains before the meaning is changed slightly by those two words. And it is then that the song really grabs us. "Day moon/Where you hiding out these days/I gotta tell you/Everything that's happened since/I was a dumb kid." These lines also stand out: "Humans can be so boring/Saying all the same things." This song has a pretty pop sound.
"Plaything" is the only song that wasn't written by Paul Hansen. The lyrics are by Blanch Marie Kinney, Paul's great-grandmother (whose image is on the cover of the album). "When we parted, it was only last summer, love/We solemnly vowed we'd be true/I've returned with my heart still yours, love/Where, oh where, are you?" The lyrics tell a story that is sad, yet hopeful, not wanting to believe that the rumors of another woman are true. There is something catchy about the guitar part, and there are some gorgeous changes, as when he asks, "Was I only a plaything for you?" This track features Todd on keys. Then "Back To Me" comes on with a bright burst, and has something of a rock vibe. This one features Adam on vocals. "You tell that story all the time/It's like a fine wine/But I'm not sure that's how it went/It's been a long time." I sometimes wonder if stories I've told over and over are even accurate. Whether they are or not, they've become the truth of the story by now. "But there's no pictures of this time." Oh yes, remember when we didn't document every single thing we did? I love that soon after that line, we get the line "It's possible we didn't exist." This is a wonderful song. "I miss those days when all our friends were up to nothing."
There is a bit of a jazzy vibe at the beginning of "Rabbit Hole." "Going down the rabbit hole/Is it any wonder/I might not find my way home." This is the song that provides the album with its title in the lines, "'Cause there ain't one straight line in the universe/You don't have to tell me twice/I love the night." This is a fantastic song, one that sort of quietly grabs you and then doesn't let go. "And now here we are today/But no one can stay." After a moment, Paul adds, "But we can dream." Oh yes. I love this song more each time I hear it. There is some cool work on cello, some wonderful touches by Todd on keys, and a kind of wild lead on guitar just before the end. The album concludes with "Us Fools." which is delightful from the start, in part because of the rhythm, and also in part because of the lyrics. "I don't know if life is in the ground/I'm a little late to the party, I know/But I still want it/I still want it." That thought eventually leads to "But I still love you/I still love you." And that's what it's all about, isn't it? "The beauty is sweeter for us fools."
CD Track List
- We Become Roses
- See You In The Hall
- Anxiety
- Get Lost
- Change Your Mind
- Where's K?
- Day Moon
- Plaything
- Back To Me
- Rabbit Hole
- Us Fools
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