Super-super-super ROUGH version of what was supposed to be my closer. Might 86 this whole thing and save it for the next one.
Basically, it's a fractured epic about a fractured man trying so hard to complete his mission and come back down to Earth. In other words, it's Philosophy Tube, the Cosmonaut himself, trying to dissuade himself from suicide.
Update: definitely 86ing it. Doesn't really fit the album's slapdash-prog-cum-Split-Enz-cum-Modest-Mouse-circa-1997 vibe. I'm gonna finally rewrite that first Squeakquel album I did - the one where I recapped the entire plot of Alvin and the Chipmunks 2: The Squeakquel based on me trying to sleep through it at the kinoplex and me rush-reading the Wiki page while also wanting to do a pisstake on A.C.-style grindcore. A serious song replaced with a beyond-silly song. I am the day of current taste.
lyrics
Chapter One: The Cosmonaut
I drift into the blackness of the cosmos
emptiness surrounds my at all times
maybe it's energetic, but what do I know?
Beyond I journey to distant light
they say I'm just a spaceman for hire
but I don't like to think of it that way
doing good so things don't get so dire
it's mere duty - to me, the stars call my name
And out I go to the endless dawn
behind me, a ray with a pale blue dot
and out I go to the black beyond
leave it all - even what is fond
I drift into the interstellar space
satellites nonfunction drift on by
out here it feels I'm less insane
hydrogen ticks down to the end of time
but I know I have a job to do
wondering why this life had sold me out
I want to think that I'm just confused
I drive off, I don't make a found
And out I go to the endless dawn
behind me, a ray with a pale blue dot
and out I go to the black beyond
leave it all - even what is fond
Chapter Two: The Black Beyond
I drift into the stars, leaving it all behind
lonely trip on my airship, go down the line
Confronting the whole lot as they go insane
convinced they can end it all with a bang
I've been tasked to bring it all back alive
what can a hunter do but slowly resign
I'm sure it's all a trap, it kept calling for me
not like I'd care, end this misery...
Chapter Three: Breathe In, Breathe Out
It's shaking...it's shaking...
...it's shaking...it's shaking...
I AIN'T GONNA MAKE IT
On board my rocket ship
too late to turn back now
I try so hard not to make a sound
just to get through this little trip
like the pioneers once upon a time
new worlds they soon will find
singing my danse macabre
I am the Cosmonaut
Breathe in, breathe out, you'll return
and I won't doubt, you must be yearning
make it through, pull it together, hey
you got through the weather - you don't say?
Mechanical sounds from the rust bucket
falling apart, my luck not so well-spent
I know I'm not crazy - it just makes sense
I'll make it through, come down at the bitter end
Breathe in, breathe out, you'll return
and I won't doubt, you must be yearning
make it through, pull it together, hey
you got through the weather - you don't say?
Get it together, man
climb out from the sand
we're part of one scratched-up band
so the life we lead ain't too grand
the Cosmonaut reaches forth
unsheathes his rusted sword
his soul all tattered and torn
his spirit very worn
Chapter Four: Something Meaningful
I'm as useless as a Donnie DuPre
can't latch to the old scenes in my dreams
I'm obsolete the way life assigned me
always working for free
His accident wasn't a coincidence, I know
to my surprise, I got tickets to that show
I'm hanging on and it clearly shows
and so I know, and so I know, and so I know
the Cosmonaut takes off, and there I go, spaces naught
spaces inbetween, misery of endless scenes
Floating up and down, in the town, all around
there's no thrilling sound, but a whine, can't be my time
I must survive, so alive, so fucking cold
smiling up and down, solo
the Cosmonaut takes off, and there I go, spaces naught
spaces inbetween, misery of endless scenes
I'm coming down
Chapter Five: The Return
I drift down to the atmosphere
and it shakes all around, what I fear
the seers at Moscow wait for my transmission
at this point, it's wishful thinking
will I survive this brimstone death?
gnash my teeth, make amends, and wept
whatever is Heaven-sent is what comes next
the capsule glows inside a deathly red
I don't wanna die...I don't wanna die...
I musn't run away...I musn't run away...
I MUSN'T RUN AWAY!
And there I splash down into the ocean!
and I'm soothed by the rocking motion
and I cry - I'm just glad I'm alive
I'm glad the pain has substanded!
Cardiacs has finally reached Bandcamp. This is genuinely one of my favorite albums, especially with the varied compositional styles, the mixture of psychedelia and prog rock, and Timmy's lyrics. Clicker Records
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