Shearwater — Quiet Americans
Album: Jet Plane and OxbowAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2122
Length: 3:24
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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I can't help it, if all the world is ending
All the life is gone while you're calling up this name
Where are the Americans?
Your dim cultures, your hands and eyes that wander
Stumbling down the road
Or collapsing on parade
We're lying alone in the Eastern land
Slipping in the morning hours, the only sound
From the lantern covered hills, the only light
From the day yet to begin, the only sign
Of the guns and silhouettes
The only sound, the only light
Only, only!
Done with silence, we're disconnecting lives
Pull out the lightning dust
At the mention of his name
Wither the Americans!
Take the memories out, hide the evidence under
Look at the world below
Like a dog, that knows its name
Where are the Americans?
I'm calling on the run tonight
Feeling the remaining hours, the only sound
Are the bells upon the hill, the only light
Are the lanterns in the wind, the only sight
Screams the rust off the rails
The only sound, the only light
Only, only!
The only light is the day yet to begin
The only sight are the lives in silhouette
The only sound is the rushing of the wind
The only light is not the only life
Only, only!
All the life is gone while you're calling up this name
Where are the Americans?
Your dim cultures, your hands and eyes that wander
Stumbling down the road
Or collapsing on parade
We're lying alone in the Eastern land
Slipping in the morning hours, the only sound
From the lantern covered hills, the only light
From the day yet to begin, the only sign
Of the guns and silhouettes
The only sound, the only light
Only, only!
Done with silence, we're disconnecting lives
Pull out the lightning dust
At the mention of his name
Wither the Americans!
Take the memories out, hide the evidence under
Look at the world below
Like a dog, that knows its name
Where are the Americans?
I'm calling on the run tonight
Feeling the remaining hours, the only sound
Are the bells upon the hill, the only light
Are the lanterns in the wind, the only sight
Screams the rust off the rails
The only sound, the only light
Only, only!
The only light is the day yet to begin
The only sight are the lives in silhouette
The only sound is the rushing of the wind
The only light is not the only life
Only, only!
Comments (98)add comment
Frisson. The entire album is OK. This song is terrific.
BTW and FWIW, I have met lots of quiet Americans here, there and everywhere.
They are usually educated, smart and insightful. No point to get stuck on stereotypes.
BTW and FWIW, I have met lots of quiet Americans here, there and everywhere.
They are usually educated, smart and insightful. No point to get stuck on stereotypes.
Apparently 7 songs currently on RP by this artist. I can't wait to hear more!
Great song amplified by the lyrics.
stunix wrote:
Well you just couldn't let it be, could you? Because apparently you had a point to make. Making it through the back door fools no one.
I was coming to this page half expecting the usual webby arguements about America and its notoriety, vs other countries and phrases about "Brits would be speaking German if it wasnt for us" .... kinda thing.
Glad there seems to be none of it here. maybe we are starting to join up to overthrow the big paprica monster. I hope so.
Well you just couldn't let it be, could you? Because apparently you had a point to make. Making it through the back door fools no one.
Not their most compelling song imo, but still good.
They did cover of Bowie's Berlin Trilogy as an aside for those who note the influence/similarity.
They did cover of Bowie's Berlin Trilogy as an aside for those who note the influence/similarity.
SpencerAR wrote:
I agree with the first statement. I'm curious about the second.
alt-J's name is alternatively "Δ" (alt-J is the keyboard shortcut for the delta symbol on macs). They have an affinity for triangles - see the lyrics for their song Tesselate, for example.
I agree with the first statement. I'm curious about the second.
alt-J's name is alternatively "Δ" (alt-J is the keyboard shortcut for the delta symbol on macs). They have an affinity for triangles - see the lyrics for their song Tesselate, for example.
snowcone wrote:
I agree with the first statement. I'm curious about the second.
Album cover is pretty cool.
I bet the guys at alt-j are pissed...
I agree with the first statement. I'm curious about the second.
Gonna echo the sentiments of others who say definite Bowie vibes- but I'm not mad about it.
Album cover is pretty cool.
I bet the guys at alt-j are pissed...
I bet the guys at alt-j are pissed...
Where are the Americans? Checking their pronouns?
Reminds me of Bowie but definitely not derivative. I'm not sure how to rate it yet.
OH - The Call!!!! yes reminds me of them and I love it!
not sure about this one yet - its a solid 7 for the feeling and 80s synths
Beck.
I hear Beck.
I hear Beck.
I'm hearing 80s Europop (Baltimora, Double) & Cancon (Strange Advance, Idle Eyes). Maybe it's just now hitting in Texas.
I hear Bowie; I also hear The Fix, Brian Eno, some Ultravox . I love the undeniable 80's influence in this song - it could have charted in 1984 and become a new wave standard.
Stefen wrote:
Stefen wrote:
I always think of Bowie, but that's okay. I like it.
I would recommend checking out Shearwater's back catalogue; their earlier stuff is very different. In particular Animal Joy, Rook and The Golden Archipelago
One of the finest albums from its year. I can’t believe I had missed out on them before this.
This is an absolute gem of an album - fantastic songwriting and production. If the arcade fire gets a Grammy for the suburbs, this piece of work stands up just fine.
Derivative and redundant. Ick.
Picked this album up recently (once again, thank you RP for the introduction) and it's a great listen from start to finish! Would love to hear some of their older stuff.
Where are the Americans? I'm sorry, they can't be disturbed by important things right now. They're busy pissing away democracy.
memoryboxer wrote:
Having lived up in bear country on British Columbia's Sunshine Coast, making a modicum of noise when out in the woods is something that's drilled into you as basic survival tactics.
.....
I never make noise in the bush unless I absolutely have to go through dense underbrush and then I make low woofing sounds like a grizzly .
If you are quiet and avoid the temptation to motor-mouth in the bush, then you can hear the grizzlies working rocks, stumps, etc., from hundreds of metres away. Even black bears can be really noisy eaters.
P.S. Clicked through and bought the CD. It is OK; probably should listen more.
Having lived up in bear country on British Columbia's Sunshine Coast, making a modicum of noise when out in the woods is something that's drilled into you as basic survival tactics.
.....
I never make noise in the bush unless I absolutely have to go through dense underbrush and then I make low woofing sounds like a grizzly .
If you are quiet and avoid the temptation to motor-mouth in the bush, then you can hear the grizzlies working rocks, stumps, etc., from hundreds of metres away. Even black bears can be really noisy eaters.
P.S. Clicked through and bought the CD. It is OK; probably should listen more.
jwallstrom846 wrote:
There WAS none of it here. Couldn't resist could you?
Exactly. They just can't help themselves, can they?
There WAS none of it here. Couldn't resist could you?
Exactly. They just can't help themselves, can they?
westslope wrote:
At least the outrageously dressed German tourists were reasonably quiet.....
The Americans make noise because they are fundamentally afraid.
Then so many urbanites from both Canada and the USA make an incredible amount of noise when they leave the road and go into the forests, bush or the mountains.
Fear and ignorance I reckon.
Having lived up in bear country on British Columbia's Sunshine Coast, making a modicum of noise when out in the woods is something that's drilled into you as basic survival tactics.
Coastal Humour:
How do you scare bears off?
Wear bells.
How can you tell if bears are in the area?
Look for large steaming piles of shit filled with blackberries, salmon...
and bells.
At least the outrageously dressed German tourists were reasonably quiet.....
The Americans make noise because they are fundamentally afraid.
Then so many urbanites from both Canada and the USA make an incredible amount of noise when they leave the road and go into the forests, bush or the mountains.
Fear and ignorance I reckon.
Having lived up in bear country on British Columbia's Sunshine Coast, making a modicum of noise when out in the woods is something that's drilled into you as basic survival tactics.
Coastal Humour:
How do you scare bears off?
Wear bells.
How can you tell if bears are in the area?
Look for large steaming piles of shit filled with blackberries, salmon...
and bells.
stunix wrote:
What are americans!
I was coming to this page half expecting the usual webby arguements about America and its notoriety, vs other countries and phrases about "Brits would be speaking German if it wasnt for us" .... kinda thing.
Glad there seems to be none of it here. maybe we are starting to join up to overthrow the big paprica monster. I hope so.
Glad there seems to be none of it here. maybe we are starting to join up to overthrow the big paprica monster. I hope so.
What are americans!
stunix wrote:
There WAS none of it here. Couldn't resist could you?
I was coming to this page half expecting the usual webby arguements about America and its notoriety, vs other countries and phrases about "Brits would be speaking German if it wasnt for us" .... kinda thing.
Glad there seems to be none of it here. maybe we are starting to join up to overthrow the big paprica monster. I hope so.
Glad there seems to be none of it here. maybe we are starting to join up to overthrow the big paprica monster. I hope so.
There WAS none of it here. Couldn't resist could you?
Shearwater you beauty
.
A few tracks off 'Rook' would be even better
.
.A few tracks off 'Rook' would be even better
. westslope wrote:
At least the outrageously dressed German tourists were reasonably quiet.....
The Americans make noise because they are fundamentally afraid.
Then so many urbanites from both Canada and the USA make an incredible amount of noise when they leave the road and go into the forests, bush or the mountains.
Fear and ignorance I reckon.
The term for them is "Cidiots". ( City-Idiots).
At least the outrageously dressed German tourists were reasonably quiet.....
The Americans make noise because they are fundamentally afraid.
Then so many urbanites from both Canada and the USA make an incredible amount of noise when they leave the road and go into the forests, bush or the mountains.
Fear and ignorance I reckon.
On_The_Beach wrote:
When I was in Europe, they [Americans] were referred to as "Myloffs" by other travellers, because you could hear them a mile off.
Not to worry, all nationalities get razzed for something.
At least the outrageously dressed German tourists were reasonably quiet.....
The Americans make noise because they are fundamentally afraid.
Then so many urbanites from both Canada and the USA make an incredible amount of noise when they leave the road and go into the forests, bush or the mountains.
Fear and ignorance I reckon.
When I was in Europe, they [Americans] were referred to as "Myloffs" by other travellers, because you could hear them a mile off.
Not to worry, all nationalities get razzed for something.
At least the outrageously dressed German tourists were reasonably quiet.....
The Americans make noise because they are fundamentally afraid.
Then so many urbanites from both Canada and the USA make an incredible amount of noise when they leave the road and go into the forests, bush or the mountains.
Fear and ignorance I reckon.
MrStatenIsle wrote:
To be joined by the reformed Housemartins, Eagles of Death Metal, and, of course, A Flock of Seagulls.
Coming this summer, a tour strictly for the birds, Shearwater will take the stage with Ptarmigans and the Eagles.
To be joined by the reformed Housemartins, Eagles of Death Metal, and, of course, A Flock of Seagulls.
As if "Franz Ferdinand" met "Big Black Delta" 
nice
nice This band is another RP find for me!!! Great album 
sfyi2001 wrote:One isn't. One rejoices. MAGA.
Vastly overplayed for some reason :(
Quiet Americans. To me that seems a contradictio in terminis
sfyi2001 wrote:
One isn't. One rejoices. MAGA.
MAGA? Shouldn't that be MAWA?
One isn't. One rejoices. MAGA.
MAGA? Shouldn't that be MAWA?
Coming this summer, a tour strictly for the birds, Shearwater will take the stage with Ptarmigans and the Eagles.
I love love their song BACK CHANNELS .. never gets old
1wolfy wrote:
Huh, everyone else said David Robert Jones...
..sounds like Howard Jones
Huh, everyone else said David Robert Jones...
..sounds like Howard Jones
Bowie fans, I presume.
Segue wrote:
Maybe RP will soak some sense into MAGAtts.
I'm afraid there is no soaking ability in those dense heads of theirs. There is no soft tissue, only bone.
Maybe RP will soak some sense into MAGAtts.
I'm afraid there is no soaking ability in those dense heads of theirs. There is no soft tissue, only bone.
sfyi2001 wrote:
One isn't. One rejoices. MAGA.
Maybe RP will soak some sense into MAGAtts.
One isn't. One rejoices. MAGA.
Maybe RP will soak some sense into MAGAtts.
westslope wrote:
Hilarious.
Once upon a time not so long ago German tourists stuck out like sore thumbs.
For me, American tourists with families stand out because their children are incredibly noisy and constantly playing strategic games with their cooperative parents.
One should not be surprised to see a personality like Donald Trump as President.
One isn't. One rejoices. MAGA.
Hilarious.
Once upon a time not so long ago German tourists stuck out like sore thumbs.
For me, American tourists with families stand out because their children are incredibly noisy and constantly playing strategic games with their cooperative parents.
One should not be surprised to see a personality like Donald Trump as President.
One isn't. One rejoices. MAGA.
This band is awesome. Backchannels is also a top-quality track.
On_The_Beach wrote:
When I was in Europe, they were referred to as "Myloffs" by other travellers, because you could hear them a mile off.
Not to worry, all nationalities get razzed for something.
Hilarious.
Once upon a time not so long ago German tourists stuck out like sore thumbs.
For me, American tourists with families stand out because their children are incredibly noisy and constantly playing strategic games with their cooperative parents.
One should not be surprised to see a personality like Donald Trump as President.
When I was in Europe, they were referred to as "Myloffs" by other travellers, because you could hear them a mile off.
Not to worry, all nationalities get razzed for something.
Hilarious.
Once upon a time not so long ago German tourists stuck out like sore thumbs.
For me, American tourists with families stand out because their children are incredibly noisy and constantly playing strategic games with their cooperative parents.
One should not be surprised to see a personality like Donald Trump as President.
This was my favorite album of 2015/16. This song, while very good isn't even close to the pinnacle of that record. If you haven't hear it, listen, it's really innovative and dripping with talent.
EchtNiet wrote:
When I was in Europe, they were referred to as "Myloffs" by other travellers, because you could hear them a mile off.
Not to worry, all nationalities get razzed for something.
Quiet Americans, well that's a rare thing to see.
When I was in Europe, they were referred to as "Myloffs" by other travellers, because you could hear them a mile off.
Not to worry, all nationalities get razzed for something.
Quiet Americans, well that's a rare thing to see.
I nevertheless like this track, 8*
I nevertheless like this track, 8*
I really like this band. 
Heather would've liked them too.
Heather would've liked them too.
Great song. Great album.
Where are the Americans?
That line takes on new meaning following Trump's abdication of American leadership during his recent visit to Europe.
That line takes on new meaning following Trump's abdication of American leadership during his recent visit to Europe.
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
DaidyBoy wrote:
last year, March 2016 they played at a place about 65 miles from me and I too didn't feel it,
my loss
I've just been listening to their catalogue on Spotify. This band are SUPERB. Lots of influences, especially Talk Talk, but I can live with that. Just like our friend NoEnzLefttoSplit posted below, they have all the tastes I've loved in bands throughout my life, all distilled into one wonderful banquet.
I'm gutted that they played The Fleece in 2014, but I'd not felt their presence at that time.
I'm gutted that they played The Fleece in 2014, but I'd not felt their presence at that time.
last year, March 2016 they played at a place about 65 miles from me and I too didn't feel it,
my loss
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
I finally broke down and ordered the cd
.
(later edit)
got it,..... best album of 2016 & so far in 2017
.
(later edit)
got it,..... best album of 2016 & so far in 2017
I've just been listening to their catalogue on Spotify. This band are SUPERB. Lots of influences, especially Talk Talk, but I can live with that. Just like our friend NoEnzLefttoSplit posted below, they have all the tastes I've loved in bands throughout my life, all distilled into one wonderful banquet.
I'm gutted that they played The Fleece in 2014, but I'd not felt their presence at that time.
I'm gutted that they played The Fleece in 2014, but I'd not felt their presence at that time.
Whither "whither"? Neither hither nor thither.
stunix wrote:
That will be not possible anymore, now that you have you own Dictator in power and the days of "the land of the free" are finally over! And he is stomping thru the world insulting everyone!
I was coming to this page half expecting the usual webby arguements about America and its notoriety, vs other countries and phrases about "Brits would be speaking German if it wasnt for us" .... kinda thing.
Glad there seems to be none of it here. maybe we are starting to join up to overthrow the big paprica monster. I hope so.
Glad there seems to be none of it here. maybe we are starting to join up to overthrow the big paprica monster. I hope so.
That will be not possible anymore, now that you have you own Dictator in power and the days of "the land of the free" are finally over! And he is stomping thru the world insulting everyone!
I was coming to this page half expecting the usual webby arguements about America and its notoriety, vs other countries and phrases about "Brits would be speaking German if it wasnt for us" .... kinda thing.
Glad there seems to be none of it here. maybe we are starting to join up to overthrow the big paprica monster. I hope so.
Glad there seems to be none of it here. maybe we are starting to join up to overthrow the big paprica monster. I hope so.
Love the Young Quiet Americans from Austenglandspoonistan!
been on the playlist for 11 months, i think it's a keeper
This song doesn't have an association to Bowie to me...
Bill, when you get the urge to play something that "sounds" like Bowie... play Bowie instead.
IMHO
IMHO
Not played enough. This is great.
I always think of Bowie, but that's okay. I like it.
So overplayed. If I wanted to listen to a band that sounds like Bowie... I would just listen to Bowie.
Enjoying while reminds me some lines from around the world in 4o days of Jules Verne, nowadays kids take a look, and I'm hooked on horror genre.
Beautiful chorus
Too many plays... wouldn't mind seeing this one retired for a while. If I want to hear somebody that sounds like Bowie... I'll just play Bowie.
really really like this band though there is something anachronistic about their music.. it's like they put my past in a blender and picked out all the good stuff and served it back up to me.
Adrian Belew called. He wants his opening riff back.
Wow. I had always thought Spoon sounded British as heck, and they're from Austin as well. What's going on in that town?
Skydog wrote:
yeah i would have bet they're British
Skydog wrote:
yeah i would have bet they're British
Fantastic band
ritingon wrote:
yeah i would have bet they're British
Austin,TX?! I was not expecting that.
yeah i would have bet they're British
Austin,TX?! I was not expecting that.
jhorton wrote:
Totally thought this was David Bowie. They should get this guy to play him in the biopic.
That just might work, jhorton. The singer, Jonathan Meiburg, looks skinny enough to fit into Bowie's striped pants.
Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shearwater_The_Fleece_Bristol_5.2.14.jpg
this is interesting; always a good thing...
Totally thought this was David Bowie. They should get this guy to play him in the biopic.
Not bad.
Catch 22.
March 18 Shearwater will be at The Loving Touch in Ferndale, MI
just south of 9 Mile Rd
hope to see all you RP listeners there
just south of 9 Mile Rd
hope to see all you RP listeners there
Somebody upload Filaments from this album, stat. Talking Heads groove with Beck-esque vocals. Make it happen!
slandering wrote:
yep
shearwater is a cool band. I think they have their own style which is rather unique nowadays
yep
got addicted to this one
only, onlyyyyyy
only, onlyyyyyy
shearwater is a cool band. I think they have their own style which is rather unique nowadays
deepwoodskev wrote:
Yep, very Bowiesque, not a bad thing.
Bowie's got a new band? So the Young Americans have now become Quiet?
Yep, very Bowiesque, not a bad thing.
Not hearing Bowie at all. Definitely hearing Aha and Morten Harket
Bowie's got a new band? So the Young Americans have now become Quiet?
My God, this is so Eighties—pretty close to bands like Human League. What goes around comes around.
Hmmm - sounds initially like Bowie. Very big sound, I like it on first listen. Time will tell
Released in 2016?
Let's do the time warp dance.
An advance copy, no doubt.
Not so great so far. But I'll read the lyrics.
Let's do the time warp dance.
An advance copy, no doubt.
Not so great so far. But I'll read the lyrics.
When I was in Europe, they were referred to as "Myloffs" by other travellers, because you could hear them a mile off.
Not to worry, all nationalities get razzed for something.
In Australia they call us seppos