It's raining,
it's pouring,
The Front Bottoms are scoring.
Long-distance relationships are challenging, rewarding, but nearly never successful. They are enjoyable while you are involved, but once they end, you realize it was just not quite worth it; it was not all it could have been.
This is the sort of feeling that crosses me when I hear Brian ask, "Is it raining where you are?" The disappointment that strikes him when the response he receives is "no" must be crushing. This exact feeling (unfortunately) has surged through me. You are then put in a position that leaves you thinking, "Well, now what?"
"But ain't that the truth, man?
Those are just facts
The farther you go from where you start
The harder it is to get back"
Prolonging: As time goes on through a relationship of this sort, it gets strenuous and draining, physically and emotionally. Late-night phone calls and curiosity of the other involved keep you up at night. Inevitably, this chapter in life will end (most likely with a phone call break up and a sudden wave of time not spent on Skype) and getting back to life as it was is no easy task.
The angst has been building up, and it pours out; the break-up is like the collapse of a dam and it will flood you with emotions of confusion, regret, and emptiness. Feeling directionless after this sort of break up is much stronger than in a standard relationship.
"Right now I'm just a volcano
On the brink of an eruption
Right now I'm just a psycho
Hell-bent on self destruction"
This part of the song takes a feel of some early 2000s punk: the sound of what Warped Tour used to be. For this new track, the acoustic guitar no longer takes the pedestal. Instead, we hear a highly compressed and distorted lead, though Brian is still holding strong onto his Luna acoustic guitar.
"Love of my life
Gone for good
Love of my life
Gone for good"
Despite the chipper, glittery guitar solo after this chorus, the song still sounds like a vast empty-hearted tune. In the music video, considering the number of people at the house show, all the emotions seem very contrasted. The lyrics describe a break up process (a very special kind of break up), the video appears fun and crowded, nearly claustrophobic due to the fisheye lens, and the music sounds upbeat and abrasive, yet approachable.
The musicianship of The Front Bottoms has come a long way. They have not appeared to market themselves as just a two piece band anymore, as they once did. They have filled out their sound. Matt is a much more structured drummer. Still using one of the simplest set-ups (bass, snare, hats, floor tom, ride) he has a more robust sound. He drives this song a lot more, adding syncopation with the vocals. The lead guitar and the bass play a more significant role in the overall sound and I hope that is the case for future tracks.
I'm still left wondering why this song is called "West Virginia." I am hoping there will be a good story in an interview with the band in the near future as there always seems to be.
Ever wonder about the story behind their song Rhode Island? Find out here, skip to 3:30.
Watch the new music video here and sign up for The Front Bottoms Motorcycle Club here, where you mob around the beaches of New Jersey in your new TFB leather jackets, helping old ladies cross the street together.
