Very nearly didn't make the record until the tandem of Pat Campbell and Fictionist's Aaron Anderson saved it from the clutches of death.
lyrics
I don’t wanna go out there tonight
I don’t even know why
Never been one to duck from a fight
Fists are nothing when you’ve already died, a few times,
The threat of death can lose its bite
With every punch I kill the pain
Of when life ripped my mom away.
And every punch I pull
Is for her, she was beautiful
And every round’s a piece of that day
CHORUS
Hook and a jab, bruise and scab
Crimson and anger flow fierce through my veins
You know I can Drop any man
It’s just the demons that keep me awake
I thought I was fearless
But I’m not
Don’t got nothing to prove here tonight
There ain’t no belt on the line
I’m just swinging to stave off the night
Maybe win or maybe just buy some time to try to live
Before they kill the lights
Tape my hands and take a breath (falling, scarring red)
Kneel at the hands and feet of death (voices in my head)
Shake off the needle chill
Wash it down with a pill
Sink to the tile, soaked in guilt and sweat
CHORUS
I don’t know the last time I felt peace in my weary heart
Mama, you left holes so big I’ve felt like an empty shopping cart
Lost and waiting and wanting so badly to be found
credits
from Paul Jacobsen And The Madison Arm,
released September 27, 2008
Aaron Anderson: drums
Pat Campbell: additional drums
George Brunt: bass
Scott Wiley: electric guitars, keyboards, widowmaker
Paul Jacobsen: vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, organ
supported by 4 fans who also own “Fearless Johnny Tapias”
This is thoughtful and melancholy, but not morose -- there is hope in its sheer beauty. Her sensitivity as an arranger and producer is as impressive as her songwriting and singing; the whole album has a lovely sense of texture and space. Joe Madden