Jonathan Barnes - medication (2007)

Tracklist

01. Over The Line
02. Does It Matter
03. Medication
04. Anyway
05. Feel of Desperation
06. Right Here
07. Shackled
08. I Married You
09. Out of Line
10. And At The Very Least

The album 'Medication' has been in the works since the ink was still drying on my 2003 release 'file under agrarian'. On FUA I felt like I had to get it all out -- all my influences, genres, and styles -- and I feel I accomplished that. FUA was a great introduction to all the kinds of music I love. I knew that the next project would be more focused, keeping the same soul. So we come to Medication - I had moved to Nashville in 2003 and had recorded quite a bit of demos, written new songs and re-hashed old ones. In early 2006 I had some conversations with Will Sayles, a great guy and an incredible musician with a passion for creating, producing, and recording. He and I started going over different songs that I had in my collection of demos, and we decided on 10 that we thought were cohesive, focused, and had a lot of soul. I wanted the album to be as organic as possible, with more of a 'capturing-the-moment' feel rather than a stuffy studio impression. So we started tracking the first song, Feel of Desperation, with guitar, vocals, and piano. Everything fell into place, and as the song progressed, Will and I knew that what we were capturing was the beginning of the album that would be Medication. We recorded at the Smoakstack in Nashville from March to August 2006, working around each other's schedules, with an army of like-minded musicians walking in to do their part. Chris Carmichael lent his talents with string arrangements and performances on two tracks. Ben Shive, Ian Fitchuk, and Cason Cooley contributed on Keyboards. Tony Lucido and Park Chisolm held down the low end with their bass expertise. Faith Gilmore sang along with me on 'Shackled', and Brent Clifton harmonized with me on four other songs. Claire Indie played cello on 'Anyway'. Will and I played a little too. In the end, I feel like this album is what I wanted it to be: an organic, soulful collection of music that I hope you will enjoy hearing as much as I did recording it. Jonathan Lyrics: Over The Line I jumped headfirst off a bridge into shallow water. I didn't want to, but everybody thought I should be the first to speak out of turn when I knew that I shouldn't, but I did, and look where it brought me: over the line of what is reasonable. I got struck with a bolt of electricity and I survived it. I can't hide it though, my head seems to hurt a lot worse things have happened to people traveling out of the country. You know exactly what I'm talking аbout: over the line of what is reasonable. And I know I've done a lot of stupid things. And I know that maybe I'm just too scared to fight it. Over the line of what is reasonable. Does It Matter Bury your face in your hands on the corner of 16th and Grand. Somebody asked you seven years ago what you wanted, did you even know? Take this for what it's worth, all that back and forth should caution you quickly and be understood. Recognize it, try not to be fooled. Was it worth it? Was it worth it at all? Did it matter? Did it matter at all? Welcome to the big time, welcome to the show you didn't know about until they pushed you through the door. I can't believe that I fell for all of those lies I was dealt. And if they ask me was it worth the tears? I wouldn't answer all of those years. Was it worth it? Was it worth it at all? Did it matter? Did it matter at all? Is it worth it? Is it worth it at all? Does it matter? Does it matter at all? Medication Is it just the medication? Is it just the pills I've been taken? Is it this life I'm living that's giving me these dreams I've been having? Vertigo got me spinning around on my carousel, on my carousel. Have I really been forsaken? Or is it just the medication? Do you have any words for me? I'd really like to hear what you see. Have I really been forsaken? Or is it just the medication? Digging in the trenches, giving me some time for my senses, breaking down my defenses, is it just the medication? Do you have any advice for me? I'd really like to hear what you see. Have I really been forgiven? Or is it just the medication? Anyway Anyway, I tried to say something but I got cut off from all of the thoughts and all that it cost at that precise moment in time, goes by, and I, don't know why or how to say anyway, I tried to say something but I got cut off. Feel of Desperation Your clothes are wet, the money's gone, you lost your bet, the deal went wrong, those tired eyes long to close, neon lights every place you go. The city sleeps, the river races, forgotten dreams, and all those places you used to be when you had a chance to break free and climb over the fence. Maybe it's the circumstance, maybe it's the charge, the feel of desperation, and your broken heart. Where do you run, where do you go when you're broken down and on the floor? The only thing that you ever wanted is not to be what you've now become. Along for the ride is your guilty conscience, sneaking into every thought. The haze creeps in and you can't see much, you miss your friends and your girlfriend's touch. Maybe it's the circumstance, maybe it's the charge, the feel of desperation, and your broken heart wants to tell you again what it wants you to know. The hard part of living fast is taking it slow. Turning around, and looking up, you see the sun and it gives you hope. Breaks away all fears and doubts, confidence becomes you now. Those tired eyes' wish comes true, every place you go light shining through, every place you go. Right Here I've been up, I've been down, and there's no one around to see the love coming down from the heavens. Do you not know, have you not heard that the love you have is not your own? All my questions. You're right here with me, right here. I drink, and I sing, I do most anything to get out of this life that I'm living. Do you not know, have you not heard that the life you have is not your own? All my exceptions . . . You're right here with me, right here. Shackled Shackled by the moon, calling me too soon, and the day I left behind, left me blind. Well, I wish I'd tried to hide these feelings deep inside. I wish I'd known, I wish I'd known. Shackled by the moon, shackled by the moon. Stifled by the sun, makes me run to the places that I love away from the push and the shove. I wish I'd tried to hide these feelings deep inside. I wish I'd known, I wish I'd known. Stifled by the sun, stifled by the sun. Maybe I should leave. Maybe I should just get out. Stifled by the sun, shackled by the moon. I Married You Old man shoes, holy jeans. I married you, Christina Jean. Big surprise under a live oak tree. Webley gave us eyes when you said you'd married me. We were dancing in Birmingham, old wooden floors. Take me by the hand, let's dance around some more. You got your Levis on Christmas Eve. When I see you smile, I just can't believe. I just can't believe it. European automobile on the way to Cassis. My joy I could not hope to conceal when we saw the Mediterranean Sea. Out of Line Standing in line at my favorite coffee shop, thinking about last night and why I didn't stop to say goodbye. I was out of line. Across the room, there she stood, talking to some friends of hers, well I guess I just misunderstood the look in her eyes. I was out of line. The shortest length between two points is a straight line. I walked away, 180 degrees from you. Standing in line at my favorite record store, she was listening to some Gram Parsons, I'd seen her here before. I broke out of line. And At the Very Least And at the very least, you finally got some peace of mind. Last I checked, you weren't blind, look for yourself it's a blessing in disguise. And as the situation grew, you found you made it through the pain, another chance to live again, you live you life to it's full extent. You didn't know that it would be so good. In the midst of your pain you found your hope again. And as you came out of the dark, your friends played a bigger part of it all. Look in hindsight, see it all. Blessings come after a fall...

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