Tag Archives: feeder

#635: Feeder – Insomnia

Leave a reply

‘Insomnia’ was initially released on Feeder’s second album Yesterday Went Too Soon in 1999, gaining further promotion as the record’s second single in the same year. I was four at the time. It was years later, seven to be exact, when I heard the song for the first time on the band’s singles compilation – aptly named The Singles.

There’s nothing much to try and pick apart here. The song is about Grant Nicholas trying to cope with insomnia by drinking himself to sleeping and taking pills. Throughout, he lists ways in which he tries to get some sleep: reading magazines, counting sheep, daydreaming of the days when he was young and didn’t have to care about many things. It’s simple stuff. It’s very pop punk in its delivery. A lot of power chords and forceful drums to boot, but a straight up catchy melody that’s memorable and easy to the ear.

Think I made it clear once upon a time that Feeder had a lot of great singles. There are more to come in the future. On this blog, I mean. They have released some stuff recently though.

#608: Feeder – Idaho

Leave a reply

Here’s my thing with Feeder…. I think a lot of their singles are absolutely brilliant. You can just listen to their Singles compilation from 2006 to hear for yourself. But I’ve never been able to get into their albums. Does anyone else feel this way? I’m probably just not a major Feeder fan. Though whenever they released a new single along with its video and showed it on MTV2, 8 times out of 10 the results were usually very good.

‘Idaho’ was the third single from the band’s 2012 album Generation Freakshow. Speaking for myself, it was the first new Feeder video I had seen on TV for a while so when it came on it was a bit of a surprise. Grant Nicholas’ voice now had a bit of weight to it that made it sound deeper than what I was normally used to. Most likely due to aging. The drums are booming, guitars enhanced with a crunching presence. These were some good sounds I was hearing. The video itself (as you can see above) concerns a bull-riding competition while Nicholas and bass player Taka Hirose sit at a table and watch. It’s not the most interesting thing. But, at 17 years old, I could appreciate the song.

The track sees its narrator hung up on a woman. Perhaps they were in a relationship or something. It seems as though things have ended between them… maybe she died… it’s not clear. All in all, the narrator can’t stop thinking about her and they fly to Idaho in the hope of some peace of mind. It’s another great melancholic Feeder single.

My iPod #385: Feeder – Forget About Tomorrow

Leave a reply

“Forget About Tomorrow” is a song from Feeder’s album “Comfort in Sound”. I don’t have that album, though. It was thanks to the almighty “Singles” compilation from 2006 that I was able to hear the song and admire its beauty.

I always thought that “Tomorrow” was a sad track, only because of its album’s context (I think I went into depth about that already, either in the “Come Back Around” or title track entries, so have a read of those if you want). But in fact, it’s very uplifting. The rising, heavy string section drives the track onwards as Grant Nicholas sings about feeling content with everything surrounding him and generally seeing things a lot clearer than before; as a result he can’t think about tomorrow due to the elation.

Quite emotional to say the least. On “The Singles” this track is followed by “Tender” which is another track guaranteed to bring on some feels; hopefully, you feel better after listening to this one.

My iPod #204: Feeder – Comfort in Sound

1 Reply
 

The title track from Feeder’s fourth album is one that has an ambiguous effect on me. Sometimes, it fails to raise a positive emotion in me. Sometimes I hear the song and I feel sad for no reason and quite dispirited. Other times it’s a song I would play when I’m with my friends or family and think “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else than where I am right now, at this point in time.”

I told you the context of the album already with “Come Back Around”. Whilst that song (although having somewhat of a similar message to this) excites me with its pace and forceful instrumentation, “Comfort in Sound” stops me where I am and makes me think about life… about what I’m doing presently, about making most of the time I have.

I do love the song. Lazily looking upon the lyrics now, it has a positive and heartwarming aura. It is about finding solace in the things that surround you. Mostly in the things you hear. Its mid-tempo pace and the key(which was altered for the single release, and is the version I have) make me feel at home… and really warm inside.

My iPod #201: Feeder – Come Back Around

1 Reply
 

Today has been such a bore; I haven’t done anything of any use at all. I am thinking that this has been the case for many other people out there.

We all get so excited at Winter awaiting Christmas Day. Children get excited and start making the lists for Father Christmas, decorations are put up, food is prepared. The day comes, the food is eaten and the presents are received and we all sit around watching our favourite soaps and films on the TV. Then it is all over, and then follows…. Boxing Day erghh. Boxing Day is the absolute worst. Just because the intense build-up of enjoyment disappears. Christmas is gone. Bargains are going on in plenty of shops. Now we wait another 364 days to do it all over again. It is going to take a while to come back around. (I think that should be a suitable indication to start talking about the song).

“Come Back Around” was the first single from the Welsh band Feeder’s fourth album “Comfort in Sound”, released in 2002. Their drummer Jon Lee had sadly died earlier that year, and the album is an expression of lead singer and main songwriter Grant Nicholas’ feelings on the loss of his friend.

The track is one of determination and self-perseverance. About losing oneself in a moment of desperation, but still remembering to snap back into reality. At least that’s what I get from the verses anyway. The chorus is Grant’s call out to Jon, a constant reminder that he misses him and will never forget the times they shared. It is very sad and yet musically, it is very uplifting.

It reached #14 in the UK.

In the video, Nicholas jumps while holding his guitar before the finial choruses. Freeze it when that happens and you have the album cover for “The Singles”. You can also pause it when he sings “burning away” at Taka, the bassist, is bowing down with his instrument. Then you have the image on the back of the liner notes.

That’s a magnificent album cover.