When I Pretend to Fall

Released May 6, 2003
Barsuk Records - BARK31

sections: Lyrics & Credits | John's Story | Reviews | MP3s | Buy it

Produced and Mixed by John Roderick, Ken Stringfellow, Chris Walla, and Kip Beelman. Recorded at The Hall of Justice & The Soundhouse. Mastered by Ed Brooks at RFI, Seattle.

This is our new record. It's made of downtown right as the sun comes out after it's been raining and a little bit of three a.m. city bus in from the airport. There are several big fights between people who love each other that end with both people breaking into song and someone in a tee-shirt with rolled-up sleeves playing a sax solo. Also, there are friends coming to the rescue and there are other friends who don't want to be rescued and there are a few friends that do want to be rescued but don't want to have to ask.

Stories from the Band John writes: I started writing the songs for the second record as soon as I got to New York.  Bride and Bridle, Sound of Coming Down, Stupid and Shapes all came pretty quickly as I lay on my bare mattress at 117th and 3rd in Spanish Harlem listening to car alarms in 110 degree heat.  I love New York and was filled with joy.  During that summer I played a few New York solo shows at Pete’s Candy Store in Brooklyn, where my friend Nora was a bartender, and one show each at the Mercury Lounge and Fez, the latter with Ken Stringfellow who was promoting his brand new album, Touched. More »