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The Land

by The Wind-up Birds

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    BONUS CONTENT: - Download the 11 tracks of the land and get two extra tracks and a video.
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    Get all 16 The Wind-up Birds releases available on Bandcamp and save 30%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of "Pop.Thinking", Bar Sadness (with added RacketBall), Summer Haunts, Desire Paths, The Right, Poor Music, The Gristle, Acting Thick for Money (volume 2), and 8 more. , and , .

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1.
This is such a pretty town when the snow is falling We queue up for our loaves and pies We never find it boring And the independent record shop is rolling in gold pieces They’re queueing round the corner for The more obscure releases While we moan like owt then a good shop shuts We’d take the blame if we had the guts While we moan like owt then a good shop shuts We’d take the blame if we had the guts For the money we never spent The times we never went No one would admit that the superstore was easy There was everything under one roof So pleasing when its freezing And now they’re selling records Though most of them are shite Lowest common denominator Fills the shelves just right While we moan like owt then this good shop shuts Well take the blame No you don’t have the guts While we moan like owt then a good shop shuts We’d take the blame if we had the guts For the money we never spent The times we never went Now this is such a quiet town Cars just drive straight through Passed the historic market hall The war memorial too And there’s dignitaries on the local news and they’re talking up some plans to regenerate Regenerate Regenerate Regenerate
2.
I started off too fast of course Smoke free lungs An elemental force I couldn’t help myself I wanted to look good in front of everybody else But even before we had finished a lap I’d slotted into my place at the back With all the fat gets And the kids who just walked and talked But they didn’t talk to me We all new our place Cross Country No one had to be told It was right in your face when you were five years old And the teacher said “Take your time Paul” He was being sarcastic That’s not what he wanted at all He made it clear when he said do another lap So I set off on my own I’ve been on my own since A corporate rebel A bit like Prince I know what they expect from me A knowing smirk about a cross country So I do my bit And I pretend that I’m enjoying it When I should pretend that I’ve lost my breath Or that I’ve got a stitch Like the rabbit you forgot to feed And you were to scared to go back to the cage When you remembered So you sent your dad He said it wasn’t that bad But he was lying Well we’re still here We’re what you fear We’re what you could be Cross country I’ve not run since Look at me for the evidence I’ll just stroll and see for myself What happens cross country I don’t mind if you follow me We’ll take a trip cross country And see the sights Oh wait, are you scared to go out at night? Well what papers do you read? Do you read the one about cross country? With the forthright views And the letters page That lets you know what to do Like the rabbit you forgot to feed And you were to scared to go back to the cage When you remembered So you sent your dad He said it wasn’t that bad But he was lying Well we’re still here We’re what you fear We’re what you could be Cross country Mouth open all the time Talking back all the time
3.
I have, it seems, committed a crime I didn’t cry tears for this country of mine Some rich blokes in a sporting arena Got beat by some other blokes, hungrier and leaner Then a bloke on a bar stool, his life in tatters Squeals into his pint as if it all matters He’s torn off his top so his arms are on view And his tattoo says “English, through and through” All I said was “I’m not that bothered” He leaps from his stool, his mates all hovered He gives me a potted history then I show some sense and I fail to correct him He mentions some wars and some of his heroes I nod along, they mean nothing to me though He makes factual errors based on our borders And he finger draws a map as they call in last orders Then he turns his attention to racial matters To my shame I say nowt cos I think that he’ll twat us And I head for the door with his voice in my ears An unbearable echo of his unfounded fears In my head a better man than me, by far Turns on his heels and he steams back to the bar Grabs the man from his bar stool by his hair Pulls him away from his mates with reasonable care And he finds a quiet corner by the glass bottle bins Where he quietly proceeds to explain a few things Such as the borders of England adapting through time And the invading forces that diluted his bloodline The noblemen’s deals to pay of their debts That led into decisions affecting us yet And the rich men laughing at his patriotism That keeps him hemmed in as sure as a prison Then look into the future, his dreams are a mess Its like any invention overtaken by progress A relic from the past hidden from view His England evolved into something brand new
4.
In town in the sleet but I’m not fussed At least shit weather keeps away the buskers Might fall apart with no script to use What can I say, I’ve got trust issues Sorry for before mentioning weather in a song Nowt against it really, I just thing its been done I’ll skip over any more mentions of the rain Even though its probably a good metaphor for something I find I need to compete I need a bigger story I find I need to compete Cos everything’s a big deal these days I find I need to compete We all need the biggest story I find I need to compete with everybody I mention mood swings but I’m really quite static I was just being dramatic No burning desires or toys in the attic I was just being dramatic I said my week had been erratic I was just being dramatic Its just self defence Its automatic I was just being dramatic I was hassled by a man in The Land of Green Ginger He called me some names and he prodded a finger Wasn’t a big deal but I dragged out the story A good way of getting some sympathy maybe I can deflect all kinds of attention A bit of diversion and some funny invention A lot to be said for exaggeration Partly halt this endless invasion And I find I need to compete I need a better story I find I need to compete Cos everything’s a big deal these days And I find I need to compete We all need the better stories I find I need to compete with you When I said my week had been erratic I was just being dramatic Its just self defense Its automatic I was just being dramatic No I’m not dying but I am asthmatic I was just being dramatic I keep you enthralled with my mental acrobatics By being dramatic
5.
Yeah so I got off bus at terminus with a vague plan to go back and at least have a look at what’s changed. I cut through what used to be wasteland but is now one of these landscaped brick/bench nothing spaces. I remember that there used to be two massive concrete slabs here and I fell off one of them once taking a shortcut home. I went sprawling with my schoolbag, twatted all my leg up and my bag landed in dogshit. I see the dogshit’s still here. Not the same one obviously. So anyway right, I go up the alley with the mad echo after that. If you kicked a ball at the wall it sounded mental. It must have been annoying for people who lived in the houses though. Anyway, round corner from there is the yard of the place I came to see. Its all overgrown and stuffed with burnt and melted plastic garden toys. So I go passed the bin shed with the broken lock and the smell of dead animals and then I’m stood at the door which must have been recently repainted by the council. Its at this stage I bottle it. Instead I think I’ll check out my old house. I cut through a carpark and hop over a petrol puddle with a doll’s arm sticking out of it. I go passed a bowling club where I fell off the roof. I was just mucking about but I still get pain now. Its funny that I think of injuries first. Maybe the pain in my bones is calling me home. I’m at the house but I can barely look at it. I turn instead to stare at the houses across the road. There was one with a girl who used to ring my house and hang up all the time. She’d peek out of the Venetian blinds to see what my reaction would be. I wonder where she is now. It was an open house. It was a mouth washed out with soap. Picking bits off the floor was the most basic punishment. You’d quickly find the weak one in that situation and you don’t let them forget it apart from when it suits you. A top lip caked in snot but he was the favourite. So cut up his bacon into baby bite pieces. The food was awful. A lifelong bad stomach. Dirt from a chipped cup grinds under your nails. A teen with Down’s Syndrome gets cracked round the head. It all seems normal, par for the course. An old stroke victim, stashed in a corner, never moving except the smoke from his pipe. A dog, standard vicious, with his teeth in a kneecap. That’s gonna scar. Don’t come crying to me. Through badly hung curtains and out of the window, just endless nettles receiving the rain. A baby crawling without a nappy, grabs a sharp something. No one’s that bothered. Accused of lying. Bend an arm right up the back ‘til you hear the snap. Get the medicine for the special son. Looks like he’s hitting himself again. Watching a tantrum with fingers in ears. Try to pretend you’re at the seaside. She hides her sweets right up her sleeves. Draw on your jeans for something to do. Some stolen matches. Lets set fire to something then stand in the corner of the room. Sat right up to the TV. Someone is crying. There is sick on the carpet that’ll never be cleaned. That kid has shat himself. He’s just kneeling there, pushing a car between peoples feet. There’s two Asian children. You can say what you like to them cos that’s what all the adults do. Grass someone up for swearing or something. Watch them get a clout. Better them than you...and you wonder why I’m so fucked up...ha! Alright then, some nice bits...no soz, I can’t think of any. Why don’t you watch one of those cheapo nostalgic programmes, with lists of funny childhood things remembered by twats, if that’s what you want? There’s none of that here. That’s not what I’m selling. They wouldn’t ask me on those programmes anyway. Not that I’m famous or owt, Im just saying I wouldn’t go on one anyway. You can hold me to that. Yeah. Cheers. Cheers. Thanks. Ta. Sorry. Soz. Sorry. Soz. Sorry. Ha! Yeah, my stomach is hurting. I’m knocking back tablets. I think tummy ache did for Kurt Cobain. That and easy access to drugs and fire arms. I’m gonna get off in a minute. I’ve been hanging around here too long. Sorry for moaning but you kind of asked for it. Well, that’s what I reckon anyway. Soz. Don’t ever go back. Don’t ever go back.
6.
Wonder St 03:10
No one else wanted the sky so he took it He put it in his bag with his stolen sickness record And a bottle of water No one else wanted the day so he hid it Behind a sofa that was rammed Upside down next to the garages No one else wanted to breathe So he did it on their behalf He told everyone he that could breathe underwater I lost an eye in Wonder Street air rifle incident It wasn’t really meant for me It was an accident (Wonder St is nowhere special It merely links one road with another) No one else wanted to play So he drew them He cut out the drawings And he made them all perform in his sad play No one else wanted to cry So he built a tower out of rubbish And he climbed it And he cried for (and over) them No one else wanted to dance So he went as far away as he could He danced alone down Wonder St I lost an eye in Wonder Street air rifle incident It wasn’t really meant for me It was an accident (Wonder St is nowhere special It merely links one road with another) And he could jump two buses from a standing start Or a bus and three taxis (A bus and three, a bus and three, a bus and three) And he was magnetic when he wanted to be He did funny things with cutlery (With your cutlery, with your cutlery) And he could jump two buses from a standing start Or a bus and three taxis (A bus and three, a bus and three, a bus and three) And when he held your hand it was comforting Wasn’t weird at all Hardly at all Hardly at all Hardly at all Hardly
7.
What do you think you’re doing? Put your shoes back on you dirty bastard You know this room’s only small And yet somehow you’ve managed to make it smaller Hey there’s people outside I think they want to look in Well good luck staring through my lead curtains Have I been hasty? Have I been harsh? Well we could slip out back And they’ll definitely never find us Gone was the bond and the bind Eternally untwined Left by the wayside But we tried So its only cold If you say its cold? Well lets be warm I can keep you warm Here’s some stuff to keep your mind of things I’ve told you before Revenge is nothing at all Gone was the bond and the bind Eternally untwined Left by the wayside But we tried And we tried (They dream, they dream and then they stop And then its all about hanging around complaining) We can hold parties No people just cutouts And swap them round quite often For pretend conversations We can hold parties No people just cutouts And we will poor them wine But we will drink it ourselves Lets play a game With our new cutout friends They’re not that daring But at least we always win We can always choose ones Who look expectant And like they’re laughing So we always seem like we are funny Gone was the bond and the bind Eternally untwined Left by the wayside But we tried And we tried (They dream, they dream and then they stop And then its all about hanging around complaining) We can hold parties No people just cutouts And swap them round quite often For pretend conversations We can hold parties No people just cutouts And we will poor them wine But we will drink it ourselves You probably need me To explain this again for you don’t you?
8.
Hold your breath and slip through the railings Run like mad from your recent failings Don’t look back cos the path’s disappearing Don’t explain the pleasure you’re feeling You know overhead that the vultures are circling You did all you could it just wasn’t working It just wasn’t working (They killed themselves laughing At our stupid disco dancing) If you need a distraction A break from the action There’s a route through the dreary Streets of this terrible city (Is there no way to stop us Shifting out of focus) Your family won’t miss you Thrown away like a tissue You’ll see things more clearly Its the only answer really Its the only answer really Don’t tell anyone where you’re going Or when you’ll be back cos there’s no way of knowing You can change your name or your face when you get there Invent a past for the people you meet there Its a better place but it won’t be plain sailing You might wish you were back through the railings Well get back through the railings (They killed themselves laughing At our stupid disco dancing) If you need a distraction A break from the action There’s a route through the dreary Streets of this terrible city (Is there no way to stop us Shifting out of focus) Down the hidden ginnels And the subterranean tunnels You’ll learn how to function But there’s always repercussions There’s always repercussions You once thought you would be relevant Words you uttered would be held as significant Now your dreams are all so distant You act surprised but it was so blatant Act surprised but it was so blatant Act surprised but you are so blatant You act surprised
9.
Pop Man 02:08
There’s something in my mind that’s making me hesitant I can see you’r busy, its not important Sorry to disturb you I can tell you later What does that nod mean? Do you want me to wait? Or just stay out of your sight maybe? It takes a lot of effort to appear this lazy Its not my fault I’m not where I should be You don’t know me or my history I always fancied being a popman “What?” Like a milkman for pop Delivering the flavours that you can’t get in the shop “Pop!” I’m not talking about the eggman No way! That was The Beatles being surreal about delivery people I can spend a day on an hour’s work A handful of tricks I’ve religiously learnt The years slip away while I look at the clock But what have you done? You’re one to talk This was not my destiny, no I doubt they even have popmen now though A rusted van with broken windows All out of business cos of Asda and Tesco I always fancied being a popman “What?” Like a milkman for pop Delivering the flavours that you can’t get in the shop “Pop!” I never wanted to be a milkman No way Despite the family ties I can’t get excited about dairy supplies A man In a van Bringing pop To the people!
10.
Tyre Fire 04:43
No one can help when she feels insignificant She lost some fingers in an industrial accident She met a man, he was transparent After a time his eyes did wander He siddled away, another absconder He said he was bored She admired his candour So won’t you give me summat so that I can sleep Cos I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up All night vigils at the window I can’t see you through all the smoke though, oh no They kept in touch, the occasional email He dropped hints about his luck with females Made him look like an imbecile After six months he had a change of heart Wanted to try and go back to the start Ashamed to say that she just might So won’t you give me something so that I can sleep Cos I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up All night vigils at the window I can’t see you through all the smoke though Yes it was a body blow But I can’t see you through all the smoke though, no no no In the end she told him to shove it Not in person, she couldn’t face that It felt good but it was fleeting He would mooch around outside her work Among her friends it was a standing joke But to her, it wasn’t that funny So won’t you give me something so that I can sleep Cos I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up All night vigils at the window I can’t see you through all the smoke though Yes it was a body blow But I can’t see you through all the smoke though, oh no And through the window she can see black smoke and in the shadows this idiot bloke, in a leather coat outside her work. She used to like the twinkle in his eye. Now she can’t think why. He’s like the photo on the cover of one of them macho gangster books. And the fact that people find it funny, and are probably speaking behind her back, make it almost unbearable. Her privacy is the only thing she has ever valued. And it tires her out and she can’t sleep and she varies her route home and she lingers in the light. Sometimes she’ll stay in when she wants to go out. Sometimes she’ll stay in when she wants to go out. Its the third day of the tyre fire “Keep your windows closed” Is it safe out on the street? No one really knows The fire engines dance through A crowded street of clones Capturing the flames on their camera phones Calendar and Look North compete for the view Th kids clown in the background Like they’re supposed to Once you’ve seen the smoke You can’t avert your eyes Cars pull over Gawping in lay-bys Something ancient stirs in your insides The primitive man in the cave where he hides Tears evaporate Heat stings your face Overwhelming helplessness puts you in your place Your history means nothing Consumed by the flames Lightened of your language Deprived of all your names Your history means nothing Consumed by the flames Lightened of your language Deprived of all your names Your history means nothing
11.
The Land 04:30
I got half way through the book It was quite good But I had to put it down He had misunderstood the land The land The land And on the TV they were showing a play But it was unclear what they were Trying to say about the land The land The land And if you laugh they might take you away And if you talk back they might take you away And if you read books they might take you away In the land We were too tired Our cooking was bland We were too scared to walk hand in hand Through the land The land The land So we kept on flying away from the sand And we never looked down Cos we knew there was nowhere to land To land To land And if you laugh they will take you away And if you read books they will take you away And if you talk back they will take you away In the land And if you say sorry they will take you away And if you break down they will take you away And if you are me they will take you away In the land (I don’t think you understand I don’t think you understand None of this is underhand In our land I don’t think we’ll ever land I don’t think you understand None of this is underhand In our land When your friends have gone away And when your parents have gone away And when the money has gone away I will be with you And when the light has gone away And when all hope has gone away And when your mind it goes away I will be with you

about

This is the debut album from The Wind-up Birds.

Recorded with Ross at Ghost Town Studios in Leeds
(Except Pop Man recorded with Whiskas at Mook in Leeds)

Mastered by Tom at Hippocratic.

No People Just Cut Outs features guest vocals from James Smith of Post War Glamour Girls.

EXTRA CONTENT WITH DOWNLOAD!!!!

The fantastic video by Paul Morricone for Tyre Fire
The Night Soil (bonus song)
Tyre Fire (original four-track demo)

credits

released May 14, 2012

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The Wind-up Birds Leeds

New EP - "Pop. Thinking" is out now.


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