Album Review // 2020-09-16

Code Orange

Underneath

Released: 2020-03-13

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This band started off as Code Orange Kids. They were very young when they began. Apparently, they weren't able to even perform at certain venues because they weren't old enough. I don't know why they changed their name. Maybe they literally grew up!

A code orange is actually a code that signifies a need for a large amount of medical assistance due to disaster affecting a large group of people. I think that this disaster imagery makes sense with the style of this band.

I heard the song "Swallowing The Rabbit Whole" first and I said out loud "This song is too cool for me". I guess it just felt like something that doesn't instantly sit right. It felt like it was morphing, and like I wasn't progressing with it. I have since listened to this song several times and it has become my favourite song on the album!

I went on to watch a live video of this band performing and I was definitely sold on the energy! I love shows that are full of lots of motion; they literally pull you in.

Album Art

This artwork makes me think of being fully exposed. Maybe without your skin, or even deeper than that. Maybe you are able to see the true person underneath it all! I think this theme could be done better in art, but not bad.

Mood

The mood is strange, almost futuristic, with a sense of unsettled urgency. It has a level of chaos to it at times, but not always in a way I like.

Vocals

This band has two main vocalists plus backing vocalists. For me there is no competition between the voices. Though there is no doubt that every vocal on this album has an intensity to it, like a ball of energy exploding, I prefer Jami's (the drummer) vocals. Reba (guitarist), not so much for me. Something in me just shuts down when I hear her singing vocal come in. I can't get into songs with her as the main voice. I think her voice is unnecessary.

Music

The music includes some sampling which I don't always like in music, especially when it is repetitive. I didn't find it to be overpowering. The little girl's voice used in a few songs actually does a good job or producing an unsettled feeling. Some of their use of sounds you don't generally associate with this type of music also create that sense of concern. I have had a very crazy week and I have been listening to a few albums while driving. As I was listening to this one, a few times I thought things were skipping or cutting out. It was actually just the use of effects to create this unique sound. Not something just anyone can do. I feel like the quicker paced songs make the most sense for this band because they radiate energy.

Deeper Than Before 

As the title insinuates, this intro seems to be about pressing deeper. Taking a better look at a person.

Let's take a good look at you
Let's take a good look at you

Swallowing The Rabbit Whole

This play on the phrase "rabbit hole", compared to "rabbit whole," allows for you to pass back and forth between these meanings. On one hand, you are dealing with something very hard that seems to be engulfing you. On the other hand, you are ready to take it on and engulf it yourself, and swallow it whole.

Like birds of prey spitting out the bone
Like watching my dreams come and go
You're staring into your new god's soul
I'm swallowing the rabbit whole

In Fear

Seems to be about not being able to avoid your fear. Needing to confront it.

So now the writing's on the wall
But what's exposed won't be enough
And the thought is just too much
Of the digital knife's edge that cuts us all
Of stripping bare and begging to crawl
Pleasure purposed, targeted, sold

You and You Alone

Sounds like there is a struggle with understanding people that let other people decide everything for them, don't share their true selves, but try to be like everyone else. I have personally referred to these type of people as "mats" a time or two. I had one parent that was this way and the other that was polar opposite. Very different ways of thinking!

You do well under control
You play your part, you know your role
You do best when you're controlled
Now it's on you and you alone

In trying to be
An amalgamation of everything you've seen
You want to be
Everybody's friend, that makes you weak
You go with flow
You're so in on the joke
So in the know

Who I Am

To me this sounds like someone who feels like they fall short, like they really don't compare in contrast to someone else. They are ready to admit their failings and are hopeful for acceptance. Maybe there has been some harsh reaction when sharing their struggles. It really is hard to trust people!

A broken recluse on the inside
Obsession's just the escape
You're beautiful on the inside
I'm filled with prismatic shame

I wanna show you who I am
Swear you won't put me away
You'll be the best part of my plan
Swear you won't put me down

Cold.Metal.Place

This sounds like things are tough - like being pummeled by rain during a storm, getting crushed by your own judgement. You don't feel like you measure up. Imagine laying on a slab of metal, you don't have enough clothing layers to keep you warm, and it is a terrible storm. Maybe you are at risk of freezing.

The rain and the thunder
It's dragging me under
But the hammer of judgement
Is crushing you

Into the cold metal place
Without a sound, without a trace
An echo sound
The fall from grace

Sulfur Surrounding

This song goes back to the words from the intro which seem to want to delve deeper. The idea that seeing something from someone else's perspective is being investigated in this song. Definitely something I have found to be helpful even if it isn't always easy.

You wanna see it through my eyes
So I'm coming through
But I've never seen a ground so hollow
Haunted by a chemical  compulsion
when I know that there are options
I wanna see it through God's eyes
But hate brews in me so easy

Seems like this desire to see through God's eyes seems unattainable. Whether this is just meant to be sort of like seeing things differently, maybe a bigger picture or having info you don't currently have. Regardless, the person feels they are falling short by having a hateful mindset. I know hate certainly hasn't done anything good for me, personally. I am more into embracing love.

The Easy Way

I am not sure what the easier way is for the artist who created these lyrics.

Deep down the most desired road
They see a golden son
You're not the only one
Dig out the soul but they see it the same
The quicker digestion
The easier way

These words kinda seem to be indicating that the easier road is also a desired road. Who wants to do something hard? But we often do find ourselves taking the harder road. Sometimes it might be beneficial.

Don't wanna know who you really are
Don't wanna know what you want
What you are begging for
The pheromones eating through your blood
break down, break down, break

This talk of pheromones just makes me think of going with what comes naturally. But it sounds like there may be some resentment about someone taking this easier road.

Erasure Scan

Obviously this song is about removing the data from, or all traces of, someone. Feels sci-fi, like you could scan the info out of a person. Would you sign up for it? To get rid of the hard things you don't want to remember.

Caught staring at nothing at all
Rubrics brain born without a stain
But since then it's grown far more deranged
The tabula rasa has been harmed
Forgotten in the crowded technovision
Starved for some human recognition
Now I'm searching for something in these halls
The revenge of the nobody
Scattered, shamed, unorganized, decayed

Erasure scan, it's all for naught
Erasure scan, they all forgot

Last Ones Left

I think this song goes back to the fake self that people present. I am not sure why there is the reference to being the last ones left. 

Spit in their faces and they'll react with a smile
Pick at the details and you'll find ripe denial
Fake kindness, bootlocking spreads like the plague
Just for a place at the emperor's feet

Autumn and Carbine

I think this is making an association between autumn and shedding some parts of yourself you don't like. I didn't realize that green man was a thing. Apparently, a green man is associated with rebirth. He is literally a part of the foliage that is growing. Maybe the mezzanine is lifting you just enough off the ground for the failure to fall and for you to still be standing up from it.

A pile of shells and a pile of leaves
In my dreams green man looks like me
And failure falls just like autumn trees
My concrete comfort mezzanine

Back Inside The Glass

I see this as referring to being consumed by hatred or jealousy or resentment, something that is eating you up.

A twisted knife
A porcelain reflection
Where sorrys die
And my mind is a murder weapon
I know I could control it
But it's so consuming once it is in
A maniac in bilocation
Stretched in two different directions

I can identify with this use of the term "murder weapon." Some states of mind or actions can feel violent even without an actual weapon. Certainly frames of mind can be consuming in this way. 

Now I'm back inside the glass
And know that the pain is coming
Now I'm back inside the glass
The regret has slithered into me
now I'm back inside the glass

This glass is like a prison you are stuck in and keep finding yourself back at.

A Sliver

A sliver is a tiny piece of something split from a larger piece. The title makes sense as this song seems to be referring to someone who feels like a sliver that is wasting away. It also seems to be important to the person that they matter to another specific person. That is a lot of weight to put on someone, a lot to count on from another person. I personally don't want to define myself based on if I am valued by another person.

I'm a sliver growing thinner
Feeling smaller every day

Completely unheard
Your voice, your choice just a worm in the dirt
Completely unheard
Engineered at the seance of real human yearn
Nomophobia stretches the want to a need
'Til you can't feel a thing and are begging to breathe
If I'm not what you want then I'll never be free
If I'm not what you are then what even is me?

Sounds like a rough relationship. One that may be obsessive, disrespectful, and one sided.

The Cutter

Again this song makes me think of sci-fi action. A fictional creature that kills people in violent ways.

They bring the words back in from the first song. Almost like they are saying you somehow got something you deserved. Pretty punitive.

And when he breaks down the door
Severs the brain from the skull
And then he gives you some more
You better believe what you're preaching at, that's all

Cutter's out to take us all
Put you back where you belong
Fuck you-
Let's take a good look at you

Playlist Pick

Overall some songs just aren't for me on this album. But some I quite like.

Swallowing The Rabbit Whole showcases the interesting sounds this band uses and keeps up the energy. It will make it to my playlist.

The second song to make it is You and You Alone. I almost chose a different song, but this would have been cutting off my nose to spite my face, missing this song. There is a vocal part I don't care for. I think my like for the song outweighs the dislike for the one part. It stands out as a better song from this album.