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The Republic Tigers — Golden Sand
Album: Keep Color
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1421









Released: 2008
Length: 3:46
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Break ground.
Buckle down.
It's time.
Yeah, it's time for the party to make some sound.
Let's move from this underground,
Shed some of this blacklight to surrounding towns.

How much responsibility do you bear
For the ill uses others might make of your ideas?
Almost as much responsibility that you'd bear
If you failed to speak your mind
When it might have made some kind of a difference.
So make a difference.
Could you make 'em dance
Turn your bleeding hearts into some bleeding hands?

Line up.
State your name, state your claims, claim your stakes.
If you wanna fight with us, you've got to refuse to please the game.
Look ahead now.
Oh, let the countdown usher
The philanthropic minds to speak up now
And scrape the paint that hides the crimes
Of a silent kind.

Look up
And make a difference.
But the right difference would mean
The bleeding hearts would got to be turned into some
Bleeding hands from solid lands.
Yeah, can you make 'em dance
And keep an upright stance?
Is the position that you hold
One that could parallel
A synergistically greater plan?
Or would it force us all to be packed into a can?

How much responsibility do you bear
For the ill uses that the others might make of your ideas?
Almost as much responsibility that you'd bear
If you failed to speak your mind
When it might have changed things.

Let's move from this undergound
Blare some of this blacklight
Through their socket pride
Where their eyes used to hide
When they had sight
Now only servin' as a path
For us to maybe reach that height
With a word
To make a difference.
Come on, let's make 'em dance,
Turn their bleeding hearts
Into some bleeding hands over solid lands.

Now, can you make 'em dance
And keep an upright stance?
Or has the premise of your cause
Been rooted in a slopin', quickly given golden sand?
'Cause the collapse you'd cause would pull us down with claws that don't let go.
Yeah, the collapse you'd cause could pull us down with claws that don't let go
Comments (189)add comment
 Hippostar wrote:

Doesn't age well.  In 2022, you will get Cancelled if you follow this advice.


LOL!   I like the rhythm of the 'imperative'.   

This has to be the most amazing one album-hit band music I have ever enjoyed.  The music has aged really well IMO.

Not sure that America has aged so well.
Doesn't age well.  In 2022, you will get Cancelled if you follow this advice.
I love this…
Don't like when anybodu tru to culpabilisize...
We're in the same shiff, in fact !
One of my favorite "unknown" (by most, it seems) albums. The promised follow up album from Republic Tigers never came, but this one is definitely a keeper and one of my favorite finds of the last 10 years.
 bitbanger wrote:
Kind of preachy innit

 
I suppose it is; it is definitely not for North Americans seeking a pure self-medication experience. 
Kind of preachy innit
Ideally from a musical point of view.
Your so on target"powerful"{#Sunny}
Thanks, hayduke2! STILL waiting for some new music from RT...wonder what's up...anyway, yeah, it's a REALLY POWERFUL PIECE! 
---
hayduke2 wrote:

Right on man, I get so in the groove and imagine a tight crowd around me boppin and shakin and spinning to this awesome music that cannot be loud enough and stimulates the fire in each us! Yeah this really very powerful piece has a great effect on me, woooo hoooo!!!

 coloradojohn wrote:
I just love how this thing bucks and hums with its frantic breathless rhythms and I dig how it sure does take some nice vocal dexterity out for a flashy spin and I feel it in my skin how it claws with the right ideas at just the right times and my mind endlessly reels at how it forces all these really killer issues, man, and I do think it's a truly awesome piece of work, and I find I can hardly wait for some new stuff from these rocking KC cats!


 
Right on man, I get so in the groove and imagine a tight crowd around me boppin and shakin and spinning to this awesome music that cannot be loud enough and stimulates the fire in each us! Yeah this really very powerful piece has a great effect on me, woooo hoooo!!!

Compliments to the DJ for a terrific transition from U2's I will follow.

 


I think this is cool. 7->8.
 ziakut wrote:
I hear a Peter Murphy influence in the vocals. Not a bad thing by any means.

 
Coincidentally, I hear a mild Bowie influence too - which of course is who Murphy was influenced by. 
Definitely interesting.
blahPreachy blah blah preach bad U2 riff preach  scold blah 
WonderLizard
(2,755.46 mi. due east of Paradise)
Posted: Dec 13, 2012 - 10:56
 

 Stingray wrote:

No MELODY whatsoever!

 

  
How long have you had this affliction, the inability to hear melody?

{#Lol}


Amazing segue from U2 - I Will Follow to this
 I concur! Love this band

pcicatar wrote:
Album purchased.  Many thanks again to RP and Bill for turning me onto music I wouldn't have otherwise found!   {#Guitarist}
 


 Cynaera wrote:
"Reading this made me have to gasp for breath because there were so few commas and I always depend on commas to tell me when to breathe and by the time I got to the end with three commas I was hyperventilating."





Well then, try reading Dharma Bums by Kerouac and call me in the morning, if that hasn't sorted your breathing.


Album purchased.  Many thanks again to RP and Bill for turning me onto music I wouldn't have otherwise found!   {#Guitarist}
this
is 
so
incredible 
l liked Buildings & Mountains and it's good to know there's more on this album - thanks RP.
wow - this is the worst thing I've heard on RP in a ling time - just awful in my opinion...
 Jacquetta wrote:
I love this and it reminds me of Howard Devoto every time!!
 

Interesting comparison that never occured to me. Magazine's album Real Life is in my top ten and I love this album too.
{#Jump}
 deepwoodskev wrote:
Yeah, I always thought this was Moby as well.
 

Nice compliment actually. 

 

TRTs are amazing.  Still sound very fresh a few years later.  


 WonderLizard wrote:

How long have you had this affliction, the inability to hear melody?
 

I am beginning to wonder if Stingray is not mis-translating the word from German.   {#Rolleyes}
Yeah, I always thought this was Moby as well.
I love this and it reminds me of Howard Devoto every time!!
 Stingray wrote:

No MELODY whatsoever!

 

 
How long have you had this affliction, the inability to hear melody?

No MELODY whatsoever!

 


 ziakut wrote:
I hear a Peter Murphy influence in the vocals. Not a bad thing by any means.
 

 Father of Eddy?

 

PS

Republic "no melody" Tigers!


"Turn our bleeding hearts to bleeding hands" ... Still gives me the tingles every time I hear it.  Just a great song!
 lelkoun wrote:
7 -> 8 {#Good-vibes}
 

yep - the same.
How much responsibility do you bear
For the ill uses others might make of your ideas?
Almost as much responsibility that you'd bear
If you failed to speak your mind
Nice seque!
I hear a Peter Murphy influence in the vocals. Not a bad thing by any means.
 coloradojohn wrote:
and scrape some of the paint that hides the crimes... of the silent kinds...
I am STILL pulling yet unexploded word-bombs from the incredible barrage of this song! and LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT...
Thanks, RP!
 
You are so right! Agreed! {#Sunny}
 lelkoun wrote:
7 -> 8 {#Good-vibes}
 
Did the same based on the lyrics alone.
and scrape some of the paint that hides the crimes... of the silent kinds...
I am STILL pulling yet unexploded word-bombs from the incredible barrage of this song! and LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT...
Thanks, RP!

This song always makes me think of Barbershop quartets.  

How about we call it Barber Rock?  


Awesome... I'm off to buy this one... Thx RP for introducing me to RT.
I could listen to this while doing ANYfreakin'thing and still find myself nodding and tapping and humming and digging the POWER of the words AND the music...  Like any really great song, it fits any occasion and comes up jamming.  
Happy New Year RPers!

=>
Sounds good.

This is a great CD.   Fine songs all the way through.

 

Enjoy the festive season. Be nice to yourselves, your families, your communities. Self-medicate safely!


Reminds me, sometimes, of The Shins.

 Derecho wrote:

Yes, you are.

 
He's KIDDING, maybe.  Ain't it great ?  {#Bananajumprope}
 Stingray wrote:
BORING!
 
Yes, you are.

BORING!
 coloradojohn wrote:
I just love how this thing bucks and hums with its frantic breathless rhythms and I dig how it sure does take some nice vocal dexterity out for a flashy spin and I feel it in my skin how it claws with the right ideas at just the right times and my mind endlessly reels at how it forces all these really killer issues, man, and I do think it's a truly awesome piece of work, and I find I can hardly wait for some new stuff from these rocking KC cats!

  Reading this made me have to gasp for breath because there were so few commas and I always depend on commas to tell me when to breathe and by the time I got to the end with three commas I was hyperventilating.

And in total agreement with you. This is a very multi-dimensional song. The music is good, the lyrics are incredible, the instruments are compelling, and there's just something about the whole mix that's like a treasure-hunt - each time I hear it, I discover something new and thrilling.

Also swayed 9 >>> 10.  
 jchrise wrote:
Jeeze...what a mess...constant forcing of words to the melody.

I detest the "RE—SPONS—I—BIL—ITY" line they break up.

Makes me cringe every time!
 
Each to his own I guess, but I love the way the lyrics are an integral part of the rhythm not just the melody... 9!
 westslope wrote:
To hell with it:  9 -> 10
 

Seriously.

Hugs old friend!

This is so unique.

Praying these guys put out another album,
IMHO, absolutely Godlike. Awesome melodic line !

 dyharenas wrote:
I always admire when vocalists fit in a zillion words per second without missing a beat
 
Yeah..in 3244 takes and three months of mixing. {#Rolleyes}
To hell with it:  9 -> 10
Jeeze...what a mess...constant forcing of words to the melody.

I detest the "RE—SPONS—I—BIL—ITY" line they break up.

Makes me cringe every time!

Hey Bill, If you haven't already, you should follow this song with 'Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)' from the Raising Sand album by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. They do flow together well and there is that Sand connection. {#Smile}

I just love how this thing bucks and hums with its frantic breathless rhythms and I dig how it sure does take some nice vocal dexterity out for a flashy spin and I feel it in my skin how it claws with the right ideas at just the right times and my mind endlessly reels at how it forces all these really killer issues, man, and I do think it's a truly awesome piece of work, and I find I can hardly wait for some new stuff from these rocking KC cats!

I like this song and I don't.  I can't explain it.  The stream-of-consciousness lyrics grab my attention, then make me wince and look away. 
getting to really like this song

Stupid song - great cover!
 bindi wrote:
I

don't know

                     why
I
      don't

really

                              like

this
     song. . . .
 


I love your comment even though I like this song.

I

don't know

                     why
I
      don't

really

                              like

this
     song. . . .
This is new to me. Thanks RP.
8+
Love it!
 pcicatar wrote:
It's funny you should say that...  I was trying to decide whether they or Interpol had a new track released.  {#Smile}

 
That's what the new Interpol should have sounded like! Oh, what happened...

Kansas City's finest
Good New Years Eve Show
 Radio_Man wrote:
I can't wait for the next Republic Tigers release.  This album had some fantastic tracks like this one.
 
I know, but it's radio!  Thanks for waiting like the rest of us :)
I can't wait for the next Republic Tigers release.  This album had some fantastic tracks like this one.
I am kind of in love with this song.
 pcicatar wrote:
It's funny you should say that...  I was trying to decide whether they or Interpol had a new track released.  {#Smile}

 

Yeah, I thought this was Interpol at first, also.
Ooo, nice transition from U2. I love it when you find these mixes, Bill!
I always admire when vocalists fit in a zillion words per second without missing a beat
danmcminn wrote:
 a bleeding heart is a liberal, specifically one who speaks loudly about problems with the world and professes sympathy for those wronged (the rough-rough definition).
 ziggytrix wrote:

No it isn't.  A bleeding-heart is anyone who is overly sympathetic to the problems of others.  To equate that with the whole of liberalism is either a little bit ignorant or a lot disingenuous.

 
Right on.  Let's not redefine our terms to suit our needs now!  From Dictionary.com:

bleeding heart

–noun
1.
any of various plants belonging to the genus Dicentra,  of the fumitory family, esp. D. spectabilis,  a common garden plant having long, one-sided clusters of rose or red heart-shaped flowers.
2.
a person who makes an ostentatious or excessive display of pity or concern for others.

or
World English Dictionary
bleeding heart
n
1. any of several plants of the genus Dicentra , esp the widely cultivated Japanese species D. spectabilis , which has finely divided leaves and heart-shaped nodding pink flowers: family Fumariaceae
2. informal
a. a person who is excessively softhearted
b. ( as modifier ): a bleeding-heart liberal
Right wing definition modification is really beginning to piss me off!


 danmcminn wrote:
 a bleeding heart is a liberal, specifically one who speaks loudly about problems with the world and professes sympathy for those wronged (the rough-rough definition).
 
No it isn't.  A bleeding-heart is anyone who is overly sympathetic to the problems of others.  To equate that with the whole of liberalism is either a little bit ignorant or a lot disingenuous.

I dig it!      I didn't listen too closely to the lyrics but I liked the sound...  the rhyme scheme..  funky but not too funky...
Whatever or whomever they sound like. . . it's really good!!!!!
 fuh2 wrote:
Sounds kind of  like The National.
  It's funny you should say that...  I was trying to decide whether they or Interpol had a new track released.  {#Smile}

 danmcminn wrote:

Really? On a word-by-word basis yeah, sometimes it seems to me like the singer is looking for sound pairs. But overall it seems pretty clear. Turn your bleeding hearts into bleeding hands: a bleeding heart is a liberal, specifically one who speaks loudly about problems with the world and professes sympathy for those wronged (the rough-rough definition). Bleeding hands means hard work.
So rather than just talk about the ills of the world, work to make a difference.

Then the whole question response "how much responsibility..." is the singer trying to eliminate one excuse for inaction: what if I tried to help and someone turned what I did to evil advantage? It's worse to not try and help—he says. And most of the rest of the lyrics are the same: hey you kids at the clubs (the blacklight, underground) with your strong political messages—do something! Be active about what you talk about. And do it before we all get dragged down by the evils (the claws bit at the end).

Easy.

  Yep, that's it. Thanks.

I'm in the 'shut up and work' school of thought, so this song really resonates with me.


 fuh2 wrote:
SOunds kind of  like The National.
 

I agree and that's not a compliment to either band.

 fuh2 wrote:
SOunds kind of  like The National.
 

I agree, and they both sound great to me! {#Dancingbanana}
SOunds kind of  like The National.
 Leatherpoker wrote:
Hmm..pretty good.  A 7.  Reminds me of the Shins a bit.
  I had to look to see if this was the Shins, too. I agree with the others about it sounding like Interpol, too. I wonder if the rest of the album is as likable as this song?


This song, this band continues to be incredible.  Gives me shivers every time it comes on.  {#Sunny}
 james_of_tucson wrote:


I like the composition of the music and the production quality is excellent, but I don't know if it's because I'm not smart enough to understand the meaning of the song, or if the song lacks meaning.  I can accept it either way, but without knowing which, I remain on the fence about the song.  It really does seem like stream of consciousness verse, and if he is trying to get a message across, it could have done with some editing. 

 
Really? On a word-by-word basis yeah, sometimes it seems to me like the singer is looking for sound pairs. But overall it seems pretty clear. Turn your bleeding hearts into bleeding hands: a bleeding heart is a liberal, specifically one who speaks loudly about problems with the world and professes sympathy for those wronged (the rough-rough definition). Bleeding hands means hard work.
So rather than just talk about the ills of the world, work to make a difference.

Then the whole question response "how much responsibility..." is the singer trying to eliminate one excuse for inaction: what if I tried to help and someone turned what I did to evil advantage? It's worse to not try and help—he says. And most of the rest of the lyrics are the same: hey you kids at the clubs (the blacklight, underground) with your strong political messages—do something! Be active about what you talk about. And do it before we all get dragged down by the evils (the claws bit at the end).

Easy.

 suebee3 wrote:

I like their sound, but it seems like they made up the lyrics as the music played.


 

I like the composition of the music and the production quality is excellent, but I don't know if it's because I'm not smart enough to understand the meaning of the song, or if the song lacks meaning.  I can accept it either way, but without knowing which, I remain on the fence about the song.  It really does seem like stream of consciousness verse, and if he is trying to get a message across, it could have done with some editing. 

 Businessgypsy wrote:
Listener supported (no mandatory subscription)
RadioIo Eclectic https://radioio.com/genres/Eclectic-Specialty Many other specific genres here as well
Creamy Radio https://thecreamygoodness.com/
Soma FM https://somafm.com/ (a little more specific in their category stations, but a nice selection of streams)

Many others, I'm sure

All nice efforts, but if you appreciate the lost art of building sets you're in the best spot on the planet.

 
They have ads on their web platform, but on my iPhone and on other mobile devices Pandora apps run ad free.  Of course on Pandora Bill's job is done by HAL from 2001. 

I'm sorry Dave, but I'm afraid I can't let you listen to that.

 tompoll wrote:
All I can see is James Woods (the actor), 'cause the lead singer sounds exactly like him.

 
Woah - he totally does! Now that image is stuck in my head, too.

 tompoll wrote:
All I can see is James Woods (the actor), 'cause the lead singer sounds exactly like him.

 

{#Lol}  I'm not going to be able to listen to this again without seeing that in my head...
Brilliant transitions:

Amadou & Mariam - Sénégal Fast Food
H.B.A. - Double Down Quick (Nebulae's Sunset mix)
The Republic Tigers - Golden Sand

Hats off to you, Bill.


Reminds me of She Wants Revenge only slightly less monotone.  
All I can see is James Woods (the actor), 'cause the lead singer sounds exactly like him.

 Businessgypsy wrote:
Listener supported (no mandatory subscription)
RadioIo Eclectic https://radioio.com/genres/Eclectic-Specialty Many other specific genres here as well
Creamy Radio https://thecreamygoodness.com/
Soma FM https://somafm.com/ (a little more specific in their category stations, but a nice selection of streams)

Many others, I'm sure

All nice efforts, but if you appreciate the lost art of building sets you're in the best spot on the planet.

 
These kind of building sets?
Lego Building Set
{#Stupid}

 Businessgypsy wrote:
......  Many others, I'm sure

All nice efforts, but if you appreciate the lost art of building sets you're in the best spot on the planet.

 
Yeah, does anybody else do sets like Bill does?


7 {#Arrow} 8

 westslope wrote:

Pretentious?  No.

Earnest?  Yes.

 

  or     


Pretentious?  No.

Earnest?  Yes.


This singer sounds like Moby to me.  Must have checked five times when I hear this band to see if it is Moby.
 lysisphere wrote:
I hear a bit of Interpol, only not quite so pretentious.  That's right Interpol, you're pretentious.  Said it.
Oh. I see I already said it. Before.
 
Pretentious musically or in the way that they carry themselves, so to speak? This track does scream Interpol, thought it was first time I heard it. I've got the album, its OK but only one other cracking track springs to mind.

I love Interpol, seen them live a few times. Don't find them pretentious mind you. That said, did observe quite pretentious behaviour from Carlos D at an after-show once. Thinking about it, I also remember seeing him once walk on stage wearing a man bag...dressed like Daniel Day-Lewis in Gangs Of New York. I didn't think pretentious then, I thought what a twat!, but I didn't think pretentious...

...that after-show party story of mine, that was quite pretentious wasn't it. 
Stingray wrote:
This song gives me the time to ask "the public":
Is RP the only station of that (eclectic) quality,
or are there other of the same style/kind...?

Not that I want to switch or change,
but would like to know!
Listener supported (no mandatory subscription)
RadioIo Eclectic https://radioio.com/genres/Eclectic-Specialty Many other specific genres here as well
Creamy Radio https://thecreamygoodness.com/
Soma FM https://somafm.com/ (a little more specific in their category stations, but a nice selection of streams)

Many others, I'm sure

All nice efforts, but if you appreciate the lost art of building sets you're in the best spot on the planet.

I hear a bit of Interpol, only not quite so pretentious.  That's right Interpol, you're pretentious.  Said it.
Oh. I see I already said it. Before.

I also like Buildings and Mountains from this CD ... {#Sunny}
Hmm..pretty good.  A 7.  Reminds me of the Shins a bit.
7—8
 lysisphere wrote:
Haunting and awesome.  I must buy this album.  This singer's voice reminds me of Interpol, only a lot less contrived.  How joyful.
 
Don't....I bought it on the strength of the 3 songs played on this station. The album is a real dissapointment.


Interpol much? 

NTTAWWT

10 paws up.
It beats their song about playing air guitar for sure!
 sterlingy wrote:
Reminds me of Gary Newman. {#Dancingbanana}
 
I freakin love Gary Newman.  I remember going to laser rock shows at the planetarium in Denver (family lived in Boulder) in like 1979 and "Cars" was among the Pink Floyd and whatever other cool stuff from the time.  Those laser rock shows were great! {#Cool}
{#Dancingbanana_2} {#Bananajam} {#Cowboy}  {#Drummer}  {#Guitarist}  {#Cool}
I'm loving this band more and more with each listen. Their vocal arrangements are superb.

visit the band's myspace page to watch the excellent Made Concrete video. 

Haunting and awesome.  I must buy this album.  This singer's voice reminds me of Interpol, only a lot less contrived.  How joyful.
 paulmack wrote:
I agree with the previous post - I'm really starting to like this song a lot. Up to an 8 now.
  I gave it a 10 1st listen. Just do it now. Why wait?

 mandolin wrote:
...do you think the republic tigers could beat up glass tiger?..
 
With one paw tied their backs.

And someone please tell me:
what the hell is so special with this band?

Frankly? I find them being RIDICULOUS from A to Z!

This song gives me the time to ask "the public":
Is RP the only station of that (eclectic) quality,
or are there other of the same style/kind...?

Not that I want to switch or change,
but would like to know!
...do you think the republic tigers could beat up glass tiger?..