003 Drachnids - of Montreal Analysis

 

Drachnids - MP3

Recorded 1996 or Earlier

Released December 5, 2012 on Soundcloud to Promote Young Froth/Taypiss

Kevin Barnes - Vocals, Guitar, Wood Block

Written by Kevin Barnes

 

I thought that it might be nice

To be in the cold for a change

To get away from home for a change

 

I thought that it might be better

I just hate Florida

Just wanted to see the snow again

Just wanted to wear gloves and a scarf

Just wanted to live a little

But I don't want this

I don't want this

I don't want this anymore

Maybe I'll pack up my car

And go to some place exactly like this

It's all the same not knowing anyone and watching television

I hate my crappy job

I don't care much for loneliness

I don't care much for waiting around

You might say I'm wasting time

And you'd be right

But I don't want this

I don't want this

I don't want this anymore

I don't want this

I don't want this

I don't want this anymore

    Searching “drachnids” online brings up a mob from the MMORPG EverQuest 2, released in November 2004. They are dark elfs with the lower half of a spider. The name is derived from “arachnid.” How this connects with the song, I don’t know.

    This song has bare instrumentation and understandable lyrics, allowing Kevin’s message to come through clearly. It’s a song about feeling stagnant. He has no friends, a crappy job, and feels like he is just waiting around for something to happen. Florida weather is an accurate representation of this due to how it is eternally warm and sunny. He wants to go where the weather is constantly changing because of the new experiences it will bring, allowing his life to feel less stagnant. It’s a relatable feeling to have. The second verse expresses the fear that once the novelty of being in a new place wears off, he will be stuck in the same situation as before, making it all pointless. This frustration Kevin is feeling is well-expressed through these lyrics.

    Instrumentally, this song uses the classic setup of the acoustic guitar front and center in order for it to feel personal. But Kevin’s own songwriting style, with how he doesn’t stick to a clear progression but rather fits the chords to his words, really make it feel unique. The wood blocks in the background are nice, subtle way to add rhythm. The song Derailments in a Place of Our Own from the EP Icons, Abstract Thee has a lot of parallels to this song. Both are mostly just the acoustic guitar playing a progression that works fluidly to fit the lyrics. Both express a frustration with a bad situation that can’t be escaped from.

Availability

Digital - None

Physical - Rare