Today’s tune is Angela by The Lumineers. At the start of every month, the Pint&Pen&Papers have a tune off The Lumineers’ sophomore album. Here are the previous so far this year…
This fits in-line with the start of the album as a coming of age type of song coming from a narrator’s perspective about another lady, the 3rd song out of the first 5 that uses a ladies name. She must have left town with their guard down. Wilderness (outside) being inside is very clever. It appears she doesn’t have a clear destination on her mind, just following the road until she sees a sign align.
Wesley Schultz told The Sun that this song was written in a much different way than your typical tune. “Angela is probably the only song that was really written IN the studio. Most of the songs we ever record are demo’d and rewritten countless times before being immortalized on a record. But this song was different. And because of that I had less time to write lyrics for it. The producer Simone Felice and I loved riding our motorcycles through the Catskill mountains during the 6 weeks we took to make the album. And so most of these lyrics were “written” while we were riding and singing to ourselves.” (SongFacts)
The Lumineers have said this song is about, “a small town success story stuggling to escape her past.” (Source: AaronScott68)
Schultz said, “Simon Felice drove an old Volvo and when I was thinking of how this character was going to get around, I saw his car and began using that – I’ve grown up listening to songs with Cadillacs and Chevrolets, but never a Volvo. And the signs on the highways in the Northeast, where I grew up, all have green signs with white letters.”
Remember, Schultz grew up in Ramsey, New Jersey… Right here, same rules we did.
The “but” and “holding course” mean she may have left or turned the car around because she was internally conflicted.
Being that it’s the second time around, this confirms she’s back. (The music video also helps give clues. Each one off their album is very detailed.)
Coat of arms is her family. Her fingers clenched in a fist is a sign of aggression. The narrator asking Angela if she heard the notes or static codes from a soundless pit could point to another indicator that she didn’t drive til the road and sky aligned.
Some fans of The Lumineers think this song is sorta a breakup song between them and NYC, where Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites tried to start as the band in ‘02.
Fraites told NPR, "I remember one of our friends and musical acquaintances on the East Coast said the first rule of being a band is, you make the nearest, largest city your mecca. We took that as gospel: 'Let's go to New York City every other week, time and time again, and things will get going for us.'“
Being that they left town for Denver to make their 1st album and came back to the Catskills, New York, to write their 2nd, the ending sorta plays they used the character Angela as symbolism for the band’s return home. Nice tune, surprisingly Gun Song still might be my favorite off this album so far. I don’t know much of the 2nd half of this album so it’ll be like listening to new music, which is always the best.
On to the pints…
#GuinnessChallengeSeason
@Kids don’t try this at home. Not just because you’re underage and will have plenty of pints to drink if that ends up being your thing when you’re older but also because Guinness is actually best served in a pint glass from a tap. A pint of Guinness varies depending on the drinking establishment. If the keg it sits in is rarely poured, it can lead to some underwhelming taste. Rather than stealing gimmicks, I’d like to start taking Notes while drinking Guinness. My grandfather from Connemara, whom I never got the chance to meet, Thomas Davis, used to drink pints and by all accounts was a self-taught thinker. The one rule I’ve imposed on myself is that I will only have 1 pint per sitting from each establishment I review, so @AnyoneWorrying, don’t worry about my drinking habits. The Guinness Challenge is to “cut the G” on your first sip (more like a gulp and a half). If this is your first time hearing about it, I didn’t come up with the fun challenge @YouTheReader can try the next time you have a Guinness. The 0.0 to 10.0 scale will be extraordinarily nuanced but as a reference point, the only perfect 10.0 I plan ever to give out is at the Guinness Factory in Dublin one day.
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: 48 x 11 = 528 pints…Wow that is a lot of pints. What of it, how many beers have you had this year? Still have the month of December and then it’s a full-on race to Saint Patrick’s Day because then suddenly everybody loves Guinness so gotta capitalize on the season’s popularity. The owners also own Roise Dunn’s. The wings are recommended. This bar has only played Drake, it’s been 5 songs in a row, I’m not complaining. Mood shifts as two patrons next to me are talking about the wars going on. Of course it’s terrible but just as heartbeaking when you overhear it from people with family involved. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas, love y’all.
Located in West Village, Bayard’s Ale House is a local neighborhood bar. On the weekends they have Brunch Classics like Southern Fried Chicken Waffles and Steak & Eggs. Their lunch and dinner menu is Irish pub food blended with American bar. They have an extensive drink menu of plenty of Gin drinks, Irish Coffees, Cocktails. and drafts of beer. I look forward to grabbing another pint of Guinness at Bayard’s Ale House again!
Song On In The Background: All Falls Down by Kanye West
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: 1 TV is playing a fireplace. On their movie projector, they have “The Chronicles of Narnia” playing and there is a gnarly battle scene going on. They have a very pretty Christmas Tree up, it is multi-colored, my personal preference, but to each their own. Trivia night tonight. Snoopy with a Santa hat is sitting at the bar. A New York Times article about the ‘86 Mets is on the wall. At Bobby’s Night Out they have Munchie Mondays, Trivia Tuesdays, Wing Wednesdays, Thirsty Thursdays, and they brunch until 5 PM daily. Their Happy Hours run until 8 PM. The bartender recommends their Tacos and Vegan Nuggets. The owner’s name is, in fact, Bobby, just confirming.
Bobby’s Night Out was awarded the Best New Restaurnant by Restaurantji. After going through major renovations, the place has really come out great and they are about 16 months into opening, establishing themselves as an East Village / Alphapet City neighborhood favorite. For Cinco De Mayo, they will be having festivities from Friday to Monday this weekend. Not only will they use the TV Projector screen for movies, but also the Knicks and Rangers on their playoff runs this spring. I look forward to another night out at Bobby’s Night Out again!
Song On In The Background: Just Like Christmas by Low
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: Hudson Valley Allen Glow on tap. Classic old-school burger joint where the burger is recommended. Christmas Tree in the corner with white lights. Looks pretty. Nutcrackers behind the bar. Knicks fans at the other end of the bar are gambling against the T’Wolves. They have a thick-ass New York accent, it’s great. The women next to me are talking about their friends’ baby shower. Been there, done that, #UncleDuties meant I had to set up for the party. Hailey is the bartender. She is a huge Yankee and loves sports.
Royale has been rated the best Burger & Patio in New York City by The Infatuation. Located in East Village, they boast not just a juicy burger but a popular selection of craft brews. Thier back outdoor patio was a bit too cold for that December night, but after undergoing renovations, it is perfect for the spring, summer, and fall. Not too many places in the City have a backyard patio like it so take advantage of the hidden gem. Aside from their burgers and beers, Royale is also a great spot for parties. They have a Weekend Warrior package of $60 per person for 3 hours package that drafts beers, house wine, and house cocktails. Also they have a “I’m Here To Party” package of $90 per person for 3 hours of all draft, bottled beer, all wine, and premium mixed drinks like Grey Goose, Markers, and Tanqueray. I look forward to grabbing another pint of Guinness at Royale again!