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Fences

by The Altogether

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emmaalexis3
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emmaalexis3 right when i thought i had my 2022 album of the year locked in HERE COMES THE ALTOGETHER WITH THE STEEL CHAIR

i’ve had this album on repeat since it’s release. it’s so good. it’s SO good Favorite track: Sweet Ida.
Kitty
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Kitty Songs to dance to on a sinkingly sweltering sunny day, when the dusk is just beginning to creep in and the fireflies are coming out. Feels like warm cider and butterfly kisses. My brain likes this music, a lot. Favorite track: Fences (The Heat).
sackclothandashes
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sackclothandashes The Altogether once again shows that they have the range to take on a vast variety of styles, genres, and moods. Every piece of the instrumentation shines. Favorite track: Sweet Ida.
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1.
Stop what you’re doing right there You’re looking like a queen with beauty to spare Stop what you’re doing right there You’re giving me the thrill of a millionaire It was a crowded space I threw my money down I threw my money down And gave myself a taste of the high life So stop what you’re doing right there And come along with me, it’s a beauty I swear She stopped what she was doing right there The fire in her eyes and the moon in her hair There was an old tip jar And a microphone There was a microphone And an old guitar I’m gonna play it, but first I want to say Your heart sure showed mine a real good time Angels calling your name But we paid them off and that’s just fine I’ll show you what it means Even cowboys like me have dreams And you were the queen of every last one of mine I learned everything that I know From a colorful girl in a world less so Yes I learned everything that I know From a whip-smart, jump-start star of the show She was the star of the show And I still remember it, too Some day in early November Tucked in among the other freckled covergirls And their feather boa constrictors And longing for the warm sand between her toes She took her first fumbling steps toward me Maybe she was waiting for me Or maybe she was just waiting for someone There’s no use now getting caught up on knowing the difference See it’s only a fool who never really understood What he had to begin with Who questions how it ever came to be But your heart sure showed mine a real good time Angels calling your name But we paid them off and that’s just fine I’ll show you what it means Even cowboys like me have dreams And you were the queen of every last one of mine Oh yeah and you sure showed me a real good time Angels calling your name But we paid them off and that’s just fine I’ll show you what it means Even cowboys like me have dreams And you were the queen of every last one of mine
2.
Ben Gunn 04:47
The table’s all wiped clean of the day’s madness The children put to bed without a sound And it’s nights like these when left to my own musings That I wonder if the old man’s still around Two dozen years ago I set sail from the harbor Seeking solace from a grief that struck by land Three dozen honest men all simply seeking fortune Till the mutineers among them showed their hand So slipping through the cracks unnoticed like the sea foam As the captain and the cook each made their plans Youth and vigor all I had as I made landfall Soon to find that I had crashed on Ben Gunn’s sands And I, after all these years Have longed to his that voice among the trees again If only just to calm these fears That he might end up like the rest of them Old Ben Through the skirmishes and scuffles on the island By the men who overestimate their worth Old Ben took me by the scruff and shared the secrets Of the prospect of escape from a hidden berth And his words escaped like steam right from a kettle Spilling endlessly in all directions known And his wits though surely hanging by a thread now Proved to be all that we’d need to keep from dying here alone Quite the gentleman of fortune as he once was Trading almost all his gold for a ride home He contemplated where he stood now with the Savior Never knowing he himself was my own And I, after all these years Have longed to hear his voice among the trees again If only just to calm these fears That he might end up like the rest of them Old Ben So we landed and disbanded here in Bristol Where I thought it best to settle with a wife And for a while I heard some stories of the old man Robbed of currency but given back a life Some contend he settled quickly into drinking Others still say he roams wordless like a ghost But I have to think that, with two eyes and two legs yet For his kind he’s faring better than most And I, after all these years Have longed to hear that voice among the trees again If only just to calm these fears That he turned out just like the rest of them Old Ben
3.
Bad News 02:57
Walking around as though You’ve got nothing to say And I’m talking around in circles Just like yesterday So tell me can you hear me? Did you break the bad news? Tell me did she hear you? Or is she still in your bed? Wake up, makeup Breakup, it don’t enter her mind She hears what she wants to Till you stop being kind So did you find the courage? Did you break the bad news? Did she start to crying? Or is she still in your bed? Nine years down the drain Oh shame this cruel twist of fate Ask me though and I’ll say This was nine years too late So tell me can you hear me? Did you break the bad news? Tell me did she hear you? Or is she still in your head?
4.
Sweet Ida 04:21
I lost the plot somewhere in Brooklyn I’m running in circles, dear I know it’s hard to hear But once the world stopped being small My hands just lost the strength to hold it all So take me driving like you once did As soon as my hat flies off You’ll see what’s underneath The golden memories of this human race Left marble tombstones standing in their place Sweet Ida I’ve been tied down into growing old But these ropes won’t hold Because Ida Knows inside of me there’s still some child Ready to run wild As she sits by the banks of all my good days And she ripples the water while the band plays For her and I My legs aren’t working like they used to But out on the floor I’m sure I’m more or less the same I never knew quite how the movement goes I think some things are best left to the pros But every now and then I hear the voice again The one who believes I can’t Ignore it for too long He tells me he’s an angel of some kind The rest I swear it must have slipped my mind Sweet Ida I’ve been tied down into growing old But these ropes won’t hold Because Ida Knows inside of me there’s still some child Ready to run wild As she sits by the banks of all my good days And she ripples the water while the band plays For her and I For her and I For her and I For her and I For her and I Sweet Ida I’ve been growing old But Ida Knows inside of me there’s still some child Ready to run wild She ripples the water while the band plays For her and I Sweet Ida I’ve been tied down into growing old But these ropes won’t hold Because Ida Knows inside of me there’s still some child Ready to run wild As she sits by the banks of all my good days And she ripples the water while the band plays For her and I
5.
I want sunny days But I can’t take the heat And I want to dance all night long But I got two left feet So won’t you take me out And show me how to use my senses Shake me out A rookie caught in his defenses But when I break out I’m swinging for the fences I made friends with the clock It seems I’ve got the touch We both got two hands That don’t get used for much So won’t you take me out And show me how to use my senses Shake me out A rookie caught in his defenses But when I break out I’m swinging for the fences I can’t take the heat I can’t take the heat I can’t take the, I can’t take the heat No, I said I can’t take the heat You’re a sunny day Fair and fresh and fine You’re everything I need I just wish you were mine So won’t you take me out And fill these cracks before they’re trenches Shake me out I got no need for consequences ‘Cause when I break out I’m jumping all these fences I can’t take the heat I can’t take the heat I can’t take the, I can’t take the heat Take the heat Take the I can’t take the heat, no
6.
Curiosity 02:41
I may not be playing in time And I may not sing every rhyme But I’ll sing for you, my darling You may not remember the tune But I think it’ll catch on soon When I sing for you, my darling I see through a picture frame Decorated with your name When I think about your loving Somehow you will know that I’m Smiling, singing every time I think of you, my darling Be thou tonight A star through the canopy A sliver of light Forever you’re guiding me Tame my restless energy A never ending spending spree Chase me through the darkened waters Shake me up and wring me out Show me what your love’s about Take me back to the beginning Take me back with you, my darling Be thou tonight A star through the canopy A sliver of light Forever you’re guiding me
7.
I’m on my guard To keep it sweet and low While you’re working hard To figure out the guest list And send the cards And plan a dead man’s wedding today So soak it up Your life is but my dream That I’ve woken from And fate’s a big believer In jokes and fun So my life is a sitcom now Then why do I feel like background noise? You want me around but it’s not your choice If I’m just the sound that will fill some void To be locked away with the junk and toys I’m background noise I fade to black If I keep up my living Between the cracks I gave you all I had Asked for nothing back And that’s exactly what I got So pack the house Grab the young believers Share your whereabouts And throw your polished stories To the sea of shouts But if it’s not their cheering that you hear Then maybe it’s just my background noise You want me around but it’s not your choice If I’m just the sound that will fill some void To be locked away with the junk and toys I’m background noise, yeah Background noise, yeah I’m background noise, yeah I’m on my guard To keep it sweet and low While you’re working hard Background noise You want me around but it’s not your choice If I’m just the sound that will fill some void To be locked away with the junk and toys I’m background noise, yeah I’m background noise, yeah I’m background noise, yeah
8.
Flying saucers all around my head Spin, spin, spin, spin, spin Well it’s been a long long time Since I achieved a mighty oneness with the din I sometimes wonder if I strike one down Spin, spin, spin, spin, spin Would it leave a gap that’s big enough For me to dash right through and leave my skin? And if so where would it attach itself? Spin, spin, spin, spin, spin To some unsuspecting boy Who’s felt the shell of his protection wearing thin? So this is me choosing to let it be Spin, spin, spin, spin, spin Because no one ever said To wear a crown you also have to wear a grin We’ve all got our own When the lightning and the thunder Come to plunder what you’ve grown We’ve all seen the face Of the dizziness of business That’s spinning round And spinning round And spinning round And all around the place Flying saucers all around my head Ooh, ooh Flying saucers all around my head Ooh, ooh
9.
Change 03:18
So you changed your hair Well I changed the way I think About the way that you changed your hair I woke up one day and said Well she’d still have a head Even if it’s bare And I want to change I want to change with you It’s only twelve feet wide But these people put a fence Around the grass outside Keeping the only living thing In their possession alive Cause folks will come by And step on it If they don’t think it’s strange I hope that changes too And they stroll along With their white suits on And as soon as they feel rain They run until they’re out of range Of the sands of time And all the winds of change So you changed your hair Well I’m trying to change the rules So honey why stop there? Go on and change your life Go under the knife And see if I care I’ll just rearrange ‘Cause I’ve got change to spare And it’s only twelve o’clock But these people all had drinks And now they think that they Own the block Putting fences up around Their indefensible flock And I hope they change But change like that is rare And they stroll along With their white suits on And as soon as they feel rain They run until they’re out of range Of the sands of time And all the winds of change
10.
The way she left She left us frozen with wide open faces She left a swarm of cool friends in high places And some would call it theft The way she left The way she left She left us standing in a field with wet clothes A campaign of seeds that no one else grows Now everybody knows the meaning of bereft I suppose it’s in the way she left So if you see me stumble down the road Under the stars Another break I wonder how did all these lights go out You’re looking at a man Who thought to take her hand And run Another blade the world persuaded Not to pierce the doubt I’m just like the rest of you No worse than the best of you The way she left She left me scrubbing at these memories She left a monster that spits locks and eats keys It’s madness or it’s deft The way she left So if you see me stumble down the road Under the stars Another break I wonder how did all these lights go out You’re looking at a man Who thought to take her hand And run Another blade the world persuaded Not to pierce the doubt I’m just like the rest of you No worse than the best of you The way she left It’s black, white, or grey, but it’s certainly blue A certain feeling that maybe I should leave too ‘Cause some would call it theft The way she left
11.
Strawberry moon It’s been one year Of windless nights At the harbor blue Ooh I curse the day the magic lantern departed We were just getting started Off to chart the uncharted Strawberry moon But she loves me well She dressed up too And right on cue Girl slow down, I think you might not have noticed That Linklater wrote us Into Chivo’s soft focus How do I see you tonight? How do I see you tonight? How do I see you tonight? How do I see you tonight? Strawberry moon Well I taught myself To wait for you And she waited too Ooh and Morricone made a tune that suits us While Robbins uproots us To the cannon that shoots us Up to the strawberry moon How do I see you tonight? How do I see you tonight? How do I see you tonight? How do I see you tonight? I want to see you tonight How do I see you tonight? How do I see you tonight? How do I see you tonight?
12.
Another flower growing in the garden Another hour in the setting sun And as the springtime begs the winter’s pardon Another chance to grow another one But right now It’s time to say goodnight, my baby It’s time to say goodnight You’ve got your mother wrapped around your finger You’ve got your fingers wrapped around her hand You’ve turned your father into the family singer It’s funnier than you might understand right now It’s time to say goodnight, my baby It’s time to say goodnight And in your slumber, marching through the meadow Dirt in your hands, adventure in your heart You stop to think, though you can’t recall who said so That when you wake is when the real adventure starts But right now It’s time to say goodnight, my baby It’s time to say goodnight It’s time to say goodnight, my baby It’s time to say goodnight
13.
Betty Smiled 03:25
Betty smiled when they told her she might make it She said it’s wild to think my life could be this way You know fame is fortune’s brother Right when any working mother with a child Gets a chance and say she’ll take it So Betty smiled Betty cried when they called back for a callback She nearly died when she heard the judge’s voice You know fame’s on the horizon Like a star that’s slowly rising with the tide Feeling pride in all its choices So Betty smiled Betty smiled Got her makeup done and hair brushed out and styled Go on out and knock ‘em dead Just sing the song inside your head And drive ‘em wild, get ‘em riled Betty smiled Betty’s trial was by fire and fear and fashion All the while she could see them in their chairs Now the fame is their decision And she has to share their vision, at least try Or it’s goodbye to all that passion Betty lies on the bed feeling nothing Though she tried, in the end she felt the sting Then her girl comes rushing in Sporting some unruly grin Saying mom, sing the song that sounds like springtime So Betty smiled Betty smiled Got her makeup done and hair brushed out and styled Go on out and knock ‘em dead Just sing the song inside your head And drive ‘em wild, get ‘em riled Betty smiled Drive ‘em wild, get ‘em riled Betty smiled Drive ‘em wild, get ‘em riled Betty smiled
14.
We got a full moon on the Fourth of July The lightning bugs are gliding through the sky So why is it that with this perfect view The only thing my eyes can see is you The promenade still shimmers from the heat The luminescent pulsing to the beat Of fireworks I’m sure they’d see from space That only seem to serve to light your face And it’s so beautiful It’s all I want to know So hold me tight and steer me right And if that cold wind blows It’s all I’ve got to show That I’m not losing every fight And so we move on to the edge of the night This town is like some tight shirt that don’t fit right But looking through the glass and past the frames I see the streets that soon will bear our names And it’s so beautiful It’s all I want to know So hold me tight and steer me right And if that cold wind blows It’s all I’ve got to show That I’m not losing every fight We got a full moon on the Fourth of July The lightning bugs are gliding through the sky The purple sinking deeper into blue And piercing it with fire as they flew And soon they all recede from sight But the world around me still looks bright I’m at the center of the night with you
15.
I Swear 03:34
What did she say And what did I not say back This time? You’re turning your head Saying friends don’t just talk like that It’s fine Well I swear I didn’t swear I didn’t think I couldn’t handle myself there ‘Cause if push came to shove The ones I love Would take the blade to ones who care Throw me to the sea I think I’ve had enough excitement for one day And she’s expecting me With hips that she moved And lips that she only used To lie She drew me in And I drew the line and said Goodbye But I swear I didn’t swear I didn’t think I couldn’t handle myself there ‘Cause if push came to shove The ones I love Would take the blade to ones who care Throw me to the sea I think I’ve had enough excitement for one day And she’s expecting me So take me out, C’mon take me out Take me out Just take me out ‘Cause we’re floating high enough To see the contours of the earth I don’t know why you think I’d settle For that dirty rock If I crash the landing where she’s standing Do you think we’d hear her say I swear I didn’t swear I didn’t think I couldn’t handle myself there But if push comes to shove The ones I love Will take the blade to ones who care Go on and throw me to the sea I think I’ve had enough excitement for one day And she’s expecting me So take me out Just take me out Take me out And throw me to the sea I think I’ve had enough excitement for one day And she’s expecting me
16.
The asteroid belt The decorations in the sky You wear it like an heirloom in your prime The siren moon The waterfalls that catch your smile Convert it into something we can buy To see you just one time I’d cross the world At least I’d like to try A silent fire The leaking love that no one’s plugged They’re only gonna notice when it’s gone And the asteroid belt Accessorize the lives Of all the troubled souls its weight is placed upon Below this city sleeps but doesn’t dream They’re only gonna notice when you’re gone The asteroid belt
17.
18.
[Jonah] Little lives here in my pocket That I must have lived When I was a wall I take them out, send them all rolling ‘Cause now I’m a bridge That stands twice as tall I love the love I know The world was shape-shifting I thought I might too While I was waiting for you [Martina] Little loves here at my window That came in a flash And stayed just as long The forest fires clearing my heart out They only left ash Love only felt wrong I love the love I see I lived for the moment What else could I do? While I was waiting for you [Both] Little trees here on these hillsides That used to be bare I used to not care Nowadays everything’s growing When you’re standing there It’s almost unfair I love the love we feel It’s every long shot I knew wouldn’t come true While I was waiting for you
19.
[Brian] The brim of his cup couldn't hide his smile No the brim of his cup couldn't hide his smile When I told the old man I know it’s been a while But I remember the old days We used to be the kings of this desert town Yeah we used to be the kings of this desert town We both had ladies with wavy hair of brown That Jubal and I He sipped and, ever clever, quipped I see you haven't ditched your script That hasn't been rewritten all this time [Both] Now Jubal and I watch the clouds in the sky Burn away as we're singing a song The sights and the smells that the old man tells me I've missed have been here all along [Brian] The brim of his cup couldn't hide his smile No the brim of his cup couldn't hide his smile I studied the old man's face for a while I studied his old ways Around and around he was taking me Around and around in his memories But I found they just wound up ground up into tea That we were sipping on [Both] And as he headed out the door I asked him what do you live for [Jonah] Without a blink, he answered Here and now [Both] Now Jubal and I watch the clouds in the sky Burn away as we're singing a song The sights and the smells that the old man tells me I've missed have been here all along Now Jubal and I watch the clouds in the sky Burn away as we're singing a song The sights and the smells that the old man tells me I've missed have been here all along Now Jubal and I watch the clouds in the sky Burn away as we're singing a song The sights and the smells that the old man tells me I've missed have been here All along
20.
I could never find these words And you could never find this time And even though your truth still hurts I believe I owe you mine And fallen trees may still have seeds to give And we’ve got lives to live And it’s OK, it’s OK Sometimes love is unrequited But at the end of the day There’s nothing about all this that I’m regretting I’d still dance at your wedding If I’m invited When “September” gives its way To “December 1963” If I’m still dancing then, I’d say The past ain’t got no hold on me And once I’ve fought my battle with the blues I’m ready for I-dos And it’s OK, it’s OK Sometimes love is unrequited But at the end of the day There’s nothing about all this that I’m regretting I’d still dance at your wedding If I’m invited And I’m still dancing Yeah I’m still dancing And I’m still dancing Fallen trees may still have seeds to give And we’ve got lives to live So it’s OK, it’s OK Sometimes love is unrequited But at the end of the day There’s nothing about all this that I’m regretting I’d still dance at your wedding If I’m invited And I’m still dancing
21.
Well it’s a lot A lot of food for one boy to eat But I’m a lot A lot of man for one boy to be I took my love to the banks of the river Told her we could win I took my love to the banks of the river And I tossed her in And I’ve got demons You’ve got dreams You hear love songs, baby But I hear screams! Nothing will come of it Joe Empty your mind and let go Nobody needs your two cents Nobody comes to that show Change if it happens is slow Empty your mind and let go Nobody needs your two cents Nothing will come of it Joe Well it’s a lot A lot of food for one boy to eat But I’m a lot A lot of man for one boy to be I took my love to the banks of the river Told her we could win I took my love to the banks of the river And I tossed her in And I’ve got demons You’ve got dreams You’ve got your love songs, honey But I hear screams! Nothing will come of it Joe Empty your mind and let go Nobody needs your two cents Nobody comes to that show Change if it happens is slow Empty your mind and let go Nobody needs your two cents Nothing will come of it Joe Nothing will come of it Joe Empty your mind and let go Nobody needs your two cents Nobody comes to that show Maybe we’re all running late Maybe we’re carrying freight Chopping the cherry trees down And letting the thorn bushes grow Nothing will come of it Joe Empty your mind and let go Nobody needs your two cents Nobody comes to that show Maybe we’re all running late Maybe we’re carrying freight Chopping the cherry trees down And letting the thorn bushes grow

credits

released November 18, 2022

Tracks 1-18, 20-21 written by Jonah Scott (BMI)
Track 19 music by Brian Gilbert (BMI), lyrics by Jonah Scott

Produced by Jonah Scott & Matthew Sullivan

Additional production on tracks 4 & 8 by Jesse Blum

Jonah Scott - guitars, bass, pianos, keyboards, synths, drums, percussion, samples, lead and backing vocals
Sierra Scott - lead and backing vocals

Alexander Lane - lead vocals (track 14)
Martina San Diego - lead vocals (track 18)
Brian Gilbert - lead vocals (track 19)
Karen Han - backing vocals (track 8)
Emma Freeman - backing vocals (tracks 4 & 15)

Stephan Stanzione - drums, Samba whistle
Mathew Sullivan - synths, samples
Facundo Alvarez - Brazilian percussion (track 4)
Jesse Blum - trumpet (tracks 1, 5, 8), flugelhorn (track 8), piano (track 4)
Kevin Edell - tenor sax (track 5)
Nick Dinielli - tenor sax (track 4)
DJ JUDODOG - synths (track 17), marimba (track 6), recorder (track 6)
Christopher Frick - French horn (track 21)
Ledah Finck - violin (tracks 10, 16, 21)
Mocha Vernon - banjo (track 18), ukulele (track 6)

Strings on track 20 arranged by Charles Humenry

Sweet Ida crowd vocals - Sierra Scott, Jonah Scott, Alexander Lane, Savannah Scott, Laura Gilbert, Erik Wicklund

Nothing Will Come of It Joe dude choir - Nathan Choe, Alex Dragone, Brian Gilbert, Matthew Sullivan, Stephan Stanzione, Erik Wicklund, Alex Larned

Recorded by Jonah Scott & Matthew Sullivan at Grey Matter Studios, Pulse Music, and Home

Mixed by Jonah Scott

Mastered by Dave McNair

Album art by Jeff Östberg @jeffelicious

Special thanks to Savannah Scott, Sharon Scott, and the whole Scott family; Juntoku Shimizu, Robin Buyer, Jay Lifton, Joel Kipnis, Louis Bergstrom, Desirae Witte, the Dulworths, Nir Krawczyk, Andrew at Funktional Technologies, Anthony “Rocky” Gallo, Marco Forlenza, 30th Street Guitars, Matt Wells, José Josephson, the folks at Power Station at BerkleeNYC, the one and only Mike Rackentom

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