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Closer to Home

by Irene & Reed

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1.
Home to me is not where I am, but where I’ve been. It’s where I’ve come from. It’s how I’ve loved and how I’ve laughed; the words I’ve said and tears I’ve wept; the ones I’ve learned from. And even in the darkest hour, I turn to you to see the truth, to hear the truth— remember. I won’t move on. I won’t let go. I can’t forget the ones I owe, who made me. All your tomorrows won’t bring you closer to truths you’ve always known. When you’ve gone missing, just look behind you the path will lead you home. Home to me is not where I am, but where I’ve been and what I’ve done. It’s where I’ve come from. When I was small, you took me in gave me the shade beneath your wing, kept me from burning. You were a martyr for my pain, by listening, you cleared my name, purifying. Now matter how the shadows fall, your wings lift me above it all. Thank you.
2.
I’m here again floating in the middle of the atmosphere. Dizzy timing thrown by waves of change, I’m spiraling. I’m free-falling over fields of opportunity. Only I’ll know how to land without tripping. You can’t stop me. I’m unstoppable. I put my faith in small miracles, not tucked away for a rainy day, but for every waking moment— every chord we play. I take a challenge like a warm first kiss— it’s either sloppy or perfect bliss. I stick to my guns, ready with bullets if I need them. I don’t need to fight; words don’t ever mean more than life. Take what you need. Leave the rest for the worthy. You can’t stop me. I’m unstoppable. I put my faith in small miracles, not tucked away for a rainy day, but for every waking moment— every chord we play. You can’t stop me. No, you can’t stop me. You can’t beat me or defeat me. I free-fall with the winds of change; turbulence never scared me away. I’m here floating in the middle of the atmosphere— dizzy timing in the middle of the atmosphere.
3.
Crucified 04:42
What are you fighting, and why am I trying? You’re not always right; I’m not always wrong. You say that you love me, and say that you want me, scream, throwing America to its knees. You stab me in stages. We burn for fortune; hang upside-down like angels, crucified. Crucified. And I can’t save us now. I’ve given you all this world would allow. My pockets are empty, my boots worn and frayed, from collecting the debts that you’ve never paid. What are you fighting? What are you denying? Your words are familiar, yet never the same. You’re wrapped in your baggage, all broken and tattered. You say I’m not perfect; well, neither are you. I’ll follow my faith while burning for fortune, hang upside-down, an angel, crucified.
4.
In Your Arms 05:11
You’ll know the one you seek, the one you’re waiting for, who holds you when you’re weak and shakes you to your core, despite of all your differences, you compromise the least for. Remember what it means to give yourself to love, to a childhood dream despite of all the odds, giving in completely, admitting your defeat. Outside I’m strong, but inside I’m small. Your words warm me and tear down my walls. I learn to let go, my fears to disarm, ’cause when you hold me, I’m a child in your arms, a child in your arms. I’m just a child in your arms, a child in your arms. Oh, I’m just a child. You’ve heard it all before. “Don’t give yourself to love. Don’t let your guard down, or you’ll lose the final war.” Forget your fears and wave your white flag once more.
5.
Amnesia in the morning light. We became more than friends – once or twice. Now you’re curled up like a child beside me on the pillow. Too much wine and whiskey. When you wake, will you forget your sins; go on pretending we never left where we began; crawl on home to your girl—the one that calls you “lover” and then, will I lose you again? I don’t want to lose you again. If I knew what was best for me, I’d have moved on a long time ago. I’d have curled my fingers into fists and told you “No,” but I’ve got a weak spot in my heart, and a weak spot in my belly, ’cause I’m hungry, oh so hungry for your love. How often do you whisper to her of your love and all that is “pure?” When not twenty-four hours ago—you fell into my arms with a fury. A fury! If I knew what was best for me, I’d have moved on a long time ago. I’d have curled my fingers into fists and told you “No,” but I’ve got a weak spot in my heart, and a weak spot in my belly, ’cause I’m hungry, oh so hungry for your love.
6.
I’ve got a bridge to burn. I’ve got an itch to scratch, don’t wanna bear the weight of your punishment, but you’ve been spreading lies as if you knew me well. If you keep this up, you’ll have no tale to tell. Seems you don’t understand the kind of life I lead…. It ain’t that I’m easy, just hard to please! No I don’t wanna sleep alone tonite. No I don’t wanna sleep alone tonite. No I don’t wanna sleep alone tonite, ’cause I can’t stand the emptiness inside.
7.
What does it mean when I see a lone coyote in the middle of the highway? Are you just another trickster, another trickster? What does it mean when a raven falls before me, descending like angels falling overhead, overhead? Are you a good omen? Are you in my dreams? Am I more lucid there than I am here? Are you here to take me back to where I’m from? Are you my good, my good medicine? What does it mean when I drive by a marquee on a chapel door that tells me: “This is it. This is it?” What does it mean when you complete every sentence, are you in my head again, speaking out from within? Are you a good omen? Are you in my dreams? Am I more lucid there than I am here? Are you here to take me back to where I’m from? Are you my good, my good medicine? Good medicine.
8.
Lose Myself 03:38
People always say they don’t know what they want, but I beg to differ, baby, I think they know what they don’t. I’ve been all alone, but that don’t worry me. I’m not looking for some stranger to come and rescue me. But I’m not afraid, ’cause it’s your love, baby, I tried to take. And I won’t be saved. I want to lose myself in your easy ways. I know that in time my memories will fade, but I’m living them now trying to ease the pain. There are people in this world you’ll know. If you love them, don’t be afraid to tell them so. I’m not afraid, ’cause it’s your love, baby, I tried to take. And I won’t be saved. I want to lose myself in your easy ways.
9.
Someday 04:21
No use in counting four-leaf clovers. The leaves are torn; I’ve saved a few. The rest is up to me and you. I’ve opened all the fortune cookies. Their words are kind; I’ve read a few, but I’ll write my own, just like you do. Someday, I’m going to pave my own way, not going to follow anyone who doesn’t appreciate me. You’d say, look how I’ve grown and changed into who I am today, and you’d be so proud of me. This story’s only just beginning, affirming time spent waiting. When I was younger, time spent friendly and endless; it’s catching up, but I’ll out-run it. This dream is more than reality, as soon as I believe; it’s not as hard as it seems. Someday, I’m going to pave my own way, not going to follow anyone who doesn’t appreciate me. You’d say, look how I’ve grown and changed into who I am today, and you’d be so proud of me.
10.
Melt Me 05:21
There’s something in you, I haven’t seen in so long, so long. It’s your eyes; it’s your smile and your playful ways; the way you make me melt and not want to leave. I want to know you feel you, breathe you, entice you, embrace you comfort, inspire and invite you. Melt me. Melt me. Halo around your head, I saw you for the first time. Intrigued, I couldn’t help but stare. The tingle in my chest; the shortness of my breath; well, you put them there. I want to know you feel you, breathe you, entice you, embrace you comfort, inspire and invite you. Melt me. Melt me. I owe you this grin, this moment that we’re in; the longing, the wonder, this feeling that I’m under. So thank you. Thank you…. I can’t resist. Now that you’re here, may I have one more kiss? I want to know you feel you, breathe you, entice you, embrace you comfort, inspire and invite you. Melt me. Melt me.
11.
Fragile 04:56
Somehow among every trouble in this world our worries seem so small. In the context of something greater that surrounds us, confounds us, and consumes us all. We fight hard for such small battles though one strong wind will make our tower fall. Look how fragile we are, how fragile we really are. We’re only ever two steps away from the space connecting all of us and the next world. Take a deep enough breath and you’ll hear the fluttering of wings and our beating hearts. So hold tight to those you love no matter how hard they try to fight and trouble you. Look how fragile we are, how fragile we really are. Our birth is like a long blue-veined sleep and a forgetting. We shed our shells into fragile bodies right from the beginning. So wide-eyed and unsure of the mysteries ahead, hesitating. Asleep to the golden gates, among friends, timeless and waiting. Look how fragile we are, how fragile we really are. Look how fragile we are, how fragile we really are.
12.
Brush the dust from out of my eyes; they’ve seen much from traveling wide. Come so far to meet you here, and though I’m weary, I want to see you clearly. I lift the veil from my eyes, though I’m bleeding from the inside. Your sins don’t make you a man. Your head’s guiding what your heart’s denying. You’re within my reach, but unreachable; within my grasp, but ungraspable. I want to understand you, but I don’t even know you. So I trace the lines of your face; each contour has its place— bone, jaw, skin and lips, each one with my fingertips. Forget the world that you know; stop holding on. Let go. You’re no different than me, ’cause even with closed eyes, I see. Even with closed eyes, I see you. Even with closed eyes, I see you. Even with closed eyes, I see you.

about

Interweaving a raw American folk vibe with sultry blues/jazz vocals, a hint of pop sensibility and a playful blend of melodic rock, ragtime and classical piano, Irene & Reed take listeners on an emotional ride of aural storytelling on their debut album, "Closer to Home."

With music and lyrics inspired by vocalist Leslie Benson’s poetic works, Jason Reed Milner showcasing his skills on piano, organ, strings and guitar, and Milner’s brother, Brad, a former sound engineer from Sony Tree Studios in Nashville, Tenn., guest-starring on bass and percussion, the songwriters present a humble first-take glimpse of pure Midwestern culture. It’s about reclaiming the dreams you once had and remembering what you love most and the things that make you who you are — your home, your experiences and your family.

credits

released March 14, 2010

"Closer to Home" (p) © 2009 Irene & Reed. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the USA. Warning: Unauthorized reproduction of this recording is prohibited by Federal law and subject to criminal prosecution. Produced by Leslie Benson and Jason Reed Milner. All tracks recorded, mixed and mastered by Jason Reed Milner in Indianapolis, Ind. All music by Irene & Reed, except “Wine and Whiskey” (© 2002 Benson), “Don’t Want to Sleep Alone” (© 2002 Benson), “Lose Myself” (© 2002 Benson) and “Melt Me” (© 2006 Benson), rearranged for piano by Milner in 2009. All lyrics written by Leslie Benson. Photos by Kris Arnold. Album designed by Irene & Reed. Label: Unsigned (Independent).

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Irene & Reed Nashville, Tennessee

Indie Rock / Dark-tinged Americana

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