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Bruises

by Counterpunch

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1.
Guardrails 03:22
So far so quick to accept the teachings you define as right. Round pegs in such square holes. Retrofitted and stripped of all we know or loved. A tragedy played out for all to witness. The breeding out the drawing in. Moving forward before we begin to fade out. These days I find I’m living in shades of grey and I’m just fine with where I am; not another broken piece in a broken system. I’m not listening when you say there’s something wrong with where I am or what I’ve done. This is where I belong. Sterilized and medicated down. Over worked and underpaid in this place that we call home. Asked to accept and do our part a reverse renaissance at heart. Keep it down but let it play. Moving forward before we begin to fade out. These days I find I’m living in shades of grey and I’m just fine with where I am; not another broken piece in a broken system. I’m not listening when you say there’s something wrong with where I am or what I’ve done. This is where I belong. This is who I should be. So let’s keep it honest. We’re all damaged goods. Selling out though we swore we never would. Round peg, square hole. We don’t fit and we know. These days I find I’m living in shades of grey and I’m just fine with where I am; not another broken piece in a broken system. These days I find I’m living in shades of grey.
2.
Bruises 03:30
I see the edge and I'm getting closer. The stitches aren't holding the seams. I'm hitting bottom but sinking further. White picket death machines. I'm done feeling sorry. Headed south on a broken wing. This shoulder's getting colder. Broken bottles and broken dreams. Can't wake up from this nightmare. This guilt is killing me. What's to become of us? What's to become of me? Light a match and walk away. There's nothing left here so why stay? This place is dead to me. Life lived how could we stop it. Love lost on empty pockets. Pointing fingers in the wrong way. Captivated by the thought of sinking in. Eyes hung from hollow sockets. Bloodshot and out of solace. Keep calm and carry on. Pretend there's nothing wrong. Let's keep this clandestine. I know just what we need. Pack up these memories with a full frontal lobotomy. It's not what you knew it's what you can prove. I walk these streets with the diseased. The ghosts of who we are; the ones we'll never be. I wear these scars like antiseptic for my heart. These bruises will lose color. They're not who you are. Can't wake up from this nightmare. This guilt is killing me. What's to become of us? What's to become of me? Light a match and walk away. There's nothing left here so why stay? This place is dead to me. I walk these streets with the diseased. The ghosts of who we are; the ones we'll never be. I wear these scars like antiseptic for my heart. These bruises will lose color. They're not who you are. We felt the bottom drop as we stood and watched. View from a window looking straight across. Static silence drowning out the noise. This is the eulogy. We had a little hope 'till it was lost. Life lived love lost on a boulevard. Yes this is the eulogy of your friends and family. I walk these streets with the diseased. The ghosts of who we are; the ones we'll never be. I wear these scars like antiseptic for my heart. These bruises will lose color. They're not who you are.
3.
So you like telling stories with a confident smile but you walk with regret from each moment you let pass you by. It's like a state of confusion. This world's a constant delusion. The struggle to relate makes me think to myself how much more can you take? All my friends are drunk and high degenerately floating by on the hope that something better's on its way. We are disintegrated fall out from mass entertainment. Save me from this curse and wretched state. So young and entitled. Expectant eyes lie in wait. Holding out for a promise we thought had been made. So you like telling stories. Tell another one now that you've got my attention. The bridges all burned out and drowned. All my friends are drunk and high degenerately floating by on the hope that something better's on its way. We are disintegrated fall out from mass entertainment. Save me from this curse and wretched state. So you like telling stories. So tell me a story. So you like telling stories. Tell me a story.
4.
Heartstrings 03:48
A whirlwind of color and light. I’m drawn in and restless in this fight. Can’t look away for in time this too will all turn grey. The air grips my lungs. I’m waiting for the world to bite its tongue. Be still my heart. I’m waiting for the world to fall apart. These eyes have see more then a few old memories. Hold tight to what you have. It’s over now. Is there truth in this moment or is all we see just simply leading astray. Led to believe we have everything we need. Where’s my proof? Give me the answers for the questions I’m still dying to explain. Lost my innocence somewhere along the way. The air grips my lungs. I’m waiting for the world to bite its tongue. Be still my heart. I’m waiting for the world to fall apart. These eyes have seen more then a few old memories. Hold tight to what you have it’s over now. I can still remember these lives we lead keep leading us away. Stripped of veneer, suddenly clear, I can see it for the first time. These lies keep lifting us away. Feels like years from yesterday. What we knew, who you were. The truth burns. Carry me away. These eyes have seen more then a few old memories. Hold tight to what you have it’s over now. I can still remember these lives we lead keep leading us away. Stripped of veneer, suddenly clear, I can see it for the first time.
5.
Burdened by complications these lines drawn in the sand. Man made distractions keep us wanting more. Everyone is out for themselves. In the end we’re defeatists. Help us save us from ourselves. Borders boundaries we’re defeated. We’re all insane/we’re all the same. Placing our own frustrations on the backs of the opposed. These burning bridges keep us close to warm. Blinding us from indoctrination. What they fear in the end. It’s all worthless. We’re all hopelessly screwed. With the borders we create. The boundaries that define us are just that. Just lines drawn in the sand we can erase. We build our statues to the sky. Sit on our hands and wonder why. Our false idols draw their eyes. Monuments to the damned. A testament to the stupidity of man. With maps and atlases we drown.
6.
Is there anybody who's left here standing? To hear the sound of a beating heart Face down my eyes in the sand The way we've learned it, the way we always have Don't breathe, their gaze is on you now Don't speak, the words aren't coming out Swing for the fences son At least enjoy what little still may come When far off in the distance they remain If you're waiting for a moment, this is it The world is waiting for you now If you're there can you just say something There's nothing left here for you now Best to find shelter underground Shield your eyes from the coming storm This place is a ticking time bomb If we could only find the fuse By the dying light of a setting sun While looking down the barrel of a loaded gun Don't breathe, their gaze is on you now Don't speak, the words aren't coming out Swing for the fences son At least enjoy what little still may come When far off in the distance they remain If you're waiting for a moment, this is it The world is waiting for you now If you're there can you just say something There's nothing left here for you now Best to find shelter underground Shield your eyes from the coming storm There's no one left here, just us sinners Against the grain we travel Another step another mile There's nothing left here for us sinners Against the grain we travel Another step another mile Don't breathe, don't speak Swing for the fences son At least enjoy what little still may come Don't breathe, don't speak Swing for the fences son At least enjoy what little still may come When far out in the distance The world is waiting The world is waiting for The world is waiting The world is waiting for you now
7.
Blueprint 03:02
There was a time when you could handle it. When what we had was so legit, but now it’s running down the drain. You took your time I let it slide. The perfect ending for the perfect crime. With you it’s always something. Premeditated it would seem. Did you plan this all along? A wolf dressed to the nines in sheep’s clothing. You wore it well. When I see you in a year well we can talk about the weather. Inconsequential conversation to pass the awkward time. And I’ll see you there where we can fade forever. Who is this here where did you go? I guess I’ll never know. I’ve read your letter in my head a thousand times. So many answers I don’t have. You lost control I let it slide. So damn meticulous and calculated all by design. Sometimes our best intentions end up as interventions. Held back till boiling over. One thing is for sure you wore it well. When I see you in a year well we can talk about the weather. Inconsequential conversation to pass the awkward time. And I’ll see you there where we can fade forever. Who is this here where did you go? I guess I’ll never know. When I see you in a year well we can talk about the weather. Inconsequential conversation to pass the awkward time. And I’ll see you there where we can fade forever. Who is this here where did you go? You’ve got a way, a way with words. A clever disguise for the perfect crime. When I see you we can fade forever. Who is this here? Where did you go? I guess I’ll never know.
8.
Clay Pigeon 03:12
You sure you’re ready for your close up dear? As everything fades to black. You played your part and me so perfectly there’s nothing left to say. You’re only real on the weekends, at least from time to time. If you’re even real after all I have my doubts. So take your bow but know I’m onto you now. Trapped in these same four walls I fell for it somehow. Lie to me and tell me everything’s how it’s supposed to be. Lie to me and tell me everything’s alright. While you’re searching for excuses plotting who will take the fall. I’m onto you but still lie to me. I didn’t sign up for these games but you play them any way. Another day another you. Another story not worth listening to. You’re only real on the weekends, at least from time to time. If you’re even real after all I have my doubts. So take your bow but know I’m onto you now. Trapped in these same four walls I fell for it somehow. Lie to me and tell me everything’s how it’s supposed to be. Lie to me and tell me everything’s alright. While you’re searching for excuses plotting who will take the fall. I’m onto you but still lie to me.
9.
Grinder 02:06
I just read the news today. Black marks on society. It seems we’ve had the blinders on for way too long and I’m not going to face the truth. Go through life without a clue and not care. So what’s going on in the world around you? Go to work and pay your bills. A weekend buzz to ease the burden. Slaves to the grind we start over again and again and again and again and again. Time is something that we all lose. The hopeless and dazed are spending their days living life happily content and robotic. I’m not going to face the truth. Go through life without a clue and not care. So what’s going on in the world around you? Go to work and pay your bills. A weekend buzz to ease the burden. Slaves to the grind we start over again and again and again and again and again.
10.
Looking out from our crystal castles they feel nothing at all. Watching over the huddled masses, waiting for the fall. A thirst like this can’t be quenched even after they’ve taken all there is to give leaving nothing in their wake. A deceiving bright smile lends a handshake with the devil. Only serving a faceless king while smoke and mirrors hide everything. We are dissention. A nation of tired thieves. A fatal attraction. Addicted to meet the growing need. Why do we lie to ourselves or anyone else? Let’s call this what it is; it’s a shakedown. So here’s your intervention. Tied to lies of our own detention. Each breath we take makes us feel as thick as thieves. Break the glass for a moment. Overflowing but we don’t show it. There’s never quite enough to give; never quite enough. Don’t put it past the victors to act out and play the victim. To kick you while you’re in a coma. What once was yours is now left cold and grey. We are dissention. A nation of tired thieves. A fatal attraction. Addicted to meet the growing need. Why do we lie to ourselves or anyone else? Let’s call this what it is; it’s a shakedown. So here’s your intervention. Tied to lies of our own detention. Each breath we take makes us feel as thick as thieves. With bloodied hands we stand and shrug. Cause after all who’s really won? Standing tall as thick as thieves. Waiting for the kill to limp along.
11.
Bonfire 03:11
Gather round to hear the story of your life. Assorted tales filled with panic and fright. A tragedy, a comedy, like your first kiss it never lasts. So hold on to us. Hold on to us. It’s been decided by a meeting of the minds after all you’re just wasting your time. Don’t take solace in what you regret. It all comes back. Maybe it’s coming back again. I’ve seen the best and worst of you. I know everything you’re going through. You’ve been down but don’t bury yourself alive. One choice, one chance to take. In this life make no mistake it’s gone before you know...so relax enjoy the show. One foot in front of the other. When you fall you’ll always recover. So hold on to us. Hold on to us. It’s been decided by a meeting of the minds after all you’re just wasting your time. Don’t take solace in what you regret. It all comes back. Maybe it’s coming back again. I’ve seen the best and worst of you. I know everything you’re going through. You’ve been down but don’t bury yourself alive. Hold on to us. Seems like everything you want here will only fall apart. Back to the start. Feels like everything you needed will never come along. Hold on to us. Seems that everything you want here will only come apart. Back to the start. Feels like everything you needed is gone. This is the story of your life. Don’t let it pass you by.

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released August 5, 2014

Released 8/14/2014 on Cyber Tracks Records
Recorded @ Atlas Studios in Chicago by Matt Allison

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Counterpunch Chicago, Illinois

Skate/90's melodic punk rock band from Chicago, IL. Half Blackhawks fans, half Red Wings fans. We like beer, kebabs & good tunes. Featuring ex-members of We Are the Union (Paper + Plastick Records), Voice of Addiction, & She Likes Todd. Check out our pages & follow us on twitter! Merch available online at BigCartel. Cheers! ... more

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