Lake Song

The Lake

Zion National Park

LYRICS:
I, I want to be free
Ease my mind and let it shine
You draw your blinds, I’m planting seeds

And I know, I know you’re feeling it too
That steady flutter in your heart that
Tells you what to start to do

I know I might not be here for long
(I got this feeling, I, I got this feeling that)
I’m gonna get what I want
(I’m gonna get it, I know I will get it yeah)
And keep it easy when it’s said and done 
(Keep it easy, keep, keep it easy)

Turned up the heat but went down in flames
I struck out but came back swinging
No more seasons of playing games

Cause I, I’m going to be free
It’s a series of promises
Not some sentimental fantasy

I might not be here for long
(I got this feeling, I, I got this feeling that)
I’m gonna get what I want
(I’m gonna get it, I know I’m gonna get it)
And rest easy when it’s said and done
(Keep it easy, keep, keep it easy)

I might not be here for long
(I got this feeling, I, I got this feeling that)
I’m gonna get what I want
(I’m gonna get it, I know I’m gonna get it)
And rest easy when it’s said and done
(Keep it easy, keep, keep it easy)
I’ll rest easy when it’s said and done

Keep It Easy

On My Mind

Strange New State marks the second full length album from singer-songwriter John Gardner, who began performing under the Common Jack moniker during a two and a half year world tour with the actor/musician Broadway show, Once. The first Common Jack album was recorded in Washington DC at the historic Cue Recording Studios with platinum producer Jim Ebert. After finishing that record, Gardner immediately began working on the second LP, this time with his band at Degraw Sound in Brooklyn with co-producer Harper James (of breakout band Eighty Ninety). Common Jack's sound has been praised in the past for the "the richness of the sound (from minimalist to quite symphonic) , a richness that tells the diversity of life in general ...these songs, these sounds  and his voice take us in quite a poetic world, in a very original musical dimension, he makes us fly...a musical escape..." (Mike Penard of ISA Radio) & listeners can expect an expansion on that sentiment with Strange New State. With the anthemic Fine Line, Gardner's soaring voice reminds us of Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard. Those in favor of socio-political commentary will love the grittiness of Postmodern Blues and will wonder if this is the type of song that would've been written during a fantasy collaboration between Bob Dylan and Kendrick Lamar. The lead single off the record, Spanish Bird, is a guitar-drenched folk dreamscape about lovers being separated by distance. 

All-in-all, Strange New State is a breathtaking second effort. It's scope is wide, it's lyrics poetic and sharp, and its music uniquely American. It's a promising evolution for this young Brooklyn band. 

//     //    // 

It's been a while I know. // I was stuck on the N train coming home & Sally with her cloud-head Sam got on & started taking pics of me alone. She said smile & I said I wake up at night hearing you scream about front men, the type who burn you up & how you wouldn't love anyone but them & I swore you tore me a new one over a Clover Son who wasn't the one you wanted so you run & gun & yes that's the patriot way...it's a common fact but not well understood nowadays that wars have only been fought for gold. Not for safety or liberty or god or any of those jokes the filter queen smokes on the sets or reads you on silver screens. One & two & asia &am & the gulf where we buried ourselves & ran to gulp the mud, prying open our throats to fill them up til they were blacker than the night sky or that man the police were killing in missoura & yes maybe that would be a lovely way to go on to whatever’s next. somewhere along the line living life was replaced by getting degrees & paying & paying & paying for them & you have the gall to ask if it's too late now to say sorry. I have worms in my ears & I'm picking them out of my coffee which was burnt by the new pill poet percolating behind the bar. He cut off his left ear, shelfed it onto his right, & balancing his head with all the others, guessed which way the Lazy Tastey was gonna blow his brains so they could jump in front & hope it made them Great. With glazed eyes he tries to cry but yeah...it's too late now to say sorry. // I've missed you so, munch...the UnTouchables are laughing at a joke but they don’t understand the punch line. Ah that’s okay, I rub my eyes awake, you're next to me & it’s late...I could swear your skin is glowing & the sky is still blue in this strange new state. 

Liner Notes by John Gardner

Babe We've Been Here Before

Spanish Bird

She Don't

I Woke Up One Morning & Went Walking

I Don't Mind

Lyrics: 
I can’t sleep again 
So I am ordering some food 
Scrolling through the movies 
Coming up empty on Hulu 

I think I inherited 
Insomnia from Mom
She was always pacing round 
At night when I was young 

Laying on the couch 
And counting ways that we have changed
Normally it bothers me 
But tonight it’s not so strange 

Our friends are packing up 
And moving far away 
That’s alright with me as long as
They’re doing okay 

It’s you and me 
As far as I can see 

Still awake and dreaming of the dreams that might come true
Still awake and wishing I could sleep as sound as you 
When I get too self-aware
My mistakes are hard to bear
Whenever I am with you I don’t care 

I don’t think I need to sleep 
My brain is all aglow 
If I got in bed with you
I’d fidget til you woke 

So I’ll fight the morning 
Do my best to not be rude  
I will be here if you need me 
Waiting on my food 

It's you and me 
As far as I can see 

Still awake and dreaming of the dreams that might come true
Still awake and wishing I could sleep as sound as you 
When I get too self-aware
My mistakes are hard to bear
Whenever I am with you I don’t care 

It’s you and me 
As far as I can see

Still Awake

The Christmas Tree is Fake

Fresh

'Fresh’ is out now:
https://orcd.co/fresh

Contact: commonjackmusic@gmail.com

Learn more: https://www.commonjackmusic.com/

Common Jack

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