With her uncanny ability to glide between chest voice and falsetto, Emmalene Robinson's singing voice certainly has people talking. Call it Celtic-influenced; call it side yodeling if you must. Just don't call it Autotune.

Stay - Emmalene Robinson

Mid-tempo pop rocker with bluesy slide guitar accents courtesy of XTC's Dave Gregory. Attempts to tackle the subject of political divisions and how those in power pit us against each other. A plea for solidarity and understanding between those on both sides of the aisle. Easier said than done, of course. Me? I'm not doing it. Bastards.

Lyrics:
Found out the world is flat
Ah well now fancy that
Alternate fluid facts
To suit the situation

All innocence is lost
Time to count the cost
Of all the bombs we toss
Into the conversation

No matter what you think of me
I’m not your enemy
Although the wounds run deep

Dog whistle wonder boys
With their broken toys
Busy making noise
In need of condemnation

Divisive words at play
That rattle ‘round the brain
They echo and delay
The reconciliation 

They bend and break your will with ease 
And make us enemies
And now the roots run deep

Still we stick to keeping score
I’m tired of this unnecessary war

All loose ends and fraying seams
Guess who lied and guess who will believe
I wonder if we have forgiveness up our sleeves
instead of battle cries
And the world lies
The world lies…between us 

Chase the windmill, bang the drum
Be the wind beneath my gun
All undone and all done for
I’m sick of this unnecessary war

A plea for silence shout it loud
Wave the white flag deep among the crowd
You know, where no real introspection is allowed 
In case it spoils the surprise
That the world lies
The world lies… between us

Unnecessary War

A chiming, charming  and cheeky musical love letter to Messrs. Morrissey and Marr of The Smiths.

Lyrics:
It's hard to tell the difference between sunshine and the rain
You sing them both so beautifully, please do it again
happily doomed, now becomes soon
And so I  wait

I close my eyes
and it feels just like it's 1985
Shirtless and pale
No bite, no sting and no tail
Would I ever learn?

Sorry Amsterdam, all apologies Milan
You both have possibilities, I'm happy where I am
A scrape and a bow, soon becomes now
And still, I hesitate

I close my eyes
and it feels just like it's 1995
Clueless and vain
and other familiar refrains
(and other last names)

No excuse
I  jumped the queue
and then missed the boat
Fled the scene
I licked the bones clean
to sugarcoat
(trying to keep my hopes afloat)

It's hard to tell the difference between the darkness and the light
You both have possibilities, and I thought you might
Exquisitely flawed
In search of the lost guitar chord
Will I ever learn?

Swallowing The Sun

Sorry Amsterdam

Lead off track from "Cycle" by Steve Robinson & Ed Woltil

Love Somebody - Steve Robinson & Ed Woltil

Hello, Hello (We're Back Again) - Steve Robinson & Ed Woltil

This song means a lot to me, since it's built around a true story (unlike the majority of my material which is gleaned from unsubstantiated rumours and bald-faced lies). The Ride Of Our Lives tells the story of my mother, Jean, and her best friend Mary, growing up together in post-war England, and how their friendship endured into adulthood. Although my mother remained in England, while Mary ended up marrying an American and settling in the US, their lives (and the lives of their children) remained entwined. Mary's American husband would become my Godfather, and in case anyone wants to point fingers, it was his invitation for me to come over to America, back in 1978, that resulted in me actually moving here.

Lyrics:
Two little girls from the county of Kent, freed from the shadows of war 
Out of the darkness, into the sunshine, free to be children once more 
They'd grow up together, lives together bound 
Hands across the garden, streets and towns 

Well, kiss and tell, pigtails and inkwells, daisy stems in jam jars 
Turned to dates upon roller skates, and friday nights at The Star 
Mary met an American, stole her heart away 
Jean she fell for a northern boy, down from Lincolnshire way 

Old country, new love, lives entwined 
Godparents, bridesmaids and best man smiles 
"Everyone hold on tight" they said 
Soldiers to brand new brides 
"Everyone hold on tight" they said 
"We're in for the ride of our lives" 

Before too long, us kids came along, and we too would all become friends 
We played in the haze of long summer days, and we thought that they never would end 
Off to the Isle of Sheppey in a Singer Gazelle 
A cold dip and a warm pop, on the pebbles and shells 

Funfair reunions, arcade smiles 
Hands across the water, oceans wide 
"Everyone hold on tight" we'd say 
Atop of the carpet slide 
"Everyone hold on tight" we said 
"We're in for the ride of our lives" 

Well, we grew up fast and memories past, sit safe on the picture book page 
See how they've grown, these kids of our own, now it's their turn up on the stage 
A sadness full of beauty takes my breath away 
I wish they knew each other, like we did back in the day 

Sisters and brothers, hopes and fears 
Fathers and mothers dry the tears 
"Everyone hold on tight" we say, as they prepare to fly 
"Everyone hold on tight" we say 
"You're in for the ride of your lives"

Credits:
from The Ride of Our Lives EP, released 21 October 2011 
Steve Robinson - Acoustic guitars, mandolin, keyboards, lead & background vocals 
Tim Lorsch - Viola 
Emma Robinson - Background vocals

The Ride of Our Lives

I'd come back if only you'd let me in 
I'd be there bearing roses 
I'd endeavour to crawl upon hand and knee 
While you all stare down your noses 

I have changed like you 
Rearranged and new 
I'll show you proof 
When I come back to you 

I'd come back if only you'd change some things 
I'd be there without warning 
Bring back pennies, steam trains and Slade Alive! 
I'd be there there by the morning 

You have changed like me 
Rearranged, I see 
I'll tell the truth 
When I come back to you 

Places to go, love to take or to leave 
Big consequences we never conceived 
Time on the clock ticking over 
So far away is much closer 
Than we might believe 

I'd come back if only you'd talk to me 
I would answer your questions 
Why did I go? How could I let you down? 
Funny that you should mention... 

We have changed, it's true 
Edges frayed and unglued 
We'll know the truth 
When I come back to you



Come Back

Road To Ruin - Steve Robinson

Transplanted Englishman, Ex-Headlight and Roger McGuinn sideman strangles folk and mangles pop for your listening pleasure.

Sunshine Drenchy

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