the gifted children - april

Release date: June, 1997

A 5-song EP written and recorded by Jeff in April, 1997. Never properly released, aside from a few copies given to bandmates, this EP shows a definite movement towards Pavement-esque indie rock and away from the indie folk that appears in most prior releases, even featuring some repeated choruses and a couple guitar solos (albeit purposefully atonal ones). It may also be the first release by the gifted children to have drums on every song.

Lyrics and individual track credits:

01 this little charmer (suszczynski)

it all comes down to this -
it's not in your drafty kiss
it's not in your icy hand
it's not in your cold command.

there's nothing that i miss
in studying your arctic lips
in reading your glacial map
or wearing your polar cap.

i think i've fallen in love
with a soft and wondrous thing –
i love your insular mind.

you know i must dismiss
all of this frozen bliss
all of your wintry plans
all of your chilled demands.

i am afraid to rub your sharkskin the wrong way
i just might cut myself
but something tells me that you wouldn't let me bleed
you will just hold my hand

i think i've fallen in love
with a soft and wondrous thing
i love your insular mind

jeff suszczynski – guitars, bass, drumset, voice

written: 13 april 1997
recorded: april 1997
(southland drive, brighton, ny)

02 television personalities (suszczynski)

i am the architect of all you know
i am the journalist making a show
and somehow all of this
is under control
and throughout all of it
you felt that it was good
but it's been sad

jeff suszczynski – guitars, drumset, voices

written: april 1997
recorded: april 1997
(southland drive, brighton, ny)

03 delivery of errors (suszczynski)

delivery of errors
bundled in a basket
always smell so nice
always wanted flowers
but here i stand, mistake in hand,
edging towards the door.

the gift that keeps on giving
the feeling that you're winning –
dangle chocolate coins above my head.
let them melt into your hand
use for icing in the cake you've made for me...
i know the crust is made of sand
but i'll eat it down for your sake.

jeff suszczynski – acoustic guitar, bass, drumset, voice

written: 16 april 1997
recorded: april 1997
(southland drive, brighton, ny)

04 november 22 (suszczynski)

i lift you up
so they can see
the way you smile
you look so wonderful when you're shining

we wave our hands
as they pass by
you touch my face
it's always best when it's the last time

they say it's not enough to keep you here

i hear the noise
you feel the sting
you're swelling up
you sound so fabulous when you're choking

i set you down you need to rest
you close your eyes
you look so beautiful when you're sleeping

jeff suszczynski – guitars, bass, drumset, voices

written: 18 april 1997
recorded: april 1997
(southland drive, brighton, ny)

vocals re-recorded july 2010

(bad wallpaper, rochester, ny)

05 midnight nautical theme park (suszczynski)

this is our little enhancement –
a midnight nautical theme park
complete with unfriendly foodmart
and semi-threatening staff.

we hope you enjoy your stay here
please don't use the elevator
please don't stand gawking at villains
keep our tidy procession moving along...

we bring you live entertainment –
a shoeshined prince lacking front teeth
listen to his garbled stories
please don't throw your overpriced food.

we hope you've enjoyed your stay here
please don't use the elevator
please don't stand gawking at villains
keep our tidy procession moving along...

jeff suszczynski – guitars, bass, drumset, voice

written: 16 april 1997
recorded: april 1997
(southland drive, brighton, ny)