the gifted children - imaginary girls, volume 1
Release date: June, 1997
A brief but interesting 5-song EP, recorded entirely in one day at Justin’s parent’s house on Grand Island. Where previous 1997 releases (flowers for trudy and april) were essentially solo Jeff releases, this EP features a couple of songs written collaboratively, as well as multiple performances by Justin and Nick (Bill was supposed to be a part of this recording session but showed up late; his only appearance is some background talking that can be heard at the end of ‘when she was good’).
Lyrics and individual track credits:
01 almost perfect state (sheehan/suszczynski)
it wasn't easy but it had a certain appeal
through a crack in the door you revealed
more than any movie shower scene
it was enough to make me run
it was enough to make me run
and i'm still moving away from the icon
color me out
it wasn't easy, all these little noises
as small as they are they're leaving you out
don't bother making waves
it was enough to make me run
it was enough to make me run
color me out
justin sheehan – voice
jeff suszczynski – guitars, bass, drumset, voice
music written: april 1997
lyrics written: june 1997
recorded: 14 june 1997
(west river road, grand island, ny)
02 how to become extinct (suszczynski)
angels have wings
or is it sparks?
at any rate i know you're one
it makes me cry to think
that i tainted you
and greased your wings
or doused your sparks
and soiled the purity of your heart.
how to become extinct...
nick hall – drumset
justin sheehan – voice
jeff suszczynski – acoustic guitar, voice
written: june 1997
recorded: 14 june 1997
(west river road, grand island, ny)
03 the girl in the golden atom (suszczynski)
performing impossible revolutions
torso and legs like a cubist nightmare
sleep while running - calm while falling - or strapped in bunting
it all means nothing for
the girl in the golden atom.
she's on paper.
nick hall – drumset
justin sheehan – guitar, voice
jeff suszczynski – bass, voice
written: june 1997
recorded: 14 june 1997
(west river road, grand island, ny)
04 look homeward, angel (sheehan/suszczynski/hall)
there's something to be said for slow pursuit
with a love or vision freely given
it can never be displaced, it can never be erased
but then again, it's often wrenched free
patrick, do you have a diamond for me?
allen, can you say, how is timothy?
in weakness or in strength, it's yet to be seen
we're still measuring
it's beautiful, it just needs a little push
from all the rest of us...
our ground time here will be brief
so look homeward, angel.
nick hall – drumset
justin sheehan – acoustic guitar, voice
jeff suszczynski – keyboard, voice
written: 14 june 1997
recorded: 14 june 1997
(west river road, grand island, ny)
05 when she was good (suszczynski)
when she was good
when she was mine
when she was everything i wanted
when i didn't have the time
you have an out of body experience
always right after the accident
prolong the misery of an instant
with reflecting eyes on every side,
you will call to mind the time
when she was good
when she was mine
when she was everything i wanted
when i didn't have the time
justin sheehan – voice
jeff suszczynski – electric guitar, bass, drumset, voice
written: 21 may 1997
recorded: 14 june 1997
(west river road, grand island, ny)