Dave Amador

A Midday Musical Meditation (Tell the Captain)

Detail of cover art for 'Sink' by Floater, Elemental Records, 1993.

It really is something of a song, well, not quite for all occasions, but, rather, with myriad suitable applications. Choose your metaphor; the Captain has already picked his poison.

Go and tell the Captain, waves are growing high, and anyone washed overboard, leave them here to die. Go, now, tell his mistress, who lies in sheets of wine, the candles and the invocations will not bring down the tide. He’s abandoned any hope of life now; the endless storms that rage upon us grow from ripples in his mind. He has chosen darkness over light now; mistress and crew have lied and left him to be cold.

Floater, “Tell the Captain/Out of Sheer Loneliness” (1993)

Your Morning Metal (Persecutor)

Floater

At the edge of metal and the new sonic wave came Floater. I dare you to find another band so goddamn cool.

I am of alien intelligence, at least they say so. I could show you anything unless I want to. Many people run away from me; I make them angry. They don’t like the way I shake, I am reminded. Oh, I am reminded. Stop and take a look at where your words are falling. Listen to where your wisdom goes. Oh, you might be disappointed at just how much your victim knows. You better kick in. Oh, I am sickened. Oh, you won’t listen. Little girl has learned a lesson today, she has a value. Get up and change the sheets again; late night with Gallo. Many people run away from her, she makes them angry. They don’t like the way she moves, she is reminding. Oh, she is reminding. Did you wake up today? Did you wake up yesterday? Did you wake up today? And will you wake up tomorrow? It came up from the water, down into the village, now. Followed me to my home, and spoke to me and said: Don’t worry, ’cause this is only meant to be just like a warning to you from me, and I am only meant to be affectionate.

Floater, “Persecutor” (1995)

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