Artist Profile

10 Years

By Nirav ⋅ June 9, 2008 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

It’s been some time since I last found a rock band that I really enjoyed the lyrics along with the music. Rock to me has always been about the musical vs. lyrical content. That’s the reason I really related to hip hop. My hunger for strong lyricism was quenched there and the music allowed for lyrics to be the forefront (atleast in quality hip hop that is!). There were of course a few outliers in rock: Tool, A Perfect Circle, Pearl Jam, System of a Down, etc. But still nothing comparable to the content I had hear in other music genres. Then I found 10 Years.

Visioning your stimulating to my eyes
Your Cinderella syndrome, full of lies
Your insecurities are concealed by your pride
Pretty soon your ego will kill what’s left inside

A newcomer to my ears, 10 Years, has put out two amazing albums entitled Division (2008) and The Autumn Effect (2005) that I’ve had a chance to hear. Both albums are play from start to end type of music. I’ve probably listened to each over 50 times and never did I pick a single and move away. And you’re damn sure that after listening to an album that many times, I remember every change in beat and every word of their lyrics. I’m so glad their lyrics are actually quality and conscious, as memorizing shit lyrics has become taxing to my brain over the years. Even if you don’t want to remember them, lyrics get stuck to the walls of your cranium. Since I know its going to happen, I prefer choosing what’s going to get stuck!

All of 10 Years songs have three or four stanzas worth of lyrics, not much more. I really like that because they keep it simple and to the point. Their lyrics tend to talk about sin, materialism (Empires), loss of lust and gaining of real love (Through The Iris), the power of intention and what it can do (Actions and Motives), awakening from the suffering and madness of day to day life (Day Dreamer), and compassion and understanding vs. judgment (Proud of You).

Sex always sells.
Death is a thrill.
Imitate my lack of patience.
How much we pay to be Taylor made.
Fashions fade the trends will change.
Now what is your drug of choice.
Pick your poison and enjoy.

I’m unsure where their direct inspiration comes from for their music and their lyrics. Maybe it’s their faith in Christianity and/or some deep rooted emotions and personal issues as stated apart of their interview with Garageband. There is so much great content and a larger message found within the words. So regardless of where they get their inspiration from, I hope they keep getting it because each album seems to get lyrically and musically better.

This band has not yet hit its peak. They debuted The Autumn Effect at 72 in the U.S. Billboard charts and their latest album Division hit 12. Due to their inspiring words and great music, I think they’ll climb close or to the top. They also have a few singles in them if they wanted to hit the charts. I can just sense it!

The track at the top of this post is called All Your Lies from their latest album Division.

Tags: lyricists, progressive, rock