Get all 21 Adam Balbo releases available on Bandcamp and save 50%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Clown World, Glitch, Adam Balbo Archive III (2009-2011), Twenty, Redemption, One-room Kingdom, A Little Bit Ludicrous, Adam Balbo Archive II (2006-2008), and 13 more.
1. |
Salvage Redemption
04:27
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Fever broke inside these ethereal walls
Shotgun house - with one long hall
Through an open window - birds singing a song
Found a toy piano - started playing along
After a peaceful meal in an idle ambulance.
Dropped to the floor - broke the amulet.
Put on a brave face - just couldn’t handle it.
Reached for the strongest drink in the cabinet.
Somewhere along the way - good faith was lost
Gonna salvage redemption - despite the cost
Faked it til I made it - learned how to believe
The spirit set free - amen - go on, preach
Sat cross-legged and silent - in the face of the wicked screech
The arrogant scolds - never learned how to be meek
Heard the word - bread alone will not suffice
Shame on me - if you fool me twice
Stained the glass, in shock - at the sticker price
Every soul is called to a kind of sacrifice.
Somewhere along the way - good faith was lost
Gonna salvage redemption - despite the cost
Standing in the graveyard, just humming a tune
It’s always now, it’s a coming soon.
The earth, it shook - the world went boom.
An angel sitting on the stone - just outside the tomb.
Swirling through the head - purple - green - red
A decent reason - to not be dead
Punched a rock - scratched my head
Given wine and fish - let’s break some bread.
Somewhere along the way - good faith was lost
Gonna salvage redemption - despite the cost
Somewhere along the way - good faith was lost
Gonna salvage redemption - despite the cost
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2. |
Once You See
03:42
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Carved from the earth like a canyon
A majestic snow-capped heap of god’s debris
Just fine with what needed to be abandoned.
You can’t unsee it - once you see
More to know than anything I could imagine
Sun-dappled nap under a maple tree
Impassioned talk - spectacularly vapid.
You can’t unsee it - once you see
Stabbing in the dark - never saw who’s coming
Pitching in for Sisyphus - ah, it’s nothing
I was in love - with what I now find disgusting
Stopped counting on - what you say counts for something
My mind still, pitch black - coarse grade of canvas
List of instincts recited like a spelling bee.
A note of hope scribbled on the back of a napkin
You can’t unsee it - once you see
From far away, your heart seemed like a mansion
Every door - unlocked with a skeleton key
Yet not a single mirror - need a cleric to find a phantom
You can’t unsee it - once you see
Groping toward the light, gotta reach for something
Meeting up with Prometheus - cheeks blushing
Fools ain’t afraid, angels won’t just rush in.
Now counting on the word - the final judgement.
Gluttony of doubt - faith tough to fathom.
Forging wisdom outta praise from the mouths of babes.
A whole crop of disdain couldn’t stave off famine.
You can’t unsee it - once you see
Peace of mind enforced with a whole battalion
The cold, dark depths of the sea of tranquility
The sweet smell of chrysanthemum and jasmine.
You can’t unsee it - once you see
You can’t unsee it - once you see
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3. |
The Shock of Freedom
04:03
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Enslaved in your mind to a kind of misery.
The thrill long gone - misplaced (the plot, lost) the mystery.
Kneel next to broken chains - ignorant, bitter seed.
Countless ways to fail - taught to fear liberty.
That’s the shock, the shock of freedom
Plowed like the earth, turning like a season
Captive since birth, kicked out of Eden.
That’s the shock, the shock of freedom
Ecstatic at the word: emancipation.
Yet scared to leave the only home you know, the old plantation.
No master to blame now - still distrust every tribe in the nation
You’re master of only one now - left to tame the rage, the frustration
That’s the shock, the shock of freedom
Plowed like the earth, turning like a season
Captive since birth, kicked out of Eden.
That’s the shock, the shock of freedom
Keep your head down - either drown or commune with the sparrow
Stick out your neck and speak up - greeted with slings and arrows
Parade a whole caravan of camels through the eye of a needle
Bulky hate won’t fit through the gate of salvation this narrow
That’s the shock, the shock of freedom
Plowed like the earth, turning like a season
Captive since birth, kicked out of Eden.
That’s the shock, the shock of freedom
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4. |
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Thumb in the wind - brave the elements
Accidentally met - the existentialist
Angels on a pin - just an estimate
Nothing measures up - for the utopian
They never think pink elephant
Creepy lab coat - flask of melanin
Iceberg tip - tepid sentiment
Nice thought - go set a precedent
Epiphany - might be imminent
Just don’t think pink elephant
Already confessed - this is a testament
Sacred meat suit - hung on a skeleton
Cosmic luck - doomed to this experiment
Sticking to the plan - got a regiment
Just don’t think pink elephant
Tribal doublespeak - mangled eloquence
Cat got your tongue - joked the anesthetist
Kick a dead horse - thrill a pessimist
Not so obvious - yet self-evident
It helps to never think pink elephant
Can’t all go - send a delegate
Learn your way around - not a resident
Sandbox lines - sadly relevant
Never been before - what’s the etiquette?
Never think pink elephant
Quote the dummy on the lap - of the ventriloquist
From Oregon - to Connecticut
Ice and fire - average temperament
Confided in the priest - asked the therapist
Remember never think pink elephant
Idle hands, cloak - of benevolence
Plot getting thick - new development
Left the cornfield - been an emigrant
How long does it last? - is it indefinite?
Just never think pink elephant
Never think pink elephant
Never think pink elephant
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5. |
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Dreaming in my chamber - when the splat went crash
Honey badger spirit - I just forgot my hat
You tell it like it is - sorta like a thermostat
Heard the thunder clap - while we sat a chat
Oh, it’s really really hard - to make a noise like that
Wiped my boots - on the welcome mat
After wandering around - like an alley cat
Strolling home - dodging brickbats
For the life of me I couldn’t get - what you were getting at
Oh, it’s really really hard - to make a noise like that
Now you’re making stuff up - like a dirty rat
Is that a paper crown - or an aluminum cap?
You got a baby face - with the charm of an autocrat
A ledger of guilt - the sins of aristocrats
It’s really really hard - to make a noise like that
Alone at the bar - had a spat with a diplomat
Lost the debate - with a baseball bat
Split a bowl of nuts - with a verbal acrobat
The world outside - big & loud - and pretty flat
It’s really really hard - to make a noise like that
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6. |
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Just me and couple of friends, looking to fucking hang.
Got a little fucking time to kill, fuck the phone even if it dings.
Nothing fucking special, no glory and no shame.
Not looking to fuck with anybody, to scapegoat, or smear a good man’s name.
I just love this country - so much it fucking hurts.
Like an open wound, if you poke it, it’s probably gonna fucking burn.
At first I touched it softly; then I squeezed, and it went bang.
I pursued some happiness, it’s hard to find the fucking thang.
Even in success, you can’t forget the shit you overcame.
In the flood of stress, you just expect - same shit different day.
I just love this country - so much it fucking hurts.
Like an open wound, if you poke it, it’s probably gonna fucking burn.
Oh, I listen with an open mind, to what the strangers say.
I can get the gist, even if I don’t know half of what the fuck they’re saying.
If you’re just looking for a little respect, not flattery or undue acclaim.
If you love your neighbor and earn your keep, our goals are basically the same.
I just love this country - so much it fucking hurts.
Like an open wound, if you poke it, it’s probably gonna fucking burn.
I just love this country - so much it fucking hurts.
Like an open wound, if you poke it, it’s probably gonna fucking burn.
Burn ... burn ... burn
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7. |
I Love Everyone, Asshole
03:25
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I never heard that before, but I’d entertain the notion.
Funny you mention it; that time when my mind kinda exploded
Like a bullet plowing through an apple -totally badass- in slow motion.
When I’m wrong - thanks for not being an asshole.
Cuz you know I love everyone, asshole.
They’re always missing the fucking point - being obstinate dicks.
Screaming brats, fucking losers - or just mean old sons of a bitch
Storming the fucking pig pen - with just a fist of pearls and lipstick
They’re all wrong - and a bunch of them are assholes.
But you know I love everyone, asshole.
They love humanity - just can’t stand who they barely know
They casually mock the Joe Blows - their heroes need to get out more
Snug as a bug in a rug - from the ivory to the frontier ghetto
You can be wrong, and not even an asshole.
Ain’t it hard, hard to love everyone, asshole.
You show what you sow, when you reap - make you scream and eventually just weep
Get on your hands and knees and dig deep - saving a soul is not cheap.
Asleep among the sheep - like Bo Peep - handle love and care and upkeep
Even if you’re right - and still occassionally an asshole.
Just know that I love you, asshole.
I fucking love you, you fucking asshole.
But, like I said - I fucking love everyone, asshole.
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8. |
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Hold on a damn minute. Where’s your fucking manners?
You kiss your mother with that mouth? Or Ned Flanders?
Get your head checked with a fancy brain scanner.
Count that shit again: You got one too many standards.
Tongue like a sickle - thought a puddle was the oceanfront
Would a compliment - be too blunt?
Gonna carry that weight - gonna bear the brunt
Starved for the word - learned the art of the hunt
How does a gentleman earn a good goddamn?
Well that’s the kind of fucking guy I am.
The milk’s on the floor - don’t cry; don’t stoop to lick.
Not afraid of a half-empty glass - Don’t know the half of it.
It’s like a mental scar - It’s some fucked up shit.
You jumped the shark- flailing a magic stick
Sniff the fucking flowers - life moves fast.
Your fixation on the bees - remains unsurpassed.
Was gonna win but I guess it’s my turn - to finish last.
Heard the word - then my idols turned to trash.
How does a gentleman earn a good goddamn?
Well that’s the kind of fucking guy I am.
Judge, jury, janitor - prosecutor, and accused
The trial dragged forever - no longer amused
Just got the fuck off my ass - quit hitting snooze
This shit’s on me - I got no excuse
The boy was chanting wolf - not even looking out
After the flood - there was a terrible drought
Tried to make it fucking work - bang that shit out
I never even knew - now it’s hard to go without
How does a gentleman earn a good goddamn?
Well that’s the kind of fucking guy I am.
How does a gentleman earn a good goddamn?
Well that’s the kind of fucking guy I am.
How does a gentleman earn a good goddamn?
Well that’s the kind of guy I am.
How does a gentleman earn a good goddamn?
Well that’s the kind of guy I am.
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9. |
At Your Mercy
04:30
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I’m at your mercy
Totally at your mercy
The sword is swung - it’s double-edged
The word is sung - rings like a sledge
Be careful what - you wish on me
Pride’s a curse - freedom stings
But there is no place - I’d rather be
Your tired slander don’t mean - shit to me
I’m at your mercy
Totally at your mercy
Drag your slogan - like a corpse
Call virtue vice - with no remorse
Reaction born - of equal force
Messiah’s tamed - in due course
Shallow fake - name your source
Night and day - can’t get divorced
I’m at your mercy
Totally at your mercy
Marooned on shore - that ship has sailed
Atonement made - like wood meets nail
Your enemies - wanna see you fail
Mole hill shrugged - mountain scaled
Breathe in deep - wait to exhale
It’s all in the good book - in epic detail
I’m at your mercy
Totally at your mercy
I’m at your mercy
Totally at your mercy
At your mercy
Totally at your mercy
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