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Hutong

by Contraplans

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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes Bonus Track - 'What You Know'.
    Purchasable with gift card

     

1.
Moving On 04:00
Moving On If you could give yourself a break, Then you’d sit back and watch it all effortlessly fall into place. You’d see there’s something strange About the thought of higher powers sitting somewhere Pulling on your strings. If you give your god a face, It stands to reason one day you will have to stare into it. If i do i’ll tell you now i won’t be there for long, Because i’ll make my peace as i go along. I’m moving on Its time to put those fears aside I’m moving on Lord knows it’s time. Although i see there’s another path I’m sick of people telling me i have to put my order in. That nature moves in mysterious ways, And my mind is just a magnet and my life is drawn into it. I’d like to give a little something back, So i’m sifting through the madness and i’m trying to make sense of it. And when i do, i’ll tell you now, it won’t last for long, Because i’m cleaning out this walk-in closet once and for all. From the window of this tireless train I see the remnants of the rain that punished me with shades of grey. No cross to lean on all the way, So my sadness had a density that you could not appreciate. I never got the news, It was written in a language that would put the apples in the spoons. But the quest to order and explain will never keep you warm.
2.
Cracks 03:23
Cracks Ignore all the visible cracks in the pavement and On the face of it they might go away, But you know they are still there. The faults in the canvas are breeding like cancers. I can’t remember when it started to fade But now i’m drowning in greyscale. I know i’m falling through the cracks. After a fashion, i let it unfasten There was nothing left to do but watch And refrain from resuscitation. So john has got his hat on and its hip-hip-hooray, Because the cracks in the canvas have melted to pavements. I’m not a rat but i’m still in the race and, I’m noses ahead.
3.
Hold Your Hand I never wanted anything that money built I never wanted anything i had coming I never felt like i need endorsements or helping hands. I’ve no space for someone to lean on No older brother who thinks i aint heavy Lamenting the absence of a “somebody to love” Aint my thing And i still maintain I hold no head up above my own But i’ll hold your hand I’ll never reach out to embrace my peers Or take a leap into the great un-knowing The 3 colours on the model wheel of love all spun grey I never feared anyone i couldn’t love ‘cause their betrayal never does much damage To make waves in a lonely forest You can’t make sense And i still maintain I hold no head up above my own And when i’m lost you’d never know ‘cause i’ll hold your hand Play to your strengths!
4.
Wake Up 02:48
Wake Up Brother, although you just got back from hell, I must say you’ve adjusted well. All bar one thing. And dare i say, It’s best you get it off your chest. But we’re all pretty fragile here So give us a break. Wake up No-one wants to hear it. Wake up No-one wants to go there. Father, is it possible you feel regret? Festering in your own filth, wasting away? You’ve made your bed And now you have to take to it. You don’t get to make amends From your pit. Wake up I don’t want to hear it Wake up I don’t want to go there. Mother, I imitate your traits so well. So much so, you just can’t tell How i Feel.
5.
Air 02:36
Air We have found a way of solving problems Whilst we avoid decisions. We hand our choice away In favour of the solace that dogma gives us. After the fall, came his re-birth. Since then it’s been downhill. We’ve justified conflict ever since, We made him a man.... You say it’s a good thing? Then why does it make you mad? If God is a good thing, Then why has she struck you dumb? Men will find a way To justify the use of force in acquisition. Sell their God in spades And clog the throats of young men looking for purpose. And i never got to say goodbye to my friend. God is the air that your breathing.
6.
Productive 03:40
Productive From collecting glasses to wrestling with blank pages. On the back-foot is where i thrive. Passing notes to the grindstone i’m sleeping in classrooms. Every expression is a leap of faith. But this won’t wait. What would i know? When it comes to being productive, there’s nothing doing. From dodging the plastics to bodging the networks, I’ve had my share of contagious waste. I’ll resort to exposure to beat hibernation. Stunted expression is a tragedy That no one reads.... If there’s one thing i know, When it comes to being productive, There’s nothing to it. Failure to fail, Does not equate to winning. Playful and gainful are not the same.
7.
Help 04:30
Help Where to now? I’m no longer black and blue or reaching out. I’ve burned all the bridges too. So, turn this plane around. My U-turns are nothing new. If i sing it loud, i might just believe it. Where to now? I no longer strive to brood over how to impress upon the masses. You have both feet underground, That shines like the morning dew. Tragic flaws abound, minus the magic. So i ask for help. You never learned to ask, cause you don’t need. You never felt a slammed door hit your feet. And you’ll never know the first thing about me, Because you think that money grows on tree’s.
8.
The Bells 02:09
The Bell’s The first time i looked in the mirror and saw My face was not symmetrical I knew i would need you. And that was enough All i needed to know To keep me from the negative Haze of frustration. And the bells, Keep me running into your arms And the bells, Call home. The first time you walked through the varsity door Looking like a Russian doll With a recess and layers. And after a stand-off, an end to the war. You’re timing was impeccable, we created each other... Well. .there’s nothing i want more Than to tell her tonight There’s still time. The last time i looked in the mirror and saw A face that’s unfamiliar and all the better for seeing you And that’s all it took All i needed to know An end of the negative Because we understand each other ..
9.
MySOS 03:23
My SOS I don’t want your money baby, I sold this soul for love. Though after the gesture had been made I just assumed you give it back. Give it back. It’s my SOS A melodramatic moan, Rambling in a song. I can’t think of a better way. If you think something’s funny Maybe you should share it with the class. It feels like i’ve been stalling lately And i’m slowing to a halt. And it’s hard to restart, if at all. Reaching Out.
10.
How Long Is A While? The worst thing that happened was convincing myself that my name would have to be called. After an hour i should have figured it out but my patient nature took hold. I guessed it would be alright if we wait a while. So i wait and i wait. No-one ever mentioned it would take this long. Sell out or trade-in? Is that the only way to be heard? I can’t fault the reasoning behind the will to power. I almost bowed out and gave in. I couldn’t relate to something that’s so insincere. After the fact i’m good at dishing it out but chin-to-face i’m not so bold. I should have asking but instead, i was basking in the praise i had managed to hone. After the madness, my ego expired and the thirst packed up and went home. Instead of advancing i was licking my wounds and medicating after my own inclination. So i’m back in the classroom and i’m raising my hand to be heard. And i know there’s nothing that can’t be commandeered or mastered or brought back in from the cold.
11.
Fireworks 03:49
Fireworks: Gravity and timezones are no longer of any consequence to me. I’ve found the secret recipe for happiness and longevity. The only thing i hope to be and that’s where you are.. Oh, just happy to be there by your side.. Oh, while we throw it all away. Oh, i was happy to be there by your side As we threw it all away. (As the whole shithouse went up in flames!) After all the mining leaves us stood behind a 12-inch glass frame, Watching as the fireworks send the mushrooms flying skywards again. Knowing there’ll be nothing left, I just can’t bring myself to care In this embryonic bubble we can start (again). So say yes.... to absolve So say yes.... to ignore Because your heart has always felt at home Where no-one else could ever go But who you gonna tell when there is nothing left? Well-adjusted people might lament the loss of something to believe But don’t mistake for apathy, euphoria i’ve learned to feel With oxygen i’m made to breath The comfort has consumed the fear At the thought of watching everything go up..
12.
Tell The World: Have you considered that despite the dithering And small detours, you still end up with the One? So, it stands to reason that You’re at the mercy of a higher power That comes in the shape of the fairer sex and her will. I asked her for dinner and she yelled Assimilate! And years later i still clean up before she comes. While she obliterates she never makes a mess, A whirlwind that comes in the shape of the fairer sex and her will. Tell the world, this is the girl that makes all of your dreams Come crashing through your door. Why would you walk away, when this love has brought All the things you never thought you would need? You can’t win, but it feels so good.

credits

released April 4, 2011

Recorded @ Douban Hutong, 东四十条
Mixed by Mark Andrews @ Big Momma's House, Bromsgrove

John E. Devlin - Guitars & Vocals
Drews – Bass

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Contraplans Birmingham, UK

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