Hand Me Down Miracles
2014
Folk - Rock
In August 2013 Producer Sean Giovanni (John Rich, Big and Rich, Lil Wayne, John Legend, The Farm) of The Record Shop recording studio in Nashville took a chance on this touring Wisconsin alt-folk band and booked us for a few hours of studio time while we were in town for a series of performances. We knew almost immediately that this album had to be pure Nashville. Over 100 hours of studio time (most of them in Nashville with Sean Giovanni and some alternate tracking in Madison with Luke Jorgensen) later all the tracks have been laid down for the 12-song "Hand Me Down Miracles" album, including guest appearances by Peter Keys of Lynryd Skynyrd (B3 hammond organ), Scarlette Rische of Jypsi fame (mandolin), Walker Young of Truth & Salvage Co. (accordion), Kenny Leiser of Wheelhouse (fiddle/violin), Beth Kille of Beth Kille Band (vocals), Mark Oberfoell (banjo, pedal steel guitar, mandolin), and Ryan Werntz (trumpet). Luke Jorgensen engineered the Madison recording sessions.
Tracks
1.
View song info
Plays:48
Lyrics
Bring me down • Hold me when my feet don't touch the ground • Bring me down • I can't see with my head up in the clouds • If I'm sick and turning pale • Calm the winds that drive my sail • Just a spoonful • Something I can take, when I drift away • I might get stuck inside a car • Travel far from where you are • Just a phone call • When the walls are torn away • And there's nothing left to save • Be my shelter • I might get lost along the way • I might die before I wake • Be my anchor •
Song Length
3:31
Genres
Folk - Rock, Folk - Americana
Lead Vocal
Male Vocal
Moods
Amiable, Content
Subject Matter
Hope, Spirituality
Similar Artists
Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers
Language
English
Era
2000 and later
Lyric Credits |
Erik Kjelland |
|
Music Credits |
Erik Kjelland |
|
Producer Credits |
Sean Giovanni, The Mascot Theory |
|
Publisher Credits |
Erik Kjelland, Velvet Mystery Publishing |
|
Performance Credits |
The Mascot Theory ( Erik Kjelland, Adam White, Nick Fry, Paul Metz) |
|
Label Credits |
Stone After Stone Records |
|
2.
View song info
Plays:32
Lyrics
Hope found me somewhere on the road to Carolina • Sanity caught me in a daze and disconcerted • So I escaped, six strings and me • Made my way past the muddy shores of Mississippi • Wrote my name, carved it in a tree down by the river • So you remember, remember me • And oh...oh my eyes see • There are better days ahead of me • Humbling, wandering the desert of Nevada • Love and shame, you can keep your little drops of water • A sea is storming and it calls to me • Fast asleep, awakened on the coast of California • Seasons changed, slowly it dissolved the rearview highway • And there's a new day straight ahead • I know some day when I'm standing at the pearly gates of heaven • With no key, I guess I'll pound my fist until its bleeding • If there's no answer I'll wait and see • Who comes for me • To set me free •
Song Length
4:15
Genres
Folk - Rock, Folk - Americana
Tempo / Feel
Medium (111 - 130)
Lead Vocal
Male Vocal
Moods
Composed, Content
Subject Matter
Hope, Highway, Street, Road
Similar Artists
Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers
Language
English
Era
2000 and later
Lyric Credits |
Erik Kjelland |
|
Music Credits |
Erik Kjelland |
|
Producer Credits |
Sean Giovnni, The Mascot Theory |
|
Publisher Credits |
Erik Kjelland, Velvet Mystery Publishing |
|
Performance Credits |
The Mascot Theory |
|
Label Credits |
Stone After Stone Records |
|
3.
View song info
Plays:7
Lyrics
The odds are stacked against us every day • Like a pile of vinyl records • Collecting dust, not being played • A longing in your heart can take you down • With a trail that leads to nowhere • Devastation all around • The sun it rises and I drift off to sleep • And I'm waiting for the twilight come rescue me • If you jump in to a river hold your breath • Pray the current takes you somewhere new • But not lead ya to your death • In the arms of choral city I belong • Where the darkness can be brightened • By a stranger with a song • I realize I could spend my whole life dreaming 'bout the sun • As I'm waiting for the twilight come rescue me •
Song Length
3:30
Genres
Folk - Rock, Folk - Americana
Lead Vocal
Male Vocal
Moods
Disconcerted, Depressing
Subject Matter
Life, Regret
Similar Artists
Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers
Era
2000 and later
Lyric Credits |
Erik Kjelland |
|
Music Credits |
Erik Kjelland |
|
Producer Credits |
Sean Giovanni, The Mascot Theory |
|
Publisher Credits |
Erik Kjelland, Velvet Mystery Publishing |
|
Performance Credits |
The Mascot Theory |
|
Label Credits |
Stone After Stone Records |
|
4.
View song info
Plays:36
Lyrics
The walls of the city in Old Monterey • Holding in comfort, keeping out rage • Until the synchronized steppers come to take it away • We're burning your city today • Never wanted the vision of death in my eyes • But Father said go, while my mother she cried • "Dear God won't you save them from the bullets that fly • My boy's not the murdering kind" • You win, I throw my hands in the air • Take me away from this place • We march through the gates eyes blinded by rain • And I'm restless with guilt and nervous with shame • I break rank and start running to the church by the bay • To hide from both sides, and my name • I slip through the door and follow the sound • Of a local girl praying, both knees on the ground • "Dear God won't you take me away from this town and be lost, so I can get found" • "I'll get lost, so I can be found!" • She turns and looks at my face • Strangers in life but connected by fate • Both in need of a drastically, quick change of pace • So we flee bound by silence and grace • We'll ride and we'll never look back at the memories that scatter the way • We'll build a new Monterey •
Song Length
4:33
Genres
Folk - Americana, Folk - Rock
Tempo / Feel
Slow (71 - 90)
Lead Vocal
Male Vocal
Moods
Nervous, Disconcerted
Subject Matter
Searching for Love, Hope
Similar Artists
Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers
Era
2000 and later
Lyric Credits |
Erik Kjelland |
|
Music Credits |
Erik Kjelland |
|
Producer Credits |
Sean Giovanni, The Mascot Theory |
|
Publisher Credits |
Erik Kjelland, Velvet Mystery Publishing |
|
Performance Credits |
The Mascot Theory |
|
Label Credits |
Stone After Stone Records |
|
5.
View song info
Plays:9
Lyrics
I blame the future • I blame the past • I blame the things in life that start but never last • I blame the highway • I blame the tracks • I blame momentum that is pushing me too fast, way too fast • I blame the Gulf Stream • I blame the cold • I blame the weather • I blame the snow • I blame forever • I blame the sea • I blame the devil who put these thoughts in me • I blame the fault lines • I blame the coast • But I don't blame the Father, Son or Holy Ghost, oh no • I blame the long drive • I blame my bed • I blame the silence where a thank you should be said • I blame the grave yard • I blame disease • I blame the evil that can travel in a breeze and bring me to my knees • I blame the dark clouds that hide the truth • And if you love me well I don't blame you • I blame the rhythm • I blame the blues • And if you leave me I won't blame you • I blame December • The plants that froze • I blame the hurt inside that I could never show • I could take you with me when I go • But if we stumble I blame the snow • I blame the houses lined up in rows • But above all else I blame the snow •
Song Length
3:34
Genres
Folk - Rock, Folk - Americana
Tempo / Feel
Medium Fast (131 - 150)
Lead Vocal
Male Vocal
Moods
Cheerless, Worried
Subject Matter
Failure, Sadness
Similar Artists
Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers
Era
2000 and later
Lyric Credits |
Erik Kjelland |
|
Music Credits |
Erik Kjelland |
|
Producer Credits |
Sean Giovanni, The Mascot Theory |
|
Publisher Credits |
Erik Kjelland, Velvet Mystery Publishing |
|
Performance Credits |
The Mascot Theory |
|
Label Credits |
Stone After Stone Records |
|
6.
View song info
Plays:11
Lyrics
How can we think about tomorrow when we're stuck in yesterday • I told you I'm a front porch and you're the car that rolled away • It's a shame that we can't see through this broken window in the cold • You're a question with no answer and I'm a story that's been told • Oh and who knows where the wind goes when it blows • When it knocks you off your toes • Who knows where the wind goes • I don't know • In the middle of a daydream its hard to change the details of the plan • But if you don't know where you're going it doesn't matter where you've been • I'm so sorry that I hurt you and then I did it once again and again • You're the sparkler in my darkness • My beginning and my end •
Song Length
3:48
Genres
Folk - Rock, Folk - Americana
Tempo / Feel
Medium Slow (91 - 110)
Lead Vocal
Male Vocal
Moods
Gracious, Content
Subject Matter
Life, Philosophy
Similar Artists
Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers
Language
English
Era
2000 and later
Lyric Credits |
Erik Kjelland |
|
Music Credits |
Erik Kjelland |
|
Producer Credits |
Sean Giovanni, The Mascot Theory |
|
Publisher Credits |
Erik Kjelland, Velvet Mystery Publishing |
|
Performance Credits |
The Mascot Theory |
|
Label Credits |
Stone After Stone Records |
|
7.
View song info
Plays:6
Lyrics
Won't you take me and wrap me up in hope • I've lost feeling in my fingers and direction in my toes • Temperature's rising in reverse and its gonna bad then, its gonna get worse • Such a distance from sanity to here • The only path through the mountains, impassable, unclear • No way out for flightless birds and, its gonna bad then, its gonna get worse • No sense in counting pennies • When you're buried under dimes • An avalanche of fortune • Such a painful way to die • I'll speak calmly and I'll tell you I'm okay • But I'm a man who wants it all, overworked and underpaid • Damage won't be reimbursed and, its gonna bad then, its gonna get worse • I can't ignore this flutter in my heart • Like an engine flooded and refusing to start • Call a doctor, call a hearse cause, its gonna bad then, its gonna get worse • We'll try to reach common ground • We'll make it home safe and sound • Test my patience and pray for more cause • Its gonna bad then, its gonna get worse •
Song Length
3:09
Genres
Folk - Rock, Folk - Americana
Tempo / Feel
Medium (111 - 130)
Lead Vocal
Male Vocal
Moods
Disconcerted, Tense
Subject Matter
Fools, Worry
Similar Artists
Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers
Language
English
Era
2000 and later
Lyric Credits |
Erik Kjelland |
|
Music Credits |
Erik Kjelland |
|
Producer Credits |
Sean Giovanni, The Mascot Theory |
|
Publisher Credits |
Erik Kjelland, Velvet Mystery Publishing |
|
Performance Credits |
The Mascot Theory |
|
Label Credits |
Stone After Stone Records |
|
8.
View song info
Plays:22
Lyrics
Who could have ever guessed • This life of mine so blessed • Would feel like such a mess • And every move a test • I cannot judge the altitude • With which I'm struggling to pursue • Afraid to turn around and move • Hold that smile just a little a longer • Even as I wander know that I'm your man • Hold that smile until the sun gets brighter • As you sip your California and I drink my Tennessee • Its tearing me in two • On the road and not with you • Either way I'm bound to lose • Trapped by the things do • It might not seem like a choice • Strangers over our two boys • My little girl or a worn out voice • Its a dangerous terrain • Peaks and valley of my brain • You need a custom-fitted frame • Yeah to put me on display • You're my compass, you're my fate • If you've got patience I've got ways to make the solice work the wait • Life seems so big sometimes • With decisions that can cloud your mind • Relaxation is so hard to find • It happens all the time •
Song Length
3:45
Genres
Folk - Americana, Folk - Rock
Tempo / Feel
Medium (111 - 130)
Lead Vocal
Male Vocal
Moods
Cool, Relaxed
Subject Matter
Change, Hope
Similar Artists
Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers
Language
English
Era
2000 and later
Lyric Credits |
Erik Kjelland |
|
Music Credits |
Erik Kjelland |
|
Producer Credits |
Sean Giovanni, The Mascot Theory |
|
Publisher Credits |
Erik Kjelland, Velvet Mystery Publishing |
|
Performance Credits |
The Mascot Theory |
|
Label Credits |
Stone After Stone Records |
|
9.
View song info
Plays:7
Lyrics
As we write our book of poems • We ignore the perfect rhymes • And replace them with the words • That have more meaning in our lives • There is comfort on our faces • Drawn in permanent black ink • The kind of smile that last for days • Until you rinse it down the sink • Uh oh, wha uh oh • If the clouds they never form • And the wind it never blows • Then we'll thank God for all the good times • But stay ready on our toes • Now we cross the shifting sands • Heart in heart and hand in hand • And we can see over the rainbow • There's a distant promised land • Heart in heart • Hand in hand • May we never feel the vacancy again • Heart in heart • Hand in hand • And forever fill the emptiness within •
Song Length
4:27
Genres
Folk - Rock, Folk - Americana
Tempo / Feel
Medium (111 - 130)
Lead Vocal
Male Vocal
Moods
Content, Engaging
Subject Matter
Falling in Love, Life
Similar Artists
Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers
Language
English
Era
2000 and later
Lyric Credits |
Erik Kjelland |
|
Music Credits |
Erik Kjelland |
|
Producer Credits |
Sean Giovanni, The Mascot Theory |
|
Publisher Credits |
Erik Kjelland, Velvet Mystery Publishing |
|
Performance Credits |
The Mascot Theory |
|
Label Credits |
Stone After Stone Records |
|
10.
View song info
Plays:11
Lyrics
I hear the hum of a train in the distance • While clumsily folding my best Sunday coat • Placed it on top with the rest of my life • Jammed in a ragged plaid suitcase • Oh oh oh, oh oh, oh oh • Valentine's night and I wish I was drinking • With someone who needs me and begs me to stay • Instead I must toast to the diesel filled skyline • My emptiness worn as a blanket • I came to town as a stranger • Now I'm leaving tomorrow the same • There's no going back • When they dig up these tracks • No regrets, no blame • One last chance, one last train • Oh oh oh, oh oh, oh oh • Down at the station I see the Blue Oxen • The engine that suffers a fate much like mine • In for a moment and out with the smoke • Searching for freedom and fanfare • No children ran as you rolled through the city • No laughing or cheering as you chugged along • The workers asleep or drunk before midday • We'll try a new life at the next stop •
Song Length
4:21
Genres
Folk - Rock, Folk - Americana
Tempo / Feel
Non 4/4
Lead Vocal
Male Vocal
Moods
Distressed, Gloomy
Subject Matter
Loneliness, Regret
Similar Artists
Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers
Language
English
Era
2000 and later
Lyric Credits |
Erik Kjelland |
|
Music Credits |
Erik Kjelland |
|
Producer Credits |
Sean Giovanni, The Mascot Theory |
|
Publisher Credits |
Erik Kjelland, Velvet Mystery Publishing |
|
Performance Credits |
The Mascot Theory |
|
Label Credits |
Stone After Stone Records |
|
11.
View song info
Plays:41
Song Length
4:07
Genres
Folk - Rock, Pop - Rock
Tempo / Feel
Medium Slow (91 - 110)
Lead Vocal
Male Vocal
Subject Matter
Jealousy, Lost Love
Similar Artists
Gin Blossoms, Mumford & Sons
Language
English
Era
1990 - 1999
Lyric Credits |
Douglas Hopkins |
|
Music Credits |
Douglas Hopkins |
|
Publisher Credits |
Warner |
|
Performance Credits |
The Mascot Theory |
|
Label Credits |
Stone After Stone Records |
|
12.
View song info
Plays:16
Lyrics
I bought my ticket for this show • But my seat in the last row • Leaves me wondering why I left my pair of glasses in the car • Aren't we all just blurry shadows? • In an out of focus photo • Just another snapshot of how life can be so hard • I'm not trying to be a poet • I don't know all the words that they do • Like a dog searching for his favorite chew • I'm just trying to reach you • Just a ship out on the ocean • Prepping for the moment • When the waves will tip us over and we're forced to swim to shore • Without food for daily rations • Or a seat cushion for flotation • We must cling tightly to each other • Taking turns and treading forward • I'm not trying to be an astronaut • I don't need space to walk through • Confused by all the voices • The world is struggling with its choices •Win the fight or lose it • That's how you play the game • We're all just blazing trails • Through the darkness, through the hail • It's the placement of the pauses that will drive momentum home • I'm not trying to be fireman • There's too much smoke to see through • I'm not trying to be selfish man • I want what I want when I do • I'm just trying to say sorry • An apology long overdue • I'm not trying to be funny • There's too much pain to undo • I'm not trying to be an old dog • Trying to teach something new •
Song Length
4:43
Genres
Folk - Rock, Folk - Americana
Tempo / Feel
Medium (111 - 130)
Lead Vocal
Male Vocal
Moods
Engaging, Anxious
Subject Matter
Healing, Making Up
Similar Artists
Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers
Language
English
Era
2000 and later
Lyric Credits |
Erik Kjelland |
|
Music Credits |
Erik Kjelland |
|
Producer Credits |
Sean Giovanni, The Mascot Theory |
|
Publisher Credits |
Erik Kjelland, Velvet Mystery Publishing |
|
Performance Credits |
The Mascot Theory |
|
Label Credits |
Stone After Stone Records |
|