1. |
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"Oh yeah, right! I almost forgot - like - you gotta hear this one guy
on my iPod. When he sings this song it's like - MY GOD!
Just learn the words and try to sing along."
My name is Alex, but folks call me "Xander".
I'm the Commander of a righteous battalion of white doves!
I'll show you magic if you show me love.
First thing in the morning, well I...roll outta bed...
get me a cup o' coffee and a...cigarette.
Call one of my friends, invite 'em over.
Then I look to the end and try to find closure...
man, it gets so hard to keep my composure...yea...
Is anyone alive out there? Can anyone hear me?
Another war, another warning...
another dream, another dawn!
For seven days it's been storming...
seven days without sun.
And all the trees just keep on falling,
a few more weeks and they'll be gone...
and all the people keep their eyes to the sky,
they wonder why it took 'em so long...yea...
Is anyone alive out there? Can anyone hear me?
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2. |
Up To The Brim (LIVE)
04:03
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Roses are red, so it would seem.
Visions of you holding roses in my dreams.
Smile on your face, scent on the breeze.
I hear your sweet voice, you know it brings me to my knees.
And I'm lost for words...
lost in a trance...
los in the beat...
...you're making me wanna dance.
Losing control...
Body and Soul...
Rock-a-bye baby...
Rock and effin' Roll!
Take me away...
to places untold...
take me 'round the corner...
down into the Rabbit Hole...
with you by my side.
We dance cheek-to cheek.
I'm next to nothing
without you next to me.
Come take a shot...
stay for a swim...
you make me feel
full up to the brim.
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3. |
Monster (LIVE)
05:13
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There's a monster in the mirror,
I can't bear to brave the day.
Can't help feeling like a failure.
Can't keep living life this way!
Pulled in every wrong direction,
picked apart by my own mind.
"Give me all of your attention!"
- thought I'd left all this behind!
People use you like a drug...
they drag you down into the haze...
Find the strength/the will/the reason
to smile through your darkest days.
I've been drowning in the darkness,
there's no light that I can see.
I feel like I'm going backwards...
crawling on my hands and knees.
I'm a sucker for the sadness:
sucks the life right out of me,
takes the wind out of my sails,
takes a big bite out of me!
I admit that I'm a loser;
I've lost myself, I've lost my way!
There's a monster in the mirror...
but I can't seem to look away.
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4. |
Epsilon (LIVE)
01:50
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What is the purpose of learning a lie?
The worth of our minds...
the turn of the tides...
the burning inferno is hurting both sides!
The "whatchamacallit!" - the death of our intellect.
Self-respect shattered no matter the price,
we know we're alive, but when do we find
what we've been looking for all of this time.
Why do we strive to ruin the lives that we're given?
We're living to die! Born at the knife, under the gun...
Where you are going is where you come from.
Harness the energy (any at all!)
The universe calls, there's holes in the hull...
we're flooding and sinking!
We're drinking the blood of the innocent victims.
I'm thinking by turning my cheek, it'll all go away in a minute...
I fucking live in it every day.
Feeling ashamed of the life I created, I learned a new phrase:
"The world - it works in malevolent ways...
the inevitable change...
the questionable people we praise...
make-up we put on our face to erase our humanity.
Sanity's left our society.
Why do we try to be "perfect", if nothing is "perfect"?
Why do we work every day 'til we hurt?
It just isn't worth it. I just need a raise.
I just need to get away - get away...
make up a melody...better be better than ever before!
The war's at our doorstep, forced to ignore the blood and the gore...
we live by the sword! Sworn to a corporate entity when you are born.
If you can't afford to conform to the norm, you're pitied and scorned
by the adorned uniform youth-of-the-nation: reborn!
(Every minute until you are mourned.)
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5. |
Avalon (LIVE)
03:03
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I give. You win. I couldn't wait to see you in the light.
For once forgive my absence, though I stood right by your side.
I tried this time...never been afraid to speak my mind...
Inside: I hide...I've waited for these feelings to subside.
I fear there's been a change for the worst.
You're just a projection of my imagination...
a manifestation of all that I'm not...
and I can't control you! I cannot hold you back
from taking me for all that I've got. You're all that I've got.
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6. |
Stardust (LIVE)
03:40
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Righteous minds all think alike:
too blind to run, too dumb to hide.
I've never claimed to be your savior,
save your words for someone else!
Make a million mercenaries carry out your dirty work.
Save yourself the energy of ever really getting hurt.
Make a list of all the things that bring you sadness,
let it burn! Send all of the ashes to your future self.
You're starting to get it!
I bet it it's beginning to get a little bit better...
whether or not you think that's the absolute truth!
The right to live. The right to die.
The right to never question why.
We're given so much just to lose.
Yea!
We're made up of flesh and blood and stardust!
We came, we saw, we made a scene!
We covered it in gasoline and burnt the motherf**ker
to the ground! We never stopped to question
whethere life contains a lesson.
Our whole existence starts with just a sound.
We're made up of flesh and blood and stardust!
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7. |
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How am I to sleep when there's so much to do?
A whole world to save and a battle to lose.
I'm a knight up against a monster who's smiling at me.
I stand here awaiting the touch of his teeth.
My sword is too dull and my armor is weak.
Are you even listening?
What is there to say when you can't speak the truth?
'Cause it's so far away and so foreign to you.
I'm a bird without the means to fly and no song in my heart.
Rejected by the sky and my wings pulled apart...
...left there to die!
How am I to sleep when there's so much to do?
A whole world to save and a battle to lose.
Magic to be made and mountains to move.
Are you even listening?
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8. |
The Moon Song (LIVE)
03:18
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Don't hold me like that...it'll hurt when you let go.
You sold me this debt, it's only paid if you say so.
Don't stay for too long, because you might say "I love you."
You might say, I love you.
I shall take you to the moon and make your dreams come true.
You're as much a part of me as my bones or my teeth!
Because, without you, I'd crumble.
You just have to forgive me! This came without warning.
If I'd known you would be here, I might've made tea!
Doobie kind and unwind - by the way
did you know when the sun hits the sky
you glow - just a little - and I die every time...every time!
I shall take you to the moon and make your dreams come true.
We'll live in a cartoon fantasy-land!
And no one will hurt you. No one will ever hurt you again.
You're MY friend!
I shall take you to the moon and make your dreams come true.
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9. |
Sweetest Dreams (LIVE)
04:58
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When there's nothing to keep you entertained,
and nothing to keep you hanging on:
I will be your ray of sunshine, I will keep you safe and warm.
When there's nothing to keep you from breaking down,
and nothing to keep you from saying: "I'm NOT okay!"
Oh lord, just hold me gorgeous...and don't let go...
...let that feeling roll away!
The day has just been so long, girl...yea...
And though I close these tired eyes of mine,
I'll see you in my sweetest dreams.
Morning breath and sunshine...
Fresh coffee; 10:00am...
think I'll just stay home!
I swear I'll never work again.
Been awake for too long girl, been awake for far too long...yea...
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10. |
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Why don't we meet somewhere in the middle?
Why don't we meet somewhere in the middle of the night.
Bernie, it's been so long since I held you.
Maybe we could try to get it right? Alright.
I'm sorry that I couldn't be what you needed me to be,
you know that I hate to let you down...
I'm sorry that I kept you in the dark for so long!
Bernie, I've been thinkin' 'bout you every day now.
Maybe we could meet somewhere in the middle!
Maybe we could meet somewhere in the middle of the night.
Bernie - baby - it's been way too long since I held your body close to mine.
Maybe we could try to get it right this time?
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11. |
Machines (LIVE)
01:28
|
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I wanna write a song that gets everybody moving!
And everyone would know every last word to the very first verse!
See, all the "cool-cats" try to get with the gig I'm grooving...
...but you best not be going my way, because you may get hurt!
See, I know you know there's a secret recipe to every "Number one"!
And I hate to say - but I'll say it anyway...
it seems these machines have won.
My God, it got hard trying to play the part of a "rockstar"
and a brother and a fighter and a brother and a writer in a glass jar.
And I was never ever clever enough to find a rhyme to THIS line...
No, I was never, ever clever enough to find a rhyme to THAT line...
See, I know you know there's a secret recipe
to every "Number one"!
And I hate to say - but I'll say it anyway...
it seems these machines have won.
THESE MACHINES HAVE WON!
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12. |
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Get out son, you've been running with the devil for too long.
It was fun while it lasted, put it in the past and move on.
One more hit to the heart and you're right back at the start
of this calamitous game!
The sound of the sirens, they're crying out your name!
"One more hit to the head and he might not make it home." - he said.
Listen to the doctor! Spend the day in bed!
Just think of all your fans, you know they'll understand.
You're just a boxer, you're not an iron man.
The sound of the sirens, they're crying out your name!
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13. |
Nothing Less (LIVE)
03:41
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Take a minute to breathe.
Take another,
just take your time,
take a seat.
Take a bite out of me.
Let's talk about it,
let's talk in circles,
let's see...
You know it's all in your head.
You know it's all just a waste of time,
go to bed.
Rest your body and soul.
Rest-assured you're still best-in-show,
don't you know?
Don't you get tired of this?
Don't you wish you were
better than you even know?
Take a second or so...
Take a step outside of yourself,
take a stroll.
You know you've lost all control...
You know you've lost all sense of time,
let it go.
It's on the tip of your tongue.
You're not sure how to react.
You know you've gotta move on.
You've gotta try to relax.
I feel a little distressed.
I feel distraught and distracted,
and quite under-dressed.
You put my love to the test.
Put yourself in my shoes,
you deserve nothing less.
You pick apart all the rest
Your heart feels like a ticking bomb
in your chest...
What do you want me to say?
What do you want me to do
when you're acting this way?
What did you expect to gain?
What empty promises lead you to bend
'til you break...
It's on the tips of your fingers.
It's in the air that you breathe.
It's just a part of the process.
You're not sure what to believe.
It's on the tip of your tongue.
You're not sure how to react.
You know you've gotta move on.
You've gotta try and relax.
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14. |
Earth Worms (LIVE)
02:57
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This is the moment where the paper meets the pen,
and I begin again: a journey of wordy-birdy absurdities.
You heard me perfectly, work with me Earth Worms.
Eat the dirt with me boys and girlies, it's bright and early; start squirming!
I've got a thirst to learn what's worth the turn-of-a-cheek,
the word of God ain't working on me!
I try my best to connect with him through confession,
I'm left with these mixed-messages, stressing my inner-harmony...
and every time that he tries to lay his hand on me,
I duck-and-cover like he was trying to steal my thunder from me.
Honesty's the best policy, it's just gotta be.
Honestly, quite possibly the best way to be.
Hate to be what you make of me,
I didn't mean to be mean to you;
I'm truly sorry for all the feelings that I instill in you:
"I believe in you."
Gather your thoughts, this time is yours...
but, one last thing that you must ensure...
these fervid fingers of city streets care
- not at all - to aid the weak...
like you, my friend: your weakness shows.
It stains your teeth and it stains you clothes.
That voice, that smile, that warm rapport?
That's customer service...now, please leave the store!
Honesty's the best policy, it's just gotta be.
Honestly, quite possibly the best way to be.
Hate to be what you make of me,
I didn't mean to be mean to you;
I'm truly sorry for all the feelings that I instill in you:
"I believe in you."
Animalistic instincts are kicking in!
I'm a ballistic reptilian with burning wings!
Invisible, shape-shifting, lizard-like demon...
Extra-dimensional, terrestrial being!
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15. |
Get It? Got It. (LIVE)
04:27
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In the interest of self-disclosure,
I'm as close as I think I ought to be.
It's gotta be a goddamn gong-show every night
in this city of broken dreams!
I wanna be far away from this place:
these mistakes and memories...
I've made mistakes...
I've had big days and bloodied knees!
Everybody please calm down! There's no need to panic!
Looks like the rebels took the town
and they caused a lot of damage!
Hey look at me now, I'm at the top of all the wreckage...
got the devil's twisted smile and I'm sending out a message...
...hope you get it!
Well, I guess I fall in love a little easier than most...
terrified of women but I get along with ghosts.
Hope that you don't mind if I just move a little closer to you.
Dance with me, I can't believe the energy that's moving through you.
How do we simply make-believe that everything we feel is chemical reaction?
Fatal attraction.
This is one for the good-books, the looks that'll kill...
the crooks and the cops and the hookers that pop pills...
"This little f**ker's got skill!"
And I don't rest until you suckers see that this is real!
It's right before your very eyes, so just chill...
...like a cherry pie cooling on the window-sill.
Can you picture it? The vivid imagery?
That's what you're gettin' every time that you listen to me.
I'm a professional, impressionable individual,
living in circumstances: unimaginable...psychological damage!
I've had enough of this "stuff"
and materialistic advantage...
and superficial desires...
I've f**king finally had it!
I'm really mad at the planet...
or maybe just at the people!
The f**king man in the mirror is being
completely unreasonable!
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16. |
Taker (LIVE)
03:21
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I'll never look at a woman the same.
Baby, you've busted my brain.
Maybe I'll change my malevolent ways.
I got a little caught up in the game,
running from memory lane...
...funny, the way I became another name.
Just another recovery day,
give me a second to say what I've been meaning to make clear.
I've been a bit of a mystery, I apologize...
nine times out of ten, I'm a nice guy.
I'll watch my mouth if you just watch your temper.
We've been drunk all summer and it's damn-near September - please.
Take what you want from me. I've got all that I need.
I'll admit I'm a bit of a tough lover,
once the damage is done I'll move on
and find myself another...but it gets a little lonely when there's
no one holding onto you...I gotta get you out of my head
What can I do?
GET LOUD DOWNTOWN LIGHTS AND SOUND
I'M ON THE REBOUND! RUNNIN' 'EM INTO THE GROUND!
GONNA GET A "WHATIWANT" I'MA PASS IT AROUND!
GONNA GET A LITTLE FUNKY WITH MY MONEY-MOUND!
FEELING HELL-BOUND! GONNA START A FIGHT NOW!
I'M A BLOODHOUND WHEN THE SUN'S DOWN!
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17. |
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I set my worries down, and take a step towards the end.
I've found the things I've lost, and I feel right on top again.
Although, I wasn't there before...and I know, I may not ever be.
And I suppose I should get to the shore, but I kinda like it in the sea.
But "Surprise, surprise!" the world's full of lies and now the Mothership is calling you home.
I would have liked to tell you sooner, son...but now it's time to go.
Lost inside your mind's eye again, boy?
You know you better find yourself a new toy.
'Cause when it breaks, it'll never work again!
You know you better find yourself some real friends.
And I hope that he can find his way...
'cause it's getting harder every day
to look him in the eyes and tell him:
"Everything is gonna be okay!"
...okay...
I set my worries down, and take a step towards a friend.
I've found the friends I've lost, and I feel right on top again!
Although, I wasn't there before...and I know, I may not ever be.
And I suppose I should get to the shore, but I kinda like it in the sea.
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18. |
War With The Sky (LIVE)
05:04
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My head is growing heavy, it nearly weighs a ton.
Maybe if you told me one more time about the sun;
about the way it used to shine its light on everyone...
then, I could shake this cold off of my body and move on.
The lights are going out, I can't see a bloody thing.
I'm following the sound of a thousand shouting kings.
They tell me: "We're at war!"
...at war with the sky...
My legs are growing weary, they can hardly hold me up.
Maybe if you told me how the people made the people so corrupt.
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19. |
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You weren't my first, you ween't my best...
...but I held you longer than the rest.
And I knew just how to make you sing.
You carried me through everything.
I can't bare to say: "You're not gonna make it."
I will, but not today...'cause I can't take it.
Goodbye to you, my friend.
The time we used to spend was my greatest investment.
I'll never let you down again!
This image I see can't be true:
your broken body here, I see.
I was nothing without you, and you were nothing without me.
I swear I'll never let you burn! As long as I live, I will learn.
I can't bare to say: "You're not gonna make it."
I will, but not today...'cause I can't take it.
Goodbye to you, my friend.
The time we used to spend was my greatest investment.
I'll never let you down again!
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20. |
Cloud (LIVE)
05:20
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I pray to whoever's listening:
"I'm pissing my whole life away."
She knows I'm bent outta shape over photographs and notes.
I can smell her on my clothes.
She's a dark cloud: hovering above me...says that she "loves me."
But I know I'm being played,
I should just stay away...before she rains.
She rains down thunder & lightning. F**k me, it's frightening!
So, I play dumb; hum me a tune, keep my mouth shut....mhmm.
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Commander Xander British Columbia
BC Singer/Songwriter Alexander William Webster AKA COMMANDER XANDER
Commander Xander recommends:
Bernadette
by Commander Xander & The Talent Show
Our 4-track cassette demo
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Songs of Abundance, Psalms of Grief
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