“The Wreckage” is the sound of coming to terms. It is acceptance. It is the inevitable realization of what once was. Pieces of our memories, scattered at our failing knees. People change, move, start over, regress, progress, wander. The stanza in the middle of “Break Away” quietly sums up everything this record is about: “I don’t remember much at all / just longing looks across the room / your eyes illuminated by / the wrecking light of crystal moon”. Within the passion of longing, we make mistakes, and live in nostalgia as idealism.

The songs for this record were written more or less within the span of 2 years. People talk of Saturn Returns, and, while the skeptic in us scoffs and says “bologna!”, there is an overwhelming truth to it. In order to avoid overdramatizing the events that lead to the creation of these songs, I will simply say that, at the end of these 2 years, my life ended up in a place where i never would have thought of. Slightly more emotionally stable, slightly more in control of my own body, slightly more confident in my personality. I use the word “slightly” as it is an ongoing process: life is an ongoing process.

I had always thought that this group of songs had belonged together. In order to “tie the whole room together”, I decided to perform these songs with the musicians who regularly play with me. Joe, Todd and Sonja are some of my closest musical partners, and we built the foundation for the whole record within 12 hours, collectively. Having shared my songs with these people, I frequently found my music taking the shape of a harder, more aggressive (and generally exciting!) personality. This attitude was perfect for the more desperate rantings in songs such as “When We Both Belong” and “All I Can Give”.

So, enjoy this record as you may (or not!). Turn it up loud, headphones, whatever your pleasure or ritual may be. Try not to be distracted by the fragile emotions of the narrator, for he is witnessing something fairly unsettling: the remnants of his heartbreak and the acceptance of his mess.