Band: Keram Malicki-Sanchez
Song: The Birdseed

There are a rare breed of people who are not merely artistic but ultra-artistic. Not merely content to be in a band, they have too many ideas for one project. They play music, they write, they make films, they act, they paint, do any of a hundred other things, and they do them all with various degrees of skill that would make the less talented person sick. LA-based Keram Malicki-Sanchez appears to be one of those people. After forming his own record label at 19 for his band/project Blue Dog Pict, he's done experimental theater, radio drama, acted in television and film, written novels, and more.

The Blue Dog Pict seem to have an odd retro-rock style that verges at times on 70's pop and others on an almost industrial sound. Recording solo, his music is an odd amalgamation of styles he at times refers to as non-rock, at other times points out its clearly rocking attributes. As many musicians on their own do, Keram blends styles indiscriminately, mixing rock, new-wave, electronic experimentation, and pure, catchy, hook-laden pop all at once. At times, it sounds remarkably similar to other, well-established musicians, while at other times it takes on the truly unique feel he was obviously pursuing.

"The Birdseed" is one of those songs that blends styles and works quite well. Starting off with buzzing electric guitar and up-tempo pop hooks, it turns into a mix of electronic beats and Elvis Costello-esque pop, blending the styles quite well. Throughout it all, there are moments of heavy guitar riffage, moments of almost gospel-like vocals, and almost British-sounding pop. It's catchy, to say the least. However, it's a bit repetitive, and at times it feels like he's adding in the extra beats for their own sake.

Some artists thrive on their own, free from any restraint of a band to explore their own creative tendencies. Others need the structure of a band to at least help them cull through the host of ideas. Keram Malicki-Sanchez is clearly talented, and without seeing or hearing any of his other endeavors, he's got quite a bit of skill as a musician. He may need someone to rein in his creativity, however, and help add more structure, to help him choose what's worth keeping and what's merely interesting.

 

 

 

 

Marcy what charmed me
Was how hard you tried
to knock at your soul
and to hack at their wires
and when you would ride me
with your love in full bloom
there was nothing could befall me
that would make me feel blue

But then I could get so lonely
Youd get burned into my glare
It could feel there was no one I could call
that could make me care
But soft what light yonder breaks
through the residue?
Could that be brand new day
Built out of God and attitude?

I have a million theories left I have to prove
So this is about the last song I think Ill write for you

Ive walked this circle
into a pale tattoo
upon the same ground that once
Laid out a barren path for you
But as days became months
and then a year and then two
I noticed that their graces
Had travelled my face too

There was a time back before when I met you
when one phone call drew
all the troops in and wed
kick it through the night
to dissolve in its wake
and yet I sacrificed every one
to help you escalate

Theres a million lessons left that I know I should get through
so this is the last song that Ill write for you

Marcy Ill forgive you
For knowing what to do
For never holding back for me to make your dreams come true
And so my yesterdays fade
sure as your tomorrows make do
Because I think Ive had about enough of playing out your fool

Theres a thousand things that I know Ive been meaning to address
And the signs are telling me its time to trade up your caress
For a million heart-broken folk songs that I have yet to write
through the next ten thousand love-strewn days and lonely sleepless nights
Theres a million rhythms left I know I can shake my bones to
aint it kinda too bad this the last time theyll shake for you
And now heres the second last nail in a coffin built for two
Because this is the last fucking song Ill ever write for you

 

The way that your front teeth
Make you smile crookedly
Is like the way that we
Both drown imperfectly
Cuz all that we can see
Is all that there will be
What I'll take when I leave
Is fuel for memories

Nothing gets by
Your one way mirror
I can feel you
but I can't penetrate
Your cold gaze
I can feel my breaking dreams
In your cold one way mirror
I can feel you watching back
As I gaze it relays
My own desperate need for
love

I drive into the night
I try to find a light
To burn a cigarette
A stand in for my soul
Unlocked and rising up
Like symbols used for love
But without the real thing
See what results you bring

With every breath
I confess yet another sin to her
And as we speak we release
Everything they'll need but for
What is real - that's concealed
Better kept in trust and stored
So that we can beleive
We got what we bargained for

 

Oh my God
She don't care
Do I think so --
or is it true?
I'm aware of my pretense,
self-pity,
and lack of couth
But I'm known
to be strong
to be ancient
and to be blue
I have seen this
How the spiral
can so quickly swallow you

Oh how long
can it stay so?
For how long
can you swallow?
Oh my God
Guilt was meant to be
a tap on the shoulder
and not a broken life.

Please don't stay
I'm okay
It's just a little game I use
I'm a schemer
and a liar
but I'm the best of the flyers
In a day,
maybe two
I will feel much better
There's still some wisdom
That I've saved
From the same tree that made you

(What we believe will be the seed)
And watch it grow!
(What we believe will be the seed)

For how long
can it stay so?
For how long
can you swallow?
Oh my God
Guilt was meant to be
a tap on the shoulder
and not a broken life.

(What we believe will be the seed)
(What we believe will be the seed)
(What we believe will be the seed)
(What we believe will be the seed)

(What we believe will be the seed)
You can fear me
Can believe me
You can leave me
or deceive me
But I love you!
Walk among you!
Understand you!
Am one of you!
I heal you
Can reveal you
Rise above this
Live with the truth
But on God I know
Dear God I know
All I really need is you

 

I am not singing this for you.
Don't foolishly search here for answers
I am the needle in a haystack
Maybe we'll find a common language

I'm hoping this era will pass
This televisual molasses
which has left nothing here for us
Which has taken something from us

Spare silence is the only thing I trust;
What it takes it gives back to us
I've been deceitful for asking you here
I am not singing this for you to hear

I am not sure I'm ready yet
to step back out into this social Port-o-Let
Except my body's wearing out
I am not willing to fade out

I can not ask the Christ for this --
but in the same light -- live through this
and just like I used you for a kiss
I am not singing this for you

I am the hypocrite
because in looking for the truth
we simply rearrange the living room
then call the furnishings custom-made

I'm hoping this era will pass
this televisual molasses
which has left nothing here for us
which has taken so much from us
I am not sure I'm ready yet
except my body's wearing out
I am not willing to fade out

I am not singing this for you
I am not singing this for you
I am not singing this for you
I am not singing this