DARK ARTS
I wanted to write a song with more of a ‘rock’ feel and a harder edge. The working title was, ‘The Art of Deception’ and that idea quickly took shape in the form of a commentary on the world of politics, social media, the press, the class system, faceless corporations and how these all interconnect. Who can you trust in a world of hidden agendas and sound bites? What information can we believe when attempts to manipulate our opinions through ‘fake news’ and political spin are used so widely? The lyrics reference the conjurer’s trick that uses distraction and deceit in an attempt to fool us. What is the truth? Who is really pulling the strings? Welcome to the ‘Dark Arts’!
lyrics
Don’t think you made what we believe
Sleight of hand in well-cut sleeve
And when the skeletons are all set free
Better hold on tight to that master key
While doctors spin the forests burn
First World natives just never learn
Conjured visions of a false delight
Voices roar at your cold sound bite
Chorus
The art of distraction
The art of deceit
You treat us like a pack of fools
The art of distraction
The art of deceit
But we’re not playing by your rules
Sipping Clicquot in a penthouse flat
Oxbridge Blues pulling rabbits from hats
Pressing palms and closing rank
There’s no caviar served at this food bank
Chorus
In private clubs and secret bars
Media barons seduce the stars
Hard-bitten hacks stalk easy prey
Another pantomime plays out today
Dealing a loaded deck of cards
Making a mint while cuts hit hard
Billions traded on high rise screens
The ends don’t justify your means
The art of distraction
The art of deceit
Right trumps Left and
Left fights back
Schoolboy bullies join the pack
Nobody’s buying your masquerade
Stuck in the middle just being played
Your dark arts
credits
from Rise and Fall,
released February 22, 2020
John Holden - Guitars, Keyboards
Zaid Crowe - Guitar solo
Oliver Day - Guitars
Nick D’Virgilio - Drums
That Joe Payne - Vocals
Billy Sherwood - Bass
Oliver Wakeman - Piano & Keyboards
Absolutely hooked on this album from first listen. How rare is that with prog!??? Excellent songwriting and musicianship. Can’t wait to dive into the rest of the collection. Thomas Lock