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Excelsior

by Sometimes the Cat

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FloydienSlip
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FloydienSlip I really enjoy the overall musicianship showcased in this album, particularly in regards to songwriting. To do this so well, so consistently, is hard, so major props to StC for accomplishing this. Favorite track: Chthonic Dreams.
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1.
Feelin' Sick 02:49
I'm not so sure that's really what I think It's kind of all a new revelation You keep on telling me to throw up in the sink But I'm not so sure that's such a great idea Yesterday I stabbed myself with a plastic butterknife It figures there would be a complication The doctors rushed me to the hospital to try to save my life But I think that they're overreacting Got my hand stuck in an out-of-order sliding door Some kids yelled "95" at the gas station I bought them all some candy, once they let me in the store And now the kids will only sing my name You said that you're gonna stop wearing yellow cuz you think that it makes you look gay The principal sent you another infraction But you see I think that you look better that way I'm starting to question who I am Sometimes I can't help that I don't feel that great today And sometimes I can't help that I don't feel that great today And sometimes I can't help that I don't feel that great today And sometimes I can't help that I don't feel that great today And sometimes I can't help that I don't feel that great today And sometimes I can't help that I don't feel that great today And sometimes I can't help that I don't feel that great today
2.
Alpha Bitch 01:20
I can't remember how we met I can't remember how we became friends We don't seem like we'd get along But sometimes it always worked out Though I'm not that friendly, you put in the effort Invited me places, although I declined I didn't let you know that I thought you were beautiful And you really were my top dog We spent time apart, three months in the summer And so many things changed between you and I It seemed in that time, we'd become different people It was like you were living a lie First the sarcasm, it crept up quite slowly I was taken aback; it was quite a surprise I know that I said that you were my top dog But now you're just the alpha bitch
3.
Guess who's not in the mood I've heard what you've been saying to her You're lucky I'm a nicer girl 'cause anybody else wouldn't let you go unharmed And I know that you're really not the person you appear to be You flash a smile and everything works out for you You think you're punk rock, but that's just sick You need to learn when to shut your mouth Your morals leave something to be desired People don't exist for you to abuse And I know that you're really not the person you appear to be You flash a smile and everything works out for you But hopefully people will see that you lack redeeming qualities And hopefully you'll realise what you have done And I know that you're really not the person you appear to be You flash a smile and everything works out for you But hopefully people will see that you lack redeeming qualities And hopefully you'll realise what you have done
4.
Half a Mind 02:34
The daytime, the nighttime Losing track of where you were Looking up at the light Keeping track of the time Don't let yourself go We know the point is to sit back and enjoy the ride but Don't let too many seasons pass We don't want you to leave us behind and tossed aside We've grown unused, our time has passed and now you're moving on Your never-cared-for hair hangs like curtains over your eyes You can't see us anymore, you've convinced yourself that we don't want you too We can't believe how distant you've become in just a few weeks' time You think that we've become so far away we can't see through your lies and Things didn't have to be this way, you've brought this on with your thoughtless decisions The daytime, the nighttime Always thought you had half a mind But you gave up some time ago Only now, I think that you know We've grown unused, our time has passed and now you're moving on Your never-cared-for hair hangs like curtains over your eyes You can't see us anymore, you've convinced yourself that we don't want you too We can't believe how distant you've become in just a few weeks' time You think that we've become so far away we can't see through your lies and Things didn't have to be this way, you've brought this on with your thoughtless decisions
5.
Candy Corn 02:19
Candy corn fills the space above my fireplace Orange, white, and yellow hues seep through the glass Maybe you can have a few when you come home this afternoon Before the light drains from the fading autumn sky Windows fogging over as the rain pounds up above Darkness settles in the rooms that we're neglectful of Candy corn, when I'm left alone I tend to hide The doors are locked, the curtains tied, the windows shut Days and days without you, time I'd waste on wasting away I'm isolated and I need your help to break me out Wrapped between the blankets, holding on to keep us warm Overhead we hear the crack of thunder in the storm Candy corn, there's a time of day when there's no sun The candles flicker in the moonlight Everything melts around me; walls turn into dripping wax Please don't wake me 'til the morning
6.
Small Ghost 03:04
Small ghost, it's time to wake because the moon is overhead Small ghost, don't ignore me; I know you heard what I said Small ghost Climb out from the covers, dress yourself, don't make a sound Only one night of the year, the monsters are around Although the costumes of the children try to scare them away They need a little helping hand, and that's why you're here to save the day Small ghost, do you remember all the days when we were young? Small ghost, there isn't time for me to tell you 'bout the sun Small ghost, you're protector of the Earth on Halloween I know that you're scared but you are what the people need Small ghost Learn to recognise the monsters even in the dark They have made a hive of sorts at the south of Monroe Park Make sure that your sword is sharpened, glinting metal blade Someday many years from now, the people all will say Small ghost, can you whisper all your secrets in my ear? Small ghost, we're surrounded by haunts & spooks; nothing to fear! Small ghost, don't forget to bring the flashlight from the wall I hope that you know I love you even though you're small Small ghost Small ghost Small ghost Small ghost
7.
Late Fees 02:32
I read the book that you asked me to But I think the plot was lost on me I put it down and I found it just a day ago Now I have to pay late fees to the library I can't keep track of everything I often feel like a lost cause I want to hide—can't show my face—pretend I don't exist I think I'm safe but I'm alone I went with you to the gallery But I think the meaning's lost on me I see the portraits, painters' brushstrokes, sculpted bronze and things I don't relate, and I'm not there I don't feel like sometimes that I exist I can feel my senses numb I've been unplugged—I've been drifting through the days for years I'm a ghost you can't see through
8.
January second, the beginning of this year And your departure would cut short our celebration cheer I can't believe now that I let you go with just a hug goodbye I think I caught a tiny glimmer of fear flash through your eyes And when I was a little kid, I told my dad one night I said I'd like to be a cartographer as he turned out the light He looked me over pensively and asked me, "Why that route?" And now I know it's so that no-one else has gotta map you out It seems we're growing apart but this time you can blame it on the continental drift You look at the charts, you look at the graphs, you can see there's an ever-increasing shift We're growing faster apart and I never should have left you there, alone and far away I hope I see you again, I'm coming after you; if I'm not eaten by sharks, we'll meet again someday
9.
There's a sound in my head It's the sound of nothing, booming still There's a sound in my head It's the sound of nothing, booming still But I can't listen through the lull I'm nodding off, I shake, I bite I have to stop Shaking knees, I fall but I'm still standing I can't quite remember things that happened I've gone too far, I've had enough, it's like a dull pain in my gut Hands are red, fresh with tooth marks Lurch back & forth; yes, I'm awake I don't need help, think I'll be fine And it's my fault that I'm a liar Everybody in the world takes comfort in the fact that there are people in the world whose lives are more fucked up than theirs Everybody in the world takes comfort in the fact that there are people in the world whose lives are more fucked up than theirs Everybody in the world takes comfort in the fact that there are people in the world whose lives are more fucked up than theirs Everybody in the world takes comfort in the fact that there are people in the world whose lives are more
10.
I'm breaking myself up I'm taking time off to get myself back together I'm holding onto things I'm opening the boxes that I'm not allowed to open now You're stopping time And it's not my fault that I don't understand I can't believe The things you see moving in between the frames Let's get some fireworks We can set them off behind the park The shadows circle 'round Big hands reach up for us until they flicker out and disappear You're stopping time And it's not my fault that I don't understand I can't believe The things you see moving in between the frames
11.
Checking Out 02:49
We're bubbly, served and spitting, easy does it, now where was I? I feel like I just said something that didn't make any sense Tally marks marking the smart ones on where they are standing Fun and games passing through hoops until everyone's fallen I would advise against free-for-all sweet-talking demons I just don't want to seem like I am very demanding Oh, how it goes How it goes How it goes It's freezing out here; I can't believe that you're lying on the concrete There's an ice cube in your mouth, bowl of water on the ground, and the nighttime is uninviting Dripping and dropping, the faucet is stopping the feeling Lurching and leering, you find your eyes glued to the ceiling Hazes and dazes, your body is frightened and helpless Sipping and sopping, these words both seem way too familiar Oh, now we know Now we know Now we know
12.
When I wake up in the morning, the taste of sleep won't leave my throat until I have a bagel and a glass of juice And every day, it's the same; I wouldn't wish it otherwise, but all the same, what's there left to do? Sometimes I wonder why I'm here, I'm living, breathing, automating, days go by before I get the chance to blink Maybe everyone feels the same; it's hard to tell what people think when you're the jailer and you've locked yourself inside your head I'm hopeless, obsessed I dance through the curtains Loops of licorice hung around my neck But I slide the scissors through Cutting up my only means of tying myself to the world I jump up in the air Nothing holds me back and I start to fly away But I can only go so high Before I leave the Earth's embrace and by then I'm too far gone By then I'm too far gone Sometime in elementary school, the teachers told us kids were playing in the street and dodging cars and they said it's not okay I don't know who did it, but now I wonder if those kids knew what would happen if they lost or even if they cared I find as I get older, I think I'm getting dumber, I doubt myself in every single thing that I do I wish that I were happy, I wish I didn't feel consumed, I wish I could find something else to write songs about I'm hopeless, obsessed I dance through the curtains Loops of licorice hung around my neck But I slide the scissors through Cutting up my only means of tying myself to the world I jump up in the air Nothing holds me back and I start to fly away I'm hopeless, obsessed I dance through the curtains Loops of licorice hung around my neck But I slide the scissors through Cutting up my only means of tying myself to the world I jump up in the air Nothing holds me back and I start to fly away But I can only go so high Before I leave the Earth's embrace and by then I'm too far gone By then I'm too far gone By then I'm too far gone By then I'm too far gone
13.
The daytime, the nighttime Always thought you had half a mind But you gave up some time ago Only now, I think that you know
14.
Oblivious, consumed, colossal, delirious Barred within and surrounded by the inside I swallow, gurgle, thirst lingers in my throat You hold me in aethereal reverence Bound by vines, eyes and eyes and eye and eyes But there's little to watch, half-dry glue drips from my fingertips With them, I push myself up to my feet, gaze out the window Hills and skies of grey, grey, grey, grey, grey; gray, gray, gray On and on to horizons Little houses peppered throughout the landscape There's a knock at the door And you've locked yourself out with your key With your key
15.
I know you harbour him, don't try and tell me otherwise The skies are dark and overcast, ships can't sail through this storm Open up the bars and let me look inside the damp and musty cells I've got to show him that there's nowhere he can hide But why would he want to? Sister Sea surrounds upon all sides And how could he leave her? Sister's warm embrace is left to waste and she's alone And where will she go now? The waves recede into the nooks and crannies of the Earth And what of the Ocean? Father pulls together tides until you come apologise And someday soon, Sister will return Lapping at the shorelines all around the world Dip your toes in, feel the water 'round them Her pelagic crests pass by through waves capped with foamy pearl
16.
Curling up, consumed by the warmth your flames give off Let them snake up betwixt my arms Skin peels off, crisp from hours of baking But I know I'm safe from harm I melt into you You burn straight through me Ashes culminate by your glowing ember form Breathe them, cough out blackened dust Burn me up until there's nothing left And I know I'm magma now I melt into you You burn straight through me Flames engulf my face Caught in your embrace
17.
I had another dream last night from which I couldn't wake I found my body buried in loose dirt up to my neck The void surrounded me; I thought that I had died And even though I called your name, it didn't feel quite right I've had another day today from which I want to leave I wished I'd brought a shovel so someone could bury me I'd apologise if only it meant something anymore But now I'm scared of losing you, I'm really scared of losing you
18.
I don't care anymore I don't care anymore I want to tell myself that I don't want to care about my grades or school People, college, futures, jobs, etcetera I want to sleep and dream About stars and galaxies Because they are so much more than me I want to sleep and dream About stars and galaxies Because they are so much more than me I don't care anymore I don't care anymore I want to tell myself that I don't want to care about my grades or school People, college, futures, jobs, etcetera I want to sleep and dream About stars and galaxies Because they are so much more than me I want to sleep and dream About stars and galaxies Because they are so much more than me I want to sleep and dream About stars and galaxies Because they are so much more than me I want to sleep and dream About stars and galaxies Because they are so much more than me Stars and galaxies don't care about these things Maybe I shouldn't either Stars and galaxies don't care about these things Maybe I shouldn't either Stars and galaxies don't care about these things Maybe I shouldn't either Stars and galaxies don't care about these things Maybe I shouldn't either (I'm afraid of the sky at night, because it's so big. But mostly because, when it yawns over me, I'm afraid it's going to eat me.) I want to sleep and dream About stars and galaxies Because they are so much more than me I want to sleep and dream About stars and galaxies Because they are so much more than me
19.
When I grow up, I want to be a hermit I'll live alone in a cabin in the woods I'll write to you a letter every few days But no-one ever comes to take them away Sometimes I feel like nobody loves me Other times I feel like you love me too much When I want to be alone, you're right beside to comfort me But when I need someone, you're never there I hope someday you will come to visit I'd like to show you all about me and my life "See, here's my living room" is just what I would say to you But I'll never tell you where I live Sometimes I feel like nobody loves me Other times I feel like you love me too much When I want to be alone, you're right beside to comfort me But when I need someone, you're never there Sometimes I feel like nobody loves me Other times I feel like you love me too much When I want to be alone, you're right beside to comfort me But when I need someone, you're never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever there Sometimes I feel like nobody in this world is in love with me Other times I feel like you love me way too much When I want to be alone, you're right beside me ready to comfort me But when I need someone, you're never never never ever ever ever there I could help it Yes, I could help it But I won't I won't Yes, I could help it Yes, I could help it But I won't Sometimes I feel like nobody loves me-e-e-e Other times I feel like you love me too, way too fucking much When I want to be alone, you're right beside to comfort me But when I need someone, you're never ever ever ever never never gonna be there Yes, I could help it Yes, I could help it But I won't And I never will Yes, I could help it Yeah, I could help it But I won't Oh, oh, oh Sometimes I feel like nobody in this world loves me Other times I feel like you love me way too much, way too, way too much When I want to be alone, you're right beside me, you're ready to comfort me But when I need someone, anyone, you're never never never gonna, never gonna be there Yes, I could help it Yes, I could help it But I won't And I'm never gonna help it Yes, yes, I could help it Yes, I could help it But I won't And I never will Sometimes I feel like nobody lo-o-o-o-o-oves me Other times I feel like you love me way too, way too fucking much When I want to be alone, you're right beside to comfort me But when I need someone, you're never ever ever never never never never never never never never never there And I could help it But I won't Yes, I could help it (one) I could help it (two) I could help it (three) But I won't (four) But I won't

about

"Four gold stars and one silver star"
             —Lesley (Probehead)

"This album creeps up on the listener quite like a small ghost"
             —Lesley (Probehead)

"The least smelly album of 2015 (so far)"
             —Lesley (Probehead)

"I haven't even heard this album!"
             —Luke Slomba (also Probehead)

There's a lot to be said about this album, it is true, and most of it is in the lyrics and chords of the songs themselves. Nonetheless, it should perhaps be explained for context: this album is largely a product of my final two years of high school. Coincidentally also two years in the making, Excelsior has been my ever-present self-assigned homework assignment for so long that it feels weird that it could ever even be finished. But there does indeed come a time to let my songs go out into the world, and that time is now. It seems like just a week or two ago that I was struggling to come up with more songs, struggling to make anything sound good, struggling to even have time to work on songs.
Thanks for listening to my album.

credits

released June 17, 2015

SOMETIMES THE CAT:
April - vocals, electric & acoustic guitars, ukulele, bass guitar, banjolele, piano, keyboards, organ, melodica, harmonica, kalimba, drums, etc.

WITH:
Charlie - vocal sample on “Stars & Galaxies”
Lesley - guitar solo on “Guess Who’s Not in the Mood”, guitars on “Hopeless, Obsessed”
Lily - keyboards on "Stars & Galaxies"
Luke - piano on “Alpha Bitch”, bongos on “Stopping Time”
Noah - backing vocals on “Could Help It”

SPECIAL THANKS:
Avery, Charlie, Daniel, Haley, Jordan, Kelly, Lesley, Lily, Luke, Seth, Will, Winston, et al.
The Jin brothers, for the generous donation of drumsticks.
The family, the cats. You know who you are.

All music and lyrics by April except:
"Guess Who's Not in the Mood" - music by Brett, lyrics and arrangement by April
"Stars and Galaxies" - music by April, lyrics by someone from Space Email
Luke made up the title for "Late Fees"

Produced and mixed by April, with sequencing help from Charlie, Daniel, Lesley, and Lily.
Artwork by Lily.

Dress Dress Dress Recordings
GRR 022

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Sometimes the Cat Eugene, Oregon

Sometimes the Cat is

glasnost (content generation algorithm)

and perestroika (indestructible object).

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