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Owing To Certain Complications​.​.​. Vol. 1

by The Penny Black Remedy

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1.
Before I Go 03:15
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Before I Go I've packed my clothes and the last of my money In a suitcase with no handle and no plan I've braced myself for a long road ahead I don't know if it's a start or an end I haven't had to watch the news for a long time I just look out of my front door The civil has been stolen from the word civilisation So I'm running ‘til it can be restored Before I go... before I go... I'll take a second to remember my old home Before I go... before I go... Try to remember how it was before Try to remember how it was before I found a picture of my family in the ruins A dog-eared scrap of paper from the past But I'm careful not to tear it as I place it in my pocket It's the only thing of any worth I have Before I go... before I go... I'll take a second to remember my old home Before I go... before I go... Try to remember how it was before Try to remember how it was before I'm leaving more than memories behind me I'm leaving more than the property I owned I'm burying my heart in the rubble and the dirt It's just too heavy to carry on my own I've packed my clothes and the last of my money In a suitcase with no handle and no plan I've braced myself for the long road ahead I don't know if it's the start or the end Before I go... before I go... I'll take a second to remember my old home Before I go... before I go... Try to remember how it was before Try to remember how it was before Try to remember how it was before Words and music written by Keith M Thomson
2.
Crooked Dotted Line 03:58
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Crooked Dotted Line So, I’ve been thinking about your master plan To get us out the mess we’re in You can count me mostly in… But I still have some questions that I wouldn’t mind you answering So what exactly do you need to know? I’ve explained one hundred times before It’s not so complicated… Just do everything I say and we’ll be laughing all the way back home Ch) Is there something we should sign? Is there something we should sign? Convince me that it’s fine… Then pass the crooked dotted line Ain’t there something that we need to sign? Now you’re sure about legalities? You know the law has certain practices? I have a niggling little doubt I’m trying not to think about it Which makes me think it is worth mentioning Would you prefer to float or swim… In the sea of shit we’re always in? Just stick to what I said and don’t worry your little head Everything will be as right as rain Ch)… It’s not mistrust or me being a touch paranoid Some things just don’t add up and Lord I’ve tried It’s not anything you’ve said You know how easily I’m led You say ‘jump’ I always say ‘how high?’ Just meet me as arranged and don’t be late And please stop trying to calculate Mathematics ain’t your strength Stick to counting sheep in bed and let me save our scrawny necks again Ch)… OK, just show me where to sign Just show me where to sign You’ve convinced me that it’s fine Pass that crooked dotted line And show me where I need to sign Words and music written by Keith M Thomson
3.
Just Don't Say It Out Loud 03:12
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Just Don't Say It Out Loud Is that a smile I can see? Is there something you haven't told me? Some wonderful news? Some good cheer? Don't speak, please..... Just don't say it out loud Just don't say it out loud Just don't say it out loud Please don't proclaim, share or boast Just let fate take it's own course I've had more disappointments than most I don't need any more Don't say it out loud Just don't say it out loud Just don't say it out loud Just don’t say it out loud Please don't disclose Don't even hint You'll just ruin everything If there's a brighter future I'll deal with it then.... Just don't say it out loud Just don't say it out loud Just don't say it out loud Words and music written by Keith M Thomson
4.
It's A Catastrophe! 02:04
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It's A Catastrophe! If it's not my soul being tricked into submission It’s my good name being dragged right through the mud If it's not the collapse of my spirit, body and/or mind It's the diseases that could be coursing through my blood Every second, every minute, every hour of every day Every day of every week, every month of every year It's a catastrophe! Every choice that I could make Every direction I could take It feels like I'm just waiting for catastrophe If it's not the solar flares burning all life everywhere It's the bombs that will drop and explode at my feet If it's not the air that I breathe The alcohol, cigarettes or the caffeine It's the carcinogens in everything that I eat Every second, every minute, every hour of every day Every day of every week, every month of every year It's a catastrophe! Every corner I could turn I know I could end up getting burned Everyday has the potential for catastrophe If it's not the global warming or the late seismic warnings It's the meteor that might not pass us by If it's not the car that crashes If it's not the nitrous gases It's the oil slicks on which I'll slip that’ll break my neck If it's not the looks that kill or the way that people still Refuse to laugh at all the witty things that I say The potential humiliation of waking up lost and naked in a busy train station Is always there to keep me in my place Every second, every minute, every hour of every day Every day of every week, every month of every year It's a catastrophe! Every choice that I could make Every direction I could take It feels like I’m just waiting for catastrophe It feels like I’m just waiting for catastrophe It feels like I’m just waiting for catastrophe Words and music written by Keith M Thomson
5.
Halfway Between An Atom And A Star 04:05
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Halfway Between An Atom And A Star Halfway between an atom and a star Halfway to knowing where things end and where things start Halfway to burning out and halfway to learning how To start again when things fall apart Everyone has started conversations they couldn't end And everyone has written letters they knew they'd never send Everyone's asked questions hoping no one answered them Everything starts somewhere, but very rarely at the end Halfway between an atom and a star It's good to know who, why and what you are Since you burned out and left no traces I found comfort in other places Halfway between an atom and a star Some people go out crying And some go out in pain Some see angels and light and meet old relatives again You faded out gracefully like a shadow in summer rain I lost you from a distance Now I see you everyday Halfway between an atom and a star It's good to know who, why and what you are Since you burned out and left no traces I found comfort in other places Halfway between an atom and a star Halfway between an atom and a star Halfway to knowing where things end and where things start Halfway to burning out and halfway to learning how To start again when things fall apart Halfway between an atom and a star It's good to know who, why and what you are Since you burned out and left no traces I found comfort in other places Halfway between an atom and a star Halfway between an atom and a star Words and music written by Keith M Thomson
6.
The Pick-Up Prince 02:56
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The Pick-Up Prince Did he mention much about his lack of luck in life? Did he open up about the years of suffering and strife? Was he as gentle as a kitten when he made sure you were getting… His whole kit and caboodle and the old puppy dog eyes? It sure sounds like our pick-up…sounds like our pick-up prince It sure sounds like our pick-up…sounds like our pick-up prince Did he promise you gifts? Did he promise you pearls? Did he promise you the whole damned world? Sounds like our pick-up… Sounds like our pick-up prince Did he look shocked as the serendipities flowed? Did he name-drop all the celebrities that he knows? Did he look and listen intently to your mutual coincidences? Did he laugh out loud at every unfunny joke you told? It sure sounds like our pick-up…sounds like our pick-up prince It sure sounds like our pick-up…sounds like our pick-up prince Did he promise you gifts? Did he promise you pearls? Did he promise you the whole damned world? Sounds like our pick-up… Sounds like our pick-up prince Did he mention much about the lack of love in his life? Did he open up about his less successful wives? Was he as gentle as a kitten? Did he make sure you were getting… His whole kit and caboodle and the old puppy dog eyes? It sure sounds like our pick-up…sounds like our pick-up prince It sure sounds like our pick-up…sounds like our pick-up prince Did he promise you gifts? Did he promise you pearls? Did he promise you the whole damned world? Sounds like our pick-up… Sounds like our pick-up prince Words and music written by Keith M Thomson
7.
Too Dark For Dolly 03:53
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Too Dark For Dolly I'm not shy of an ugly truth and I'm partial to a good cry I don't need an excuse to sing country or blues I don't need asking why I'm always open and ready to sing words that should never be said But I sweeten those sins like a cold, black coffee in a 24 hour cafe I serve my heart for breakfast I pour out my soul like tea I offer my secrets, present and past On a plate that's never empty Sometimes I say too much, sometimes I give too much away Like when I wrote a love song for Dolly and never heard from her again Ch) Was it just too dark for Dolly? Too sinister? Too mean? Was it just too dark for Dolly? Too woeful or too weird? Was it just too dark for Dolly? Was it darker than Jolene? It seems what’s too dark for Dolly Is just dark enough for me More 95's, less 9 to 5's More self-referential than the good book I leave my melodious diary open So you all can have a good look Not every line is golden No, not every word is true And my skies never rhyme with anything normal And they're almost never blue Ch)… I serve my thoughts for dinner I offer poetry for dessert I decant my woes like a fine Bordeaux And always get sick as a result Sometimes it gets uncomfortable Like cruel jokes or nudity Alas, it was all just too dark for Dolly So I guess this one’s for me Ch)… Words and music written by Keith M Thomson
8.
Choosing... 03:08
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Choosing… Lime or green? Carmine or red? Be kind? Be mean? Alive or dead? Too many alternatives are making my head spin I'm tired Hooch or beer? Still or fizzy water? Look or leer? Whisper words or holler? Too many choices are hurting my head and I'm tired Choosing… always choosing Choosing… always choosing Choosing and I'm always choosing wrong Friend or foe? Stay put or leave? Be stern or joke? Fake news or real? Too many options are crushing my brain and I'm tired A grin or smile? Approve or disapprove? Amusing or vile? Keep schtum or argue? So many big decisions to make I'm confused and I'm tired Choosing… always choosing Choosing… always choosing Choosing and I'm always choosing wrong Which name? Which brand? Should I abstain or take a stand? I'm tired Who is left? And who is right? Is it goodbye or just goodnight? Too much choice is twisting my ability to choose right Choosing… always choosing Choosing… always choosing Choosing and I'm always choosing wrong Words and music written by Keith M Thomson
9.
Murder Is Almost Never Funny 03:48
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Murder Is Almost Never Funny I watched you out the corner of a calculating eye To see how long it takes to differentiate a lie from the truth Between a joke and something much worse I waited twenty minutes just to see who’d laugh first Of course, it was never gonna be you There are certain things in life You should never say, never mind do Murder is almost never funny It’s almost never that funny I fight with a conscience weaker than a soft drink My will to hurt is like absinthe in comparison A misread situation Another wrong call I waited thirty minutes for the expletives to fall Of course, it was always gonna be you There are certain things in life You should never say, never mind do Murder is almost never funny It’s almost never that funny I watched you out the corner of a wild vindictive eye To see if your reaction entertained me more than mine I could smell your repulsion I could taste your disgust I stayed there for an hour just to see who'd leave first Of course, it was always gonna be you There are certain things in life You should never say, never mind do Murder is almost never funny It’s almost never that funny Words and music written by Keith M Thomson
10.
A Long Way From Hopeless 03:43
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A Long Way From Hopeless Seventh move in as many years Another ‘new life’ starts Hope ignites a flame of excitement which reality will aim to put out A new town to lose ourselves in A new crowd to amuse us When things get rough it'll be just like us to run away again We're a long way, we are a long way away We're a long way from being destitute or impoverished We're a long way, we are a long way away We're a long way from being hopeless But we're pretty damn close to broke They say a change is as good as a rest A cliché, but if true… Our minds have been on holiday since 1992 Starting a new a life ain't so hard It begins and ends with a new credit card Max it in a week and then we’ll have the cheek to run away again We're a long way, we are a long way away We're a long way from being destitute or impoverished We're a long way, we are a long way away We're a long way from being hopeless But we're pretty damn close to broke We're moving to the relative safety of losing ourselves again This time will be better… When we brush old lives under grubby carpets Turn blind eyes to our sullied pasts We’ll wave goodbye to the 'old us' How long we stay here depends on the kindness of new friends We’re keen to see how far borrowing and unconditional love extends We still have the will to disappear The means however ain’t quite so clear The mounting debt hasn't killed us yet But the hope might get us in the end We're a long way, we are a long way away We're a long way from being destitute or impoverished We're a long way, we are a long way away We’re a long way from life’s riches, amenities, starvation or poverty… From admitting we will never win the lottery… We’re far from hopeless, but we’re pretty damned close to broke Words and music written by Keith M Thomson
11.
This Is My Good Side 03:55
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This Is My Good Side I'd love to connect and bond like you (You're so damn smooth) But I was cut like a diamond that couldn't be moved (You're so damn smooth) I wish my eyes could lie like yours (You're so damn smooth) If looks could kill, I should be in Broadmoor (You're so damn smooth) I don't mean no harm And likewise I don’t mean anybody no harm I don't mean anybody no harm I am just what I am Ch) This is my good side This is my only voice This is my good side I’ve never had much choice I’ve never had much choice I always hoped to be able to work a room (You're so damn smooth) I always choke on my words and drown in drool (You're so damn smooth) I wish I could promise the sun and moon (You're so damn smooth) I only ever dig the earth from underneath my shoes (You're so damn smooth) I don't mean no harm And likewise I don’t mean anybody no harm I don't mean anybody no harm I am just what I am Ch)… I'd love to be able to wink like you (You're so damn smooth) When I raise an eyebrow I clear the room (You're so damn smooth) I'd adore to be like you (You're so damn smooth) Every door I walk through becomes an exit soon (You're so damn smooth) I don't mean no harm And likewise I don’t mean anybody no harm I don't mean anybody no harm I am just what I am Ch)… Words and music written by Keith M Thomson
12.
Whiskey Bretah And Fold Out Beds 03:47
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Whiskey Breath And Fold Out Beds Ghosts of facts and short flashbacks of a young life long since gone Time's replaced some faces with imaginary ones I wish I'd been more careful and remembered every one I wish I had more memories of them Noise through walls of well-played records The ticking of old clocks Toys they now call 'vintage' I should have kept them in their box Whiskey breath and fold out beds collapsing under me I wish I had more memories like these But like cold condensation it always passes Much like looking through somebody else's old prescription glasses That whiskey breath Those fold out beds collapsing under me I wish I had more memories like these Long nights, early mornings in the halo of TV Miner strikes and strange words like ‘forced redundancy’ Laughter in spite of misery Punch-lines which escaped me I wish I had more memories like these But like cold condensation it always passes Much like looking through somebody else's old prescription glasses That whiskey breath Those fold out beds collapsing under me I wish I had more memories like these Ghosts of facts and short flashbacks of a young life long since gone Time's replaced most faces with imaginary ones I wish I'd been more careful and remembered every one I wish I had more memories of them But like cold condensation it always passes Much like looking through somebody else's old prescription glasses Whiskey breath and fold out beds collapsing under me I wish I had more memories like these I wish I had more memories like these Words and music written by Keith M Thomson
13.
Rinse And Not Repeat 02:24
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Rinse & Not Repeat I just want a body that doesn't hurt and a paper bag that will not burst To carry home just the things I need Wear clothes that are guilt free and cheap Use toiletries with no cruelty that work first time without needing to repeat I want to rinse and not repeat I want to rinse and not repeat A modest roof, a little heat, unprocessed food that's safe to eat I want to rinse and not repeat I don't need a plastic phone to share my thoughts when I'm alone I already agree with most of what I say I like my drinks unsexed and clean Water tastes better when it is free I don't have much choice while there's money to be made I want to rinse and not repeat I want to rinse and not repeat Just a few necessities, I need H2O without added E's I want to rinse and not repeat I don't need no new computer targeting my every whim I don't need no A.I. luring me to buy almost everything I've had enough of buying stuff I'll use once before getting binned I am weak when things are cheap But I am trying… I have no spine, I will not lie There's not one brand I do call mine But the same old dirty tricks just keep me buying They don't care how poor I get They just keep me climbing that tower of debt They don't let me fall They prefer to keep me sliding I want to rinse and not repeat I want to rinse and not repeat A little truth would be nice How much they're making from our demise I want to rinse and not repeat I don't need no grease, no sugary highs Life is sweet enough without soda and fries I want to rinse and not repeat I want to rinse and not repeat I want to rinse and not repeat Words and music written by Keith M Thomson
14.
Headstone Blues 05:31
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Headstone Blues They buried your bones, but you wanted cremated They got your middle name wrong on the stone’s inscription They paid the wrong priest He was the wrong religion They buried your family with the same conviction The headstone blues go on and on The headstone blues go on and on They hid your corpse in a box that was broken They got the right wood but didn’t follow the instructions They said you left behind a wife and four children But she left you in your teens When you stopped getting erections The headstone blues go on and on The headstone blues go on and on They fought over your belongings with a foul impatience They sold your vital organs to a Mickey Mouse science They played the bagpipes as they lowered your casket But you could never fucking stand that goddamn awful racket The headstone blues go on and on The headstone blues go on and on The headstone blues go on and on The headstone blues go on and on Words and music written by Keith M Thomson
15.
On The Good Days 04:20
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On The Good Days When I look outside I just see changes On the rare days I go out it's not for long Winter turns to Spring too fast Each Summer feels like it's my last And Autumn just reminds me that you're gone Global news swings from grim to much grimmer From war to peace, then quickly back to war again The universe is growing fast One of these days it will collapse By contrast my world gets smaller each day I used to go out on the good days But now those days are few Twice a week I tried Now three hundred and sixty five days of the year I disappear from view I disappear to be alone again with you The speed of new technology has its uses Every day faster ways of getting through While most people are logging-in I'm reaching for the off button So I can switch off life and be with you I used to go out on the good days But now those days are few Twice a week I tried Now three hundred and sixty five days of the year I disappear from view I disappear to be alone again with you I used to go out on the good days But now those days are few Twice a week I tried Now three hundred and sixty five days of the year I disappear from view I disappear to be alone again with you On the rare times I look outside I just see changes That's why I mostly hibernate indoors these days Autumn turns to Winter too fast Each Summer feels like it's my last And Spring just reminds me of our youth And when I look outside When I look outside When I look outside I just want to see you When I look outside I just want to see you Words and music written by Keith M Thomson

about

"Owing To Certain Complications... Vol. 1" is the first of two compilations of previously unreleased material by TPBR.

This first volume is an entirely acoustic affair.

These collections will comprise of acoustic recordings, studio outtakes and demos.

Over the course of the last few years, Keith M Thomson and Marijana Hajdarhodžić (the core members of TPBR) have amassed a lot of songs that were recorded but never publicly released.

Marijana says; "Keith writes a lot of material in-between albums, so after three studio releases (and a fourth in the pipeline), we thought it would be a good time to collate some of our favourite songs from these ‘stray recordings’ and release them over two compilation albums".

"Owing To Certain Complications... Vol. 1" features songs written and recorded after the release of their last album ‘Maintaining Dignity In Awkward Situations’, as well as some slightly older songs composed around the time of their second album, ‘Inhale...Exhale, OK, Now You Can Panic!’. It also contains one bone fide ‘TPBR oldie’ that was a staple of their live set in the very early, more acoustic orientated days of the band, back in the mid-noughties. All songs are previously unreleased on any format. And some of the songs have never been aired live, so many will be brand new to some ears.

Volume Two is due for release sometime in 2021 and will be, as Keith says, "a selection of significantly less acoustic songs".

credits

released October 16, 2020

Performed by Keith M Thomson and Marijana Hajdarhodzic

Words and music written by Keith M Thomson
© 2020 All rights reserved

Produced and recorded by Keith M Thomson
Mixed by Keith M Thomson and Paul Pascoe
Mastered by Paul Pascoe at Church Road Recording Studio, Hove, UK

Released by mono del mundo
Distribution by Cadiz Music

The copyright of these sound recordings are owned by mono del mundo
© & (p) 2020 mono del mundo All rights reserved

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The Penny Black Remedy London

The Penny Black Remedy are a London based band renowned for their energetic live shows and for their unique musical fusion of many different genres, including Folk, Americana, Punk and Ska. At the band's core is Keith M Thomson and Marijana Hajdarhodžić. TPBR have released three albums and plan to release the first of two compilations of acoustic recordings, studio outtakes and demos in Oct 2020. ... more

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