We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

War Stories EP

by Carissa Laurel

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $4 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    CD comes shrink-wrapped in custom jacket, photography and photo editing courtesy of Blanche Liston and Josh Flowers.

    Includes unlimited streaming of War Stories EP via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 10 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $5 USD or more 

     

1.
It was cold, I woke up with you still on my breath, And I craved you like champagne and cheap cigarettes. ‘Neath the fold of a white hotel coverlet, What I wore wasn't much to remember, That’s why you remember it. Sweet addiction, I’m strung out like our silhouettes, Tangled up in the light of that TV set. Didn't mean to wind up ‘neath your fingertips, Making love that we stole but I know Someday we’ll have to pay for it. So, drown out all of my senses and Strip down me of my memories, Too much now than we could ever forget. You’re tasting like regret. Reckless daybreak, it shatters all over your skin. Lay the hourglass down as this comes to its end. No backtrack, I know that we can't do this again. I should go, pick my clothes up, walk home ‘Cause I’m broke like our promises. So, drown out all of my senses and Strip down me of my memories, Too much now than we could ever forget. Drown out all of my senses and Strip down me of my memories, Too much now than we could ever forget. You’re tasting like regret.
2.
The Middle 02:47
Brick by brick, You’ve been building a wall In our bed, I can feel it. Brick by brick, You’re cementing the space That you said that you needed. And you, oh, You don’t even wanna talk about it. You don’t even wanna talk about it. And you, You don’t even wanna talk about it. You don’t even wanna talk about what’s In the middle, In the middle. Step by step, You've been running ‘round staircases Leading to nowhere. Step by step, We've been chasing extremes And it’s not that I don’t care, But you, oh, You don’t even wanna talk about it. You don’t even wanna talk about it. And you, You don’t even wanna talk about it. You don’t even wanna talk about what’s In the middle, In the middle, In the middle.
3.
Lay down, And you try to slip under the wire. There's a line you keep moving, Drug your ribbons through Cotton trenches and friendly fire. Can't turn back anymore. The first time is a war. The first time is a war. Dressed up Like yourself, it's the wrong kind of white. In your uniform of skin, You're calling attention To all of your changing sides. Can't turn back anymore. The first time is a war. The first time is a war. Some steps forward you take two steps backward cannot erase. There are truths that will force you to lie in the bed you made. When the barbs on the fence make it hard to hold on like before, The first time is a war. The first time is a war. Stretched out, Put your fingers through scars in your skies, But you can't crawl back through when Your silver ring anthem Has lost all its like-new shine. Can't turn back anymore. The first time is a war. The first time is a war. There are things that you barter you'll find cannot be bought back. There's no hero’s parade wrapped up in your surrender flag. Thought that you would be safe on that middle ground, not anymore. The first time is a war. The first time is a war. Lay down and you try to slip under the wire.
4.
He swore he would love her but forever ended too soon. He broke his promises once in a bottle of blue moon. She found the devil's advocate sleeping in his room. Hands that are idle find reckless things to do. Batten the windows, the storm comes whenever he's home. She walked by light of the stars in his glass of patrón. He used to hold her, now he holds his liquor by her bones. Love is a game she'd do better to play alone. Half crossed hearts And white dog scars, They all come down to this. Held her arms, He wanted something Stronger on his lips. She wasn't strong enough. She wasn't strong enough For him. Hell and high water came in with a binge and a blur. He tried to tell her that things would get better than they were. She chose a sentence without an ever-loving word. He'd have to serve his time out without her. Half crossed hearts And white dog scars, They all come down to this. Held her arms, He wanted something Stronger on his lips. Half crossed hearts And white dog scars, They all come down to this. Held her arms, He wanted something Stronger on his lips. She wasn't strong enough. She wasn't strong enough For him.
5.
Grant's Song 03:27
You're in the habit of chasing the angels right out of your bed Into the holes in the stories you told to yourself and to them. You've got a pile of wings that justify the doubt that's in your head. They gave 'em up too easily but I'll hang onto mine instead. Can't strip me down, down, down. Figured you out, out, out. Can't strip me down, down, down. Figured you out, out, out. You are an expert at kicking up questions like leaves in my mind. Your definitions, your answers are twisted and hollow inside. Naïveté's a girl who waits for something she may never find. Don't know what happened, when did you become the sum of all these lies? Can't strip me down, down, down. Figured you out, out, out. Can't strip me down, down, down. Figured you out, out, out. Your sad agenda plays out like you wanted with those paper dolls. You take off all their beliefs, round their feet like their dresses they fall. Good girls are just a fantasy, they give in whenever you call. Then I guess I’m just make believe ‘cause that don’t work on me at all. Can't strip me down, down, down. Figured you out, out, out. Can't strip me down, down, down. Figured you out, out, out.

about

War Stories is a collection of songs about love and the loss of it, but mostly it's about coming out the other side a little wiser for wear. I believe loving other people teaches us more about ourselves than anything in life. Sometimes the people we love teach us to be better versions of ourselves but sometimes the battle is keeping hold of who we were before.

This is my first studio EP but hopefully it will be the first of many. I am first and foremost a writer, a lover of words and poems and stories. I believe so much in every line and lyric on this album and feel so privileged to have been able to perform them as well. I hope these songs will mean as much to you as they have to me.

Music is the common ground.

credits

released March 6, 2015

Carissa Laurel: vocals, harmonies, lyrics and composition, acoustic guitar on Taste Like Regret
Jason Groves: bass, sound engineering, mixing and mastering
Chad Gravitt: drums, tambourine
Josh Flowers: guitars
Christian Loftus: acoustic guitar
Sam McWilliams: fiddle/violin
Seth Murphy: cello
Palmer Tolly: keyboard
DeMarko Murphy: vocal harmony on The First Time is a War

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Carissa Laurel Chicago, Illinois

contact / help

Contact Carissa Laurel

Streaming and
Download help

Report this album or account

If you like Carissa Laurel, you may also like: