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DEAD DOG REVIVED

by The New Agriculturalists

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vanderburgism
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John Relph
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    Purchase entire album to enjoy bonus items including original and alternative album artwork and photos, lyric pages, excellent behind the scenes photos from the recording of DDR, other studio ephemera, and a spectacular publicity photo fail!
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  • Full Digital Discography

    6
    releases

    Get all 6 The New Agriculturalists releases available on Bandcamp and save 50%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of AGS ARE GO, DOGS FOR HIRE, YOUR MAMA'S MUSIC, DEAD DOG REVIVED, ANTHEA A, and CORN ROCK. , and , .

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1.
Checkerboard Bed 03:23
lyrics
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I left my woman in the middle of the night. I had to go, there just wasn’t enough room for everybody in that house. In a place where every ten minutes the engines of an airplane Carry the noise of the joys and suspense of a hundred unknown travelers over us. Middle of the rainy night, December 19th. drove through the cold and rain through the pain, and away from the noise. As I drove I could see the black of fear, the black of needing more, the black of not having any idea what you want or need. The desperate grab, not the greedy, just the desperate. Miles and hours and a credit card with an unknown expiration date landed me in a new town. Sat eating breakfast, thinking about the little white lie and how my woman said she couldn’t see the harm. Sitting drinking coffee in a rundown cafe, thinking about a lonesome and tombstone paradise, when I noticed a snaggle-toothed cook was giving me a grin. Hypnotized by the dangling ashes of a long cold cigarette bouncing on his lips, I stared back. He wiped dingy hands on a dingier apron, leaned over to me and asked, “You ever slept in a checkerboard bed?” I said I wasn’t sure and he said I looked like I had. I wanted to leave but I stayed. He told me a checkerboard bed was a bed with a past and bed with a game. He told me the story of a checkerboard bed. “There isn’t anything unique about this bed, there’s a million of ‘em. They all have a problem. Too many people.” I gave him some money and I left. I didn’t thank him. He didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know. I stumbled back out to my car and sat squinting at the sunrise. Staring through a dirty windshield I drove alone and away, knowing that time, the road, and the radio offered all the beauty and peace, agony and confusion, I could endure.
2.
Dead Dog Revived 02:13
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Out of the cold, out of the rain, out of the fog I’m a dead dog revived. Out on the street, out of your life, out of my mind, I’m a dead dog revived, dead dog revived. Anesthetized by the day-to-day drain. Just looking for some shelter from the pain. Out of the hole, out of the dark, into the light I’m a dead dog revived. Out of a job, out of life, out of time I’m a dead dog revived, barely alive. Kick me so I know that I am living Shock me so I see what I am missing. I’ve crawled into this sleeping bag a thousand times or more Will I wake up on your floor? Out of the cold, out of the rain, out of the fog Out on the street, out of your life, out of my mind. Numb and fallow watch me wallow in despair Too tired to wake up, too old to care. Out of the cold, out of the rain, out of the fog I’m a dead dog revived. Out on the street, out of your life, out of my mind, I’m a dead dog revived, barely alive. Maybe some honesty is what I really need. Look at me and tell me that it’s not yourself you see.
3.
Stumble Woman 02:47
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Stumble Woman Stumble Woman Stumble Woman Stumble, mumble crumble, Dangle, tangle, strangle, Wobble, hobble, topple, Tremble, gamble, trample Stammer, stagger, dagger Dazzle, dangle, strangle, Einstein mind and butterfly eyes, You’re a miracle in a dress. A particular pleasure, I will confess. Younger than you look, older than you act, Stumble Woman. Kisses in the shower, drunken downtown walks. Now I see your slender fingers, fondling a nervous necklace Running home to an endless crying night. Stumble Woman Stumble Woman Stumble Woman Stumble, mumble crumble, Dangle, tangle, strangle, Wobble, hobble, topple, Tremble, gamble, trample Stammer, stagger, dagger Dazzle, dangle, strangle, All I ever asked was for you to be true, So sure her man would leave her, Pushes away before he can deceive her. That’s when she swears that there’s nobody else on earth, Stumble Woman Hopeless in the myth of the perfect love, She’s flowers and bedlam in the face of quintessence. We live in a house where eternity’s not so far away.
4.
What You're Up Against 02:05
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Stopped at red light in the middle of nowhere Light one cigarette with the butt of another. Try to convince yourself that it’s not just a game But pawn takes queen and it’s all just the same. Point it at your head and pull the trigger The gun goes off but the race goes on. You just don’t know what you’re up against. You just don’t know what you’re up against. You just don’t know what you’re up against. Seven o’clock September Sunday evening. Dreary gray and gray-blue sky By yourself and for yourself Standing alone, always alone. He always said he was stoned and nervous Sad you say but it’s better than nothing. You just don’t know what you’re up against. You just don’t know what you’re up against. You just don’t know what you’re up against.
5.
Sal and Dean 03:46
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Where are the lost heroes of the American night? Spread-eagle somewhere out of the light? Can they be found, is their hope for our plight? Are we to fall victim to this maelstrom of might? Sal and Dean, where have you been? Your heedless energy is lost to the wind. Can they be found, is there sound left to bend? Don’t want to fight this one without a friend. On the road On the road On the road Crossing the country like so many stitches of thread. Give me bop, give me tea, give me bread. No matter how many times, can’t forget what you said. The road is life, when you lose it your dead. On the road On the road On the road So what are your options to sell out or give in? The road ends where you want it to end. Dean’s just an angel, and Sal’s just a saint. Would they retract all the slogans we paint? Far-gone hipsters just watching TV Part of the pulse in the home of the free. On the road On the road On the road
6.
Prisoner 04:15
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If I lived in a state of shock I’d be home right now Several people have told me I don’t look so well If your eyes were mine you’d be lonely too When you wake up cold you can only do so much I’m not apologizing for my crime. You’re wasting valuable tax dollars keeping me alive If your life was mine you’d be a sinner too. When you wake up hungry you can only do so much. I spent fourteen bucks on a US flag. I cut it up and made myself a sleeping bag. It did not keep me warm. The cops came in the middle of the night. They called me a dummy and they read me rights. If your boots were mine, you’d be walking slow, If you wake up cold you wouldn’t know so much Tell the warden I’m ready for my final snack Bring me a Bud and a couple of Big Macs If your eyes were mine you’d be lonely too When you wake up cold you can only do so much
7.
Communicating 03:47
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Communicating with your fish No one else around to hear your prayer. Just have to feed them. Watch them hang around like me. ‘Cause I’m by myself. Communicating with your spouse Like when to kiss and when to do it. Whose turn it is to bear the brunt, And whose turn it is to raise the runt. ‘Cause I’m by myself. Communicating with yourself. You’re not as ugly as you think you are. Just check the mirror. You’ll bound to find it sooner or later. ‘Cause I’m by myself. Communicating with your fish No one else around to hear your prayer. Just have to feed them. Watch them hang around like me. ‘Cause I’m by myself. by myself, by myself
8.
Angst Boy 02:28
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This here’s the story of Angst Boy. Grew up in a small town with small people, Didn’t treat him very well Lighten up Angst Boy, life ain’t that bad. Well his mother mistreated him, His father constantly beat him His brothers made fun of him. His sisters they messed with him. Had to rob banks to feel well. Angst Boy, Angst Boy, Angst Boy, lighten up. Angst Boy, Angst Boy, Angst Boy, lighten up. Well Angst Boy didn’t have much fun, ‘cause school wasn’t much fun, Didn’t even have a dog that liked him. Got beaten up regularly, Couldn’t even enjoy his tea. You could say that Angst Boy was pretty unhappy. Angst Boy, Angst Boy, Angst Boy, lighten up. Angst Boy, Angst Boy, Angst Boy, lighten up. Angst Boy had an old Chevy, couldn’t afford a battery Had to push-start the thing everywhere he went. It was okay on downhills, but on those uphills, The poor boy got pretty lone spent. Angst Boy, Angst Boy, Angst Boy, lighten up. Angst Boy, Angst Boy, Angst Boy, lighten up. Angst Boy was pretty ugly, didn’t have many girlfriends, Hell, none would talk to him. Looked in the mirror to make friends, that wasn’t the end. Had to talk to himself to have a conversation. Angst Boy, Angst Boy, Angst Boy, lighten up. Angst Boy, Angst Boy, Angst Boy, won't you lighten up?
9.
Ramblin Scramblin 03:35
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Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin In the deepest night, In the forest light Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin You can’t go too far, no. Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Ignore what your mama says Ignore what your daddy says Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin You can’t go too far, no. Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Slip and slide and take a ride In your thigh’s clutch I will ride Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin You can’t go too far, no. Candles burn we’ll take a turn Inside out we could learn All there is been done before Is either in your bed or on my floor. Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Like the sweet and sour, We’ll taste the honey’s power Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin You can’t go too far, no. Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Cautious in my trembling touch Feeling good so much Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin You can’t go too far, no. Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin When your senses sting, You’ll come down on me and bring Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin You can’t go too far, no. Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Sweet taste of the night Passion string of flight Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin You can’t go too far, no. Inside out and back around With your touch I’m bound to found That skin moist touch in summer sweat, What’s not dry is surely wet. Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin From the blackest night The flash of your body’s sight Uh oh, ramblin scramblin Uh oh, ramblin scramblin You can’t go too far, no.
10.
Tie Your Own Shoes 01:41
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Something’s wrong when folks don’t wanna hear about the mess they’ve made. Somethings’s bad when folks are proud but secretly they feel the shame. You can close your ears to the ugly truth Or believe the crap that’s on the tube But the time has come for you to learn to tie your own shoes. We’re at it again, we’re killing them dead, we’ve got them commies on the run. War is good, war is fun, let’s kick some ass, we’re number one. War means money so sell ‘em weapons, War’s for men and we ain’t chicken The time has come for you to learn to tie your own shoes. I hate to hear you say you just work here, I saw you cash your check last week. A chunk went to the government do you ever wonder where it went? Just what became of your twenty percent? It sure didn’t go back into the land but ended up in someone’s hands. The time to tie you own shoes is here and now. We’re famous for our luxuries and hard-earned prosperity, No refugee’s gonna take it away so send ‘em back from where they came. Soft towels on the bathroom wall, hot water in the shower stall, The time has come for you to learn to tie your own shoes. A package came in the mail today, a lumpy thing that smelled real bad. Run tell mom that Herman’s home, delivered in a plastic bag. Soft towel soak the wasted tears, but not the blood of death and fear The time has come to learn, The time has come for you to learn, The time has come for you to learn to tie your own shoes.
11.
I'll Pray for You 03:29
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I met you in the weirdest place, Telling stories of the South. Brightness un-held, spirit not held Brightness un-held, spirit not held I’ll pray for you, you pray for me. I’ll pray for you, you pray for me. I’ll pray for you. Your dance was your own dance, You said the word girl funny. Sweet hipstress, simple measure Sweet hipstress, simple measure I’ll pray for you, you pray for me. I’ll pray for you, you pray for me. I’ll pray for you. I’ll pray for you. My songs were all I offered, I hope that they can stand alone. Ragged outside, spirit inside Ragged outside, brightness inside I’ll pray for you, you pray for me. I’ll pray for you, you pray for me. I’ll pray for you. Pride has its quiet place, Much is spoken in a small display Sweet hipstress, brightness un-held Ragged songman, brightness inside Sweet hipstress, spirit not held Ragged songman, spirit inside I’ll pray for you, you pray for me. I’ll pray for you, you pray for me. I’ll pray for you, you pray for me. I’ll pray for you
12.
New Tools for Woody 05:40
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Woody Baxter was a good man, born in the month of April Lived his life by the Lord’s Prayer. Never did harm to no one. Lived like a good man should. And he never asked for nothing that he didn’t earn, And he never knew nothing that he didn’t learn, New tools for Woody, new tools for Woody. Woody Baxter married young, had two kids by 21. Joined the army in ’42, did his part for the red, white and blue, to make the world safe for Democracy. But he came home to an angry land, all his dreams turned to sand. New tools for Woody, new tools for Woody. Repairing cars was Woody’s trade, made his wages day by day. Looked out his window to parking lot Didn’t like the harvest that his tools had wrought. He couldn’t carry on. So he packed up his van and headed north, where the mountain meets the sea. New tools for Woody, new tools for Woody. Well let’s take a lesson from Woody B., give up these tools of hypocrisy. Start living a more natural life, With the plow, the hoe, and the scythe, the way we were meant to live ‘Cause Woody Baxter is a happy man, up on his farm. New tools for Woody, new tools for Woody. (REPEAT)

about

DEAD DOG REVIVED was The New Agriculturalists valiant attempt at a studio magnum opus. Since their last outing, Vanderburg had enlisted old MACHO HAIKU band-mate guitarist/songwriter James Mak to play drums, and Rusch brought in fellow USC compadre and bass player extraordinaire Steve Vernon. Here was finally a chance to fully realize their folk/rock experiment as a real four-piece band. They spent the better part of the Spring of 1986 working out a louder acoustic folk sound with a rock beat and crafting compositions to match. Obviously, tracking in the tiny confines of USC’s Studio B was not going to cut it for this, so sneaking into a larger studio was necessary. The solution was producer Paul Clatworthy providing them access to the brand new USC Steven Speilberg Scoring Stage, nicknamed "The Tank" for its aquarium bowl shaped control room. Recorded in frenetic stolen late-night bursts from May to July of 1986, with the help of the usual coterie of friends (Relph, Barnet) and a few surprise guest stars, the album became a combo platter of Rusch’s country blues ballads, highly produced concept pieces co-written with Vanderburg, and Mak’s eclectic electric contributions creating a sonically diverse and curious amalgam.

credits

released September 1, 1986

Will Rusch- Guitars, strings, backing vocals
Brad Vanderburg - vocals, harmonica
Steve Vernon - Bass guitar
James Mak - Drums

Produced by Paul Clatworthy and the New Ags.
Recorded by Paul Clatworthy with assistance from Susie Barnet
Mixed by Paul Clatworthy and the New Ags

Thanks to Jhary Lee and Cindy Garcia for use of their guitars.
This music is dedicated to Kathryn Enfield Ingrassia

Recorded in The Tank, Los Angeles, May through July 1986
©1986, by The New Agriculturalists 'cept music to Angst Boy (trad.)

Digital remaster by Justin Tapp
Cottage Industry Studios, Austin, Texas - November 2020

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The New Agriculturalists Los Angeles, California

The New Agriculturalists were an American country/folk/rock duo and sometimes quartet that performed and recorded from 1985 to 1989. Founded in Los Angeles by guitarist Will Rusch and vocalist Brad Vanderburg, it would also include bassist Steve Vernon and drummer James Mak. ... more

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