Updated: You can also read my thoughts about the Kevin Max album this single is featured on, Cotes D’Armor.
I like to think of myself as a consumer of unusual media — often the more off the beaten path a particular song or movie is, as long as it retains a tether to reality and isn’t completely nonsensical, the more I enjoy it. Kevin Max’s new single Get On Yer Bike left me wondering if there is such a thing as being to eccentric?
Musically, the song is one of the better singles from Max. It’s very reminiscent of the musical flavor found in The Impostor, which is one of the best albums released in the past 10 years. However when I tuned into the lyrics, it took me to his rain slicked precipice of eclecticism and left me there.
I don’t know if I’m getting older and more level-headed, or if Max is getting ‘artsier’, but with lyrics like “sad as cancer on a cracker / but your as bold as a panther” I don’t mind telling you that I’m starting to just not get it. I would like to know what that means. It sounds important.
I’ve been a Kevin Max fan since the beginning, so it makes me sad to say it, but this song comes across as trying to be art for its own sake. And if there is a lesson we can learn from Oscar Wilde, it would be that art for its own sake is quite useless. This has made me think that from now on, maybe I need to start listening to his new music before clicking purchase button. And that’s too bad.
The single also includes the third incarnation of Max’s You’re Beautiful Mind. This time outfitted with recursive electronic drum percussion along side some synthesized ambient effects. They’re a welcome, albeit unnecessary update to an already terrific song.
Get On Yer Bike Sample and Lyrics
retroactive packing lightning
yeah you keep em distracted
hands at your hips, with parted lips
as your walking that whippethotel hopping puddle jumping
yeah your full of bologne
mad max in highway gear
all french colonialon yer bike
get on yer bike
get on yer bike
get on yer bikesad as cancer on a cracker
but your as bold as a panther
you got the will of a sailor
and the color of dangerfinger flipping trust fund hippie
yeah your growing your beard out
as you rocket through jonskoping
yeah making em scream and shouton yer bike
get on yer bike
gotta ride yer bike
get on yer bikesilly rabbit don’t you know these trix are for kids?
and the more you look the more that you get tripped
pool hall, dive bar, fashion mall, 7 eleven
on my back, like a monkey as we tear past all the tenants(smooth as a greyhound)
politics be damned
we’re the children of 80’s
saki to me saki to me
so overratedgym peddling, busted meddling
yeah you sleep at 4 seasons
as you smoke that marijuana
with your thirty diseaseson yer bike
get on yer bike
get on yer bike
get away on a bikesouth of france, Amsterdam
down by the roadside
Budapest, Prague, London
riding on the wildsidewe’ll take a train to transylvania
and overnight become catholic
til we’re caught by interpol
and were back at the racetrackon yer bike
get on yer bike.your legs hold me tight
your legs hold me tight
May 5, 2010 at 1:59 am
Is this supposed to be an eclectic tribute to the ’80s, a la We Didn’t Start the Fire? Some of these lyrics I can understand. Some I Google-searched and found some answers for (“cancer on a cracker” may refer to Lunchables). At the very least, the song wouldn’t be meaningless…
June 16, 2010 at 8:47 pm
I think that some artists’ songs are meant to be understood by a certain group of people. Sometimes the “artsy” people, but sometimes by people who have some specific background, or people that have been through an specific something. Art (including music) is at a point where it is more and more focused, and less universal (not talking about markets here, or music industry, don’t get me wrong…).
Kevin Max has been through really rough times after the splitting of DC Talk. He was kicked out of Forefront Records with the following excuse: “Kevin was a Charles Spurgeon on a time of Billy Grahams”. Forgive me, but this is just a terrible excuse, specially on a “Christian” label. But anyways, he had to get through that all, playing small gigs and stuff, to really find people that understand his music. I’ve always thought that Kevin Max’ music is a type of music that has to be “digested”, you know? You might understand it after it settles in you.
Please, keep an open mind. I’m sure that YOU are sure about Kevin’s talent. This song just came in the wrong time for you, maybe. Keep listening!
June 17, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Hey Marcus,
Thanks for your comment.
I am certainly not going to stop listening to Kevin Max’s music. In my opinion, the man has a talent that few can rival — I view his Imposter album as the best album of the last decade. He certainly can produce great music, I think that just this particular single was just lost on me.
I agree with what you said about art being for particular groups of people. It could very well be that he isn’t getting “artsier” (for lack of a better word), but maybe my music taste are becoming more domesticated? It’s possible; I’m getting up there in years.
Again, thanks for your thoughts.
June 29, 2010 at 6:00 pm
I think this new single along with the next one “walking through walls” is brillant! Tedd T. and Lynn Nichols really took Kevin’s production to the next level finally! As a believer that Stereotype B was one of the best albums ever I have to say its good to see Kevin going in this direction. Don’t worry Paul your not getting up there in years, Kevin is mid 40′s and heck Toby Mac is approaching 50…..more people need to be open to this because it’s fun pop at it’s best and Kevin’s vocals are off the charts. Forget trying to understand the lyrics and just have fun with it!
July 1, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Thanks for your comment Jeremy. Since writing this initial review, I have come to appreciate the song for what it is, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I would still criticize the Get On Yer Bike in the same manor.
Again, musically, I enjoy the song, but a big part of the reason I am such a huge Kevin Max fan is his prolific and profound lyric writing ability. Up until this point, his music has resonated with me on a level other artists haven’t been able to get to. Not that there is anything wrong with appreciating the music for music’s sake — Lady GaGa’s song Telephone says absolutely nothing to me lyrically, but I love the music — but I had come to expect more from Kevin Max.
Upon closer examination, that might be the real issue. It is entirely possible that my expectations were set to high. Mr. Max has consistently impressed me more with each release since his dc Talk days, and this was the first release to “let me down”.
This won’t keep me from purchasing Cotes d’Armor.
June 17, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Marcus, I hate to do this but I can’t take it anymore! When you say something is larger than it should be, it is “too” large….or artsier than it should be, it is “too” artsy, not “to”. Had to do it, man. Do appreciate you perspectives, though.
August 29, 2010 at 3:05 am
If you understand the meaning of the phrase, “get on your bike”, then I think a lot of the confusion will be cleared up.
August 29, 2010 at 7:44 am
I’m open to a definition, Brandi… Mind filling me in?
August 29, 2010 at 9:29 pm
“Get on your bike” is the English way of saying “f*** off”.
The self-centered model, the filthy rich “hippie” kid, etc. etc… all people who just need to get on their bike. haha
August 31, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Thanks Brandi. I did not know that. In that light the song does seem to take on a new tone.
September 20, 2011 at 8:28 am
hmmm, very cryptic . sometimes i think he’s a member of a secret society or something he’s soooo cryptic, but i prefer to think he writes lyrics in free flow and doesn’t really care who understands them. Some people think one of his songs was about J-Lo but I thought it was about Paris HIlton. Then this comes along and it makes me think of Tara Palmer; but who but Kevin really knows? crazy stuff and catchy tune, i kind of like it