"I See Seaweed" is the opening and title track of The Drones' 2013 album, widely considered a landmark in contemporary Australian rock. The album marked a significant evolution for the band, introducing Steve Hesketh on keyboards and featuring the last appearance of drummer Mike Noga12. The song, like much of the album, is known for its expansive sound, poetic lyricism, and exploration of universal and urgent themes.
Musical Style and Composition
- Genre: Alternative rock, post-punk, art rock
- Length: 8:34
- Instrumentation: The track features dynamic shifts, a melancholic verse, and crescendos into an explosive refrain. The addition of keyboards adds new depth to the band's traditionally raw, guitar-driven sound.
- Production: Recorded in a renovated 1960s classroom, the album’s sound is described as darker, more dynamic, and "expansive" compared to previous works.
Lyrics and Themes
"I See Seaweed" is lyrically dense and thematically ambitious, addressing:
- Climate Change and Overpopulation: The opening lines allude to rising seas and the overwhelming presence of humanity—"We're locksteppin' in our billions, locksteppin' in our swarms, locksteppin' in the certainty that more need to be born".
- Existentialism and the Human Condition: The song transitions from a tragic story of youth to implicating all of humanity in cycles of complicity and helplessness.
- Societal Critique: The lyrics are poetic and universal, exploring the sense of being overwhelmed by global crises, societal inertia, and the struggle to find agency in a world facing ecological and existential threats.
Reception and Impact
- Critical Acclaim: The album and its title track received rave reviews in Australia and internationally, praised for their stark beauty, menacing tone, and cultural commentary.
- Cultural Significance: "I See Seaweed" has been described as The Drones’ heaviest song—both lyrically and musically—since their earlier work "Jezebel." The album is considered a significant moment in Australian rock, noted for its ability to frame and comment on contemporary issues in a uniquely powerful way.
- Awards and Recognition: The album topped critics’ year-end lists and entered the ARIA top 20, cementing The Drones’ reputation as one of Australia’s most vital bands.
Track Information
| Title | Album | Release Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| I See Seaweed | I See Seaweed | 2013 | 8:34 |
Notable Lyrics
"We're locksteppin' in our billions,
locksteppin' in our swarms,
locksteppin' in the certainty that more need to be born"2.
Streaming and Availability
- "I See Seaweed" is available on major streaming platforms such as Spotify and Bandcamp.
Personnel
- Gareth Liddiard: Vocals, guitar, songwriting, production
- Steve Hesketh: Keyboards (first album appearance)
- Mike Noga: Drums (final album appearance)
- Fiona Kitschin: Bass
- Dan Luscombe: Guitar
Legacy
"I See Seaweed" stands as a powerful statement on the anxieties of the modern era, blending raw emotion, incisive critique, and musical innovation. The song and album remain touchstones for fans of thought-provoking, ambitious rock music124.
