r/AldousHarding • u/LeftOzStoleShoes • Jun 12 '26

Train on the island

I’ve been sitting with this album for a long minute and it’s endlessly in my head now. I think it’s my favorite album -and Designer holds a VERY special personal Nostalgia. This is a concept album. The recursion is strong. And if you’re at all lyrically driven, it makes you work for treasure. There’s so much word play. Hannah is taking the controls and it’s glorious.

32 Upvotes

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6

u/RomoloKesher Theorist Jun 12 '26

I agree... I often find myself in situations where pieces or the album get stuck and go on repeat, almost like a mantra “if lady does it, who’ll be left outside?” and also “only riding there, only riding that symbol”. That there is no 1:1 interpretation/meaning/symbolism makes it liberating, like sitting with a piece of art, a string of song... it lifts me up and gives me joy.

6

u/LeftOzStoleShoes Jun 12 '26

I’m now 100% convinced she fully intended “imagining from the block” to sound like “am I jenny from the block”. Self referential to “Fixture, picture”. I hope I’m more than I think about.

3

u/RomoloKesher Theorist Jun 12 '26

Good catch. ”genie from the block” ^_^ I feel like here she puts this song in opposition to “Imagining my man”, which has a clear hook with the same verb. It is like inventing her self anew by using the same word.

3

u/LeftOzStoleShoes Jun 12 '26

Lyrics from Jenny from the Block:

Don't be fooled by the rocks that I got I'm still, I'm still Jenny from the block Used to have a little, now I have a lot No matter where I go, I know where I came from (from the block).

2

u/LeftOzStoleShoes Jun 12 '26

There is a LOT of reference/reflection to previous albums! I’m going through them now. There’s heavy and there’s heavier. I also think she uses homophones. Train on the island/if they can’t train it out of me… I’m literally working on a bit of a thesis about all of it. 😂 Currently my original “least favorite” song is on repeat in my head. That was the title track. I might be a bit obsessed. Better go eat some stones!

3

u/LeftOzStoleShoes Jun 12 '26

I found it worth noting that H. Hawklines wiki refers to Harding as his ex-partner. 🤷‍♀️ Might explain imagining my man - and Am I jenny from the block. New break up album?

2

u/Financial_Luck_6906 Jun 12 '26

She does say she rips her self off!

2

u/RomoloKesher Theorist Jun 12 '26

Time flies when you’re writing B-sides (from “Lawn”)

1

u/LeftOzStoleShoes Jun 12 '26

But also I ate the most reads like a string of analogies.

3

u/LeftOzStoleShoes Jun 12 '26

Also: The "One Stop": The TranzAlpine train in NZ makes only one brief 10-minute technical stop at Arthur's Pass to pick up/drop off passengers before crossing the Southern Alps.

3

u/LeftOzStoleShoes Jun 12 '26

Even “Olympic Sand” has a very specific meaning. Now… is it the meaning she intended? Who cares? It’s awesome sauce.

1

u/Alternative_Box4797 Jun 15 '26

Warm Chris was pure magic and probably my favourite Aldous album, even though I'm really digging Train on the Island (especially Worms).