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The Fifth Beast

from Upward, Not Northward by Harvey Pekar

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  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Upward, Not Northward pressed on Pink/Purple Swirl vinyl. Includes a lyric and liner note booklet.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Upward, Not Northward via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Upward, Not Northward pressed on Bud Light Lime vinyl - a translucent yellow reminiscent of an intoxicating beverage. Includes a lyric and liner note booklet.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Upward, Not Northward via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 2 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $15 USD or more 

     

lyrics

The Fifth Beast[10]

This train is moving! Our wake reveals footsteps – even missteps – that prove progress, and former selves that occupy vanishing points. Exponential acceleration keeps this train moving. But to the chagrin of post-war housewives with 199X daydreams of automaton butlers, we routinely exceed the prophecies of Roddenberry. Senses have limits, so this anabasis has a dampening effect. Like the presentist view of Elvis’ gyrating hips - a twelve second first flight[11] induces snickers and rolled eyes. “Race – gain safety. Race – gain pleasure. Race – gain comfort. Race – gain meaning.” Such is the anthem of our insatiable throngs, as we trample one another, chasing carrots on sticks. Free from breadline hunger pangs, we queue for the predawn black-Friday gorge. I have overtaken the fail-safe, my heels dig holes, I must let go. I – a noble non-contributor, but that beast keeps moving.

[10] “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had a great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.” Daniel 7:7, King James Version.

[11] “A sudden dart when out about 100 feet from the end of the tracks ended the flight. Time about 12 seconds (not known exactly as watch was not promptly stopped.) The lever for throwing off the engine was broken, and the skid under the rudder cracked. After repairs, at 20 min. after 11 o'clock Will made the second trial.” Wright, Orville. Diary.

credits

from Upward, Not Northward, released July 16, 2013

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Harvey Pekar Cleveland, Ohio

Harvey Pekar is:
Elliott Frank: Guitar
Ian Douglas: Drums
Nick Kratsas: Vocals
Nick Schmitt: Bass

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