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The Power of the Crystals

by The Missing Teens

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1.
Like a bird taking flight Like a boat made of glass on an ocean of delight Like the heat of the fight Like the child of destiny running through the night Like a dream that's alive Like the working man casting off the nine-to-five Like the sky, like the fire Like the birth of the lion star The power of the crystals The power of the crystals Like a man tempting fate Like a woman and a child on an awkward date Like a fist full of lead Like the burning and consuming of the daily bread You can read it in the news You can smell it arising from the church's pews On the street, you'll believe Mankind awaits to receive The power of the crystals The power of the crystals Who can say, a man in his day Will burn the truth and lies away Who can compete, who can swim through the heat Who can stare into the ungodly face (of the) power of the crystals The power of the crystals The power of the crystals The power of the crystals Spread your wings and fly!
2.
So many enemies, so little time When did taking it personal become a crime Learn to cauterize my mind While you're busy turning, turning on a dime Nobody knew you before the hairdo From your aide-de-camp days the way that I do Now I won't let them lift your curfew Until you learn to speak when spoken to (Until you learn) Role Reversal Now I'm going back Back to my old lifestyle See you stand beneath that streetlight Outside the apartment where we used to reside Crying for the child that you left inside Now don't you think that crying seems a little trite Stop thinking about your material girl About the time when the material burned It's not the end of the world - you shoulda waited your turn Mental note: lesson learned (lesson learned about) Role Reversal Now I'm going back Back to my old lifestyle So many expenses, so few rewards You have to admit it's a challenge of sorts Acting like a man, crossing swords Memorizing power chords (memorizing) Role Reversal Now I'm going back Back to my old lifestyle Role Reversal Now I'm going back Back - back - back - back Role Reversal Now I'm going back Back - back - back - back Role Reversal Now I'm going back Back to my old lifestyle
3.
You can act like a man - you can bury your head in the sand You can act like a man - you can slice and dice, you can wheel of fortune You can act like a man - you can drive your SUV through a field of stand-up comedy mines You can call it like you see it - you can act like a man You can stand on a cliff, overlooking a lake, Your hair blowing majestically in the wind, man's best friend besides you A cold beer in your hand - you can act... like a man You can act like a woman - you can bake cookies in the shape of "I don't love you anymore." You can act like a woman - 4 hotels on Park Place. No parking. You can act like a woman - you can tell me where I get off You can have your cake and discuss the issues with it too. You can have your family and eat it. You can act... like a woman You can act like a man - you can make a personal check out to poetry You can act like a man - you can call it like you see it. Vintage this, vintage that. You can act like a man - you can donate your superbowl commercials to charity, to the starving children of Haiti You can act like a man - you can make the fields run red with 5-hour energy drinks You can act like a man - you can watch the game from a base in outer space, And when the whole planet blows up, you can laugh, you can call them all fags, You can do it on demand... You can act... like a man!
4.
Sobriety 02:36
Sobriety - maybe I'll watch another movie, I'll watch another movie, I'll watch another movie Sobriety - maybe I'll watch another movie, I'll watch another movie, I'll watch another movie Sobriety - maybe I'll take a long walk, take another long walk, take another long walk Sobriety - maybe I'll watch another movie, I'll watch another movie, I'll watch another movie I forgot how damn mundane Everything is, everything is I forgot how damn mundane Everything is, everything is Sobriety - you know I really miss sex, I really miss sex, I really miss sex Sobriety - and now I can't fall asleep, I can't fall asleep, I can't fall asleep Sobriety - maybe I'll watch another movie, I'll watch another movie, I'll watch another movie Sobriety - you know I really miss sex, yeah I really miss sex, yeah I really miss sex I forgot how damn mundane Everything is, everything is I forgot how damn mundane Everything is, everything is, almost everything is, almost everything is Sobriety Gonna lose some weight, save some money Lose some weight, save some money Gonna lose some weight, save some money Lose some weight, save some money Gonna lose some weight, save some money Lose some weight, save some money Gonna lose some weight, save some money Lose some weight, save some money Gonna lose some weight, gonna save some money Gonna lose a little weight, gonna save a little money Gonna lose some weight, gonna save some money Gonna lose a little weight, gonna save a little money Gonna lose some weight, gonna save some money Gonna lose a little weight, gonna save a little money Gonna lose some weight, gonna save some money Gonna lose a little weight, gonna save a little money Sobriety - you know I really miss sex, I really miss sex, I really miss sex Sobriety - and now I can't fall asleep, I can't fall asleep, I can't fall asleep Sobriety - maybe I'll take a long walk, take another long walk, take another long walk Sobriety - maybe I'll watch another movie, I'll watch another movie, I'll watch another movie I forgot how damn mundane Everything is, everything is I forgot how damn mundane Everything is, almost everything is, almost everything is, almost everything is Everything is, everything is, everything is, everything is Sobriety
5.
Willpower 04:02
Went to look at a new apartment this evening When to see an apartment for the very first time Seen so many new apartments in the recent past This one wasn't the first, and it won't be the last Don't want to look at another new apartment Want to come back to one I can call my own Take off my shoes, maybe my pants if I want to Wander around naked, turn off the phone (because) I don't have the will, I don't have the will to I don't have the will, the time or energy to I don't have the will, I do not have the will to I don't have the will to do the things that I should do Went on another first date this evening Had drinks with this woman for the very first time Was a unique moment, but now it has passed Wasn't my first first date and it won't be my last I don't want to go on another first date Want to come back home to a girl that I know One I can yell at, who can yell me back Kiss and make up, go to bed, turn off the phone I don't have the will, I don't have the will to I don't have the will, the time or energy to I don't have the will, I do not have the will to I don't have the will to do the things that I should do I'm gonna write the great American novel But first, I think I'm gonna take a nap I had something I was gonna do, maybe I should go get a drink by myself I was gonna get an art grant, become a better lover, I was gonna run for President, end racism in our time I was gonna raise a family I could be proud of I was gonna transcend the boundaries of human existence But what was it I was gonna do first? Maybe I'll... maybe I should... maybe I should just go get a drink by myself (because) I don't have the will, I don't have the will to I don't have the will, the time or energy to I don't have the will, I do not have the will to I don't have the will to do the things that I should do No - no No - no will No no no - no No will - no way
6.
I had a friend He was not a good friend He was more of an acquaintance He had business acumen His big sales idea It was very simple He would package opinions And he would sell 'em off retail It was quite contentious But still: highly profitable He made buckets of cash Now he's dating top models I knew a lady She was a good looking lady She was one of those top models She had business acumen She would generate crises Where no crises existed And then sell her emotions To the morally uncertain She did not go out of her way To please the costumer The customer was always wrong That's what they were paying for I myself have A number of ideas Akin to bottled water Or online social networking It's business acumen! It's not brain surgery It clears up the skin And it's good conversation I sometimes wonder if I have The needed midas touch If I should get a haircut Or maybe consider teaching You know the subway It has developed sentience It is slowing and speeding Based on what we're all thinking It is slowing and speeding Based on what we're all thinking It is slowing and speeding Based on what we're all thinking It is business acumen! It is living and breathing! It is no small achievement It is a mark of excellence! It is man over superman! It is barely even human! Men and women Separate 'em from the children Via business acumen It is like laser surgery It is like a shot in the dark It is over before you can catch it No one can blame you If you don't understand it
7.
Trendsetter 01:34
Trendsetter - you are the letter of the law You oughta know better - playing with your final straw What about your bed wetter? Why can't ever he ever tag along? You better send him to boot camp, pay it off with your tramp stamp Trend, trend, trend, trend, trend, trendsetter Sipping on two-dollar beer Take your unicorn - get 'im the hell out of here Now is not the time or place for your post-coital sneer This is a brand new face for the whole human race Trend, trend, trend, trend, trend, trendsetter Trennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnndsetter Trendsetter - you are as fast as the flash Invite the popular kids to watch your burn and crash This is change we can believe in when we're shelling out cash Fly your private plane through our collective brain! Trend, trend, trend, trend, trend, trendsetter Trend, trend, trend, trend, trend, trendsetter Trennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnndsetter
8.
Here's a stack of documents that needs profiling Here's my collection of multi-colored binder clips Here's the secretary who doesn't know what she's talking about She can't even use microsoft outlook And here's the mailman who talks to me about the mossad Or alternately, large predators of the nature world Sometimes he tells me about female staff members he'd like to sleep with And I get that picture in my head and I can't get rid of it I am working hard on this stack of documents Trying to do some damage to this stack of documents Try to work through my mid-afternoon horniness Get at least half-way done with this stack of documents Something in this office is making me allergic I can't stop sneezing, should I take a benadryl Or should I just slip away during my lunch hour And grab myself a cheap margarita And then back to work on this stack of documents Get 'em into the database, this stack of documents Try not to focus on this mid-afternoon horiness The matter at hand is this stack of documents Why haven't either of the Cheryls noticed my new haircut It is much shorter than the hair that I prefer Maybe now they'll let me address a staff meeting So I teach these people how to use a goddamn computer They say this train will be moving momentarily And that there is another one immediately behind it Oh no - I forgot to charge my iPod I'll just have to stare vacantly into the distance Back home, the cat has vomited upon the floor again Clean up it, and pour myself a cocktail Cocktail's finished, oh no, it's way past my bedtime Gotta go to sleep so I can wake up in the morning And get back to work on this stack of documents Show 'em how it's done... stack of documents Feel so angry and tired, oh mid-afternoon horniness Get to work on another stack of documents Where's my promotion! stack of documents This data don't enter itself! stack of documents Who's this new secretary? mid-afternoon horniness Now I'm fat and sweaty... stack of documents It's not cool... stack of documents It's not smooth... stack of documents Forgot to pack a lunch! Shit! mid-afternoon horniness Time to burn burn burn through this stack of documents It's invincible...stack of documents Undefeatable... stack of documents Time immemorial... mid-afternoon horniness Nothing special... stack of documents Gets the better of me... stack of documents The final victor is this stack of documents Too tired to bother with mid-afternoon horiness This train will be moving momentarily...
9.
You reject the lawsuit of my heart I'll appeal it to a higher court You prefer men of a different sort Still I think I'll add you to my cart Yeah I been around the block Nobody answers when I knock Nobody answers when I call No one'll talk to me at all Maybe I have errors on my face I am awfully fed up with this place At a nightclub at a bar At a grad school seminar On the street or on the job All alone or in the mob I will keep the flame alive Put it into overdrive Put my hands on your hip Never slacken my grip (you'll be) in my harem, in my harem, in my harem Each of you can have a different role You could be the dancer on the pole You could be the overbearing mom You could be the indecisive one Now there's time enough at last At the bottom of my class Add you to the growing list You will see what you have missed We will build ourselves a better home Carve it out of blood and out of stone The horny academic type The party girl, the socialite The little hippy, the tiny dancer The one with constant nervous laughter The one who's always power tripping The one who's always skinny dipping The one who keeps you up at night Out of pleasure, out of fright (you'll be) in my harem, in my harem, in my harem
10.
Well the party was great The shrimp calamari and the herd of apes And I wouldn't be so concerned About when you screamed, “This world should be burned!” No one there really cared Or noticed the flooding that filled up the room I was sort of upset But I busied myself trying to kill the groom Now I can't see the angel on the head of a pin And I can't fit a camel through the eye of a needle I don't know why you'd say a thing like that Unless it was only an accident Unless it was only an accident We watched you adjusting your shirt But it wasn't clear if you were well or hurt You looked alright to me As your world weary eyes darted 'round rapidly We're all in the same boat And that boat has been caught in the sludge 'neath the moat Don't start staring now, not with your cough Just work on that diary you've been putting off! No I can't fit the angel on the head of a pin And then shove that same pin through the eye of a needle I don't know why you'd say a thing like that Unless it was only an accident Pray God it was only an accident You whine, you've been reduced to rubble You're just a pile of your former self And you ask me for all this insurance I'm sorry I really can't help Go bark up another tree Stop peeling the bark off of mine And you don't need to ask my permission To stop constantly checking the time You complain that your skin itches at night But don't you know we're at chemical warfare? Take some precaution And be sure that you don't make that accident Just avoid that particular accident You pricked your finger killing the angels That go on the pin that fits through the needle Did I really just hear you say that? (or) Was it only an accident? Was it only an accident?
11.
12.
Drive Uphill 04:14
I dropped the ball, looking out For the coming disaster that I don't doubt It's clear as crystal in the sky-blue sky At the very least, we're all going to die First atomic explosions'll rip our flesh From our very bones, when we least expect it Terrorists'll rape our children and wives And poison the world's fresh water supply Your attitude is unjustified! I heard this from a man who's never lied His teeth are solid as rock People kill their children just to hear him talk! (it's a) Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... From here on out, it's a whole new drill it's a Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... If we stick together, we can all make a killing I traveled the world and expanded my mind But made sure to make it back home on time To reverse the process, remaining true To my favorite colors: black and blue I studied hard and became an expert I signed a book deal; yeah I hit paydirt But I threw it all away in a fit of passion Moved to the Middle East, and tried to cash in On the settlement craze which is big with the kids They demolished my house and they threw me in prison But I'm high on life, free as a bird Good Book in one hand, I spread the Word And I find that the Word has already been spread So I organize a massive book-burning instead And once again, I'm an overnight success Between you and me, I just can't handle the stress (of the) Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... From here on out, it's a whole new drill it's a Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... If we stick together, we can all make a killing I came out of the closet, but found the air Too hot and humid for me to bear So I went back in, turned on the A/C Now I rent the closet to the brave and the free And yes... it's very fresh... and quite affordable. Try it, you'll like it! Try it - you'll like it. Try it - you'll like it. Try it - you'll like it. Try try it - you'll like it. Try try it - you'll like it. Try try it - you'll like it A lot. ...I guarantee it. The government set me on a critical mission To find a candy bar with enough nutrition To serve as the basic food staple for What's left of mankind after the coming war I didn't accomplish it, instead I fled To the sanctuary of beneath my bed Don't call me a coward - I much prefer To think of myself as an entrepreneur I'm getting kind of tired of all of these bums Paying me top dollar to twiddle my thumbs I know one day a real rain will come And wash the streets clean for the scum But I'm still looking out for a final solution To all this unnecessary noise pollution I'm losing time but never my faith I know some the outside will be safe (to) Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... From here on out, it's a whole new drill it's a Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... If we stick together, we can all make a killing Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... Hey man, run this package cross the street for me Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... Ahh, you sunk my battleship!
13.
Like the fruit of the loom Like the blossoming anger of Mukor's womb Like the love, like the hate Like Hawkman smashing the Orwellian state Like the destruction of the Earth Like tapping that ass, or a virgin birth Learn sexy anger, and see the sign Prepare the cocktail of the hyperactive mind The power of the crystals The power of the crystals The power of the crystals The power of the crystals
14.
She paid a lot of money to get someone to tell her How to do the right thing, do the right thing She moisturizes her skin over and over but it don't Do the right thing, do the right thing It's not just a matter of your central lighting Eternal night time, and pay-per-view fights It's Christmas time all over; the dogs are still biting They do the right thing, do the right thing Acrylics, Narcissus, paternalist wishes, Correct the right thing, reinforce the right thing Potential repercussions from the cleaning of dishes Will force the right thing, erect the right thing While all the local Andy Capps and criminal handicaps Correct the night time and get it right A business card collection and its self-reproduction It's doing the right thing, it's doing the right thing In practice it's perfect, in life it's short It does the right thing, it's nothing of the sort It's hotter than lightning but nowhere as bright When it's doing the right thing, doing the right thing It's coming under fire! Celebrity sightings The water level's rising, it's doing the right thing Clearly you realize: the sky is falling So put on your shades and do the right thing! Early in the morning, cleaning the clutter Doing the right thing, doing the right thing Picking one romantic dinner over the other Living the right thing, embrace the right thing I've had enough of competitive smiling Of taking it easy, of tending to the flock I'm running for President, my parts are interchangeable I'm done with my filing, it's time for the right thing Flip through the yearbook, find religion Discern the right thing, internalize the right thing She's ready and she's willing she is going prospecting She will do the right thing, do the right thing Your sacrificial dance, your Broadways on fire Your clothing collection, your pearly whites Its one year's worth of fully paid vacation Claiming to do the right thing, do the right thing No one is watching! You're doing the right thing! Nobody is watching, so it's alright! You're doing the right thing! You're bigger and better Your shoes are telling you to do the right thing! Your haircut is telling you to do the right thing! Your facebook is telling you to do the right thing! Your closest friends are telling you to do the right thing! No one is watching! Supersize your heart! Correct the indulgences of doing the right thing! No one is watching! Minimize your feelings! Mark the territory of the right thing! Your best friends are watching, so it's alright! Sail away! Take your skin with you! Get out of town! It's alright! Make a getaway! Do it immediately! On the double! It's alright! Your best friends are telling you to do the right thing! Your haircut is telling you to do the right thing! Your ten o'clock is telling you to do the right thing! And I am telling you to do the right thing! Get out of town! Minimize your feelings! Itemize it! Supersize your heart! Sail away! Take a vacation from your skin! Take your skin with you! Do the right thing! Your best friends are telling you to do the right thing! Everyone you know is doing the right thing! So take a vacation! Itemize your feelings! And do the right thing, do the right thing!
15.
I dropped the ball, looking out For the coming disaster that I don't doubt It's clear as crystal in the sky-blue sky At the very least, we're all going to die First atomic explosions'll rip our flesh From our very bones, when we least expect it Terrorists'll rape our children and wives And poison the world's fresh water supply Your attitude is unjustified! I heard this from a man who's never lied His teeth are solid as rock People kill their children just to hear him talk! (it's a) Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... From here on out, it's a whole new drill it's a Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... If we stick together, we can all make a killing I traveled the world and expanded my mind But made sure to make it back home on time To reverse the process, remaining true To my favorite colors: black and blue I studied hard and became an expert I signed a book deal; yeah I hit paydirt But I threw it all away in a fit of passion Moved to the Middle East, and tried to cash in On the settlement craze which is big with the kids They demolished my house and they threw me in prison But I'm high on life, free as a bird Good Book in one hand, I spread the Word And I find that the Word has already been spread So I organize a massive book-burning instead And once again, I'm an overnight success Between you and me, I just can't handle the stress (of the) Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... From here on out, it's a whole new drill it's a Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... If we stick together, we can all make a killing I came out of the closet, but found the air Too hot and humid for me to bear So I went back in, turned on the A/C Now I rent the closet to the brave and the free And yes... it's very fresh... and quite affordable. Try it, you'll like it! Try it - you'll like it. Try it - you'll like it. Try it - you'll like it. Try try it - you'll like it. Try try it - you'll like it. Try try it - you'll like it A lot. ...I guarantee it. The government set me on a critical mission To find a candy bar with enough nutrition To serve as the basic food staple for What's left of mankind after the coming war I didn't accomplish it, instead I fled To the sanctuary of beneath my bed Don't call me a coward - I much prefer To think of myself as an entrepreneur I'm getting kind of tired of all of these bums Paying me top dollar to twiddle my thumbs I know one day a real rain will come And wash the streets clean for the scum But I'm still looking out for a final solution To all this unnecessary noise pollution I'm losing time but never my faith I know some the outside will be safe (to) Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... From here on out, it's a whole new drill it's a Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... If we stick together, we can all make a killing Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... Hey man, run this package cross the street for me Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... Drive Uphill... Ahh, you sunk my battleship!

about

Are you angry enough? Are you attractive enough? Do you have enough addictions? No. You do not. That is… not yet. Once you hear this album, you *will* learn business acumen. You *will* reach out and crush someone. You will no longer be the irritated wanderer... you will become the funky dictator. You will come to know… THE POWER OF THE CRYSTALS.

credits

released November 1, 2011

Written by the Missing Teens
James Call - vocals, lyrics, keyboards/sequencing
DJ Pu Yi - keyboards/sequencing
Spencer Chakedis - guitars
David Tirolo - bass, background vocals
Dan Gottesman - drums
Dave Schnug - sax
Brer Brian - trumpets
Additional horns by the Porn Horns (Matt Kelly, Will Hoffman, Scott Zillitto)
Jamie Stellini - background vocals
Quin Gordon - background vocals
Will Connell - background vocals
James Pertusi - lead engineer, bass
Recorded at the Kennel in Brooklyn. Lead Engineer: James Pertusi
Mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music

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The Missing Teens Queens, New York

THE MISSING TEENS have risen like a Phoenix from the Hudson, to strip indie rock of its independence, and haul it away in chains. The aggression of Punk mixed with the marketability of Beyoncé makes The Missing Teens rock’s only hope in this dark hour. The MT have earned favorable comparisons to DEVO and the Talking Heads and have sworn to take their deranged revenge on a world awash in slack rock ... more

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