The Giraffes – Pipes – Skylight Webzine

The Giraffes’ song “Pipes” is a passionate, emotional reaction to the Flint water disaster, which represents systemic failure. Aaron Lazar wrote the words for the song, which draws on his personal experiences growing up in Youngstown, Ohio, another rust belt city plagued by economic collapse and political neglect. The wrath and despair are apparent, resulting in a politically charged punk hymn against the effects of divestment, injustice, and neglect. Musically, “Pipes” is characterized by fuzzy guitars and a persistent punk rhythm similar to The Fall and Idles. Damien Paris’ guitar work is loud, distorted, and full of raw energy, recalling 1970s garage rock and punk inspirations such as The Stooges and Black Flag. Lazar’s vocal style is narrative and aggressive, emphasizing the sense of betrayal as he focuses on broken promises made by government authorities, especially their ignorant attitude toward Flint citizens. The phrase “That was years ago when he promised / That he would keep this city fucking honest” expresses the sense of betrayal. There is a constant repeat of “We’re still waiting for that,” reflecting the desperation and rage of a people forced to stand up for themselves. The lyrics express the agony of living in a country where fundamental necessities such as clean water have been overlooked. The phrase “13 plus parts of lead in this kid’s blood” is a blunt condemnation of the incompetence that resulted in the poisoning of a whole town. The picture of the president sipping bottled water on stage, pretending the crisis is gone, while the citizens continue to suffer, is a harsh condemnation of political posing over actual solutions. “Pipes” is more than simply a song; it’s a protest, a cry of outrage from a neglected corner of America.