bags of tricks
bags of tricks was released on June 27, 2000. This album was three years in the making and exhibits a wide range of the musical styles of Cuscus. From the light-hearted Sometimes You Gotta Go West To Get To 80 East to the heart pumping Simple, Cuscus kicks it up a notch this time around.
crackletrust
simple
bees on wires
the crutch
moonlight bay
raw chachie mama
just stop there
feeble
slack daddy
let me show you
moth
sometimes you gotta go west to get to 80 east
wrist
coffee regular
soup du jour
charred chachie mama
thief
where are my pants?
crackletrust
(words & music by bruzzi)
Sometimes I get scared 'cause sometimes I can't see, but it's usually 'cause someone's got their hands all covering me. And sometimes I feel weak 'cause I don't got the stuff, but through another's eyes, I got more than enough. Look at me. I can't see your eyes. I over-analyze your lies. I believe every word you say, so tell me I won't fade away. Did you see how big Heather got? She could hardly fit into that dress. No, I didn't notice 'cause I didn't know her and I don't care. Remember when I kissed that girl and the walls used to be so clean and you pissed in the hall next to Casey's daughter's old toys? I'll make you see, 'cause I do believe this is happening just the way it's supposed to. I'm sure that I didn't just read it in a book somewhere. Look at me. I can't see your eyes. I over-analyze your lies. Now I believe every word you say, so tell me I won't fade away. You offer up your crackletrust. You offer us your crackletrust. Welcome back. They all come back. We look older and older to the ones that are following in our footsteps farther and farther away.
simple
(music by marek, words by bruzzi)
Why didn't I just walk away? It would have been so simple. Trying to help was my biggest mistake and now the world I knew is out of whack. I might have made a mistake, but get off my back. If you want to help me, erase my tracks, 'cause I walked into it and I can't turn back. Lights fill my head, heavy and bright like a sped-up film of a highway at night. I should have known (it happened so fast) the choice that I made was destined to last. I wanna walk down the street when I want to. They said, "We'll kill you when we find you." Every chance I get I try to forget. When did this become the best that I could get? Lights fill my head, heavy and bright like a sped-up film of a highway at night. I should have known (it happened so fast) the choice that I made was destined to last. Tick-tock, yellow smiley face clock looks at me as if to ask me, but the things that I think are all too late. Could it be that this is all my fate? Why didn't I just walk away? It would have been so simple. Trying to help was my biggest mistake. No...
bees on wires
(words & music by bruzzi)
The thoughts in your head coast by on a lazy susan, going round and round in circles, buzzing by like bees on wires. Your synapses are trapped on the back of a match pack, struck so many times that you can't find the faded line. You will never see the bees on wires. Who's it going be? Light the trees on fire. Will it be alright? Your eyes, blindfolded. Uncovered, but unloaded. I shouldn't have to delve so deep to find what I should see. You will never see the bees on wires. Who's it going be? Light the trees on fire. Will they ever save your soul and make you believe before you die from growing old and finally break free? Will they ever save your soul before you die?
the crutch
(words & music by bruzzi)
She calls me on the phone just to tell me I'm alone, but I don't care about the way she tries to tear, because I know she's just tripping. She'll ask if I'm listening. Then she'll tell me I'm her only friend. I can see the trouble I'm in, because I know I'm the crutch that cannot mend. When she breaks into my home, I only tell her nothing's wrong, but I lie though my teeth. I just want to find that there's a soul underneath. She thinks that life's a bore. She thirsts for more and more. She's pushed her friends more than they're willing to bend, but I know I'm the crutch that cannot mend. Baby please, this is insanity. I know it's hard, but you are strong and I believe. Can't you see? You run but won't be free until you believe in hope and honesty and you can do it all without a crutch. I bet she'll always stay the same. No, she'll never want to change. I cannot say how this story will end. All I know is I'm the crutch that cannot mend.
moonlight bay
(music by marek, words by bruzzi)
I curse this disease, won't let it stop me. I've changed what I need. It just doesn't make it easy for me. Now I only walk at night. People stare, but that just means I'm alive. Contact I'm without and it's starting to get to me. Suddenly she talks about messing with the fate that lies inside me. She wants to understand why I walk alone in the sand. I will never forget that night. I was walking blind. In a moment you gave me sight when you took my hand. And I can tell you very plainly you are the one for me baby. I never thought someone could change me, but how wrong could one man be? I think back to all my fears and now they don't seem so real. I know it's not the same when there's no one there to help you feel. Now we only walk at night. People stare, but that just means we're alive.
raw chachie mama
(music by marek, words by tichy)
Oh, I'm tired of being sober and I'm taking the time over and over. Oh, information is overload and my imagination killed my soul. You know I'm feeling the pain I show. It's been long living the same old, the same old. Time a-wasting away alone, surprised to see the scars on my face are gross. You're so surprised to see that I cutted to the bone. So, when you hear the thunder roll, you know I'm pounding the ground below, below. Oh, information is overload and my imagination it kills my soul. My attention span is low. She call me renegade when I was always trying to get away. Now and then I need to make some change. Now look at me 'cause I can fly. You'll be calling me a samurai. I hold my sword up in the sun-lit sky. And now the Raw Chachie Mama wanna take me home. Now the Raw Chachie Mama wanna take me home.
just stop there
(words & music by bruzzi)
Just stop there, please... But I... I know... Just stop there. I wanted to tell you... Just stop there, please... But I... I know... Just stop there. I wanted to tell you why I'm not around. You scared me with your voodoo stare, killing the crowd. I can't keep the pain inside 'cause I'd surely drown. You take me to the other side where I'm not allowed. Just stop there, please... But I... I know... Just stop there. I wanted to tell you... Just stop there, please... But I... I know... Just stop there. I wanted to tell you how the train hit my car. It knocked me into yesterday, but don't be alarmed. The doctor fixed me right away 'cause I told him how I needed to see you today or I'd surely get killed. I know the words ain't always right. I trip and fumble just to avoid a fight, but now I've come to realize it's now your turn to apologize to make things right. Just stop there, please... But I... I know... Just stop there. I wanted to tell you... Just stop there, please... But I... I know... Just stop there. I wanted to tell you don't call me again. I can think of better things than you as my friend. It's funny how the fear has always kept me passive. So goodbye to you today, my eyes have been opened. Goodbye my eyes have been opened.
feeble
(words & music by bruzzi)
Ear balls, eye balls, knee balls are all the parts of you. Sometimes we all seem feeble, but look inside to see what you can do. And I would never think the things that you could think. The things that you would think if I could never think. Ear balls, eye balls, knee balls are all the parts of you. Sometimes we all seem feeble, but look inside to see what you can do.
slack daddy
(music by marek, words by bruzzi)
Forget the belateds. How long has it been? Before you curse those who can't make it on time, I better confess that I am one of them. Getting back on the track of a slack daddy and I find that the time is not mine. You've been waiting for hours. I don't mean to offend. Time slips by when I'm turned around. Last I knew it was now, but it's suddenly later again. Getting back on the track of a slack daddy and I find that the time is not mine. Don't blame me for your problems. I'm not the one addicted to control. You ask me where the time goes, but I don't know. You got tired of waiting, so you jumped on the web. Another search brings back another fancy dot.com. You click on a link and can't find your way back again. Welcome Mac, to the track of a slack daddy. You'll find your time decline, but it's not mine. Don't blame me for your problems. I'm not the one addicted to control. You ask me where the time goes, but I don't know.
let me show you
(words & music by bruzzi)
At times I will carry you. Let me show you. And at times I'll need support from you. You will show me too. My heart aches just to hold you. Let me cherish you. My mind aches just to talk to you, understand all of you, but you're scared from all the other guys who walked into your life and left you in the end. I'll be there through the ebs and flows, throughout what no one knows. My love for you won't end. I don't know why I was blessed with all of this, but I know the difference between happiness and bliss. So smile, it's the little things in life that help us to get by when the world won't be our friend. The trials that hit us every day don't matter anyway when you weigh it in the end. So, let me show you. Let me show you the love I hold for you. So, let me show you. Let me show you the life I've been saving just to share with you. The farmer grows his celery as I wait for you. As the rooster crows each morning, I'll be there for you. But you're scared from all the other guys who buried you in lies and left you in the end. I'll be there through the ebs and flows, throughout what no one knows. My love for you won't end. So, let me show you. Let me show you the love I hold for you. So, let me show you. Let me show you the life I've been saving just to share with you. Let me show you.
moth
(words & music by bruzzi)
Some kid was playing in a truck stop. Because of my mistake I think I'm out of luck. Pending a miracle, he's bringing me home. Closet closed on the rows of your clothes and I'm bored with all your gowns. I gotta get out while I'm still alive. Flutter by butterfly now it's time to finally make my rounds. Slide door open, now it is time to fly. I woke up stuck on a freight truck. The courteous lady said "Hey bug, get off my vehicle, you're bringing me down." So, I flew and I flew and I flew until nothing could stop me. No raid or traps gonna bring me down. When she knew that I knew that she knew that she was never gonna stop me, she watched jealously as I flew around. I see the light, but I run and hide. But I know that I'm drawn from withinside. There's not much that I can do to resist. This pull inside will not subsist. Feel the light, hot and bright, though I've tried, I just couldn't get around it. It draws me close and my chances grow slim. Then my eyes improvise my demise and quicker than I found it, I broke the spell so it can begin. I see the light, but I run and hide. But I know that I'm drawn from withinside. There's not much that I can do to resist. This pull inside will not subsist.
sometimes you gotta go west to get to 80 east
(music by marek, words by bruzzi)
If you can believe in the things that I am seeing, it'll be a cold day, be a long ride. Go the wrong way, but don't cry, don't cry. Red brake lights are all I see. Let me off at this exit, you're blocking me. Get me off of 80. Isn't it frightening relying just on what you're told instead of trying? Round about, belated, worried that your luck has faded. Red brake lights are all I see. Let me off at this exit, you're blocking me. Get me off of 80. If you can believe in the things that I am seeing, it'll be a cold day, yeah, a long ride. Wrong way, but don't cry, don't cry. Sometimes you got to go west to get to 80 East. Sometimes you got to go west to get to 80 East. Red brake lights are all I see. Let me off at this exit, you're blocking me. Get me off of 80 where you gotta go west to get east.
wrist
(music by bruzzi)
coffee regular
(music by marek, words by bruzzi & marek)
I like coffee. You like yours regular. I say to each his own. Some people like their tea, but I for one don't care to see Earl Grey in my home. We went down to the old shop and ordered up a large pot. We drank and laughed the day away. You're looking good as always. You love to hear my stories. Who knew we had so much to say? Now I believe that I am not one to imply that I know all that's out there. You open up my eyes and beg me to decide if I think the world will be ok. I like coffee. You like yours regular. I say to each his own. You can send it away, but the waitress still will make you pay. Drink up or be alone. When we went down to the old shop and ordered up that large pot, I hoped the day would never end. You looked good as always. You listened to my stories. It seems so long, but let's pretend that you and me were free from the lives that made us trees, our roots are strong unmoving. I always thought that we had too much to see. I know there's more out there. I like coffee. You like yours regular. I say to each his own. Take it black or with creme, just sit and let us talk of dreams. Take me to your home. I like coffee. You like coffee. I say to each his own. I never thought that I would be sitting here with you tonight or walking myself home.
soup du jour
(music by marek, words by bruzzi)
There's no onion in my soup. There's no barley in my soup. How can you be allowed to call this soup? You best bring me out some more soup. Please bring out more Soup du Jour. Dribble, drip, or pour Soup du Jour. I'll take a sloop of war full of Soup du Jour. Far away from a daily chore, Soup du Jour. For God sake's help me! My hunger's discriminating. There is nothing I find so liberating. There is nothing as powerful as soup. There's no onion in my soup. There's no barley in my soup. How can you be allowed to call this soup? You better bring me out some more soup. Please bring out more Soup du Jour. You've got the soup, child. Filled with veggies galore, Soup du Jour. They're good for you, good good. I'd mop the floor. I can't ignore a cup of your Soup du Jour. If you can't see what you looking for, you've got the soup. I'd kick down that double door for the Soup du Jour!
charred chachie mama
(music by marek, words by bruzzi)
I've got to make a statement, 'cause there goes time. I know I'm not omnipotent, but I'm alive! I'm alive! You've got to see me fly, to decide to go live when my babies cry. They look higher to the sky. I'm the Charred Chachie Mama, baby! Don't you see the consequence? I guess it's all irrelevance. You got to see the fire burning higher. I prespire climbing over barbed wire. I try harder and run farther. Don't get bothered working late nights. Sometimes I feel I can't compete with anybody, but I'm the Charred Chachie Mama, baby! I beg to be indifferent. I try to be obedient. You've got to see me fly, to decide to go live when my babies cry. They look higher to the sky and I sigh, "Baby, don't cry!" Sometimes I think I can't believe in anybody, but I'm the Charred Chachie Mama, baby! Baby, don't you cry now. Glass eye, no reply, no reply. Underneath, broken teeth. Junior High, Junior High, I sat by. All the freaks that I meet define myself. Breakdown! You've got to see my fly, Charred Chachie Mama, baby! When the babies cry, Charred Chachie Mama, baby!
thief
(music by marek, words by bruzzi)
She's a thief, came in through the back door with your keys and your trust. But she won't be satisfied until she's got it all: your cash, your love, your almond joys. And she thinks its funny. As you sit at work she takes all your money underneath her skirt, underneath her. She's a thief and you can't pray at all, because your god won't help you now. You ask yourself, "What if I stayed at home? What would be happening right now?" The answer slips away. And she thinks its funny. As you sit at work she takes all your money underneath her skirt, underneath her. Random clothes in partial piles thrown across the floor. Don't let her get away. Empty closet says she's won't be staying here no more. Don't let her get away. She, she's a master to deceive and now she dares you to believe that she ever was the one you loved. No, she never was the one you loved. And she thinks its funny. As you sit at work she takes all your money underneath her skirt, underneath her. She won't be a thief again. There's nothing left for her to take.
where are my pants?
(words & music by marek)
Oh, yeah. How you all doing tonight? Talking about a subject near and dear to everybody's heart out there. Everybody knows them and everybody loves them. Parachute. Cordoroy. They're all kinds of pants. So light 'em if you got 'em. Oh, yeah. Where are my pants? Where are my pants? Where are my pants? Oh, no. I spilled mustard onto my pants and now they are yellow. Where do I go from here? Do I go to the Gap or to Sears? Where do I go from here? The mall directory says I am here. Where are my pants? Where are my pants? Those funky pants. Oh, no. Parachute pants are not real pants 'cause they make too much noise. Where do I go from here? Do I get new pants or a keg of beer? Where do I go from here? I split my pants right down the rear! Where are my pants? Those fancy pants. Those pull down pants. Oh, no. I spilled mustard onto my pants and now they are yellow. Pants.