So I haven't touched this blog in like, a year. What can I say? Sometimes life just takes over.
But I have been working on music. In May, I released a 12 track album called Disconnect The Dots.
1) Golden
2) Explosion-proof
3) In Your Car
4) Another Bottle
5) Sad Honesty
6) Menthol Memories
7) Winter Pressure
8) Sinking Ships
9) Baby Blue
10) San Francisco
11) All in Good Fun
12) Song of the Sausage Creature
This album is notable for three reasons. 1) It's most likely the last album that I will ever use my drum machine on. 2) It's also the last album I will ever record on a 4 track. 3) It's the first solo Frozen Idols record that does not feature a single cover song.
As it stands, I'm working on yet another album. This one is going to be called Smithtown Cemetery Revisited. Right now, I have 5 songs recorded for it. I have one more completely written, and four or five that need lyrics and titles. My overly-optimistic release date for this album is October 11th.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Sunday, October 16, 2011
SLEEP MADNESS (also I wrote a song just now.)
Well folks, I am in the throes of SLEEP MADNESS. I have not slept in something like 40 hours, I worked 15 hours today (Went in before dawn, left after sunset. Horrible feeling.) and drank a dozen cups of coffee and smoked an entire pack of cigarettes on the clock. Despite this, I wrote a new song just now. It was one of those rare moments when I say "It is time to WRITE SOME MUTHAEFFIN' MUSIC!" And then I actually did it. One sitting, start to finish. This song is called Ordinary Things, and it was inspired by a lone pedestrian I saw walking along the side of the road at 9:30 PM on my way home from work. I wondered what he was doing out there, walking along the side of a high traffic area in the chilly October night wearing dark colored clothing. From there it extrapolated into the story of a completely different traveler. I am quite pleased with this song. It's definitely got Guided By Voices stamped all over it. Maybe I should stay up for two straight days and drink lots of coffee more often. It seems to have a positive effect on my songwriting. This brings the track list for "Where Will We Call Home Next?" to:
Menthol Memories
Artificial Euphoria
Burning Leaves
Another Bottle
Infidelity
When it Rains
In Your Car (Tuesday Night Rainstorm)
Baby Blue
Golden
Ordinary Things
Holy cow you guys that is TEN SONGS. That's like, an album. Right there.
I think I'm gonna shoot for five more. Or maybe just wait until the end of the year and put everything I've written onto the disc, and release it the same day Guided By Voices puts out their new album. Maybe I will drive to Dayton, Ohio and stalk Robert Pollard and try to trade him my CD for his.
#thatiscreepy #thisisnottwitter #SLEEPMADNESS #goingtobed #forrealnow #therearetoomanyhashtagsonthispost #thathashtagwastoolong #sowasthatone #AAAHHICANTSTOP!
#goodnight #forserious #twelvewellnowthirteenhashtags #thirteenisunluckysoImadeafourteenthalsobecauseitismyfavoritenumber
Menthol Memories
Artificial Euphoria
Burning Leaves
Another Bottle
Infidelity
When it Rains
In Your Car (Tuesday Night Rainstorm)
Baby Blue
Golden
Ordinary Things
Holy cow you guys that is TEN SONGS. That's like, an album. Right there.
I think I'm gonna shoot for five more. Or maybe just wait until the end of the year and put everything I've written onto the disc, and release it the same day Guided By Voices puts out their new album. Maybe I will drive to Dayton, Ohio and stalk Robert Pollard and try to trade him my CD for his.
#thatiscreepy #thisisnottwitter #SLEEPMADNESS #goingtobed #forrealnow #therearetoomanyhashtagsonthispost #thathashtagwastoolong #sowasthatone #AAAHHICANTSTOP!
#goodnight #forserious #twelvewellnowthirteenhashtags #thirteenisunluckysoImadeafourteenthalsobecauseitismyfavoritenumber
Friday, October 14, 2011
The writing process for 'Golden'
Golden is the title of my newest song, and the writing process for this track was a little different from the other songs I've penned. Whereas most of the time I will write out all of the music and lyrics in real time with a guitar in my hands, this time I pieced everything together while recording. The timeline for Golden is like this:
Two nights ago: Play around with my delay pedal. Stumble across a neat riff.
Last night: Drink a beer while programming a simple drum beat. Drink another beer before recording drum beat and guitar simultaneously. Hook up delay pedal and lo-fi pedal to keyboard. Smoke a cigarette. Select Harpsichord setting, record bassline this way, while drinking more beer. Play back music while smoking a cigarette and writing lyrics on the fly. Drink another beer. Maybe two. Things are getting a little hazy. Record one vocal take, realize that I am too drunk to be singing, put on a Bill Hicks stand up special, finish my last beer and pass out.
Today: Wake up at noon. My face is stuck to the pillow with crusted drool. Eat a terrible Subway meatball sub for breakfast. Don't shower. Listen to the vocal take from last night. Cringe. Record a new vocal take. Smoke a cigarette. Listen. Cringe again. Drink a beer. Write a blog post about the song I am recording while drinking said beer. Go outside and smoke another cigarette. Notice a storm is brewing. Come back inside and start typing again, waiting for the alcohol to set in and loosen up the throat muscles. Hear a distant rumble of thunder. Decide to try another take.
Nailed it. Smoke a cigarette while listening to the finally completed track Now comes mixing, then jumping the file between computers so I can post it on the internet.
And that's how I wrote my latest song.
Lyrics:
We dance like ghouls with our arms cut off,
Our songs are interrupted by a mighty cough
But we keep on singin' like we need our throats to bleed.
Our passions are beats thumping 6/4 time,
Synthesizers take the place of clever rhymes
And we hold our breath til what's left is nothing but golden.
And all the time we spend in dimly lit clubs,
Losing our hearing for what we love.
That's the stuff our best nights are made of.
Oh the bass will pound til it shakes our spines,
But no one in the audience seems to mind.
We keep on pumping our fists into the air.
We came here to let the sound clear out our minds.
This is our idea of a great time.
And it's this mutual love that binds.
By the time we leave our clothes are soaked
With overpriced alcohol and scents of smoke.
Yet our hearts are gleaming oh-so-clean.
The party might be over but our ears still ring,
A parting gift from a wonderful evening.
The songs will swirl around inside our heads,
Playing over and over and over again.
At 120 decibels we forget our lives,
It was too loud to think, but that suits us fine.
At 120 decibels we forget our lives,
At least until it's time to say goodbye.
Two nights ago: Play around with my delay pedal. Stumble across a neat riff.
Last night: Drink a beer while programming a simple drum beat. Drink another beer before recording drum beat and guitar simultaneously. Hook up delay pedal and lo-fi pedal to keyboard. Smoke a cigarette. Select Harpsichord setting, record bassline this way, while drinking more beer. Play back music while smoking a cigarette and writing lyrics on the fly. Drink another beer. Maybe two. Things are getting a little hazy. Record one vocal take, realize that I am too drunk to be singing, put on a Bill Hicks stand up special, finish my last beer and pass out.
Today: Wake up at noon. My face is stuck to the pillow with crusted drool. Eat a terrible Subway meatball sub for breakfast. Don't shower. Listen to the vocal take from last night. Cringe. Record a new vocal take. Smoke a cigarette. Listen. Cringe again. Drink a beer. Write a blog post about the song I am recording while drinking said beer. Go outside and smoke another cigarette. Notice a storm is brewing. Come back inside and start typing again, waiting for the alcohol to set in and loosen up the throat muscles. Hear a distant rumble of thunder. Decide to try another take.
Nailed it. Smoke a cigarette while listening to the finally completed track Now comes mixing, then jumping the file between computers so I can post it on the internet.
And that's how I wrote my latest song.
Lyrics:
We dance like ghouls with our arms cut off,
Our songs are interrupted by a mighty cough
But we keep on singin' like we need our throats to bleed.
Our passions are beats thumping 6/4 time,
Synthesizers take the place of clever rhymes
And we hold our breath til what's left is nothing but golden.
And all the time we spend in dimly lit clubs,
Losing our hearing for what we love.
That's the stuff our best nights are made of.
Oh the bass will pound til it shakes our spines,
But no one in the audience seems to mind.
We keep on pumping our fists into the air.
We came here to let the sound clear out our minds.
This is our idea of a great time.
And it's this mutual love that binds.
By the time we leave our clothes are soaked
With overpriced alcohol and scents of smoke.
Yet our hearts are gleaming oh-so-clean.
The party might be over but our ears still ring,
A parting gift from a wonderful evening.
The songs will swirl around inside our heads,
Playing over and over and over again.
At 120 decibels we forget our lives,
It was too loud to think, but that suits us fine.
At 120 decibels we forget our lives,
At least until it's time to say goodbye.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Influences
I listen to lots of different music. I can rock out to everything from Bad Acid Trip to Of Montreal's disco-pop to Zac Brown Band. Some nights I put on NPR and listen to classical, other nights I pop in Rust in Peace by Megadeth. Primus is one of the coolest things to ever happen to music, and as far as vapid pop music goes, Lady Gaga isn't too shabby.
I am a musical omnivore, but like any creature, I do have my favorites. Currently, I am in love with indie rock. Broken Social Scene, Arcade Fire, Band of Horses, Best Coast, Neutral Milk Hotel, Wolf Parade, My Bloody Valentine... The list goes on and on. If you've listened to the songs I've been writing for the past two years, you probably could have already guessed what I normally listen to.
As a quote attributed to Pablo Picasso goes, "Good artists borrow, great artists steal." I've borrowed a lot from all of the bands in the above paragraph, but the one I have stolen the most from is Guided by Voices. The first album I ever heard from Guided by Voices was Alien Lanes, and I was totally hooked. In Robert Pollard's words, his songwriting process follows the "four Ps of rock": Punk, progressive, psychedelic, and pop. In any case, his approach to music has had a profound effect upon the way that I write songs. I also owe quite a lot to The Weakerthans. John K. Sampson's introspective lyrics and excellent storytelling provided a perfect example for me to follow. It also didn't hurt that he taught me you didn't need a million-dollar voice to be a great vocalist. Throw in a smattering of Dinosaur Jr. and Modest Mouse, and you have the most readily apparent influences on my music.
Suddenly, I feel ridiculous for even starting this blog. It's like I'm so desperate to be interviewed that I'm just doing it myself, you know?
I am a musical omnivore, but like any creature, I do have my favorites. Currently, I am in love with indie rock. Broken Social Scene, Arcade Fire, Band of Horses, Best Coast, Neutral Milk Hotel, Wolf Parade, My Bloody Valentine... The list goes on and on. If you've listened to the songs I've been writing for the past two years, you probably could have already guessed what I normally listen to.
As a quote attributed to Pablo Picasso goes, "Good artists borrow, great artists steal." I've borrowed a lot from all of the bands in the above paragraph, but the one I have stolen the most from is Guided by Voices. The first album I ever heard from Guided by Voices was Alien Lanes, and I was totally hooked. In Robert Pollard's words, his songwriting process follows the "four Ps of rock": Punk, progressive, psychedelic, and pop. In any case, his approach to music has had a profound effect upon the way that I write songs. I also owe quite a lot to The Weakerthans. John K. Sampson's introspective lyrics and excellent storytelling provided a perfect example for me to follow. It also didn't hurt that he taught me you didn't need a million-dollar voice to be a great vocalist. Throw in a smattering of Dinosaur Jr. and Modest Mouse, and you have the most readily apparent influences on my music.
Suddenly, I feel ridiculous for even starting this blog. It's like I'm so desperate to be interviewed that I'm just doing it myself, you know?
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Gear talk: My effect pedals.
There is only one constant in the way I generate my sound when I play guitar: My Peavey Winsdor studio combo amp. It's a single channel class A tube amp(12AX7s in the preamp, EL84 in the power amp) with remarkable transparency and FANTASTIC tone. From there, I choose one of four electric guitars from my collection for the basic "color" of my tone. To further color my sound, I use the following effect pedals as desired.
From left to right: Digitech Digidelay, Boss Phase Shifter, Ibanez Lo-Fi filter, Boss Super Chorus, Digitech Hardwire Valve Distortion.
Digidelay:
This pedal is a newcomer to my arsenal. I had previously purchased a Boss DD3, but something about it just sounded far too digital to my ears. I know, duh, right? A digital delay sounding too digital? HURR I WOULD HAVE NEVAR GUESSED.
Anyway, I was introduced to this pedal by Andy, the bass player for Frozen Idols. He had one that I borrowed for the recording of Lies during the Such Promising Things sessions. I liked it, and once I had moved to Indiana, I found this pedal used at Guitar Center for $49. Score.
Used on: Lies, Menthol Memories, When It Rains, Burning Leaves.
Phase Shifter:
Back in high school, I had purchased a Digitech Hyper Phase pedal. Now, it wasn't anything spectacular, but it did have a feature called Step Phase that I thought was really neat, even if it didn't have a whole lot of applications. It was still a pretty kickin' sound. So when it came time for me to buy another phaser, I specifically looked for one with the step mode. This Boss pedal was the only one I found.
This pedal has received the least use out of all of them, appearing on only two songs. It's a great sounding phaser, but I think it's better to use it sparingly. I used it to get that really shimmery, watery guitar tone on The Music of Erich Zann
Used on: Lies, The Music of Erich Zann
Lo-Fi Filter:
The newest addition to my collection, I picked this little gem up at Spotts Music Center while I was back to visit friends in DuBois PA. The original price was $49.99, but I worked them down to $25. Worth every penny. With this pedal, you can achieve all sorts of neat effects. Plug a mic into it, and you can get that classic over-the-telephone sound. With the right settings, it will make the instrument plugged into it sound like it's being broadcast over AM radio. Technically it's a distortion pedal, and it can generate some righteous fuzz tones. So far this little guy has only appeared on one track. It's an effect that can wear out its welcome really quickly if you overuse it, but if you save it for those moments where it'll be just right, it packs quite a punch.
Used on: Menthol Memories
Super Chorus:
This little blue box is my secret weapon. Out of all of my pedals, it gets used the most. Generally, I keep it on a subtle setting, kick it on, and just leave it that way for all of my songs. It thickens up my sound on chords and adds a subtle shimmer to single note runs and arpeggios. On certain songs, like The Chronophage and Modern Machinery, I use a more dramatic chorus effect where you can definitely notice it, but on all three Frozen Idols albums, this effect is employed on nearly every song that features electric guitar.
This is actually my second Super Chorus. The first one was a champ, until I connected it to the wrong power supply. From then on, it would emit this high pitched buzz or squeal when it was in the signal chain, even if it wasn't turned on. However, I was impressed with the unit so much that I replaced it with the same one. If anything happens to this one, I'll be buying another Boss chorus.
Used on: Practically everything I've recorded since 2009.
Valve Distortion:
This was the first pedal I bought when I got back into playing guitar. It has two modes; crunch, a lighter overdrive, and saturated, a heavier distortion that does everything but modern metal. The crunch setting is the one I use most, though when recording Cittágazze I used the saturated mode. Both settings offer a great distorted tone that compliments my amp very well, as well as all of my guitars. The thing I like most about it is that it really does handle tube dynamics very well for a solid state pedal- Lighten up on your attack, and the sound cleans up. Dig in, and you've got nice raunchy distortion. Paired with a tube amp, this is about as good as it gets.
My only complaint with this pedal is after I started using the power supply for 3 or 4 months, it no longer works with battery power, even when I put a brand new battery in it. Works perfectly when it's plugged in though, so it's not really a big deal.
Used on: Just about all of my electric guitar tracks with any amount of distortion.
There are a few other pedals I would like to add to my collection, but not too many. Namely, I want an Electro-Harmonix Polyphonic Octave Generator, some kind of tremolo pedal, and some kind of guitar synth, either a Line 6 Filter Modeler, or the Electro Harmonix HOG.
From left to right: Digitech Digidelay, Boss Phase Shifter, Ibanez Lo-Fi filter, Boss Super Chorus, Digitech Hardwire Valve Distortion.
Digidelay:
This pedal is a newcomer to my arsenal. I had previously purchased a Boss DD3, but something about it just sounded far too digital to my ears. I know, duh, right? A digital delay sounding too digital? HURR I WOULD HAVE NEVAR GUESSED.
Anyway, I was introduced to this pedal by Andy, the bass player for Frozen Idols. He had one that I borrowed for the recording of Lies during the Such Promising Things sessions. I liked it, and once I had moved to Indiana, I found this pedal used at Guitar Center for $49. Score.
Used on: Lies, Menthol Memories, When It Rains, Burning Leaves.
Phase Shifter:
Back in high school, I had purchased a Digitech Hyper Phase pedal. Now, it wasn't anything spectacular, but it did have a feature called Step Phase that I thought was really neat, even if it didn't have a whole lot of applications. It was still a pretty kickin' sound. So when it came time for me to buy another phaser, I specifically looked for one with the step mode. This Boss pedal was the only one I found.
This pedal has received the least use out of all of them, appearing on only two songs. It's a great sounding phaser, but I think it's better to use it sparingly. I used it to get that really shimmery, watery guitar tone on The Music of Erich Zann
Used on: Lies, The Music of Erich Zann
Lo-Fi Filter:
The newest addition to my collection, I picked this little gem up at Spotts Music Center while I was back to visit friends in DuBois PA. The original price was $49.99, but I worked them down to $25. Worth every penny. With this pedal, you can achieve all sorts of neat effects. Plug a mic into it, and you can get that classic over-the-telephone sound. With the right settings, it will make the instrument plugged into it sound like it's being broadcast over AM radio. Technically it's a distortion pedal, and it can generate some righteous fuzz tones. So far this little guy has only appeared on one track. It's an effect that can wear out its welcome really quickly if you overuse it, but if you save it for those moments where it'll be just right, it packs quite a punch.
Used on: Menthol Memories
Super Chorus:
This little blue box is my secret weapon. Out of all of my pedals, it gets used the most. Generally, I keep it on a subtle setting, kick it on, and just leave it that way for all of my songs. It thickens up my sound on chords and adds a subtle shimmer to single note runs and arpeggios. On certain songs, like The Chronophage and Modern Machinery, I use a more dramatic chorus effect where you can definitely notice it, but on all three Frozen Idols albums, this effect is employed on nearly every song that features electric guitar.
This is actually my second Super Chorus. The first one was a champ, until I connected it to the wrong power supply. From then on, it would emit this high pitched buzz or squeal when it was in the signal chain, even if it wasn't turned on. However, I was impressed with the unit so much that I replaced it with the same one. If anything happens to this one, I'll be buying another Boss chorus.
Used on: Practically everything I've recorded since 2009.
Valve Distortion:
This was the first pedal I bought when I got back into playing guitar. It has two modes; crunch, a lighter overdrive, and saturated, a heavier distortion that does everything but modern metal. The crunch setting is the one I use most, though when recording Cittágazze I used the saturated mode. Both settings offer a great distorted tone that compliments my amp very well, as well as all of my guitars. The thing I like most about it is that it really does handle tube dynamics very well for a solid state pedal- Lighten up on your attack, and the sound cleans up. Dig in, and you've got nice raunchy distortion. Paired with a tube amp, this is about as good as it gets.
My only complaint with this pedal is after I started using the power supply for 3 or 4 months, it no longer works with battery power, even when I put a brand new battery in it. Works perfectly when it's plugged in though, so it's not really a big deal.
Used on: Just about all of my electric guitar tracks with any amount of distortion.
There are a few other pedals I would like to add to my collection, but not too many. Namely, I want an Electro-Harmonix Polyphonic Octave Generator, some kind of tremolo pedal, and some kind of guitar synth, either a Line 6 Filter Modeler, or the Electro Harmonix HOG.
Lyrics: Such Promising Things
1) Floodgates
What do you sing
When someone's captured
Everything you're feeling,
You're feeling the rain,
You're feeling it soak
Into your shoes,
Squishing and completing
This mood that
You found outside,
Soaked to the bone
So you took it inside.
And you thought it would be quite nice,
If only, if only it would dry.
And there it will sit,
Dripping out, bleeding out
Its feelings in liquid form,
Spilling from counters to floors
And soon you see,
It's ankle deep
And all consuming.
Unassuming, yet still
Controlling.
And you thought that would be alright,
If only it didn't make you sigh.
But somehow it feels wrong.
It's not where you belong.
And when it reaches your waist,
You'll know that there's no escape.
I dropped by your house today,
Knowing that I had to say
That sunshine's as good as rain,
Smiles are better without pain.
But you can't hear me,
Up to your ears in misery
That you chose
But didn't know
It could be this
Wet or cold.
And you know that you'd say I'm right,
If only you had the strength to fight.
Then it covers your face,
Mouth full of bitter taste.
Regret, resentment and disgrace
Have made you their resting place.
And with that first icy breath,
You think of you, there's nothing left.
2) Emerald Eyes and Grey Skies
Everywhere I go you know I see girls look just like you,
All dressed up in rainbows with some flowers in their hair
And every time I see these girls I only want to call you
Even though I know I should just talk to them instead.
Born and raised in an awkward sort of way
Some things, you know they'll never change.
Can you spare a precious moment of your oh-so-important time
to take the words that slipped out your sighs
and divide them by their meaning,
to analyze all your short goodbyes
just to see where they are leading?
And since I've got a bone to pick I might as well just tell you
I burned up all the pictures that we took over the years
And if the stars and sky one day decide to crack wide open
I'll wish that I had saved you from the promises I made
And if I meet a patient girl who shares in my frustrations
I'll never have to write another sad song again.
Your emerald eyes reflect grey skies as you stare out your front window.
You know that you need to leave, but you've no idea where to go.
You ask me for answers I once had, I'll just shrug and say "I don't know"
3) The Chronophage
I am too naive to see these tricks up your sleeve.
Your face is a mask, and you wear it so well.
I must believe that I can't see what you mean.
Petty passive aggression leaves such a bad impression with me,
And I don't think you're who I used to see.
Times have changed, we're on different waves,
Separated by vast seas.
Fill that void, let me tell you boy,
I've already tried.
Holding on to our old ghosts,
Oh, God forbid we let anything go.
We sure do love to beat dead horses,
But it's starting to get old.
I know it's not what you want from me.
But lately it seems my share
Is adding up to much less than fair.
And I won't play the righteous fool no more.
4) Modern Machinery
It started out as this tiny idle daydream,
Merely a kind of childish fantasy
of walking away from this modern machinery
before we both split apart at the seams.
And we would dance among the world's oldest trees
Making friends out of potential enemies
And I know it sounds like I'm running away
But the truth is that I finally
Feel like I'm heading home for the first time
And if you have to say that it is wrong,
I've got no more time left for you,
Now leave me be, I've got so much to do
So we hide our smiles and we patiently wait,
Planning for the day of our great escape.
And the liberation we so desperately seek
Will sink into our souls' energies.
Whispering to us all these truths we wouldn't know
If we hadn't decided to just go and
Find our peace a million miles from anywhere,
And it could be yours too if you dare
To leave behind all of your distractions.
Modify every single action.
And perhaps it's not for everyone.
But you and I both know that we're done.
So we hide our smiles and we patiently wait,
Planning for the day of our great escape.
5) Ern Malley's Blues
And she said "If you've got any melodies pent up in your chest well
just let them out before they dissipate"
And you said "It's not so easy to sing my dear when
the whole world seems to drag me down"
And if you always argue and fight, well,
you know you're bound to be proven right.
But will you say I told you so to yourself in the mirror?
The morning after you realize, there's nothing behind your eyes
and that sallow skin you live in, is just an elaborate disguise.
You've gone and left yourself for dead but you're still alive my friend
Now go enjoy it while you can.
And she said "If you've got any memories left inside your head well
don't let them drown in all your misery"
And you're giving me answers to the questions that I haven't asked
you think but don't say, what's the point anyway?
And it's that attitude that's making everything so hard for you
You need something to change your views, Something I can't give you.
And she said "If you've got any dreams left in your heart please baby get out of this town. It'll suck you dry, and I'll wonder why you never took any of my advice. You always look so down, and I hate to see you wearing that stepped on frown. And I know you want to live too, at least as badly as I do, but do you? Do you? Do you?"
I know you'll say that we've got plenty of time to live and explore this world.
And all I have to say to you brother, is maybe we do and maybe we don't.
6) The Devil's Pawn Shop
Well I found half a screenplay
In a row of dusty typewriters.
It read like something I'd seen
At least a million times on every TV screen.
The clerk spoke up from across her desk,
She said you should read the rest,
Yeah you should read the rest.
It will take your breath away
And shake you to your core
With what it has to say.
And then she flashed me the wickedest of smile.
And I caught a glimpse of the devil that dwells inside her.
But I knew I had to read the end.
So she bared her yellowed fangs again.
And said, "Do we have a deal my friend?"
7) Strange Moons
So you came in from the cold,
Cheeks windburned to the bone.
And they almost matched your hair,
The finest color that you could wear.
And our eyes met for the first time,
Across the room your smile shone so shy.
Then I asked your name,
You tell me and then we parted ways.
Yet somehow, you haunt me
In dreams of antiquity.
And your voice is sweet and clear,
The only sound to fill my ears.
And we dance in ballrooms,
In castles under strange moons.
And I call your name,
Like it's the only thing I can remember.
This vision will leave me
By the time that I wake completely.
Small fragments will linger
To be stirred up by your features.
But how I dreamed of you,
Is something I'd like to be forgotten.
Oh how I dreamed of you,
Smiling so sweetly beneath strange moons.
8) Spiders
Snakes and mice are natural enemies,
That's just fine, that's how it's supposed to be.
And all the dolphins in their big glass tanks
Will put on a pretty show for a couple of scraps.
Lions and tigers must be locked in a cage,
Sometimes we teach bears to ride bikes in a parade.
What does that say?
Yet the spiders will have their revenge
On all of those housewives shoving brooms through their webs.
An elephant never forgets
The face of the hunter who shoots down her children.
And all those ants that you step on,
Someday they're gonna step on you.
And all those pretty dogs we keep
Might bite our veins in two.
Watch yourself girl-
It's a savage place out there.
Why should we expect not to find
Evil bones inside?
9) Stick Figures
My days are swiftly becoming years,
I wonder what it is I'm doing here.
Trapped in the same old mess again,
The world tries to teach, but I ignore the lesson.
But I guess I am content enough
To leave things alone tonight
And maybe we're both right to
See the present with a touch of hindsight.
But chasing ghosts has worn out my soul.
I watch these stick figures
Being drawn all across my life, yeah.
Pardon me if I seem bitter,
Never had much to work with here.
Lately these things seem clearer
And I find that they're just basic outlines.
Such promising things with no future.
10) A Leaf's Perspective
(lyrics by Ian Aughinbaugh)
I'm green with envy throughout summer of a life I've had before.
Waiting to shed these colors in favor of ones that suit me more.
I'm green with envy waiting my turn to show the world my most brilliant form.
Declaring my favoritism to a season which holds power and lore.
I will color to flame
And bring about shame
To every dying flower.
11) Epiphany
The sun sets a slow blood red,
Creeping over his weary head.
He opens his eyes to find
The night lurking in tops of trees
And broken buildings.
Rolls over and lights a cigarette,
All the while reaching for his mask again.
And there in the back of his mind,
A tiny question will rise,
"Will it end?"
Curse these endless nights
Of wasting my time cleaning up slime,
Knowing it will be back by sunrise,
I am tired of hiding in gutters
And always hearing people sputter
These half-assed lies and alibis.
And here we see the exact moment
When he became so disenfranchised.
Saw the moment when his whole life came
Crumbling down before his eyes.
And there in the back of his mind,
He wonders if he should have even tried.
"Every moment spent thinking is a moment
Spent not acting," He decides.
12) Lies
This is me washing the grime
Off this soul of mine and
I know that it's only a matter of time
Before it's dirty again, but
If I could be honest with myself just this once,
I have no idea the things I'd say.
The mind is such a fragile construct
In so many ways.
We layer ourselves in all these meanings
That we know can't be.
Donning lies like nooses tied
To drag us to hell.
We'll smile all the way and say "Oh well..."
We can't escape, no we can't escape,
No we can't escape ourselves.
We try and try and try to hide,
But we always find ourselves.
At the source of my frustration,
Misery reigns in extrapolations.
I'm not seeking explanations,
Just some much needed change.
Lately I've felt much too manic,
I scream but you can't hear my panic.
So I bury it deep inside
To braid it in with all the other lies
I've fashioned for myself to live by,
Only one tiny voice asks, "Why?"
13) Cittágazze
We can live here without fear,
If we never grow old my dear.
The streets are bathed in gold,
And specters that eat old souls.
We're safe if we can't see them,
In this city of children.
But sometime, we will have to leave this world behind.
I know that it seems so perfect,
But there's always a catch.
Nothing that we love can stay,
It's all doomed to drift away.
As long as our hearts are beating,
Our youth is receding.
The kids here are as cruel
As the world is so beautiful.
There are beaches with white sand,
While buildings stand abandoned.
In a tower sits a knife
That will bring this world back to life.
Here in the tower of angels
In the middle of gorgeous hell.
Lost two fingers to the knife,
Proving that it's my birthright.
And I screamed, "Oh why me?
I don't want this responsibility."
Come now, let us leave, and fulfill our destinies.
What do you sing
When someone's captured
Everything you're feeling,
You're feeling the rain,
You're feeling it soak
Into your shoes,
Squishing and completing
This mood that
You found outside,
Soaked to the bone
So you took it inside.
And you thought it would be quite nice,
If only, if only it would dry.
And there it will sit,
Dripping out, bleeding out
Its feelings in liquid form,
Spilling from counters to floors
And soon you see,
It's ankle deep
And all consuming.
Unassuming, yet still
Controlling.
And you thought that would be alright,
If only it didn't make you sigh.
But somehow it feels wrong.
It's not where you belong.
And when it reaches your waist,
You'll know that there's no escape.
I dropped by your house today,
Knowing that I had to say
That sunshine's as good as rain,
Smiles are better without pain.
But you can't hear me,
Up to your ears in misery
That you chose
But didn't know
It could be this
Wet or cold.
And you know that you'd say I'm right,
If only you had the strength to fight.
Then it covers your face,
Mouth full of bitter taste.
Regret, resentment and disgrace
Have made you their resting place.
And with that first icy breath,
You think of you, there's nothing left.
2) Emerald Eyes and Grey Skies
Everywhere I go you know I see girls look just like you,
All dressed up in rainbows with some flowers in their hair
And every time I see these girls I only want to call you
Even though I know I should just talk to them instead.
Born and raised in an awkward sort of way
Some things, you know they'll never change.
Can you spare a precious moment of your oh-so-important time
to take the words that slipped out your sighs
and divide them by their meaning,
to analyze all your short goodbyes
just to see where they are leading?
And since I've got a bone to pick I might as well just tell you
I burned up all the pictures that we took over the years
And if the stars and sky one day decide to crack wide open
I'll wish that I had saved you from the promises I made
And if I meet a patient girl who shares in my frustrations
I'll never have to write another sad song again.
Your emerald eyes reflect grey skies as you stare out your front window.
You know that you need to leave, but you've no idea where to go.
You ask me for answers I once had, I'll just shrug and say "I don't know"
3) The Chronophage
I am too naive to see these tricks up your sleeve.
Your face is a mask, and you wear it so well.
I must believe that I can't see what you mean.
Petty passive aggression leaves such a bad impression with me,
And I don't think you're who I used to see.
Times have changed, we're on different waves,
Separated by vast seas.
Fill that void, let me tell you boy,
I've already tried.
Holding on to our old ghosts,
Oh, God forbid we let anything go.
We sure do love to beat dead horses,
But it's starting to get old.
I know it's not what you want from me.
But lately it seems my share
Is adding up to much less than fair.
And I won't play the righteous fool no more.
4) Modern Machinery
It started out as this tiny idle daydream,
Merely a kind of childish fantasy
of walking away from this modern machinery
before we both split apart at the seams.
And we would dance among the world's oldest trees
Making friends out of potential enemies
And I know it sounds like I'm running away
But the truth is that I finally
Feel like I'm heading home for the first time
And if you have to say that it is wrong,
I've got no more time left for you,
Now leave me be, I've got so much to do
So we hide our smiles and we patiently wait,
Planning for the day of our great escape.
And the liberation we so desperately seek
Will sink into our souls' energies.
Whispering to us all these truths we wouldn't know
If we hadn't decided to just go and
Find our peace a million miles from anywhere,
And it could be yours too if you dare
To leave behind all of your distractions.
Modify every single action.
And perhaps it's not for everyone.
But you and I both know that we're done.
So we hide our smiles and we patiently wait,
Planning for the day of our great escape.
5) Ern Malley's Blues
And she said "If you've got any melodies pent up in your chest well
just let them out before they dissipate"
And you said "It's not so easy to sing my dear when
the whole world seems to drag me down"
And if you always argue and fight, well,
you know you're bound to be proven right.
But will you say I told you so to yourself in the mirror?
The morning after you realize, there's nothing behind your eyes
and that sallow skin you live in, is just an elaborate disguise.
You've gone and left yourself for dead but you're still alive my friend
Now go enjoy it while you can.
And she said "If you've got any memories left inside your head well
don't let them drown in all your misery"
And you're giving me answers to the questions that I haven't asked
you think but don't say, what's the point anyway?
And it's that attitude that's making everything so hard for you
You need something to change your views, Something I can't give you.
And she said "If you've got any dreams left in your heart please baby get out of this town. It'll suck you dry, and I'll wonder why you never took any of my advice. You always look so down, and I hate to see you wearing that stepped on frown. And I know you want to live too, at least as badly as I do, but do you? Do you? Do you?"
I know you'll say that we've got plenty of time to live and explore this world.
And all I have to say to you brother, is maybe we do and maybe we don't.
6) The Devil's Pawn Shop
Well I found half a screenplay
In a row of dusty typewriters.
It read like something I'd seen
At least a million times on every TV screen.
The clerk spoke up from across her desk,
She said you should read the rest,
Yeah you should read the rest.
It will take your breath away
And shake you to your core
With what it has to say.
And then she flashed me the wickedest of smile.
And I caught a glimpse of the devil that dwells inside her.
But I knew I had to read the end.
So she bared her yellowed fangs again.
And said, "Do we have a deal my friend?"
7) Strange Moons
So you came in from the cold,
Cheeks windburned to the bone.
And they almost matched your hair,
The finest color that you could wear.
And our eyes met for the first time,
Across the room your smile shone so shy.
Then I asked your name,
You tell me and then we parted ways.
Yet somehow, you haunt me
In dreams of antiquity.
And your voice is sweet and clear,
The only sound to fill my ears.
And we dance in ballrooms,
In castles under strange moons.
And I call your name,
Like it's the only thing I can remember.
This vision will leave me
By the time that I wake completely.
Small fragments will linger
To be stirred up by your features.
But how I dreamed of you,
Is something I'd like to be forgotten.
Oh how I dreamed of you,
Smiling so sweetly beneath strange moons.
8) Spiders
Snakes and mice are natural enemies,
That's just fine, that's how it's supposed to be.
And all the dolphins in their big glass tanks
Will put on a pretty show for a couple of scraps.
Lions and tigers must be locked in a cage,
Sometimes we teach bears to ride bikes in a parade.
What does that say?
Yet the spiders will have their revenge
On all of those housewives shoving brooms through their webs.
An elephant never forgets
The face of the hunter who shoots down her children.
And all those ants that you step on,
Someday they're gonna step on you.
And all those pretty dogs we keep
Might bite our veins in two.
Watch yourself girl-
It's a savage place out there.
Why should we expect not to find
Evil bones inside?
9) Stick Figures
My days are swiftly becoming years,
I wonder what it is I'm doing here.
Trapped in the same old mess again,
The world tries to teach, but I ignore the lesson.
But I guess I am content enough
To leave things alone tonight
And maybe we're both right to
See the present with a touch of hindsight.
But chasing ghosts has worn out my soul.
I watch these stick figures
Being drawn all across my life, yeah.
Pardon me if I seem bitter,
Never had much to work with here.
Lately these things seem clearer
And I find that they're just basic outlines.
Such promising things with no future.
10) A Leaf's Perspective
(lyrics by Ian Aughinbaugh)
I'm green with envy throughout summer of a life I've had before.
Waiting to shed these colors in favor of ones that suit me more.
I'm green with envy waiting my turn to show the world my most brilliant form.
Declaring my favoritism to a season which holds power and lore.
I will color to flame
And bring about shame
To every dying flower.
11) Epiphany
The sun sets a slow blood red,
Creeping over his weary head.
He opens his eyes to find
The night lurking in tops of trees
And broken buildings.
Rolls over and lights a cigarette,
All the while reaching for his mask again.
And there in the back of his mind,
A tiny question will rise,
"Will it end?"
Curse these endless nights
Of wasting my time cleaning up slime,
Knowing it will be back by sunrise,
I am tired of hiding in gutters
And always hearing people sputter
These half-assed lies and alibis.
And here we see the exact moment
When he became so disenfranchised.
Saw the moment when his whole life came
Crumbling down before his eyes.
And there in the back of his mind,
He wonders if he should have even tried.
"Every moment spent thinking is a moment
Spent not acting," He decides.
12) Lies
This is me washing the grime
Off this soul of mine and
I know that it's only a matter of time
Before it's dirty again, but
If I could be honest with myself just this once,
I have no idea the things I'd say.
The mind is such a fragile construct
In so many ways.
We layer ourselves in all these meanings
That we know can't be.
Donning lies like nooses tied
To drag us to hell.
We'll smile all the way and say "Oh well..."
We can't escape, no we can't escape,
No we can't escape ourselves.
We try and try and try to hide,
But we always find ourselves.
At the source of my frustration,
Misery reigns in extrapolations.
I'm not seeking explanations,
Just some much needed change.
Lately I've felt much too manic,
I scream but you can't hear my panic.
So I bury it deep inside
To braid it in with all the other lies
I've fashioned for myself to live by,
Only one tiny voice asks, "Why?"
13) Cittágazze
We can live here without fear,
If we never grow old my dear.
The streets are bathed in gold,
And specters that eat old souls.
We're safe if we can't see them,
In this city of children.
But sometime, we will have to leave this world behind.
I know that it seems so perfect,
But there's always a catch.
Nothing that we love can stay,
It's all doomed to drift away.
As long as our hearts are beating,
Our youth is receding.
The kids here are as cruel
As the world is so beautiful.
There are beaches with white sand,
While buildings stand abandoned.
In a tower sits a knife
That will bring this world back to life.
Here in the tower of angels
In the middle of gorgeous hell.
Lost two fingers to the knife,
Proving that it's my birthright.
And I screamed, "Oh why me?
I don't want this responsibility."
Come now, let us leave, and fulfill our destinies.
Lyrics: Air Meets Water
1) Modern Machinery
It started out as this tiny idle daydream,
Merely a kind of childish fantasy
of walking away from this modern machinery
before we both split apart at the seams.
And we would dance among the world's oldest trees
Making friends out of potential enemies
And I know it sounds like I'm running away
But the truth is that I finally
Feel like I'm heading home for the first time
And if you have to say that it is wrong,
I've got no more time left for you,
Now leave me be, I've got so much to do
So we hide our smiles and we patiently wait,
Planning for the day of our great escape.
And the liberation we so desperately seek
Will sink into our souls' energies.
Whispering to us all these truths we wouldn't know
If we hadn't decided to just go and
Find our peace a million miles from anywhere,
And it could be yours too if you dare
To leave behind all of your distractions.
Modify every single action.
And perhaps it's not for everyone.
But you and I both know that we're done.
So we hide our smiles and we patiently wait,
Planning for the day of our great escape.
2) Floodgates
What do you sing
When someone's captured
Everything you're feeling,
You're feeling the rain,
You're feeling it soak
Into your shoes,
Squishing and completing
This mood that
You found outside,
Soaked to the bone
So you took it inside.
And you thought it would be quite nice,
If only, if only it would dry.
And there it will sit,
Dripping out, bleeding out
Its feelings in liquid form,
Spilling from counters to floors
And soon you see,
It's ankle deep
And all consuming.
Unassuming, yet still
Controlling.
And you thought that would be alright,
If only it didn't make you sigh.
But somehow it feels wrong.
It's not where you belong.
And when it reaches your waist,
You'll know that there's no escape.
I dropped by your house today,
Knowing that I had to say
That sunshine's as good as rain,
Smiles are better without pain.
But you can't hear me,
Up to your ears in misery
That you chose
But didn't know
It could be this
Wet or cold.
And you know that you'd say I'm right,
If only you had the strength to fight.
Then it covers your face,
Mouth full of bitter taste.
Regret, resentment and disgrace
Have made you their resting place.
And with that first icy breath,
You think of you, there's nothing left.
3) See You Next Thursday
Well doc, I don't know what to talk about this week.
So I guess we can discuss last Sunday.
Another holiday, warped and twisted.
A mockery set into motion by our apathy.
Well I mean, we all seemed happy enough.
Lord knows laughter rang through that house.
But I've got this sneaking suspicion
Most of it came from the television.
Lately I have felt like I'm trapped in a box
That has no boundaries but I still can't get out.
I wanted to scream but instead I just walked away
And I didn't say anything at all.
And maybe that's my downfall.
Oh, the road was one big slick oil rainbow,
I jumped puddles on my way home to
Watch the news and have a glass of beer.
And I know you're not supposed to drink
With those pills that you prescribed me.
That's why I quit taking them, I've got
My own substitutes for happiness.
But lately I don't know what's going on,
So detached yet so right there
That I wanna explode, I'm gonna explode soon
If I....
What's that doc?
My time's up, you say?
Oh, no, no, that's okay.
I'll see you next Thursday.
4) Epiphany Part II
The sun sets a slow blood red,
Creeping over his weary head.
He opens his eyes to find
The night lurking in tops of trees
And broken buildings.
Rolls over and lights a cigarette,
All the while reaching for his mask again.
And there in the back of his mind,
A tiny question will rise,
"Will it end?"
Curse these endless nights
Of wasting my time cleaning up slime,
Knowing it will be back by sunrise,
I am tired of hiding in gutters
And always hearing people sputter
These half-assed lies and alibis.
And here we see the exact moment
When he became so disenfranchised.
Saw the moment when his whole life came
Crumbling down before his eyes.
And there in the back of his mind,
He wonders if he should have even tried.
"Every moment spent thinking is a moment
Spent not acting," He decides.
5) Air Meets Water
Forgotten. Oops!
6) King of Carrot Flowers, Part 1(Neutral Milk Hotel cover)
7) The Music of Erich Zann
(Instrumental)
8) Beware the Shadow People
Forgotten. Oops!
9) Spiders
Snakes and mice are natural enemies,
That's just fine, that's how it's supposed to be.
And all the dolphins in their big glass tanks
Will put on a pretty show for a couple of scraps.
Lions and tigers must be locked in a cage,
Sometimes we teach bears to ride bikes in a parade.
What does that say?
Yet the spiders will have their revenge
On all of those housewives shoving brooms through their webs.
An elephant never forgets
The face of the hunter who shoots down her children.
And all those ants that you step on,
Someday they're gonna step on you.
And all those pretty dogs we keep
Might bite our veins in two.
Watch yourself girl-
It's a savage place out there.
Why should we expect not to find
Evil bones inside?
10) Lies
This is me washing the grime
Off this soul of mine and
I know that it's only a matter of time
Before it's dirty again, but
If I could be honest with myself just this once,
I have no idea the things I'd say.
The mind is such a fragile construct
In so many ways.
We layer ourselves in all these meanings
That we know can't be.
Donning lies like nooses tied
To drag us to hell.
We'll smile all the way and say "Oh well..."
We can't escape, no we can't escape,
No we can't escape ourselves.
We try and try and try to hide,
But we always find ourselves.
At the source of my frustration,
Misery reigns in extrapolations.
I'm not seeking explanations,
Just some much needed change.
Lately I've felt much too manic,
I scream but you can't hear my panic.
So I bury it deep inside
To braid it in with all the other lies
I've fashioned for myself to live by,
Only one tiny voice asks, "Why?"
It started out as this tiny idle daydream,
Merely a kind of childish fantasy
of walking away from this modern machinery
before we both split apart at the seams.
And we would dance among the world's oldest trees
Making friends out of potential enemies
And I know it sounds like I'm running away
But the truth is that I finally
Feel like I'm heading home for the first time
And if you have to say that it is wrong,
I've got no more time left for you,
Now leave me be, I've got so much to do
So we hide our smiles and we patiently wait,
Planning for the day of our great escape.
And the liberation we so desperately seek
Will sink into our souls' energies.
Whispering to us all these truths we wouldn't know
If we hadn't decided to just go and
Find our peace a million miles from anywhere,
And it could be yours too if you dare
To leave behind all of your distractions.
Modify every single action.
And perhaps it's not for everyone.
But you and I both know that we're done.
So we hide our smiles and we patiently wait,
Planning for the day of our great escape.
2) Floodgates
What do you sing
When someone's captured
Everything you're feeling,
You're feeling the rain,
You're feeling it soak
Into your shoes,
Squishing and completing
This mood that
You found outside,
Soaked to the bone
So you took it inside.
And you thought it would be quite nice,
If only, if only it would dry.
And there it will sit,
Dripping out, bleeding out
Its feelings in liquid form,
Spilling from counters to floors
And soon you see,
It's ankle deep
And all consuming.
Unassuming, yet still
Controlling.
And you thought that would be alright,
If only it didn't make you sigh.
But somehow it feels wrong.
It's not where you belong.
And when it reaches your waist,
You'll know that there's no escape.
I dropped by your house today,
Knowing that I had to say
That sunshine's as good as rain,
Smiles are better without pain.
But you can't hear me,
Up to your ears in misery
That you chose
But didn't know
It could be this
Wet or cold.
And you know that you'd say I'm right,
If only you had the strength to fight.
Then it covers your face,
Mouth full of bitter taste.
Regret, resentment and disgrace
Have made you their resting place.
And with that first icy breath,
You think of you, there's nothing left.
3) See You Next Thursday
Well doc, I don't know what to talk about this week.
So I guess we can discuss last Sunday.
Another holiday, warped and twisted.
A mockery set into motion by our apathy.
Well I mean, we all seemed happy enough.
Lord knows laughter rang through that house.
But I've got this sneaking suspicion
Most of it came from the television.
Lately I have felt like I'm trapped in a box
That has no boundaries but I still can't get out.
I wanted to scream but instead I just walked away
And I didn't say anything at all.
And maybe that's my downfall.
Oh, the road was one big slick oil rainbow,
I jumped puddles on my way home to
Watch the news and have a glass of beer.
And I know you're not supposed to drink
With those pills that you prescribed me.
That's why I quit taking them, I've got
My own substitutes for happiness.
But lately I don't know what's going on,
So detached yet so right there
That I wanna explode, I'm gonna explode soon
If I....
What's that doc?
My time's up, you say?
Oh, no, no, that's okay.
I'll see you next Thursday.
4) Epiphany Part II
The sun sets a slow blood red,
Creeping over his weary head.
He opens his eyes to find
The night lurking in tops of trees
And broken buildings.
Rolls over and lights a cigarette,
All the while reaching for his mask again.
And there in the back of his mind,
A tiny question will rise,
"Will it end?"
Curse these endless nights
Of wasting my time cleaning up slime,
Knowing it will be back by sunrise,
I am tired of hiding in gutters
And always hearing people sputter
These half-assed lies and alibis.
And here we see the exact moment
When he became so disenfranchised.
Saw the moment when his whole life came
Crumbling down before his eyes.
And there in the back of his mind,
He wonders if he should have even tried.
"Every moment spent thinking is a moment
Spent not acting," He decides.
5) Air Meets Water
Forgotten. Oops!
6) King of Carrot Flowers, Part 1(Neutral Milk Hotel cover)
7) The Music of Erich Zann
(Instrumental)
8) Beware the Shadow People
Forgotten. Oops!
9) Spiders
Snakes and mice are natural enemies,
That's just fine, that's how it's supposed to be.
And all the dolphins in their big glass tanks
Will put on a pretty show for a couple of scraps.
Lions and tigers must be locked in a cage,
Sometimes we teach bears to ride bikes in a parade.
What does that say?
Yet the spiders will have their revenge
On all of those housewives shoving brooms through their webs.
An elephant never forgets
The face of the hunter who shoots down her children.
And all those ants that you step on,
Someday they're gonna step on you.
And all those pretty dogs we keep
Might bite our veins in two.
Watch yourself girl-
It's a savage place out there.
Why should we expect not to find
Evil bones inside?
10) Lies
This is me washing the grime
Off this soul of mine and
I know that it's only a matter of time
Before it's dirty again, but
If I could be honest with myself just this once,
I have no idea the things I'd say.
The mind is such a fragile construct
In so many ways.
We layer ourselves in all these meanings
That we know can't be.
Donning lies like nooses tied
To drag us to hell.
We'll smile all the way and say "Oh well..."
We can't escape, no we can't escape,
No we can't escape ourselves.
We try and try and try to hide,
But we always find ourselves.
At the source of my frustration,
Misery reigns in extrapolations.
I'm not seeking explanations,
Just some much needed change.
Lately I've felt much too manic,
I scream but you can't hear my panic.
So I bury it deep inside
To braid it in with all the other lies
I've fashioned for myself to live by,
Only one tiny voice asks, "Why?"
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