Song Of The Month Club - October 2017

JohnnyGoodyear

@Bluepunk said:
Now that drugs can be ordered online, the good old fashioned "street dealer" is being pushed out in the cold.
Imagined being in his/her position and what I would do. Something must be done because addicts are becoming unhealthy and flabby without their nightly walk/run to the street corner.
All created in Elastic Drums, a first for me. Lyrics in the spoiler...You'll need them.

Perfect end: Mate to gate and dogs relieved etc...

This is a slice of almost everyday suubrban sci-fi life I like a lot. Reminds me (weirdly) of what I liked so much about the original Bladerunner: All the tech and all the grottiness also.

I am a good bit in awe of how you get all the lyrics out with such speed and clarity, but in content you are turning into a Dr. Johnson for our odd times....

JohnnyGoodyear

@zpxlng said:

@JohnnyGoodyear
This is quite lovely. Not much to say about it musically -- it sounds like you got what you were going for -- except that I particularly like that soft Rhodes-y keyboard part; it really 'fills out' the song. And anyway it's just such a nice sound. "You're not the girl that you once were, but then I'm no longer that man" is the kind of lyric that SEEMS simple and easy to write, but, oof! Man. Just perfect. A classic lyric, often quoted, in some universe. Since the second half is just the first half repeated, I could have gone for a bit more variation in terms of instrumentation or whatever, but I get the impression you probably thought of that already and made your choice.

Thanks for the listen. As regards the lyrics, I am trying hard to write (or edit down) more simply. Not easy, but I am beginning to better understand the difference between poetry and song-writing (and I thank the SOTMC for a lot of that ) Just so you know, the Rhodes sound came from the incomparable Neo Soul.

JohnnyGoodyear

@zpxlng said:
OK so I released an album at the end of September which I posted here to a very, uh, peaceful response! "You overwhelm us, Patrick," said the silence. "Please, one slice of genius at a time. We are but mortal."

I understand, friends. But which track to choose? In the end I've chosen 'I AM A CAMEL', mostly because it's the one I think people here would appreciate best, not least because it's a finished song (or 'song') made mostly with Yellofier, and I know y'all chow down on that granola. It's the oddest, proggiest song of an eclectic bunch; I hope it brings you some kind of pleasure, even if it's the simple pleasure of recognising which apps and sounds I used. (Sans mastering, the whole project was done on my ipad pro.)

Bandcamp and soundcloud -- I'm at wherever you're at!

https://patrickalexander.bandcamp.com/track/i-am-a-camel

First off, and I mean this with vast helping of adulation; you're obviously a glorious nutter. It must be said camels have long been my favorite animal. You do know of course that Monty Python would have included a cover of this on one of their earlier albums if'n you'd written it sooner...none of us have a right to suggest any changes to this really s regards content, BUT I think there's still room for even better/deeper/more powerful production. Maybe a Sly 'n' Robbie boom feel somewhere in there.

Please make the video. Please stay out of medical facilities. Well done.

JohnnyGoodyear

@richardyot said:

@JohnnyGoodyear said:
I turned around for ten minutes this month and you chaps went nuts. Good to see And yes much reviewing to catch up on....here's my slight yet heartfelt contribution.

Not Who We Were (song for Lou Reed)

It's not a song for Lou Reed in as far as it being in memory of him, more a song for him to do the vocal on.

When you call his name at night
and tell me it's in dreams
I still smile, say is that so
to me that's not how it seems

how did we come to this sad place
far from where we began
you're not the girl that you once were
but then I'm no longer that man

Very Good. Probably an A rather than a B+ I think. I can definitely imagine this one as a coda to Berlin, being sung by Mr Reed, especially as the subject matter fits the theme of the album so perfectly (the divided city as a metaphor for the divided couple). The first line especially has that Lou Reed feeling, but the song is very much you.

I quite like the loose double-tracking, as if sung by a drunken singer, again it just conjures the right feeling of it's-all-fucked-up-so-I-don't-care. Great vocal melody, you're getting much better at those, and it's a great song. In my producer hat I might have added some sad cello in the second half, but then again it might have ruined the whole thing.

Thanks Mister. I like the idea of cello. Will give it a try. Maybe remove the ill-conceived drums. Oddly (or prettily) I wrote the words while in Berlin a little while back and first imagined it being sung mournfully by Joel Grey etc which then led me to the idea of Lou (New York Telephone Conversation was in my head I think)... everything's such a soup

JohnnyGoodyear

@Joel75 said:
@JohnnyGoodyear, I read a ton of your posts, but this is your first piece I've listened to. It actually inspires me to be more minimalist in my production approach, as I know I'm guilty of throwing too much in, and "Not Who We Were" really doesn't need anything more. It's the perfect treatment for the song. Nice EP sound, the chord progression is one that a listener's ear can easily latch on to, and the vocal melody was really nice. I particularly liked the flatted 7th on "you ONCE were"; I had to go back and listen to it a couple of times to figure out what you were doing there. Some might find the loose double tracking distracting, but I thought it really fit the mood perfectly. I need to go back and listen to more of your work here...

Thank you Mister Joel. The EP as mentioned elsewhere is from Neo Soul. I tinker with it and can hardly bear to add anything else sometimes. Jumping horses to your own submission this month, it seems a little trite to say that now, but perhaps your thing is a bit full. BUT I can also see/imagine when working with the bones of another that the desire to flesh fully is very strong. Would be interested in hearing your 'unplugged' version, or stripped etc. Interesting choice with the vocal sound early on. It lasted long enough that I was thinking it WAS the sound. Certainly have a talented collaborator and I envy you that. Good pipes. Without being mean to the woman would like to hear something where she's full-on and miserable, but then that might just be my own kink I guess. Look forward to hearing your next piece.

JohnnyGoodyear

@aaronpc said:
@JohnnyGoodyear Lovely as always. I really need to invest in a better mic, and maybe I can go more minimal without having to slather with effect gravy so much.

Very nice succinct song. Simple but pointed. As far as recommendations, I don't mind that you repeat the lines for each stanza at all, but I'd like you to alter the word rhythm of each. The last two lines— keep them the same both times for emphasis, but in the earlier subordinate lines I notice you speed through word groups, eg. "that's-not -how", "did-we-come", "where-we-be". That's fine, but I think you could group the words differently between the two readings, and maybe alter the harmony a tiny bit, too. Make sense?

Lastly, I can barely hear the drumming that comes in for the second half, and I'm not entirely sure what I think of it. The little taps don't add much for me, so I'm not sure I would want them turned up. I think I want to hear a long low drum on the ones, personally, or maybe you don't need it at all.

And thanks for the kind words on my entry. You give me too much credit— the "pine" reference is simply to juxtapose against the redwood and their shared mutual fate, but it does fit. You are the master of prose, whereas I'm more of a limerick man, but I'll pretend that was my intent from here on.

Excellent feedback thank you. When we are carrying an injury it's a blessing to be killed off and the drums here were a poor choice. It's a perfect example of where I would (or, fuck me, the material would) benefit from the input/artistry/hands of another.

JohnnyGoodyear

@AndyPlankton said:
@JohnnyGoodyear Enjoyed this, and could imagine Mr Reed singing it, although I think you should keep it for your good self..As has come up in other threads this month I am not one for the sentiment in a lyric, but this one clicked with me..
What is that dull organ sound ?

Thanks Andy. This was a Neo (I think a slight twist on 'A Perfect Suitcase 4').

JohnnyGoodyear

@richardyot said:
My entry for the month. The song is about the dark side of fame. Fame is glamourised and celebrated, but it's pretty common for famous people to be surrounded with people who would just use them for money and influence. At that point it becomes very difficult to have normal human relationships with others, because of the creeping paranoia that they might want something from you, not a genuine friendship. As a result I think some stars end up with poisonous entourages, and live a very lonely life, trapped by their celebrity and wealth. The original draft was based on Whitney Houston, but the final is about Elvis - I liked the image of dying on the throne and it applied much better to him, because he did actually die on the toilet, and he was also The King, so it was perfect. The fire of the title is fame itself.

Tantalising fire, you burn so hot and red
He looked into your embers, but all he saw was charred and dead
He wanted to control you, but you would feed on him instead
Where the fire will cast a shadow, only darkness lies ahead.

He took it all on faith
Stepped out to fall from grace
And lost everything that he believed in

He took it all on faith
Stepped out to meet his fate
And lost everyone that he believed in

With a retinue of courtiers, it's easy to forget
That people got to know him, just to see what they could get
But no-one ever told him that he would die sick and alone
A King in a gilded bathroom, sitting on the throne

He took it all on faith
Stepped out to fall from grace
And lost everything that he believed in

He took it all on faith
Stepped out to meet his fate
And lost everyone that he believed in

Good song. The deleterious effects of dating Mister Fame are a part of the pop canon I guess at this point. Although I suppose poems about deals with the Devil go back a long way too...I like where the vox is pitched in this one and I like the quality of the vocal mix too. If I have a a suggestion should you decide to revisit this again at some point in the future it would be: While I can see or understand some folks finding the verse and chorus to be similar, I would be interested to see how they'd work if you picked either one or the other and changed the very end of the lines. Currently it seems that ALL the lines end up going down in melody and this adds to the feeling of similarity. Might also double track the chorus or even better get that perfect girl to sing back-up. Emmylou would go well here...

As an aside, I liked the nice long 'out', but could have listened to the chorus again somewhere in there.

richardyot

@Joel75 said:
I really like starting the verses on the iii chord, and the unexpected ii chord on "grace" and "fate" was really cool.

I'm pretty impressed by your ear for harmony, I would never be able to pick out chords in a tune like that without a lot of effort. The chord progression was written to fit the melody - I try and come up with melodies in my head and then sit down with the guitar afterwards and just strum around finding chords that fit. I do this in the hope of creating better melodies, but you've just made me appreciate the fact that is also helps to create more interesting progressions as well. The verse harmony starts on the iii chord simply because that's the note I actually sing in the melody (in this case F#).

The chord progression in the chorus goes like this:

V - vi
V - ii
V - IV - I

I threw the ii in there just for variety (well spotted!), the thing I like about it is that the listener has to wait a long time for the cadence, and also the most downbeat part of the vocal melody is sung over the major chords resolving to I, so the harmony is "happy" but the melody is sad.

As for the looseness of the timing, that is still something I struggle with and need to practice more. You should have heard me 2-3 years ago though, it was literally all over the place.

Also thanks to @Shaken&;Stirred and @rickwaugh for the thoughtful feedback - all good points to think about. And an aside to rickwaugh: when I strum on the guitar I often write stuff in 5/4 for some reason, just can't help adding an extra beat on the bar, but I confess to being lazy and trimming it back to 4/4 to make life easier, because dealing with odd time signatures in the DAW can be a pain in the neck

richardyot

@JohnnyGoodyear said:
While I can see or understand some folks finding the verse and chorus to be similar, I would be interested to see how they'd work if you picked either one or the other and changed the very end of the lines. Currently it seems that ALL the lines end up going down in melody and this adds to the feeling of similarity.

It's a tricky one this, and I do appreciate the the feedback on the similarity of the 3rd line of the verse and chorus melodies (they are similar except that the chorus slides up a note on the "all" of "he took it all on faith"). The problem is that the melody has to resolve to the tonic, which is why it's very difficult to change the ending of the lines - the last note has to be the tonic, but maybe the notes leading down to it could change.

Bluepunk

@JohnnyGoodyear said:

@Bluepunk said:
Now that drugs can be ordered online, the good old fashioned "street dealer" is being pushed out in the cold.
Imagined being in his/her position and what I would do. Something must be done because addicts are becoming unhealthy and flabby without their nightly walk/run to the street corner.
All created in Elastic Drums, a first for me. Lyrics in the spoiler...You'll need them.

Perfect end: Mate to gate and dogs relieved etc...

This is a slice of almost everyday suubrban sci-fi life I like a lot. Reminds me (weirdly) of what I liked so much about the original Bladerunner: All the tech and all the grottiness also.

I am a good bit in awe of how you get all the lyrics out with such speed and clarity, but in content you are turning into a Dr. Johnson for our odd times....

Thank you and yes, when writing this I thought of streets (that only those without fear dare hover) in that town in 'Total Recall.' This guy I'd love to ride with. No, NOT the human! Cheers.

JeffChasteen

@JohnnyGoodyear said:

@JeffChasteen said:
I was shooting for something a little strange and plaintive.
Dulcimer and electricguitar into iRig, bs-16i, ruismaker, Troublemaker, iMini, Bebot, Tonestack.

Thanks for listening.

We are driving, having murdered, or about to be, optimistic, full of guilt, and this is our soundtrack as the wheels begin to fall off in every way, perhaps even in slow motion. Maybe with a voiceover added later, ideally by a young child or even a dog. I really liked it. Really want to see the film, or make it.

Mr G, thank you for listening, and for your kind words. Glad that you enjoyed it. You have my blessings if you want to make that film.

[Deleted User]

@richardyot said:
@MonzoPro Enjoying your recent output, it's a much more relaxing listen these days and easier to follow thanks to the semblance of structure that the tracks have. This one a is almost Orb-like, with the bleepy synth and the abstract textures behind it - a nice blend for the ears. I think this approach works, because you still have plenty of room for the crazy sounds, but the synth anchors the track and gives the listener something less abstract to follow while enjoying the constantly evolving noise behind it.

Thanks Richard, and I'm more than happy with the Orb reference!

It was nice working on the iPad again, and I think keeping things simple kept me from slipping into the usual madness. I put a track up after that one which is even more 'normal'. I have a couple of other Soundcloud projects on the go, and one of those is now getting my really weird output now so I guess the Horse Gas stuff is looking mellower as a result.

@JohnnyGoodyear said:

@MonzoPro said:
I'll have a listen to the others in a bit...meanwhile here's a new thing I did last night. 100% iPad - two live AUM jams mixed together. Apps used: AUM, Ripplemaker, Samplr, Axon 2, and probably a bit of Turnado...

Really like the rubbery bass/stringed thing sound. I often try to find that and rarely do. Just enough tension, just enough bounce. Parts in the middle remind me or suggest in some way a thoroughly modern Floyd fiddle. Can imagine a piano (slow) over (or under) it all. Also appreciate the suggestion of samples/voices/disembodied somethings in the background....overall a nicely controlled mad groove.

Cheers boss. The rubbery bass was actually a tweaked Ripplemaker patch - I normally use Troublemaker for that but I wanted less of an 'acid house' sound and Ripplemaker did the job. It was quite a simple jam really, no DAW's involved, just a few apps running live and copious quantities of wine shaped booze.

I'm aware I haven't written any feedback on others tracks yet, I'll try and rectify that over the weekend look.

crouchie

@aaronpc said:
Here's my latest bit of weirdness. It's still a bit of a work in progress, as I will be adding a bit to the middle, extending the break, but everything you hear is final enough. In addition to musical critique, I'd be curious to know how well the lyric's meaning comes through. I can sometimes (usually) be a little opaque.

Redwood and pine
All fall in line
In time
In time
All fall in line

Despite all the things that you've done
Please know I love you

And all the seeds that you've sown
Do know I love them, too

All those things that you own
Just know I own you

The young and the grown
Please know I love you

In time
In time
All fall in line
In time
In time
You'll fall in line

If you've lost or you've won
Please know I love you

You can burn bright as the sun
I will still love you, soon

Whomever may cheer that you're gone
Just know I love you

When your race has been run
I'll be there to embrace you

Despite all the things that you've done
Please know I love you

And all the seeds that you've sown
Do know I love them, too

All those things that you own
Just know I own you

The young and the grown
Please know I love you

I love you

I think this song is really strong (although as u mention, something happened with the production/compression). I like lyrics to be reasonably opaque so that people can attach their own meanings. I’m looking forward to later iterations of this, really good IMO!

crouchie

@JeffChasteen said:
I was shooting for something a little strange and plaintive.
Dulcimer and electricguitar into iRig, bs-16i, ruismaker, Troublemaker, iMini, Bebot, Tonestack.

Thanks for listening.

I like this tune a lot. Love how the little loops and melodies blend, coming in and out. I find the accordion sound a bit overpowering and would prefer it to be a bit further back in the mix (are there a couple of timing issues there?). Overall I think you have caught the vibe you were after. Great stuff

crouchie

@marliess said:
@aaronpc thanks for sharing. Initial vocals were a little far back in mix for me, struggled to understand…much clearer from the ‘despite all the thing that you’ve done…’ lyric. Some really nice sounds in there, I liked the upbeat psychedelic bits the best. Thematically I thought it was about unconditional love and sticking by / accepting a person if they make mistakes along the way or even if things are going great.

@studs1966 and @JeffChasteen, will have a listen once the soundcloud links are working again.

Folks, here’s my first SOTM tune for a couple of months. This one’s my ode to Marty McFly and 1955. I was watching Back to the Future with my kids and they asked me what I’d play if I had to play one of my tunes at the ‘Enchantment Under the Sea’ dance scene. Lyrically and stylistically I tried to hit a 50's vibe. The video was done in 2 takes into iMovie and (hopefully) has an early days of TV look to it.

There is absolutely nothing I don’t love about this (unforgivable double negative there, but in a good cause). Top feelgood stuff, fluffy dog, and hubba-bubba in the chorus. Magic!

crouchie

@theconnactic said:
My entry for this month:

Wonderful as always. Like the keys, great instrumentation. Cheers!

crouchie

@Shaken&;Stirred said:
This month's track is "Murder". Lyrics are loosely based on past personal experience, but I assure you, no felonies were committed, or even attempted, related to these events!

Meet the Band:

• Built in ModStep/AUM
• Finished in Auria Pro
• Guitars recorded using Tonestack
• Toy Piano from Beathawk toy instruments pack
• Bass guitarish thing from Beathawk
• Synth Bass from Zeeon
• Bass Drone assembled from Zeeon, SyndtSphere thru FAC Chorus
• Slight PSP Microwarmer on mix buss
• Fabfilter Plugs: Saturn, Timeless2, Pro-Q2, Pro-L
• Drums from Seekbeats, Ruismaker and Drum Seession
• Organ sounds from Redshrike

And! if you have a spare 5 minutes... here is an alternate version with slower verses and Chorus 1 and 2. From the break on, the two versions are pretty much the same. If you're able to listen to both, I'd be curious which version you prefer.

Murder
VERSE
You brought me back a t-shirt
You brought me back disease
It felt like drinking gasoline
And brought me to my knees
You brought me back a thousand years
Old sand from a mummy's tomb
You brought me back a thousand tears
The end is coming soon

CHORUS
Red rum is murder spelled backwards
Red rum is murder spelled backwards
Red rum is murder spelled backwards
My cup runneth over for you

VERSE
Forbidden fruit on you lips
Drinking poison tea
You put me on a raft
And sent me out to sea
Undertow and overflow
Whitecaps turning black
Silver birds set adrift
They ain't never coming back

[REPEAT CHORUS]

BREAK

[REPEAT CHORUS]
[REPEAT CHORUS]

I think the first one for me. Although the second gives the vocal more space which is good, it just drags a little and no. 1 has a bit more impetus - but what do I know. Good tune and clever lyric. Really nicely done

crouchie

@Bartlinux said:
here is my new one, i hope you enjoy

Yes, like this. Soundcloud really mangles some of the finer points of your mix, but it’s a really enjoyable tune, love the growling bass sound particularly. Maybe a little more oomph at the end, but no complaints really. Good tune

crouchie

@trackedout said:

Like this a lot. Mix sounds really good which is no mean feat on Soundcloud. Great intensity and true to your style. Great stuff

crouchie

@MonzoPro said:
I'll have a listen to the others in a bit...meanwhile here's a new thing I did last night. 100% iPad - two live AUM jams mixed together. Apps used: AUM, Ripplemaker, Samplr, Axon 2, and probably a bit of Turnado...

Nice electronic jam-feel to this. Still struggling with axon 2 and so nice to hear you using it. Atmospheric samples particularly at the end. Really liked it.

crouchie

@Bluepunk said:
Now that drugs can be ordered online, the good old fashioned "street dealer" is being pushed out in the cold.
Imagined being in his/her position and what I would do. Something must be done because addicts are becoming unhealthy and flabby without their nightly walk/run to the street corner.
All created in Elastic Drums, a first for me. Lyrics in the spoiler...You'll need them.

Intro

Scorers don't run to corners, no need to anymore
They order their chemical fauna from a tired, saggy, fawn sofa watching meth-factor
Pick up a phone and dial insta-coka-pheta-metha-spica-grama
But i'm old school, no fool and my lair is fresh air and a fucked up tech'd up street dealer

Chorus
Bought a drug dealing droid from Amazoid
self assembly free P&P
Cheap metal meat to sell dope on the street
No return, no instructions, no guarantee
Took a week in the shed to program his head
That an ounce is 26 NOT 28 grams
Hips and lips missing but he won't be screwing or kissing
For collections: Welded on another hand
Named him D.A.V.E.D. Drug, Alcohol, Violence, Expletive Droid.

An odd cool spool of kinked wires
Scum come running to buy our wares
To witness D.A.V.E.D'S pylon python
Of a prop shaft...Metal Dicky
Together unstoppable, impossible I suppose
and making addicts aerobically healthy again
Is snow up the nose again
He stopped coming home
Over did it with his personality circuitry
Dancing to Adele songs urgently
Impressing the ladies
"What time do you call this?
Have you eaten and what?
Why is the silo of speed empty?
and every coinage slot"

D.A.V.E.D's explanation.

Chorus.

From changing his Cortina Mark three sump nappies until he was five
To counselling off mug drugs, by smashing his hard drive
This upped STEELOSTERONE
Bumping into P.A.M. (Prostitutes are Mercury)
Caused a return valve malfunction
That was a hyFrolic Fluid Fest

Chorus / DEATH / REBORN

Like it. Definitely recognise that initial ED beat u used. Fantastic lyrical contribution as always. I really like the stripped back, beats-effects-voice approach.

crouchie

@Joel75 said:
My first submission, here or anywhere (unless you count playing my originals in a band a number of years ago "submissions"). I'm working with a piano/songwriting student on developing some of her compositions; I'll take her chords, melody and lyrics, add some other things here and there, and arrange them into a more fleshed-out piece in the DAW. I started this one out in Gadget, but ultimately moved everything over to Cakewalk Sonar on the desktop. Verses and chorus hers, bridge, production and arrangement mine. Hope you all enjoy...

V smooth and an impressive composition. Vocal was very nice. The early piano stabs did jar just a little, perhaps because of quantising and fixed velocity? I don’t know, it’s a very minor thing. Visuals went nicely with the tune. Great stuff

crouchie

@DefRobot said:
@Crouchie Lovely sounding production. Reminds me of Air in the whole feel. The The as produced by Air.
Very clear mix with everything in it’s own sweet spot.
I’m sure the band must’ve been very pleased with the track.

Thanks v much!

crouchie

@DefRobot said:
Recorded entirely in Auria Pro. Some bits sent from a basic sketch in Cubasis. Guitars through Saturn. Some keys from the various options in Auria.

Great hook, love the punchy production and the harmonies in the chorus are great. Really enjoyed that!

crouchie

@JohnnyGoodyear said:
I turned around for ten minutes this month and you chaps went nuts. Good to see And yes much reviewing to catch up on....here's my slight yet heartfelt contribution.

Not Who We Were (song for Lou Reed)

It's not a song for Lou Reed in as far as it being in memory of him, more a song for him to do the vocal on.

When you call his name at night
and tell me it's in dreams
I still smile, say is that so
to me that's not how it seems

how did we come to this sad place
far from where we began
you're not the girl that you once were
but then I'm no longer that man

Love it. Love the song, love the arrangement, love the visuals. :-)

Retzilience

Ok. as always, a bit late to the party.

Great month for the club, the music is awesome in october, really.

I typed a really long review and kinda lost it all with a refreshing browser, so, I retyped it all albeit in a more succinct manner.
I actually had everyone music checked, but I feel like some messages may have been lost, if you miss your piece, give me a ping and I'll gladly give my opinion on your sound. I already listened everything.

@studs1966 said:
The acapella Vocals are by Patricia Edwards from Looperman.com.
This is the same Song, but different 2 mixes.....Enjoy everyone!

I liked both equally, the first one is really chill. But the second mix is really dancy.
You always post this dancefloor bombshells, awesome.

@aaronpc said:
Here's my latest bit of weirdness. It's still a bit of a work in progress, as I will be adding a bit to the middle, extending the break, but everything you hear is final enough. In addition to musical critique, I'd be curious to know how well the lyric's meaning comes through. I can sometimes (usually) be a little opaque.

Redwood and pine
All fall in line
In time
In time
All fall in line

Despite all the things that you've done
Please know I love you

And all the seeds that you've sown
Do know I love them, too

All those things that you own
Just know I own you

The young and the grown
Please know I love you

In time
In time
All fall in line
In time
In time
You'll fall in line

If you've lost or you've won
Please know I love you

You can burn bright as the sun
I will still love you, soon

Whomever may cheer that you're gone
Just know I love you

When your race has been run
I'll be there to embrace you

Despite all the things that you've done
Please know I love you

And all the seeds that you've sown
Do know I love them, too

All those things that you own
Just know I own you

The young and the grown
Please know I love you

I love you

I loved it!
Reminds me of Flaming Lips + Boards of Canada.
Great mix btw, superb range.

@JeffChasteen said:
I was shooting for something a little strange and plaintive.
Dulcimer and electricguitar into iRig, bs-16i, ruismaker, Troublemaker, iMini, Bebot, Tonestack.

Thanks for listening.

Great synth vibres. Ambient from alpha to omega.
Really soothing and weird.

@marliess said:
@aaronpc thanks for sharing. Initial vocals were a little far back in mix for me, struggled to understand…much clearer from the ‘despite all the thing that you’ve done…’ lyric. Some really nice sounds in there, I liked the upbeat psychedelic bits the best. Thematically I thought it was about unconditional love and sticking by / accepting a person if they make mistakes along the way or even if things are going great.

@studs1966 and @JeffChasteen, will have a listen once the soundcloud links are working again.

Folks, here’s my first SOTM tune for a couple of months. This one’s my ode to Marty McFly and 1955. I was watching Back to the Future with my kids and they asked me what I’d play if I had to play one of my tunes at the ‘Enchantment Under the Sea’ dance scene. Lyrically and stylistically I tried to hit a 50's vibe. The video was done in 2 takes into iMovie and (hopefully) has an early days of TV look to it.

The music is kinda great, very well produced, but to be honest I was mesmerized by the video.
My ding-a-ling sung by a dog had me in tears.

@theconnactic said:
My entry for this month:

Wow, that bossa feel. I love your music so much.
The electric guitar had it all spiced up.

I'm a fan.> @Shaken&;Stirred said:

This month's track is "Murder". Lyrics are loosely based on past personal experience, but I assure you, no felonies were committed, or even attempted, related to these events!

Meet the Band:

• Built in ModStep/AUM
• Finished in Auria Pro
• Guitars recorded using Tonestack
• Toy Piano from Beathawk toy instruments pack
• Bass guitarish thing from Beathawk
• Synth Bass from Zeeon
• Bass Drone assembled from Zeeon, SyndtSphere thru FAC Chorus
• Slight PSP Microwarmer on mix buss
• Fabfilter Plugs: Saturn, Timeless2, Pro-Q2, Pro-L
• Drums from Seekbeats, Ruismaker and Drum Seession
• Organ sounds from Redshrike

And! if you have a spare 5 minutes... here is an alternate version with slower verses and Chorus 1 and 2. From the break on, the two versions are pretty much the same. If you're able to listen to both, I'd be curious which version you prefer.

Murder
VERSE
You brought me back a t-shirt
You brought me back disease
It felt like drinking gasoline
And brought me to my knees
You brought me back a thousand years
Old sand from a mummy's tomb
You brought me back a thousand tears
The end is coming soon

CHORUS
Red rum is murder spelled backwards
Red rum is murder spelled backwards
Red rum is murder spelled backwards
My cup runneth over for you

VERSE
Forbidden fruit on you lips
Drinking poison tea
You put me on a raft
And sent me out to sea
Undertow and overflow
Whitecaps turning black
Silver birds set adrift
They ain't never coming back

[REPEAT CHORUS]

BREAK

[REPEAT CHORUS]
[REPEAT CHORUS]

I totally preffer the second version.
I like that it breaths out. Really energetic but also a bit dreamy at times.
Awesome mix.
I love the sudden turns of the lyrics

@Bartlinux said:
here is my new one, i hope you enjoy

I loved the inventiveness of the beats and clicks. Really freeform and wild.
The mix felt a bit compressed, a bit flattened out, but most often than not thats a stylist choice.

@trackedout said:

Wow, that's a bang-out-punk-rock in 2017!
So old-school and yet so fresh. Loved the screaming highs.

Thanks for the thrill.
Awesome bass placement also.

@MonzoPro said:
I'll have a listen to the others in a bit...meanwhile here's a new thing I did last night. 100% iPad - two live AUM jams mixed together. Apps used: AUM, Ripplemaker, Samplr, Axon 2, and probably a bit of Turnado...

Really complex bit, dug the depth a lot.
As with Bartlinux, the mix felt a bit compressed, seemed to have so many colorful layers, so I kept wishing to hear them a bit crispier.

Loved the glitching voices.

TO BE CONTINUED

Retzilience

@Bluepunk said:
Now that drugs can be ordered online, the good old fashioned "street dealer" is being pushed out in the cold.
Imagined being in his/her position and what I would do. Something must be done because addicts are becoming unhealthy and flabby without their nightly walk/run to the street corner.
All created in Elastic Drums, a first for me. Lyrics in the spoiler...You'll need them.

Intro

Scorers don't run to corners, no need to anymore
They order their chemical fauna from a tired, saggy, fawn sofa watching meth-factor
Pick up a phone and dial insta-coka-pheta-metha-spica-grama
But i'm old school, no fool and my lair is fresh air and a fucked up tech'd up street dealer

Chorus
Bought a drug dealing droid from Amazoid
self assembly free P&P
Cheap metal meat to sell dope on the street
No return, no instructions, no guarantee
Took a week in the shed to program his head
That an ounce is 26 NOT 28 grams
Hips and lips missing but he won't be screwing or kissing
For collections: Welded on another hand
Named him D.A.V.E.D. Drug, Alcohol, Violence, Expletive Droid.

An odd cool spool of kinked wires
Scum come running to buy our wares
To witness D.A.V.E.D'S pylon python
Of a prop shaft...Metal Dicky
Together unstoppable, impossible I suppose
and making addicts aerobically healthy again
Is snow up the nose again
He stopped coming home
Over did it with his personality circuitry
Dancing to Adele songs urgently
Impressing the ladies
"What time do you call this?
Have you eaten and what?
Why is the silo of speed empty?
and every coinage slot"

D.A.V.E.D's explanation.

Chorus.

From changing his Cortina Mark three sump nappies until he was five
To counselling off mug drugs, by smashing his hard drive
This upped STEELOSTERONE
Bumping into P.A.M. (Prostitutes are Mercury)
Caused a return valve malfunction
That was a hyFrolic Fluid Fest

Chorus / DEATH / REBORN

I dont even know what to say,
Your stuff is so inventive.

Sounds like Blur on bath salts.
That's a good thing.

Always a tale.

Thanks for the story.

@crouchie said:

Hello all. Fancied something a bit different this month. Have some friends that have a 3-piece band playing around the Bristol area. I asked them if they had any tunes in a stem format (they usually record live). They had an old demo knocking around and so I nicked the midi and the vocal and then made something a bit different out of it. Reasonably happy with it. Needs a bit of proper mastering as it’s come out a little dulled. They seemed happy but I don’t think it’ll get much of an airing as they’re primarily guitar and keys. Still I feel I learnt a lot doing it. All in Auria Pro, the arp from the wonderful Thesys. Find it much easier to turn the vocal level up when it’s not me singing ;-)

P

Felt really heatfelt. Liked the ambiance and vocals a lot.

Also, the drums dynamics are really fun.

Loved the tune. Really groovy and sexy.

@Joel75 said:
My first submission, here or anywhere (unless you count playing my originals in a band a number of years ago "submissions"). I'm working with a piano/songwriting student on developing some of her compositions; I'll take her chords, melody and lyrics, add some other things here and there, and arrange them into a more fleshed-out piece in the DAW. I started this one out in Gadget, but ultimately moved everything over to Cakewalk Sonar on the desktop. Verses and chorus hers, bridge, production and arrangement mine. Hope you all enjoy...

Cool epic feel to it. Also, really great to hear a crisp voice here, feels different.

I liked the pop-y awsthetics. Works well. Really well done mix also.

@JohnnyGoodyear said:
I turned around for ten minutes this month and you chaps went nuts. Good to see And yes much reviewing to catch up on....here's my slight yet heartfelt contribution.

Not Who We Were (song for Lou Reed)

It's not a song for Lou Reed in as far as it being in memory of him, more a song for him to do the vocal on.

When you call his name at night
and tell me it's in dreams
I still smile, say is that so
to me that's not how it seems

how did we come to this sad place
far from where we began
you're not the girl that you once were
but then I'm no longer that man

I love your stuff, feels so true and original. I can hardly comment on it because I'm always compelled to take it as it is, and it's always a pleasure.

@DefRobot

Really liked the rocky punky stuff. Really fun, great mix.
The voice is also very pleasant to listen to. Nice work with the vocals.

Retzilience

And to mark my final check with my responsibilities with this club, here it goes my contribution.

Hope you enjoy it as I enjoyed yours.

JohnnyGoodyear

@Retzilience Sergio Leone with machinery. Interested to know what you used to make/play this with. I really like the complexity/simplicity. As a word-hound I would really like some singing in here too. It feels like a bed made for a girl (or a boy) to explain/regret the implicit sample story. Add the knife etc....but that's just me and my narrative jones. Good stuff.