Recorded -
Basic Track - July 24-26 and August 5, 2013
Additional Percussion - August 6, 2013
Balalaikas - November 16, 2013
Vocals - November 26 and December 4, 2013
Stylophone - December 4, 2013
Backstory -
"The Evergrowing Flame" represents a shift away from songs that are strictly personal, to songs that deal with topical issues. While the song was originally intended to be a song about general discontent, I soon found a strong source of inspiration when I learned of the tragic backstory of Iranian-born rock band The Yellow Dogs.
This was a group that, before they came to America, had no choice but to play their music in secrecy as their home country forbade their style of music to be played. Unfortunately, on November 11, 2013, two of the four band members were shot dead while in New York City. While the song "Yellow Doggies" by Connecticut rock band Grawlix, deals primarily with the band's later days in America and their tragic demise, "The Evergrowing Flame" acts as a prequel, dealing with their persistent passion for rock and roll. They vowed to keep this "Flame" burning and the spirit of rock alive, never-mind the opposition. A truly brave band, and a song of mine I'm quite proud of.
Lyrics -
The Evergrowing Flame, it rises from the reign, of years of suffering and oppression.
Right now we hide away, but hopefully one day, we'll show the world what we are made of.
One hundred feet below the ground, we play our music loud, and no one above can hear a sound.
Just like a lonely dog, that's gone and left its pack, we fought the law and there's no looking back.
Chorus: So burn, sweet fire burn. We don't even need any gasoline.
While this flame burns upwards, before they shut us down, we'll make sure we go down in history.
(Chorus x2)
Monday, May 18, 2015
Track #8 - A Long Way From Home
Recorded -
Basic track - June 10-12, 18-20, 2013
Additional percussion - July 28, 2013
Vocals - December 5, 2014 and January 6, 30, 2015
Additional lead guitar including solo - December 17, 2014 and February 11, 2015
Trumpet - February 13 and March 3, 2015
Backstory -
The longest song I've ever recorded, and the most involved composition on the album. "A Long Way From Home" ended up becoming the title track of this album as a result. Lyrically, I wanted to capture two sides of conflict in one song. The first of these is all out rage, namely: War, extreme natural disasters, gun violence, and internet harassment, respectively. The second half of the song, deals with looking at these situations with a calmer and more rational view, and optimistically aiming to do whatever possible to solve these problems without resorting to further conflict.
One last minute addition to this song was trumpet: My first instrument I ever learned, and one that was entirely neglected on my last album. The first solo, during the "Rage" part of the song, is inspired by my days back in college Latin jazz band, where I'd absolutely wail. The second solo during the "Seven part harmony singalong outro", hearkens back to my days in high school concert band. In the end, this song was a beast to mix/master, and I'm quite proud of how it turned out.
Lyrics -
Two kings are fighting, for the glory of their God.
Bodies burning, screaming, civilians shot.
You must pick a side, there's no compromise.
If you support my enemy, I'll cut you down to size.
The woods are screaming, smoke fills the air.
This scorching hellhole has become, too much to bear.
Run for your lives, there will be no return.
Tomorrow this inferno, will be the least of your concern.
And I feel like I'm a long way from home.
Like there's no place I can call my own.
The loonies have arrived, at your nearest marketplace.
If you're not completely straight to them, they'll shoot you right in the face.
In case you're wondering why they relish, all that is sick.
Well, there's just compensating for their tiny dick.
Even when you die, you can't rest in peace.
The scumbags of the internet become, post mortem police.
They'll exaggerate and embellish, all your hidden flaws.
And rather than be scoffed at, they'll receive all the ------ applause.
And I feel like I'm a long way from home.
Like there's no place I can call my own.
And I feel it's gonna take time to set it right.
To bring back the day, to this endless night.
...Am I the only one that's sane? In this brain-dead jungle of Novocaine!!
(Long Way Home...)
STOP!
Give me some room to catch my breath.
And give me a moment to reflect.
Plant me back on solid ground.
Here I come, I'm homeward bound.
It's a long winding road, that I must roam. But I won't stop until, I reach my home...
Basic track - June 10-12, 18-20, 2013
Additional percussion - July 28, 2013
Vocals - December 5, 2014 and January 6, 30, 2015
Additional lead guitar including solo - December 17, 2014 and February 11, 2015
Trumpet - February 13 and March 3, 2015
Backstory -
The longest song I've ever recorded, and the most involved composition on the album. "A Long Way From Home" ended up becoming the title track of this album as a result. Lyrically, I wanted to capture two sides of conflict in one song. The first of these is all out rage, namely: War, extreme natural disasters, gun violence, and internet harassment, respectively. The second half of the song, deals with looking at these situations with a calmer and more rational view, and optimistically aiming to do whatever possible to solve these problems without resorting to further conflict.
One last minute addition to this song was trumpet: My first instrument I ever learned, and one that was entirely neglected on my last album. The first solo, during the "Rage" part of the song, is inspired by my days back in college Latin jazz band, where I'd absolutely wail. The second solo during the "Seven part harmony singalong outro", hearkens back to my days in high school concert band. In the end, this song was a beast to mix/master, and I'm quite proud of how it turned out.
Lyrics -
Two kings are fighting, for the glory of their God.
Bodies burning, screaming, civilians shot.
You must pick a side, there's no compromise.
If you support my enemy, I'll cut you down to size.
The woods are screaming, smoke fills the air.
This scorching hellhole has become, too much to bear.
Run for your lives, there will be no return.
Tomorrow this inferno, will be the least of your concern.
And I feel like I'm a long way from home.
Like there's no place I can call my own.
The loonies have arrived, at your nearest marketplace.
If you're not completely straight to them, they'll shoot you right in the face.
In case you're wondering why they relish, all that is sick.
Well, there's just compensating for their tiny dick.
Even when you die, you can't rest in peace.
The scumbags of the internet become, post mortem police.
They'll exaggerate and embellish, all your hidden flaws.
And rather than be scoffed at, they'll receive all the ------ applause.
And I feel like I'm a long way from home.
Like there's no place I can call my own.
And I feel it's gonna take time to set it right.
To bring back the day, to this endless night.
...Am I the only one that's sane? In this brain-dead jungle of Novocaine!!
(Long Way Home...)
STOP!
Give me some room to catch my breath.
And give me a moment to reflect.
Plant me back on solid ground.
Here I come, I'm homeward bound.
It's a long winding road, that I must roam. But I won't stop until, I reach my home...
Track #9 - Sleep On It
Recorded -
Guitars - July 22, 2014
Vocal - July 31, 2014
Backstory -
"Sleep On It" is intended to be the bridge from the hectic hard rock of "A Long Way From Home" to the more trippy and experiential upcoming album, Dreamland. Because much of this song's original melody and lyrics were created on the spot in an early 2014 demo. I purposely strove for a natural demo-like sound. Just three acoustic guitars, one on rhythm, one on bass melody, and one put through a filter.
Lyrically, the purpose of "Sleep On It" is that you must sometimes learn to just walk away from escalating conflicts. Even sometimes, taking the song's title lyrically is the best way to have a fresh view on an issue the next morning. Besides, sometimes heading off into "Dreamland" can awaken some of your most brilliant thoughts...
Lyrics -
So I guess this is goodbye.
I'm not gonna see you again.
You're not gonna give me one more try.
You won't even be my friend.
You tell me I'm selfish, and you tell me I'm immature.
But look who's talking, you won't even, listen to reason, or common sense.
Why don't you sleep on it, sleep on it, sleep on it, and we'll talk it over when the morning comes along.
I've gone and made myself a fool.
I've shown a darker side of me.
It's times like these I wish I lived, all by myself.
With just my own thoughts for company.
So I'll wait, until the morning.
And think about, all I've said and done.
All those people, who I've hurt.
Won't want to talk to me ever again, I know.
Let me sleep on it, sleep on it, sleep on it, let me suffer alone.
Let me sleep on it, sleep on it, sleep on it.
...Just give me one more, night.
Guitars - July 22, 2014
Vocal - July 31, 2014
Backstory -
"Sleep On It" is intended to be the bridge from the hectic hard rock of "A Long Way From Home" to the more trippy and experiential upcoming album, Dreamland. Because much of this song's original melody and lyrics were created on the spot in an early 2014 demo. I purposely strove for a natural demo-like sound. Just three acoustic guitars, one on rhythm, one on bass melody, and one put through a filter.
Lyrically, the purpose of "Sleep On It" is that you must sometimes learn to just walk away from escalating conflicts. Even sometimes, taking the song's title lyrically is the best way to have a fresh view on an issue the next morning. Besides, sometimes heading off into "Dreamland" can awaken some of your most brilliant thoughts...
Lyrics -
So I guess this is goodbye.
I'm not gonna see you again.
You're not gonna give me one more try.
You won't even be my friend.
You tell me I'm selfish, and you tell me I'm immature.
But look who's talking, you won't even, listen to reason, or common sense.
Why don't you sleep on it, sleep on it, sleep on it, and we'll talk it over when the morning comes along.
I've gone and made myself a fool.
I've shown a darker side of me.
It's times like these I wish I lived, all by myself.
With just my own thoughts for company.
So I'll wait, until the morning.
And think about, all I've said and done.
All those people, who I've hurt.
Won't want to talk to me ever again, I know.
Let me sleep on it, sleep on it, sleep on it, let me suffer alone.
Let me sleep on it, sleep on it, sleep on it.
...Just give me one more, night.
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