Again, I haven't written in a while. I've been somewhat preoccupied with non-music things for a while. Well... I've written and recorded a handful of songs between the last post and this one but not as much as I wanted to. I've mostly been working (job-wise) and reading a lot lately. Not just computer books, but economy-type books and some political stuff. The wife and I have also been working on things we should have been working on for a while. The nitty gritty of finances, housing - a plethora of things.
Changing subjects rapidly - I did manage to get the new R.E.M. album "Accelerate". I read some good reviews about it on iTunes and Amazon and bit the bullet. If you don't know this - I've been a huge R.E.M. fan since I could remember. 15 years ago I used to know how to play almost every R.E.M. song on guitar and that's where I think the kinship and bond between young Todd (of Third Frequency fame) and I came to be. Todd and I used to perform those songs with vigor - mostly in his room or basement - at his parent's house. Now... I've been let down by the past 10 years of R.E.M. releases - mostly since the departure of my then-favorite member, drummer Bill Berry. (I did really like the "Up" album though). But this latest release... wow. It's kinda sparked a fire in me again - not just about the band - but about myself, musically. Seeing the guys play at the Garden this June. Should be fun.
With regard to my one-man band, Self Parody - I've been thinking and deciding on the number of songs from "Thank You Captain Obvious". Originally, I was thinking a 19-song album. But now I'm thinking that might be a bit too much. It's an interesting dynamic as well because as I'm working on newer songs and newer mixes some of the older songs recorded don't seem to fit the general theme of the album anymore. I originally had this concept of the album being a bunch of light and moderate piano-driven songs. But as time moves on the songs are getting more uptempo and more guitar-driven. Doesn't help that I'm using quasi-real drums as well. So I've been pondering cutting a bunch of songs and releasing a 15-song album or maybe even a 12-song album. We'll see. The latest work is called "You Can't Save New Jersey" - which I'm liking a lot. It's pretty neat (and I'm usually modest about my songs - but I like this one). Despite the title it's actually a "nice" song with two separate themes. One theme is about friendship and kinship in the face of where you currently are. The other theme - which comes out a lot more directly in the song - is about acceptance of loss as a natural progression in life. Musically, it may be the only song that doesn't have any piano recorded - which suits the song fine.
Not much more to say. I hope to write more in the future - especially as I start to tweak and record more lately. I wanted to have this "Captain Obvious" thing completed by now, already. But these things take time.
Oh yeah, one more thing... Charlton Heston is dead.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
It's been a while
I almost forgot I had this blog. I came across it again when I logged on to leave a comment on travelingkaren.com. (I miss Karen).
Let's see... what's going on. Don't want to get too personal so I'll say what's going on with my musical exploits. I've been recording a lot lately. I still have six more songs to write and record for my "Thank You Captain Obvious" album. It's going to be 19-song album. Yes, 19 songs. I've started using FXPansion's BFD2 for the raw drum sounds. But the majority of the songs I'm using EZDrummer. The biggest challenge I'm facing now is not so much mixing each song to an over-adequate mix, but mainly linking each song together. Listening to song after song I can really hear the disconnect from track 5 to 6, from track 8 to 9, etc. I guess I'll just have to focus a lot of my time and energy on the "cohesive mix" AFTER everything is recorded.
On another side note I'm planning two music videos. One for "Cox Is On My Mind" and another for the newly written punk-esque "The Wonderful Art of Phone Tag". Both songs from "Captain Obvious" album. Both songs really quirky. I really haven't given music use to that Final Cut software I have and I really need to have the thing pay for itself.
It's been a rough January - in terms of personal events. And it's strange... all of a sudden I'm getting all of this inspiration.
Wait... is anyone even reading this?
Let's see... what's going on. Don't want to get too personal so I'll say what's going on with my musical exploits. I've been recording a lot lately. I still have six more songs to write and record for my "Thank You Captain Obvious" album. It's going to be 19-song album. Yes, 19 songs. I've started using FXPansion's BFD2 for the raw drum sounds. But the majority of the songs I'm using EZDrummer. The biggest challenge I'm facing now is not so much mixing each song to an over-adequate mix, but mainly linking each song together. Listening to song after song I can really hear the disconnect from track 5 to 6, from track 8 to 9, etc. I guess I'll just have to focus a lot of my time and energy on the "cohesive mix" AFTER everything is recorded.
On another side note I'm planning two music videos. One for "Cox Is On My Mind" and another for the newly written punk-esque "The Wonderful Art of Phone Tag". Both songs from "Captain Obvious" album. Both songs really quirky. I really haven't given music use to that Final Cut software I have and I really need to have the thing pay for itself.
It's been a rough January - in terms of personal events. And it's strange... all of a sudden I'm getting all of this inspiration.
Wait... is anyone even reading this?
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