tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155994382024-03-13T13:28:51.778-05:00The 365 Music ProjectHere's the plot: I'm a songwriter/musician who would like to share some of my brain dross, so I'll be posting links to one song per day that I've had a hand in creating. Many of these will be new songs created specifically for this project.
Links to free MP3s will be updated on a daily basis. My music-making accomplices are also equally talented and bent, so I will give credit where it is due...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger273125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-19420616632221452952007-08-06T23:10:00.000-05:002007-08-06T23:16:49.556-05:00The Simple Things<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/ipvo0s16jf">The Simple Things</a><br />(Morgan-Sookman)<br /><br />Well, here it is, the big bad bloated climax to the 365 Music Project and the whole Pop Machine Welterschmittundgotterdamungspeil in general. Written long ago in a rinky-dink Hollywood apartment far away, this is the one where we threw every erg of smartassedness we had into puncturing the idea of the power ballad as best we could. Lots of bombastic instrumentation, lots of over-earnest lyrics (until the obligatory-for-us "All You Need Is Love" long not-quite-fade) and lots of friends in the studio yukking it up makes this the perfect close to the show. Please turn off the lights when you leave but leave the night light on. I get lonely...<br /><br />Al: Vox<br />Sook: Percussion, Vox<br />Scott: Lead & Rhythm Electric Guitar, Vox<br />Mike: Keys<br />Dave: Drums, Bass, Lead Electric Guitar<br />Michelle Jackino: Acoustic Guitar<br /><br />...and now, the future. 365MP will be returning at the end of the summer and retaining the daily format (best I can) for round 2. I'll be reposting much of the previous year but promise at least 1 NEW song a week, plus new alternate versions, mixes, demos, pictures, and a website redesign. So there'll be plenty of new stuff around, a'aight? <br /><br />And in the meantime, please visit the new Pop Machine MySpace page at: http://www.myspace.com/popmachineband. I hope some of you out there have enjoyed the lummage; hopefully a "best of" will take me less than a year...<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />AlUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-32534873997248053602007-08-05T00:33:00.000-05:002007-08-05T00:37:36.452-05:00Long Ago and Far Away<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/7jvkln8shp">Long Ago & Far Away</a><br />(Morgan-Wall)<br /><br />Like "Can't Let You Go", a song about looking back and bittersweet loss. However, here the narrator is able to move on, so ultimately a happier song at that. I felt able to inhabit this one at a deeper level; it's more heartfelt, so I hope that comes across.<br /><br />Please ignore and/or learn to enjoy the minor Frampton steal in the verse; strictly parallel development, I assure you.<br /><br />Al: Vox, Drums<br />John: Guitar<br />Dave: Bass<br /><br />Only one more to go, folks. And then we've got the whole 365 online! Tune in tomorrow for the final track (I wonder what it could be? I'm as giddy as Lindsay Lohan at an open bar!) and an announcement on how I'll continue the 365 format through the next year...'Nuff Said!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-85232613022942622442007-08-05T00:31:00.000-05:002007-08-05T00:32:49.431-05:00Captain America<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/uoe0r47fza">Captain America</a><br />(Morgan)<br /><br />All right, I admit it, I grew up a comic-book geek as well as a pop music fetishist. Which is why this XTC-meets-Marvel combo came so naturally to me about a dozen years back. Always been one of my fave pieces, though in retrospect I lay on the fanboy minutae a bit thick in the second verse. Still, I like that it's both poppy and a bit more plainspoken than some other pieces I've done. Come on, fanboy, dance!<br /><br />Al: Vox, Keys<br />John: Guitar<br />Steve: Bass<br />Dave: Drums, GuitarUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-48002814396732343592007-08-05T00:30:00.000-05:002007-08-05T00:31:24.583-05:00Anarchy in Your Hand<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/2str6jfteu">Anarchy In Your Hand</a><br />(Lennon-McCartney-Cook-Jones-Matlock-Rotten)<br /><br />Ah, the piece de resistance (literally, the piece of resistance) in the Pop Machine canon. Or one of them, at any rate. Only the smart-assiesed of smart-asses would cram the lyrics to "I Want To Hold Your Hand" into the music for "Anarchy in the UK" waaaay back in the pre-Nirvana days, and we are those smart-assesses. <br /><br />Fun side note: years later in LA, Sook pulled this one out at a "punk-rock karaoke" night, featuring actual punk rock musicians like Mike Watt of the Minutemen, etc. Not only did Mr. Watt compliment him on the concept, but one of the alternative paper heavyweights (maybe the LA Weekly, if I remember), gave him a nod as a "rocket scientist" in their ensuing coverage...<br /><br />Al: Vox<br />Sook: Bass<br />Scott: Guitar<br />Dave: DrumsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-9212892517118741572007-07-31T21:03:00.001-05:002007-07-31T21:03:36.187-05:00Skateboard Phreak<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/zpm5zzyeb0">Skateboard Phreak</a><br />(Wall-Hewitt-Morgan-Sookman)<br /><br />Ever seen the Concord-New Horizons production of "The Skateboard Kid" featuring Dom Deluise as the voice of Rip, the talking skateboard? Well, if you haven't you should, as it has a nifty theme song by a conglomeration of none other than the guys from Pop Machine and Osmium, two of your fave bands. (Based on "Teacher in Traction", another perennial Osmium classic.)<br /><br />I gotta thank our buddy Neil for the hookup. He helped set us the road to being an actual money-making venture, a road I would love to spend more time on...<br /><br />Al: Vox<br />Sook: Backing Vox<br />Scott: Guitar, Backing Vox<br />John: Guitar, Backing Vox<br />Dave: Drums, BassUnknownnoreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-39451246979643316082007-07-31T20:53:00.002-05:002007-07-31T20:54:11.742-05:00Whirling Blades of Death<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/9jxy6l7yu6">Whirling Blades of Death</a><br />(Lawrence-Morgan-Sookman-Waterbury)<br /><br />Truth-in-advertising department: yes, this song is indeed about whirling blades of death (my fave stanza: The tungsten blades set to puree/Voila! It's time for man patee). Why? Well, I was visiting LA and booked Dr. Dave at the last minute (in fact, this is my most recent session with the good doctor, from 2006) and called the other boyz to attend if they could. Obligingly, they showed up and we put together this sucker on the spot. Based on an old sketch from our comedy troupe...<br /><br />BTW, enjoy our varispeeded voices in the bridge. I do an accent in this section...is it Irish? Is it German? Is it Mexican? Only my hairdresser knows for sure...<br /><br />Al: Vox, Backing Vox<br />Sook: Backing Vox<br />Mike: Vox, Keys, Backing Vox<br />Dave: Drums, Keys, Backing VoxUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-54848399791326353272007-07-31T20:53:00.001-05:002007-07-31T20:53:39.093-05:00Why Be Normal<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/zhth1l6dj5">Why Be Normal?</a><br />(Morgan-Wall)<br /><br />A more recent (post-2000) Osmium endeavor. Once again I get to play the role of rebel/outsider; hey, pretending is fun, right? Dr. Dave, as always, provides the studio sheen (brother of Charlie, I believe) and we have a nice little rocker.<br /><br />Al: Vox<br />John: Guitar<br />Dave: Drums, Bass, GuitarUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-53274115693425152352007-07-31T20:52:00.000-05:002007-07-31T20:53:09.257-05:00Trapped In An Elevator With A Mime<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/7vs7noib6j">Trapped In An Elevator With A Mime</a><br />(Hewitt)<br /><br />An early Pop Machine milestone: this was the first song we landed on the nationally syndicated "Dr. Demento" radio program. The good doctor kept repeating our name like some kind of a mantra..."Pop Machine...Pop Machine..." Try it, it's fun!<br /><br />In any event, this is Mr. Hewitt's baby and shows how he has a way with a song...I'm happy to ride his coattails and include it here. My contributions, beside adding my share of wackiness, is a typically noodley proto-Al keyb solo. Enjoy!<br /><br />Al: Keys, Backing Vox<br />Sook: Percussion, Backing Vox<br />Scott: Vox, GuitarsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-33437323875931737082007-07-27T18:22:00.000-05:002007-07-27T18:23:11.784-05:00Art Damage<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/fqerzfabin">Art Damage</a><br />(Morgan-Wall)<br /><br />No, this is not the name of a pro wrestler. What it is is our normal witty sociological commentary, in this case targeting pretentious hipsters (if we're not making fun of dumb people, we're making fun of smart people). Plus we're our usual tuneful selves. <br /><br />And to show you how art damaged we are, we change to a 7/4 time signature in the bridge. We like to amuse ourselves, heh heh...<br /><br />Al: Vox, Keys, Drums<br />John: Guitar<br />Dave: Bass, GuitarUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-36756088048087790282007-07-27T18:21:00.000-05:002007-07-27T18:22:45.525-05:00Now It's Time to Rock<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/2sccumvauo">Now It's Time To Rock</a><br />(Wall)<br /><br />One of Eric's fave Osmium tunes, so you know it's gotta rock. (The title should tip you off, as well.) A John Wall joint; I remember all of us having fun in the studio recording this. Whoo!<br /><br />Al: Vox, Keys<br />John: Guitar<br />Dave: Drums, Bass, Guitar, KeysUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-83422928782445939012007-07-27T18:20:00.000-05:002007-07-27T18:21:33.845-05:00Square One<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/6mg01nyq36">Square One</a><br />(Hewitt-Morgan-Sookman)<br /><br />Pop Machine strikes again! We channel our mass dissatisfaction into one guitar-coated nugget for the ages. (This one'll be a featured track from our "2000s" album, once it gets compiled.) I give full lyrical credit to Mr. Hewitt and Mr. Sookman (though I do lay claim to the opening stanza), who really deliver in this tale of post-millenial disillusionment. It rocks, and it hits ya where it counts....<br /><br />Al: Vox, Drums<br />Scott: Guitars<br />Dave: BassUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-50698493379361907412007-07-24T20:35:00.000-05:002007-07-24T20:36:07.666-05:00Edge City<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/hdqm9f6m7d">Edge City</a><br />(Morgan-Wall)<br /><br />Osmium tries to go for that OutKast "Hey Ya!" vibe, an odd hybrid, to be sure, but a fun piece of tunesmithery nonetheless. We tackle life in the exurbs (planned city Irvine, CA was in part the inspiration) with our typical sense of social commentary...we call 'em as we see 'em. <br /><br />Al: Vox<br />Sook: Backing Vox<br />John: Guitar, Backing Vox, Rap<br />Steve: Bass, Backing Vox<br />Dave: Drums, Backing VoxUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-55564499614016276152007-07-24T20:34:00.000-05:002007-07-24T20:35:31.112-05:00Middle Ground<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/0bh34b1amn">Middle Ground</a><br />(Hewitt)<br /><br />A Scott Hewitt joint, and it's a good 'un. An early Pop Machine track that actually was an example of good pop music: tuneful and thought-provoking, with lyrics tackling "balance" issues both geopolitical and personal (Side note: I must apologize for duffing one lyric, accidentally substituting "keep the scales from moving side to side" in place of "keep the scales moving from side to side". I know that reverses the meaning; let this be an official mea culpa to the world). Plus, we actually play the lion's share of instruments here, putting to rest those nagging Monkees comparisons (yes, I know at one point they played their instruments as well. You know what I mean). <br /><br />Al: Vox, Keys<br />Sook: Bass<br />Scott: Guitar<br />Dave: DrumsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-41580896049525471132007-07-22T22:01:00.002-05:002007-07-22T22:02:11.706-05:00Wash Away<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/ly75i9z1im">Wash Away</a><br />(Morgan-Wall)<br /><br />Life lessons from Osmium. I like the song and message a lot, but wish I could resing it: It was my last scheduled studio session while I living in LA and I had a cold. I pushed myself as hard as I could, but the strain shows. However, good performances from John and Dave and a fine effort overall. Maybe I'm just nitpicking..<br /><br />Al: Vox<br />John: Guitar<br />Dave: Drums, Bass, GuitarUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-66137616175210805922007-07-22T22:01:00.001-05:002007-07-22T22:01:43.126-05:00Corporate Heavy Metal<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/xi0d6qgtl0">Corporate Heavy Metal</a><br />(Hewitt-Morgan)<br /><br />This is what Pop Machine is all about. Our satiric approach works well here, and all the pieces fall into place: words, music, concept....I must give full credit to Mr. Hewitt for bringing this to the table; all the lyrics and the main riff are his. I knew I had to get in on this and threw down with the rest of the music and we all pulled the arrangement together in true group fashion. <br /><br />Al: Vox<br />Scott: Guitar<br />Dave: Drums, Bass, GuitarUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-87687665158007595562007-07-22T22:00:00.000-05:002007-07-22T22:01:08.430-05:00Falling Down On Me<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/cvtiz1uj6o">Falling Down on Me</a><br />(Hewitt-Morgan-Sookman-Wall)<br /><br />An early example of the Pop Machine and Osmium crews banding together and "going for baroque". An obviously 60's-influenced (sounds a lot like Love to me. The group, that is.) piece of dark pop, I've always liked the ways the offbeat chords fall into place on the oh-so-hummable chorus. I'll probably resing it at some point, tho, since I'm obessive about these things.<br /><br />Al: Vox, Keys<br />John: Guitar<br />Scott: Guitar<br />Dave: Drums, BassUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-62660982019870105612007-07-22T21:59:00.000-05:002007-07-22T22:00:36.763-05:00Tonight I'll Walk You Home<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/ck3t3gxnou">Tonight I'll Walk You Home</a><br />(Morgan-Wall)<br /><br />A blatant sequel to "I Wanna See You Tonight", delivered with a bit more panache and verve. I forget what my writing contributions to this one were, so I'll freely give most of the credit to John...he came through on this one, no doubt. For a change I'm actually satsified (mostly) with my vocal performance here, and I have a tendency to overanalyze. Just a nice, sweet, song. <br /><br />Al: Vox<br />John: Guitars<br />Dave: Drums, Bass, GuitarUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-57010027463702961072007-07-17T17:44:00.000-05:002007-07-17T17:48:14.399-05:00Your Mileage May Vary<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/xfe2iiixkc">Your Mileage May Vary</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/skdncqphbn">Your Mileage May Vary (Nu Wave)</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/jql75t0zsg">Your Mileage May Vary (Demo)</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/ko5tcp6ffn">Your Mileage May Vary (Nu Wave Demo)</a><br />(Morgan-Wall)<br /><br />The song so nice we recorded it twice (or four times if you count the demos). The first is a "rock" version; it sounds kinda like Axl Rose fronting the Red Hot Chili Peppers gone hoedown. We also have a "new wave" version for your enjoyment, wherein I get to do my Peter Murphy imitation while the Talking Heads, Devo and XTC battle it out in the background.<br /><br />What's the song about? Complacency, technology, psychology, the usual. I've already posted the demo versions, but here they are again for comparison purposes.<br /><br />Al: Vox, Keys, Drums<br />John: Guitars<br />Dave: Drums, Bass, Guitar, Keys<br /><br />Demos: AlUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-64759981079174582212007-07-16T20:28:00.000-05:002007-07-16T20:30:06.967-05:00G.O.P. (Grand Old Punk)<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/stcug4qs05">G.O.P. (Grand Old Punk)</a><br />(Morgan-Wall)<br /><br />As we round the corner into the final 20 posts for the year, we're back to the "one-a-day" format to bring us in. And, wonder of wonders, I've roughly mapped out the last 20 and actually have MORE files than I expected! This will help, as I've decided to continue the site going into year 2. There will, however, be a format change (to be announced) as we get closer to the end of this go 'round. More new music to come, however...<br /><br />Anyway, here's a later-vintage (around '99-2000?) Osmium-era track about us aging out of the mosh-pit demographic. This subject comes up a few times, so we must have been feeling that midlife crisis early (we were always ahead of the curve). Hopefully handled with a modicum of satire/wit...paging Dr. Demento...<br /><br />Al: Vox<br />John: Guitar<br />Dave: Drums, Bass, GuitarUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-7735707434247389292007-07-15T23:08:00.000-05:002007-07-15T23:15:26.609-05:00Quadrophilia<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/7gocp0t0fh">Electric Rain (SQ Mix)</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/33a80eggj7">Gaaaah! (SQ Mix)</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/y7ymg4ic2m">Never Want To Live On Venus (New Pop Machine Demo - SQ Mix)</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/vqfm1qlui6">Air (SQ Mix)</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/rvs4dx3lby">Push The Button In the Middle (SQ Mix)</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/55lhg13pk0">Words of Wisdom (SQ Mix)</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/mkzbvd4uxq">Signals Y (SQ Mix)</a><br /><br />Here's some more surround sound to run at ya...again, these are all compatible with your standard stereo, but will yield some pretty cool surround when played back using good 'ol Dolby Prologic, a standard on your home video receivers since the mid-90's. (It can also be played back using 70's SQ quad technology, which is the way it was encoded, actually. I won't get into a whole history here, suffice it to say there's compatibility here.)<br /><br />Most radical departure here is on the demo version of "Never Want To Live On Venus" included here. Thanks to the wonders of digital editing, Scott Hewitt's guitar has been flown into the vocal version and the whole shebang has been given a shiny new quad mix. Pop Machine lives!<br /><br />In any event, join the polishing that's happened to all the tracks. New effects heaped on, new car smell added, fun fun fun.<br /><br />Al: All stuff, except:<br /><br />Scott: guitar on 3<br /><br />http://www.box.net/shared/static/oi6fy55s0m.mp3Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-67383263967551965212007-07-11T10:59:00.000-05:002007-07-11T11:21:16.111-05:00In Which Our Heroes Return With Further Missives<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/oi6fy55s0m">Lizard On A Rock</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/v2fanjqcyt">Jumping</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/2attxikjs6">Gilligan's Rap</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/1xkq90cztg">Varnish Theme (Full Version)</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/gir8lgizfc">We Win (Full Version)</a><br /><br />More Pop Machine demos/castoffs/mind goop. Some of this stuff I'd actually listen to again and will make it on an actual "Oddest of Pop Machine" compilation I've been threatening to put together for years. (Scott, Mike and Sook are their usual patient selves and smile paternally at me when I continue to bring it up; they then merely inject more meds into my IV drip and everything is fine.) Minutes of brain seizin' fun.<br /><br />Lizard On A Rock: (Forked) tongue firmly in cheek here as I examine interpersonal relationships in a very cold-blooded way. My fave of this batch; watch out for the missing section (engineer error, I'm afraid). <br /><br />Jumping: A jam session which, through copious overdubbing, turned into an actual song. In my mind I can still smell the tape oxide shedding after the multiple 4-track bounces...Steve and Sook on dual basses, a bass juggernaut, if you will. Not quite swamped by my multiple Gary Numan keys...<br /><br />Gilligan's Rap: As if done by the Beastie Boys. High concept, as in "were you guys high or something?" Another one-take wonder; Mike provides keys, bless him. <br /><br />Varnish Theme: OK, we had this joke that our college comedy troupe would produce a splinter group consisting of solely of whistle and distorted electric guitar, wherein the action would periodically stop when it was time make funny faces. You had to be there. And know the people involved. And care.<br /><br />Oh, yeah, this is the remixed unedited version. You're welcome.<br /><br />We Win: Well, we thought so at the time. Now, in my case, I'm not so sure. Still, we soldier on, looking back with melancholy-tinged amusement at youthful exuberances. But soft! The sun breaks over yonder horizon and 'tis time for my morning pratfall. Oop, Gilligan, don't drop those coconuts!<br /><br />Al: Vox, Keys, Drums<br />Sook: Vox, Bass, Drums<br />Scott: Vox, Guitars, Drums<br /><br />+ Mike: keys on 3<br />Steve: extra bass on 2Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-64017658456728012842007-07-10T18:21:00.000-05:002007-07-11T11:09:37.803-05:00Opening Up the Pop Machine<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/1a7dyffehj">Introducing The Band</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/i7bcejoctg">Jack In The Saddle</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/l7qdq0agcq">Psurgery of Pst. Jude (1992 Version)</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/yxsb10e5ie">Living In the Ozone (1992 Version)</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/ivpjvth8fa">Pop Machine Rap</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/qp4tvy0pa1">Innit?</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/a2ep99fq9l">Interspersed</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/4nanym8s9p">I Love Your Everything</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/mh0ms1sv60">All Together Now</a><br /><br />Here we take a look at the "classic early" period of Pop Machine, circa 1991-1993, in the form of various 4-track demos/rehearsals/goofs, many of which made it out on our cassette releases of the time. For regular followers of this site, your first question would undoubtedly be "why?". The reasoning is twofold: one, it's an enlightening look at how we became the musicians we did, and b) I gotta catch up and was going to drop these anyway, so why not make a "theme" of it? And 3), some of it is fun/"funny". So here's the rub:<br /><br />Introducing the Band: Sook's brainchild here, a flagrant tribute to the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band. (You may remember them, if you're not anal record collectors like us, as being in the Beatles' "Magical Mystery Tour" movie.) We show off our mad pennywhistle and percussion skillz here.<br /><br />Jack in the Saddle: Johnny Cash meets the "Jack in the Box" restaurant chain meets Al's varispeed pitch controller. Scott provides perfect twangy accompaniment, modeled on JITB commercials of the time; it really provides the song's raison d'etre (a French breakfast cereal). Are ya hungry now?<br /><br />Psurgery of Pst. Jude/Living in the Ozone (1992): As my songwriting has not yet reached its current state of fecundity, the occasional remake would crop up from time to time. More straightforward than the original.<br /><br />Pop Machine Rap: Word to your mother.<br /><br />Innit/Interspersed: Early computer-edited interstitials from the "Pop Machine Gets the Shaft" tape. Or "The Heat of Art". Or something; these things all run together for me...I always did like these.<br /><br />I Love Your Everything: You'll notice the funky beats underlying many of the songs here; many stolen from a CD Sook had in his collection and later sold. I always wanted to find again...<br /><br />All Together Now: The obligatory Beatles cover, rendered as goopy goth. Collect 'em all!<br /><br />Al: Vox, Keys, Drums<br />Sook: Vox, Bass, Drums<br />Scott: Vox, Guitars, DrumsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-32997186824029056482007-07-09T23:46:00.001-05:002007-07-09T23:46:49.734-05:00Never Want To Live On Venus<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/4uxlgjbjzj">Never Want To Live On Venus (Demo)</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/n9hc6feeev">Never Want To Live On Venus (1992 Version)</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/dxvdroxpgf">Never Want To Live On Venus (2000 Version)</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/uebt49peot">Never Want To Live On Venus (New 2007 Version)</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/yct9nvfnjv">Never Want To Live On Venus (Demo Original Mix)</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/3qr41lt5y3">Never Want To Live On Venus (Unreleased Pop Machine Demo)</a><br /><br />Here it is, the original Al "Science as Relationship Metaphor" song. First conceived when I was working at a video post-production house; we were dubbing JPL space footage and the idea just clicked. Here's a rundown of the various versions:<br /><br />Original Demo: Just some stolen backbeats, layered woozy keyboards and a 4-track, and an idea is hatched. There's a garage funk swagger to this that many (including myself0 have found preferable to later versions.<br /><br />1992 Version: The Pop Machine boys tried cracking this open at Dr. Dave's studio. Not bad, but not the direction I ultimately saw it taking. I like that Mike goes as looooooow as he can during the solo.<br /><br />2000 Version: Revisited in my then-new computer-based digital studio, I tried to pull the song closer to what I heard in my head (besides all that static, I mean). Some nice keyboard bits, but I never really finished the vocals or guitar solo. I know, I know, I'm kvetching...<br /><br />New 2007 Version: At which we finally arrive at our destination, a kind of cosmic Spectorian melancholia. (Spectorian? Seriously, there are a carload of keyboards on this thing.) This is modeled on the 2000 version, but taken to it's natural conclusion. Enjoy; I doubt I'll be out in this solar system again...<br /><br />(And to round things off, we have two "bonus" tracks: the original 2-track mix of the demo and an instrumental demo with extra Scott Hewitt guitar I discovered in my travels. I'm generous as always...)<br /><br />All versions are Al: Vox & music, except for:<br /><br />version 2:<br />Al: Vox & keys<br />Sook: Bass<br />Scott: Guitar<br />Mike: Keys<br />Dave: Drums, Lead Guitar<br /><br />version 6:<br />Al: Vox & keys<br />Scott: GuitarsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-66343758993159597422007-06-29T21:16:00.000-05:002007-06-29T22:00:58.075-05:00GravityHere are a few to tide you over the weekend of the 4th while we go on vacation (again). We never stop moving around here!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/3ifz78rcp6">Gravity</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/sh4pl5m9n7">Gravity (Extra Harmony Mix)</a><br /><br />I'm trying to not to be more obscure than necessary with my lyrics, but in case it comes up in conversation, here's what this one is about: no matter what I think what might be happening around me, it always seems that I'm off by at least a little bit, sometimes quite MORE than a little bit. (You know the drill: you think someone is checking you out in a good way, but really they're just mesmerized by your hideously garish shirt, etc.) Reality seems to have a gravity that will inevitably send most of us humbly falling to Earth...and I seem to be feeling its pull more than usual lately. So using the patented Al science-terms-as-metaphor device, I present the following. Hum along if you like; it's free!<br /><br />Al: Feeling the pull<br /><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/5qfoo0nao3">Electricity Never Ends</a><br /><br />No full set of lyrics, but I dig the way this cooks along. Cousin to "Do the Funky Dial Tone".<br /><br />Al: Electric<br /><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/jzo0l4dfeu">Cold Duck</a><br /><br />And now the Pop Machine guys weigh in with their version of electronic music pioneer Gershon Kingsley's "Cold Duck"...the original was also used as the theme song to our college comedy TV show "Null and Void". Wacky!<br /><br />Al, Sook & Scott: Voices and musicsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15599438.post-5215614348872687262007-06-26T23:32:00.000-05:002007-06-26T23:33:23.013-05:00Abbey Road Part 2<a href="http://www.box.net/shared/3hdzr2getx">Mean Mr. Mustard</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/j2982xuv0u">Polythene Pam</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/gcyq9ytqdi">She Came In Through the Bathroom Window</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/ljr6gsvm5a">Golden Slumbers</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/e9l7cssf5g">Carry That Weight</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/evm6qvu4ju">The End</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/iyzp5ocu7t">Her Majesty</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/efd8hyv55d">Feelin' Alright</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/b90830lxmn">Taxman</a><br /><br />...and we're back. Here's the rest of the Abbey Road performance for you, with a couple of bonus tracks to keep ya going. More new shiznit in the coming days, enjoy!<br /><br />Al: Lead Vox, percussion<br />Steve: Bass, backing vox<br />Mike: Keys, backing vox<br />Colby Allerton: Guitar, backing vox<br />Steve Adams: Drums, backing voxUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2