Songcrafters.org

This has nothing to do with the movie of the same name.

I had this idea in my head for a long time, and finally finished it after reading this book (http://www.amazon.com/Overthrow-Americas-Century-Regime-Change/dp/0805082409/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253252180&sr=8-1).

This could use some lead guitar if anyone wants to take a shot.  I think it's pretty obvious where the screeching should go.  I can send a higher bitrate version without a fade out.

This is a monster HIT in my book !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's brilliant !!! Great song, with a great performance and production.

(insert SEAL OF AWESOMENESS HERE LATER)

putting it on my mbr .. and maybe sending you some guitar back .... but I'm sure you'll get more that one offer on this one !!

This is the best song I've ever heard you do. The production was fantastic - It's almost unbelievable that you did it on an MBR, but I trust you on that one. The BR purists must stick together!

I love it. You have stratified everything perfectly - the clean and dirty rhythm work well together. Great bass with tons of headroom. And the little breakdown was Sweeeeeeeeeeeet!!! (https://songcrafters.org/forum/index.php?topic=3785.msg41454#msg41454)

It's funny that I was getting ready to hit the rack and decided to check the board one more time. What a gem!

Give yourself a pat on the back, Ted.

Mark

Stunning Ted, just stunning!!! I love it from start to finish, the simple but complex construction is great and the lyrics are fantastic - could you post them as I can't make them all out. The production is great, excellent combination of clean and distorted guitars and I love the bass sound and bass work - did you use the Zoom pedal for the bass sound?

I'd love to put some screechy punky lead guitar on it but know I just don't have time at present. But it's fantastic as it is, and I'm loving every play. It could be a big HIT if it ever got into the wider world. Afraid it may even topple "Dechromium Cob" from its perch as my favourite Tedsong.

Brilliant all round. More please.

Cheers,

Nigel

this is great, reminds me of a cross between tom petty and camper van beethoven, on the piepod, plus i'll need to figure out how you do those crazy links

update, dechromium cob needs a bump.

Forgot to say the drums are effing brilliant as well, as always.

Cheers,

Nigel

Really top notch Ted.  That bass is heaven, perfectly played and recorded and mixed.  Really superb rhythm guitar work.  Lyrics and singing are a little spooky and surreal just the way I like them.  Fantastic crafted song Ted.  Oh yeah, the drums...  This may be the best drum programming on the micro I have heard, very organic sounding.  Are you adding your little drum machine in here along with the micro drums.  All in all just a fantastic song.  This one is going in my IPod for sure!!!

Great job!!  You definitely got the drums down.  Love the whole thing can't wait for someone to add the lead for you will be finished for sure.

Oh yeah, great rock'n'roll!!!! :) :) ;) It's so powerful...

This IS the best you have posted yet!
I love the song, especially the bass!
You have the BR mastered, I'd say.
Now, I am anxious to hear more....

LG

This is an AWESOME track!!
The Talent on this forum is incredible.
I wonder if any signed bands Go to forums like this one and look
for some fresh ideas?  Or steal songs?
just a thought.

JIM

Thanks for the positive strokes.

Answers to questions are forthcoming, but first, the lyrics as requested:

---

Monster's Inc.
© 2007  Ted Johnson

The villagers came to our castle door,
With torches and pitchforks, led by the mayor.
The mob was answered by my ancestor.
"How can I help you tonight, your honor?"
And then he faced the crowd and spoke some more.

"My fellow citizens, lend me your ears--or what's been amputated.
I'll build a monster to kill the monster
That we created."

Oh, by the way, he was an investor
In the mayor's torch and pitchfork store.
The new monster was more vicious than before.
But it was ours, and it was the victor.
But then it turned into a defector.

"As monsters are so deeply hated, I'll build a monster to kill the monster
That we created to kill the monster
That we created."

It's alive! (3X)
It's a lie. (2X)

With the help of the tax collector,
He built one bigger than a dinosaur.
That's what the monster budget is there for.
He built a factory, gave his son a tour.
"One day all these monsters will be yours."

"We need monsters to kill the monsters that we created to kill the monsters
That we created to kill the monsters that we created to kill the monsters that we created..." etc.

I dream of playing a lead to something awesome like this piece of tedolicious, without destroying it. This song is awesome in every facet.

Quote from: Geir on September 18, 2009, 12:02:28 AMputting it on my mbr .. and maybe sending you some guitar back .... but I'm sure you'll get more that one offer on this one !!

That would be amazing.  The other version is only about 15 seconds longer with no fade-out, and a big Rock ending.  It's a hair over 5MB, but I could e-mail it to you or any other willing screechers.

Quote from: launched on September 18, 2009, 12:29:13 AMThis is the best song I've ever heard you do. The production was fantastic - It's almost unbelievable that you did it on an MBR, but I trust you on that one. The BR purists must stick together!

Yep.  All on the MBR.  I did a little effect tweaking too--overcoming my tweakaphobia.  I still haven't gotten down the "exciting compressor (https://songcrafters.org/community/index.php?topic=3424.msg34529#msg34529)" thing, but it did help even out the levels.  Compression and EQ are my next frontiers.

Quote from: Ferryman on September 18, 2009, 01:41:59 AMThe production is great, excellent combination of clean and distorted guitars and I love the bass sound and bass work - did you use the Zoom pedal for the bass sound?

...

Afraid it may even topple "Dechromium Cob" from its perch as my favourite Tedsong.

Probably overdoing it, but I used my Bass Xciter (http://www.aphex.com/pedals.htm) into my B2 (Patch d0, in case you're wondering) and then a little MBR reverb.

Quote from: oldrottenhead on September 18, 2009, 01:43:26 AMthis is great, reminds me of a cross between tom petty and camper van beethoven,

Somehow I missed out on CVB in the 80's (and went right to being a fan of Cracker in the 00's) until last year when I bought a "best of" CD about a month before they came through Flagstaff.  As for Tom Petty, I confess that I referenced Runnin' Down A Dream when I was working on this song.  You were going to rat me out if I didn't fess up, weren't you, ORH?

Quote from: Bluesberry on September 18, 2009, 04:39:00 AMOh yeah, the drums...  This may be the best drum programming on the micro I have heard, very organic sounding.  Are you adding your little drum machine in here along with the micro drums.

I fully intended to use my DD-55 drums (https://songcrafters.org/community/index.php?topic=3398.0) on the chorus, but I got lazy.  There are about 60 steps to this drum arrangement--10 more than the drum arranger can handle.  I bounced the second half of the drums to a v-track pair (as described here (https://songcrafters.org/community/index.php?topic=1421.msg9690#msg9690)) and programmed in some long pauses into the first half (which turned into a friggin' algebra assignment as described here (https://songcrafters.org/community/index.php?topic=3207.0), only worse) and then just copied those chorus crashes to the right spots on those v-tracks.

While I was working on the song, those long pauses were filled with metronome clicks so that I could sing and play on the right beats. My goal was to make it sound like a band was taking cues from a singer, and not a singer listening to an annoying click-click-click in his cans.  So I definitely appreciate the "organic" comment, BB.

Quote from: Jim1970 on September 18, 2009, 08:42:03 AMI wonder if any signed bands Go to forums like this one and look
for some fresh ideas?  Or steal songs?
just a thought.

Don't make me paranoid.  I'm already worried about foreign policy and the military industrial complex.

And monsters.

Congrats, Ted!
Great work, man!

This song is well recorded/produced... and is really good ;)

And thanks for posting the "how i did it" :D

It's good to see how each one does all their magic!

Cheers! 8)

Good Work!!!
Incredible what you can do with the MicroBR.

Keep it up!! ;D

Just too good, excellent production but for me but the song is the stand out for me just great songwriting.

This had moved to page two already, and I just can't have that yet.

QuoteAs for Tom Petty, I confess that I referenced Runnin' Down A Dream when I was working on this song.  You were going to rat me out if I didn't fess up, weren't you, ORH?

cant say ive heard that one lol, but ted this is freakin awesome. and like you i found cracker first before backtracking to cvb.
my nom de plume is in part a tribute to cracker and to rbert wyatt

from cracker album old kerosene hat
and robert wyatt album oldrottenhat

By this I mean that it is unbelievably Good!


Great to an extra ordinary standard!!!!!!!

Awesome......

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wKVJXvn8-Lg/Rv0dnEC23XI/AAAAAAAAAI8/MYk1GHTZRvY/s400/seal.gif)

I cant see how I Missed this yesterday ???

Thanks for Bumping it Ted!!!!!


You RawwwKKK HARRD!!!!!!!!!!!








Peace

T(Osckilo)

Wow Ted, impressive track !!! - Great job here all around - catchy lyrics & oh so true !!!

Quote from: Ted on September 18, 2009, 09:59:14 AMProbably overdoing it, but I used my Bass Xciter (http://www.aphex.com/pedals.htm) into my B2 (Patch d0, in case you're wondering) and then a little MBR reverb.

No, not overdoing it at all. It sounds great. I like the look of those Xciters - feel a little GAS coming on.....

BTW, thansk for the lyrics. Satirical and funny, extremely clever indeed. If I had a hat, it would indeed be off to you right now.

But a minor point, I think the panning needs some work....................  :D
Cheers,

Nigel

Quote from: oldrottenhead on September 19, 2009, 10:10:18 AM

QuoteAs for Tom Petty, I confess that I referenced Runnin' Down A Dream when I was working on this song.  You were going to rat me out if I didn't fess up, weren't you, ORH?

cant say ive heard that one lol, but ted this is freakin awesome. and like you i found cracker first before backtracking to cvb.
my nom de plume is in part a tribute to cracker and to rbert wyatt

from cracker album old kerosene hat
and robert wyatt album oldrottenhat

I found Jemima's Kite first ... then my boss found them .. and now I have 11 cvb/cracker CD's in front of me that I borrowed from him ;D

Quote from: Ted on September 18, 2009, 09:59:14 AM

Quote from: Geir on September 18, 2009, 12:02:28 AMputting it on my mbr .. and maybe sending you some guitar back .... but I'm sure you'll get more that one offer on this one !!

That would be amazing.  The other version is only about 15 seconds longer with no fade-out, and a big Rock ending.  It's a hair over 5MB, but I could e-mail it to you or any other willing screechers.

Please do ... my email is in my profile !!

nice production :)

Quote from: oldrottenhead on September 19, 2009, 10:10:18 AM

QuoteAs for Tom Petty, I confess that I referenced Runnin' Down A Dream when I was working on this song.  You were going to rat me out if I didn't fess up, weren't you, ORH?

cant say ive heard that one lol, but ted this is freakin awesome. and like you i found cracker first before backtracking to cvb.
my nom de plume is in part a tribute to cracker and to rbert wyatt

from cracker album old kerosene hat
and robert wyatt album oldrottenhat

I feel as though I've found a kindred spirit!

When Cracker had their hits in the 90's, my head was almost exclusively into African music so they passed me by completely.

Just about two years ago, before we were officially engaged, my girlfriend (now my wife) had me rip a few old CDs that she hadn't listened to much, and put them on my PiePod (on July 31, 2007 per the "Date Added" in PieTunes).  One of them was Kerosene Hat.  We were on a road trip.  The songs were shuffled in with a bunch of other artists.  Occasionally, we'd hear a song we really liked.  The one driving would ask, "Who's this?"  The other one would check the PiePod, and every time it was Cracker.

So in two years I've acquired the entire Cracker catalog.  They've pushed aside a few old favorites and have become one of my favorite bands ever (https://songcrafters.org/community/index.php?topic=3389.0).

Cracker and CVB came through Flagstaff last year and put on a great show.  We saw Cracker again a couple of weeks ago in Tucson at a music festival.  They only played for an hour, and without a keyboardist. (Just gloating there.)

Coincidentally: Looking at my PieTunes, I see it was also on July 31, 2007 that I recorded an acoustic demo of Monsters, Inc.

there is no getting away that we are influenced by everything we see and here, ive been watching the disney channel with the girls, better not go near my mbr.

Quote from: oldrottenhead on September 21, 2009, 02:05:23 PMthere is no getting away that we are influenced by everything we see and here, ive been watching the disney channel with the girls, better not go near my mbr.

AND TAKE THE BATTERIES OUT OF THE DS !!!

I must admit that I am now addicted to this song....
Gotta have my daily fix.
AWESOME song.

LG

I let this one mellow for a few days before I had another listen. And one thing comes to mind after hearing it again:

Solid!!!


Excellent job, Ted!!

launched: Thanks!  I thought I could kick this song out in a weekend, and it took me almost two weeks of tinkering--especially with the drums.

Although the bass was recorded early on, I didn't add it to any of the bounces.  I wanted to be able to mix it just right at the very end.  However, I made sure that I could always hear the bass and drums when recording the guitars and vocals.

It wasn't easy.  Sometimes I felt like I was playing with one of these puzzles, except with v-tracks:


LG: I like the idea of someone being addicted to one of my songs.  Listen daily. Multiple times if necessary.  Let it destroy your career and your marriage.  My ego doesn't care, as long as you keep listening.

LOL

I think that you have this bouncing v-tracks down pat!
I am still figeting with it....
I anxiously await more....

LG

This is f*cking great, Ted. Original, weird, rocky, and brilliant. Love the way the vocals sit between the big chords on the verses. Your vocals (and lyrics) are also excellent - some great imagery (especially the factory bit).

This sounds like a full, tight band.

Love it to bits. A forum highlight for me!

Well, in that case, an extra special Welcome Back to you Greeny. You've been playing catch-up. So happy you had time to stop by my little laboratory.

I appreciate you saying that it sounds like a full, tight band.  That's quite a compliment.

I don't know if I have a method to it, but I'm primarily a bass player, and a frustrated drummer who composes on guitar. 

I always start with a mono "scratch track" with just guitar, voice, and (usually) a single drum pattern.  Then (usually) I arrange the drums against the scratch track.  So when I start recording the actual separate instruments, I'm always playing along with that original performance supplemented with a fairly complete drum arrangement.  I don't drop the scratch track until I record the vocals--usually last.

Not that you asked.

BTW: My mad-scientist-and-monster imagery, can't compare to Skullcrusher Mountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z53WLtowYBo) by Jonathan Coulton.

Masterbump! This song is 10 years old, and The Nutrients (http://thenutrients.band) are going to record it!

I decided to use the original as a scratch track, but take out the drums and replace them with clicks (per our producer/engineer's request). Amazingly, I still had the working files backed up somewhere (the SONGXXXX.BRO folder). I got a little confused about how the whole thing was put together on the MBR, and then I remembered that I exhausted the MBR's 50-step limit, and had to do some drum bouncing. So this stands as the most complicated drum arrangement I've ever done on the MBR.