Undertow - odh original

[ODH]

Original song, not to be confused with the Genesis song of the same name.

I seem to have been writing this one for decades, literally. Did the last few bits of lyrics this morning. Not sure I'm quite happy with the mix.

There is a 'video' on ebutuoy of the part finished first version from around '95,  I'll post that for reference if I find it. Not a big user of ebutuoy to be honest.

[steelguitar]

The song is not available for me  : the soundcloud player does not work :-(
Hope to listen to it soon!

[FuzzFace]

This is really cool song... I LOVE the guitar tone!  Great bass.  Really captivating and elaborate arrangement...  I didn't expect the string section!  The buildup and payoff is just perfect.

Great job!  This is my favourite of yours!

(There is also an R.E.M. song "Undertow").

Fetchez la vache.  What?  Fetchez la vache!

[Redler]

Very hypnotic (on a positive way)! The pizzicato strings are just fantastic! Here's so many elements that you've put very well together; some proggy/psych stuff and...I can hear the ghost of Wire on some spots. I'm on my second listening. Great listening!

[ODH]

The song is not available for me  : the soundcloud player does not work

I hate Soundcloud.  It's like they try to find more and more ingenious ways to prevent people hearing your stuff.  I tried uploading the m4a file directly here but that doesn't work either (I'm in work now otherwise I'd convert to mp3).

Fetchez la vache.  What?  Fetchez la vache!

ARTHUR:  Now look here, my good man--
FRENCH GUARD:  I don't wanna talk to you no more, you empty headed animal
    food trough wiper!  I fart in your general direction!  Your mother was a
    hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!
GALAHAD:  Is there someone else up there we could talk to?
FRENCH GUARD:  No.  Now, go away, or I shall taunt you a second time-a!
    [sniff]
ARTHUR:  Now, this is your last chance.  I've been more than reasonable.
FRENCH GUARD:  (Fetchez la vache.)
OTHER FRENCH GUARD:  Quoi?
FRENCH GUARD:  (Fetchez la vache!)
    [mooo]
ARTHUR:  If you do not agree to my commands, then I shall--
    [twong]
    [mooooooo]
    Jesus Christ!

[Ferryman_1957]

I wasn't expecting strings! Nick this is great, the guitar sound is fabulous, the bass is great as well, I love the way it cuts through at about 1:52 and the edgy riffs and changes work really well. I'm getting a hint of Wire and some Magazine coming through here but it's a quite unique and proggy in its approach. The string section is awesome, great compositional skills and it is really unexpected.

The mix sounds good apart from one thing to me, the vox are getting a bit lost, especially when they first come in. The "undertow" parts are fine though. Perhaps you could pull the rhythm guitar back a bit when you are singing, or just eq the vox so they cut through the mix a bit more. Nothing major though, the instrument mix and sounds are great IMO.

Fantastic stuff, right up my street. Very well done!

[SwanSong]

hi Nick a beautifully played and well composed. song..
wonderful guitar sound and playing and nice vocals.
agree with comment.s wish u the best and bumping
a well worth song to the topp Neil.!

[Bluesberry]

sweet goodness, what a monster proggy jam going on here, I love this.  Very well done. All the parts feel like they belong, telling a strange twisted story.  Fantastic man, really fantastic.  I'll be listening to this one a lot.

[henwrench]

Fantastic stuff, right up my street. Very well done!

    Took the words right outta me mouth...

                                                          henwrench

[ODH]

Thanks for all the nice comments everyone.

It's nice to have finally got this one out of my system.  There was a version of this as early as 1996 or so.  Two versions in fact with different vocals - I combined the two to get this one.  Both had long spaces where lyrics remained un-written.  I never pegged it as a proggy song, although now you mention it...