Prematerialized

SpriteBat wrote on 3/21/2015, 10:50 PM
323
Tags:

All original. All music, lyrics, vocals, and "kitchen percussion" by me.

First of all, sorry for my absence. I will be very busy with school until the beginning of May, but recently I took a little time to finish this song I started 2 (or maybe even 3) years ago. I just had to record a couple more sections of vocals, do a bit of mixing/arranging, and fix a few pops that kept getting into the final mix. So here is the finished result, though I know it is still not perfect.

This song returns to my favorite style: symphonic progressive rock. However, I figured it would be easier to just categorize it as a soundtrack. Once again the lyrics are a bit mysterious or abstract. That goes with the theme of the song, a sensing of something before it has become clear, before it materializes. As you can also tell, it has a dark mood, so you are getting a bad feeling about something, even if you don't know why. Musically, I had fun going back and forth between simple and complex parts. You will hear that there are times when the vocals are important, so there is minimal instrumentation behind them. Ok, before I ramble too much, here are the lyrics:

 

Going further back to a lost time, when
subtracted years subtract over again
Behold the ancient fables carried through a song
and wonder, do they all survive and carry on?

Now but a legend gone awry
when freedom, the strongest ally
led to rewards so well deserved
Too soon it took a downward curve
Sunk lower than ever before
as if every tie they swiftly tore
Times are dark, and call for a response
Pray with me for a new Renaissance

Take another look at the modern age
Some pull away and try to disengage
But most are caught in measures desperately extreme
Too many helpless victims of a new regime

Weakening, the ones who can recall
such glorious days before the fall
Powerful, the forces that erode
greatness of an age so long ago
Seldom found are those of pure intent
Faintly heard, the message that was sent
How can we decipher what it meant
drowned among a sound malevolent?

Prematerialized, yet to be seen
but I know I can feel
an impression disguised, what does it mean?
What is there to reveal?
Almost hearing the cries, like through a screen
to forever conceal
any truth; it implies that sense is keen
if the truth could be real

 

Thanks for listening! As always, I appreciate your honest opinions. The picture was found on google. Alright, until next time (whenever that may be), take care, and God bless.

Comments

Former user wrote on 3/21/2015, 11:23 PM

Hey Travis

Wow, you are a very talented guy.  A true musician you are.  AhhI just heard your "kitchen percussion" at 4:50.  Cool. I'm thinking that maybe that part could have been a little bit shorter but I know how easy it is to get carried away when you're doing funky rhythm stuff.  No biggie. The vocals sound like some of the old Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young stuff.  Brought back some fond memories.

You keep this up now, ya hear? You're good

Trish

Former user wrote on 3/22/2015, 9:13 AM

Hallo , ..

leider ist mein English zu schlecht um den Inhalt des Textes zu verstehn ,

Stimme find ich Sehr gut und Musik auch !

Gruß Andreas

Former user wrote on 3/22/2015, 12:33 PM

Dear Travis,

first of all let me say this: I think there is noone in the community who would be able to compose a complex song like this one - all apart from the thoughtful lyrics. It is just as Trish wrote before, it takes talent to compose something like this. There are really many elements combined in this song, but they all 'sum up' to a beautiful whole. The minimalism during the parts of your vocals is the perfect background for your 'message'; and your singing is more than excellent this time! But also like the instrumental parts, which are played very subtly (and the melodies as well as the choice of instruments are quite familar - at least for persons like me who know how you prefer to build your music. I was wondering: The distorted guitar at the beginning (which plays in the background): Is that recorded live or how did you play that? 

With regard to the lyrics my key to some understanding would be these lines: 

Take another look at the modern age
Some pull away and try to disengage
But most are caught in measures desperately extreme
Too many helpless victims of a new regime.

At least subconsciuosly I might know what you want to say by your words. And it is a strange coincidence that just recently I was thinking a lot about "the modern man" and his possible future - because to me it seems that something hard to be decribed could on the move with us. (I don't want to sound esoteric or even apocalyptic, because I am not; but I think that there are aspect of what they call globalization that might quite rapidly turn against us.) 

Before I talk too much, Travis, let me say: This song is a great work, and I'm glad to see that you find time for musical 'production' of this high quality. I'll stop here and send you a private email some days later. Until then, have a good time.

Your friend

Thomas

P.S.: I don't do comments here any more, but you are - of course - always excepted from this. 

Sandro_Glavina_Channel wrote on 3/22/2015, 8:18 PM

WONDERFUL MUSIC - IS AN EXCELLENT PROG !!! ciao da sandro

P..S ANTONIO FIORILLO SE GLI VA QUESTO PEZZO (E SONO CERTO CHE GLI VA) POTREBBE INCLUDERE QUESTA SONG IN UNA FUTURA RACCOLTA DI "FRIENDS"  !!!

AWESOME !!!!!

Last changed by Sandro_Glavina_Channel on 3/22/2015, 8:18 PM, changed a total of 1 times.

Sandro Glavina is an italian composer, named L'Uomo e L'Ombra. The choice of the name derives from the title of the album "L'uomo e l'ombra" of the band "Abstract Music Nuova Esistenza", an experimental group founded by Sandro Glavina together with his friends in the mid-70s.

In the period 2009-2022, L'Uomo e L'Ombra has done 84 albums. The compositions of Sandro Glavina are partly influenced by progressive rock. Sandro has developed a personal style with many experimentations and actualizations. He offers music beyond borders by intertwining different styles in crossover with each other. Prog, psychedelia, classical, post-rock, jazz, pop are some of the influences that dissolve in ambient atmospheres, citations of contemporary music and minimalist nuances. Sandro Glavina aka L'Uomo e L'Ombra plays the music using VSTI synthesizers, keyboards and adds some loops. Sandro isn't a professional musician, composes and plays music just for fun, but his works reach a good outcome, pleasant to listen. L'UOMO E L'OMBRA

https://www.jamendo.com/artist/495948/l-uomo-e-l-ombra/albums

https://www.reverbnation.com/luomoelombra/songs

https://www.facebook.com/luomoelombra/

   

Nickillus wrote on 3/23/2015, 2:40 PM

Great stuff Spritebat.  Takes me right back to my prog rock roots.  Early Genesis, Camel, Jethro Tull . . . . . .  Love the Kitchen drum kit - nicely done for some super rhythmic variation and personalised sounds.  So much work in this and all worth it.  Stars and favourited.

Now get back to your school work.  I'm old - I can say stuff like that.

Former user wrote on 3/26/2015, 6:15 AM

compliments excellent piece in which the fusion of progressive, are very present.
This much appreciated your work,, which reminds me of the great groups of the 70's.
I would say that the merger between electronics and classical instrumentation was performed with great care
this is a wonderful song

franco

stuallan wrote on 3/26/2015, 6:50 AM

Super arrangement, well composed and recorded. I liked the layering of the vocals, added a lot of depth.

Prog rock for sure, brings to mind many of the great ones.

Very relevant lyrics, niicely done.

Great job!

Best Regards,

Stu

 

PS loved the kitchen percussion!

 

 

Guitorb wrote on 4/6/2015, 6:39 PM

Excellent! I would jump at the chance to remix this song. 

datamix wrote on 4/23/2015, 2:55 PM

EXCEL WORK AND VOICES

love haw you develop this track

muycongratulations!!!

datamix

Musikfreundin wrote on 11/13/2015, 6:46 AM

Schöne Stimme und Musik auch toll

LG Vera

Roxall wrote on 10/26/2016, 7:01 AM

I deeply respect and appreciate Magix musicians who actually create their own music using the midis and instruments and not just cut and paste soundpools.

Then to have vocals just adds to the creativity and boosts the song.

This song is wholly original. Very proggy, lots of changes. Some superb  atmospheric parts.

Are they your vocals. Some moments are a little pitchy but so what. the soul is there. the production is strong.

I will be sure to check out your other stuff. 

I am a fan of the heavier and proggy side of music. and am esspecially interested when it is a fellow magix user utilizing the program to produce their 'art"