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 | Paul_T said 1125 days ago |
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Are they lies? Another interesting composition. Like a man having a conversation with himself. Lyric writing is so personal, the oddest words come out of nowhere, as though the hooks and melodies yank the "chosen" words out of one's brain, grabbing what fits the structure. Writing to a melody makes you think of things you normally never would have thought of, because it's all about consonants and vowels bumping together and how they "feel" within the melody. Once one phrase forms, it begins to dictate what the next phrase is to become, and before you know it, you're thematically somewhere you never consciously intended to be. Usually it's a wonderful place. But sometimes some awful thoughts form, and you have to follow them through, and you wonder how you could be thinking such hideous things. So you pretend you're writing to a character. Or are you? I'm rambling. This song is far from hideous. It's great! It made me think, which is always a challenge. |
 | TEXASFEEL said 1125 days ago |
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Very Relaxed I enjoyed the guitar on this a lot and the keys might have haunted me a bit of "Thick As a Brick" in some parts. Seemed to be more relaxed from your usual stuff. Thanks for sharing. A definite download. Regards John |
 | Mokus said 1125 days ago |
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I sing therefore I am forgetful great lyrics - great idea - that is why I sing too - because I can't remember the truth... you've got lots of great musical changes with appropriate rises and falling... (something I can never seem to do) Great job buy Elliot on the 6-string... Well done...thanks... mokus |
 | thoddi said 1124 days ago |
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great song Wonderful guitar works, and I like your vocals on this Tobin. its very near. Your harmonies is perfect. I'll enjoy to have a go at the bass if you like... The triangle groove is done by someone who has da mojo workin':) Thoddi |
 | perceptualvortex said 1124 days ago |
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Genuine I'm not much of a lyrics guy; usually I'm listening to the vocal melody and not paying as much attention to the messages. There's many exceptions though, including your music, with the words so personal and honest and well crafted. Excellent writing, playing and production all around, very enjoyable! |
 | aclarke said 1124 days ago |
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I remember being a bit critical of your voice on a song earlier this year... something to the effect that I thought it sounded forced, almost without emotion. But this, this is just wonderful and more. The perfect harmonies with shades of CSN&Y and even Simon and Garfunkel but it's all original Tobin. Beautiful instrumentation and graceful percussion- but it's the way this is sung that resonates with me. I love music that strikes an emotional chord with me... it can be in the lyrics or it could be the way a particular chord sounds. In this case it was the way you sang "the jagged lines that still sting" that sent those shivers up my spine. That's what seperates a good song from a great song to me. This is a great song! |
 | snowdragon said 1124 days ago |
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Which would you like first? First, absolutely adored the music. Impeccable. But the lyrics aren't up to the same standard. Oh, the sentiments you're expressing are genuine, that comes through, but if you're going to write about the craft of writing, brother, surely you can do better than "I've tried to capture it all on paper, I've crumpled all of it up and thrown it away." These aren't folk lyrics Tobin, these are pop lyrics. And that's fine if that's what you want the song to be. You say you listened to Dylan but I don't think you heard him. You have here the makings of a truely incredible song. The music is on a plane all by itself, one that even the best musicians rarely reach. And it speaks to the subject matter of creative angst in a way I've never heard before. There is a story within you aching to get out. But I think you're still lying to yourself. These words may be coming from the heart but they're being filtered through something before they reach the song. Perhaps it's time you "murder some most beloved children" and simply tell it. Ah, what the hell do I know? Maybe I'm just not a big fan of candles. (Unless they're in the rain, of course.) |
 | K.I.S.KISMET said 1124 days ago |
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Epiphanic I am envious of anyone with the knowledge, patience, and time to go through the process of creating music like this. I can imagine how much time you spent with the particular tune on your mind. I hope you are feeling content as it has turned to be truly moving song from beginning to end. |
 | Tadashi Togawa said 1124 days ago |
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Song I listened to this song of you and was happy. |
 | Jim Bouchard said 1124 days ago |
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wow What an inarticulate title for my comment on this most articulate song! This is really great. I like that it sounds like you have a cold; it reminds me of my own singing voice. I think "House of Cards" might still be a good title for this song, though the line didn't get used in the end..."When I Sing" might be a little obvious for a title, and I think this song is about that delicate structure we construct in music that is so self-reflective, so that the house of cards might sum it up pretty well. Really well made song with an extraordinary bridge section and a nice percolating rhythm. Sometimes I was wishing the rhythm bed was a little higher in the mix, but it's definitely a delicate balance with all the wonderful elements. Wotta organ sound! Awesome! |
 | jgurner said 1123 days ago |
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Thoroughly enjoyable Can't add much to what's already been said, but just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed this, Tobin. Beautifully done. |
 | Peter Greenstone said 1123 days ago |
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uplifting Nice to have you back. This is a delightful song in the lyrics and instrumentation. Very uplifting. The little electronic details give it a lot of character. I think I would like to hear just a little more punch (maybe another layer) on the "It's not that..." parts to emphasize them a little more from the parts leading up. I particularly enjoyed the "I've tried to capture it all on paper..." section in the context of the surrounding chorus verses. |
 | Ejh said 1123 days ago |
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I see this as a search in itself... ...Tobin finding and re-finding himself in song... So it has elements or moments of feeling from this and that, to me. There are moments where this is folkish and intimate, and there are moments when I sort of imagine you-as-character stepping center stage and being illuminated by the single spot... You mention Crosby as regards getting the 'middle note' in harmonies, and I also hear some Crosby-isms in the 'musing about big themes' lyrics... He does it well in 'Lee Shore', to my ears, less well in things like 'Delta'...I've sometimes thought about what makes the difference... I think that one of the things that helps musing about big themes is to anchor them in concrete detail...a cup of coffee...a view out the window...the outer concrete things that mirror an inner state...In fact, I sometimes will start a song describing outer reality and see what inner truths come bobbing up out of that... I think that lyrically, my own taste would run toward hearing more anchoring details in this...so that I can almost see you there... I think, for a similar song, I would suggest a listen to Stan Rogers' "Song Of The Candle"... I think that one's got the acoustic guitar and B3 thing going on as well...It also is a song about writing a song... and it has a candle, so there you are... You have a great sense of melody and harmony, and a great sense of how to blend tones and timbres. And I like your singing, like the hint of roughness, nasality, imperfection in the vocal... And coming back to the original comment, I continue to see this as a 'searching' song. It is interesting to me, and not at all a bad thing, to see someone as musically experienced and accomplished as you coming back to that search... It's kinda cool... Ed |
| Ejh said 1123 days ago |
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Wow. When I started commenting, this song was called one thing. When I finished it was called something else. I've plainly gotta write shorter comments... Ed |
 | Del said 1122 days ago |
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Between the lines Excellent music. Although I rank many of your lyrics as tops in the field, these are almost anti-lyrics, frames in which you force me to think in between your lines instead of you filling in everything yourself. My favorite aspect is the halting manner of your presentation, the time between phrases in which I guess what you are going to say, how you are going to finish your lines, and the difference between how I fill in the lines and how you fill in the lines. It created a dialogue between your brain and mine that added a new voice to the song. Very effective. And that ending harmony washes over me with great power. Excellent arc to your song making. |
 | djteks said 1121 days ago |
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Keep the hits coming! Excellent song. But (and it might just be my speakers) you should bring up everything but the vocals. The guitar has a great melody to it, but you can barely hear it. Overall, very nice though. A solid professional sound, and refreshing lyrics that other musicians can relate to. Keep the hits coming! |
 | EdensEve said 1121 days ago |
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A prayer What a perfect song. Someone who knows so many things and can do so many things, are they the ones that always seem to think they don't know anything? This is a song I will listen to over and over, like a prayer, for it reminds me of the holy search. Even though it boarders on sad, the beauty and balance of the music oozes hope that just the act of putting it on paper is salve enough, sometimes. Wow. And I get to download this for free! Thank you again. |
 | ledebutant said 1118 days ago |
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Simple My comment is simple. This is my favorite of all your vocals, Tobin. Cold or not, you sounded just right to my ears. |
| Lilbit21 said 1116 days ago | |
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awsome nice music u got there look like u have alot of sense with the candle light around, nice work |
| gavin_sasser said 1114 days ago | |
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nice beat the intro made me imagine an up beat action piece with motion. it turns out to not be one, but it was alright. I really enjoyed the instrumental pieces. overall a good piece. |
 | Emily Rohm said 1113 days ago |
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Finaly got a chance to listen. I'm glad I came back to listen to this song! I think this may be one of my faves by you! I really like the simplicity of the lyrics (even if they are "pop" lyrics as snowdragon has said...to which I say, "Does it matter?"). Not everything has to be a manifesto. (Although I also enjoy your more complex lyrics, but these fit well in the song.) I like that part of the melody where you sing "jagged edge." This is one that I'd love to give a stab at singing sometime. |
| thethirdperson said 1078 days ago | |
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genius... that is what this song is perfect stuff for this genre i like the organ syncopation with the guitar and the drums. this is perfectly ricorded and i can hear every lyric (which by the way i like) you have a good voice, i feel like it would feel out of order in another kind of music kepp makin' good stuff -1/2 the third person |
| said 1032 days ago | |
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Nice tune I feel harmony in this song. And some fear, but I really like it I really do. I think you have done a master pice here and thanks for sharing this nice charming tune. Respectfully --------- Skean My last tune Being a Friend (Collab with The NightBird) |
 | stacey said 1029 days ago |
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The Voice Wow, your voice is so amazing! So deep, and yet vulnerable. Does that make sense? Great harmonies. The only thing I could do without is the organ in the background, only because of a personal preference, it doesn't detract from the song at all. So why did I even mention it? I don't know. I guess I just really like the lyrics and vocals, and the rest of the instrumentation works. Now, what about that abrupt key change? Was that intentional? It seems a little startling. I wonder? Cool song, great voice, I'm off to listen to more of your stuff now! Thanks! |
...from having listened to "Escaping The Fray Zone". More clear
mastery here.
I see you use some candle lighting to help set a creative mood?
I've been having those thoughts. I'm going to run out and buy
some today in hopes of getting one step closer to where you are.
I'll try anything.