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Puzzle City (AUDIOCRACY)
by TobinMueller

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Song comments: 63
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Submitted on: Feb 26, 2008 - 07:43:49 AM
Last Updated: Jul 07 2008 - 11:47:51 AM

Keywords Audiocracy (8), The Lost Records (3), Townicus (1), Twon (8), Bob Piper (1), prog (21), progressive (134), fusion (106), The City (1), Hope (91), TobinMueller (35), Tobin Mueller (9), Tobin (68)

Description This is the second track from AUDIOCRACY's debut album, Revolution's Son. On the album, its full title is: Part II - The Hope: Puzzle City

It all began when Bob Piper shared a guitar demo of an instrumental he was contributing to the Audiocracy collaborative project, back when it was going to be a double album featuring one disc of vocals-driving prog and one of purely instrumental tracks. But I heard lyrics and sang a 4-part demo, returned it to Bob (through Alimar) and he gave the green light to develop it with singing and keyboards, etc. I played organ and synths over his guitar work and my son Anton (Twonicus) overdubbed most of my vocal parts.

Members of the band suffered many unforeseen maladies in the past two years. First, my son was accidentally electrocuted and lost the use of his left hand (he's left handed, luckily); he will never play bass again professionally. (So, on this track, I actually play bass on the keyboard, using the Trilogy plugin.) Then, the drummers mother died and he went into a major funk. (So, on this track, we have another drummer.) Then Darren Chapman had an back injuring and surgery, with a several month recovery period. (Bob Piper does all the guitar work on this track.) Then my father (who had fallen into dementia and was living with me) had a stroke and eventually died. Through all of it, Alimar (our nexus and engineer) was going blind. I'm sure something happened to Piper as well, but I can't recall. So, in order to keep the project going, I scuttled plans for a double album and concentrated on just finishing a single disc. It all worked out in the end.

The song fits really well into the concept of the album. It's upbeat feel is a perfect set up to the drama of what happens next.

Part I - The Dream: Revolution's Son
Part II - The Hope: Puzzle City
Part III - The Underground:  Escape into The Fray Zone
Part IV - The Confrontation:  Speak Truth To Power
Part V - The Extinction: Gethsemane Again
Part VI - The Survivors:  When The Future Comes
Part VII - The Re-Emergence:  Dare To Sing

Guitars: Bob Piper
Vocals: Twøn
Vocals, organ, synths, Trilogy fretless bass: Tobin Mueller
Drums: Scott Rockenfield
Guitar Engineering: Al Ligammari
Mastering: Mike Rorick, Audio Magic Recording Studio

You can purchase the album from:
The Lost Records
CDBaby
and, to get to it on iTunes, please go there and search Audiocracy (the link doesn't work from this page for some reason) - however, then you won't get the cool booklet!

Earlier demos from AUDIOCRACY:
Revolution's Son
Speak Truth To Power
When The Future Comes

Lyrics PUZZLE CITY

The City is phantom
The City is anonymity
The City is breathing
The City is where I come to be

Falling tiles from roofs
Falling angels beyond proofs
Like confetti made of stars
Falling pieces from the puzzle City

Falling

Fill in the glass
Fill the stones
Fill in the space between
Between mind and bones
Fill in the pieces shaken loose as you ran
Replaced on streets that you walk when you can

In the City

Falling tiles from roofs
Falling angels beyond proofs
Like confetti made of stars
Falling pieces from the puzzle City

Come take your fill
Be what you will
In the City

lyrics ©2006 Tobin Mueller
music ©2006 Piper/Mueller

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Scott Carmichael said 317 days ago

by Far
the most Authentic progressive post I've heard here... Yes sets the bar for me on this kind of work... and you have it all going on in this ... the textured layers that interweave to create the foundation... excellent vocals .. really excellent.. but even more compelling is the lyric... you must have tapped into your jones for NYC... there is a certain believability or trueness, and I suspect that it's autobiographical... my close friend work in and loves NYC and as I've grown older, I've also grown out of it... but this sounds very much like his defense's of NY when we mull it over.. and you've crafted wonderful word/pictures... fragments... but the accumulated effect is to paint a true picture... I love it when art does this... completely describe the thing, without ever saying it....

	I.G.M. said 316 days ago
	Hey Tobin :) Sounds a lot like Yes-Zappa-Genesis-Jethro Tull. Amazing stuff, really! One question: there`s something strange in my ear, is it live played? Don`t sounds like it is... I.G.M.

TobinMueller said 316 days ago

Drums last to join in
This track was done by sending pieces around to every guy via the Net. The biggest "weirdness" was that the drums were added after the guitar, instead of before, which is near impossible, if you've ever tried it. Nothing was played to a click track, only with natural feel. Playing it live, we won't sound any tighter, but at least the drumming would lead the way, instead of be a follower. Moral: build a file the right way: start with the composition, but start the recording process with the rhythm section! (Drums were added even after the vocal on this one!)

	Roxylee said 316 days ago
	I'm impressed with the band's ability to persevere through all the trials and get this done, and so perfectly. The guitar and vocals are amazing, and everything in here works together so well! You really paint a vivid picture of city life, withe the music giving the lyrics energy and edginess. It is evident this took a lot of time and effort to develop, and it was well worth it. Kudos to all!

	Doadars Uncle said 316 days ago
	Nice! A bit of Yes. Sweeping syncopation and rhythm. Real pleasurable and RICH!

TobinMueller said 316 days ago

Syncopation and time signatures
Thanks. I always love the use of unusual time signatures. But what we do a few times on this record is simply play without time signatures (altho ones are added to the sheet music afterward). Simply creating lines and stresses, like in the Renaissance before time signatures were invented, lines that play out what you want, say what you think, without regard to preconceived packets of 4s or 3s. I feel like it lets the music breathe, even tho it is much harder to remember!

	Doadars Uncle said 316 days ago
	You are so right I would like to try playing without a signature, but it may come out like spaghetti for me!

	dirigent said 316 days ago
	Outstanding what a great and powerful, artful and supercool piece of progressive rockmusic. Awesome! great performance and georgious vibe and atmosphere, bravo!!

	echoroom said 316 days ago
	Stunner The quality of musicianship on this is really stunning.... i can't even comprehend it! I have the album and it's fantatsic - very diverse, rich... as Scott says, true art.

	Godchaser said 316 days ago
	Textural Heaven. Complete satisfaction.Beautiful piece of progressive rock.Stellar production,arrangements and perfromances.Top shelf for sure! Blessings,

TobinMueller said 316 days ago

Textural heaven
There are actually about 4-5 guitar layers, slightly different, to bring out differing lines and feelings while creating an integrated texture of guitars. The bass is fretless, and sometimes plays high, lending to the overall guitar texture. The keyboards are nearly all vintage, adding to the genre-era. And becuz Anton and I are son and father, our vocals blend naturally.

If there is anything meant to stand out as contrast, it is the drumming. As opposed to going for the cohering/normal drumming thing, we decided to have the percussion be an equal soloing-type addition, bursting out in spurts and yells, more jazz than rock, and letting the momentum of the lines be the driving forward force, instead of a steady drum beat. That's my favorite aspect of the textures.

Thanks for noticing the details.

	kclements said 316 days ago
	Nice work Not really my style, but I really appreciate the textures and performances - top notch. Great interplay between the instruments and vocals and the harmonies are great. I really liked how you are able to blend in the softer sections with the main themes and give it variety. Thanks for sharing - perhaps I could grow to like this style/album.

	jiguma said 316 days ago
	Hmmmmmmm! I'm a huge fan of Yes, Genesis, Gentle Giant, Tull, King Crimson et al, so this is right up my alley. The Yes style on the vocals is uncanny, and where did you get Steve Howe from?! The singing/playing/arrangement and production are awesome, and everyone deserves huge credit for the result. I'm lost for words Tobin - amazing! Neil

	Feter said 316 days ago
	PUZZLE CITY ye nothing is easy .and I bless the giant work . such precious friends gathered into building this incredible work .Deep Bow !!

	peacepiano said 316 days ago
	progress Superb progressive rock. Huge sound. Love this stuff!! Thanks Bill

	Vic Holman said 316 days ago
	everything prog very complicated, yet flows so smoothly. and HUGE! this really sums up the best of ELP and Yes. Actually I hould say you picked up the torch and ran with it. EXCELLENT!

paul f. page said 316 days ago

I have been...
...following the various posts of this collection. Tobin, every single piece is so impressive...very complex, smartly orchestrated, engaging and complicated vocals, and such attention to the recorded details. You set the bar...well...it's way up there, that's for sure. I am thinking that it's maybe only you who can reach it because your comps are so unique. I learn something new with each listen to a new number from you. Best of luck on this project.
Peace.
Paul

TobinMueller said 315 days ago

I learn something new with each listen
Thanks for that. Actually, I try to learn something new with each composition. I've always been drawn to what I've never done, to something I hear from someone else or inside my head that I'm not sure how to accomplish, so I pick a project in order to figure it all out. And I always try and make whatever sound I am learning into my own version of it, trying to give to a listeners a new take that they, in turn, can use for whatever thing they are striving for. Thanks for what you said, it made me feel great.

thetiler said 315 days ago

Enjoy
all the music in this wonderful piece. It seems like this really shows your vocal talents to great degree. Harmonizations, high vocal sounds. Lots of really cool music going on here. I think the guitar in indeed very creative in the the descending lead sounds that go hand in had with the falling words etc.

Everything you put out to my ears seems at a high level of musical craftsmanship.

Thanks for sharing!

	Roca_Atomica said 315 days ago
	Set the bar? Yeah, I'm pretty sure you have for this genre. Wow. Never a dull moment. Sure, Gentle Giant and Yes come through here and there, but it's unique and special. Very evocative lyrics as well. So sorry to hear about all the misfortunes along the way.

	stephendavis said 315 days ago
	swell Very nice! Cool sound. Interesting all the way through. The guitar is sweet here.

	said 314 days ago
	This is way too cool I love this one a pro mixing/playing and singing. I have some other fave on this CD and one is "Speak Truth To Power" but this one is also a fave and some day I think I'll buy your CD. Stay cool that's the rule you guys ROCKS. --- Kenta

thoddi said 314 days ago

Tobin
This project is very cool. The power of using the internet as an interface to collaborate on music is manifested in this CD.

The song here is energetic and very suited as the companion to the words "The City is phantom, The City is anonymity, The City is breathing, The City is where I come to be.

I just wrote a little contribution to a forum post about the CD release here: http://www.macjams.com/forum/viewtopic.php?forum=4;showtopic=117200

	stephendavis said 314 days ago
	wow! I just felt like I had to comment again... this song has been running through my head all day. LOVE it!!!

	CharlyDeeCynthius said 314 days ago
	Great Song!!! Very appreciated!Tune so cool, remind me to the 70's and early 80's Tony Banks compositions...Very good! CharlyDeeCynthius\|Italy\|

The Infinites said 312 days ago

Prog-proper
This is the real deal, as big and grand as the genre should be!

Glad you put this up because as an excerpt - it really does make me want to hear the next bit of the story (same feeling as Rush 2112).

It's all been said, Yes, Genesis - but wow! To be doing this now using gear from back in the day gives it a feeling of a newly discovered 70s masterpiece.

Very powerful music, but also in images from the lyrics - your words just take me straight downtown. Lest we forget.

Stunning production and how you managed to knit it all together is beyond me; just as well that you have a jazz ear and can deal with the crazy timings!

Nice work Tobin, you should be proud.

Jim

	Karmatoburn said 311 days ago
	gentle giant wow, to read all the adversity you guys had to overcome to make this makes it all the more remarkable. Glad you stuck with it. The amount of passion that went in to this really shows.

	Bowman said 309 days ago
	A New Genesis Liked the passion and energy from this. I'm from New York - born and raised. Living there in the 70's listening to progressive rock was in many ways mind blowing and growing. This in a wonderful fresh way takes me to that time and place. Thanks for the trip Tobin. Best, Charlie

Warren Smith said 309 days ago

One person's intrepretation ....
I don't know the story of Audiocracy ("State of Music"?), but this song suggests it's going to be a philosophical/religious journey about putting the pieces of a life puzzle together.

Your language is concise, yet simple phrases are loaded with mulitple meanings.

Like: "The City is where I come to be" can be read simply as this is the place where I happen to find myself at this particular point and time ... yet it also can be read as a place of expected fulfillment.

That second verse is especially potent. Falling tiles and falling angels are lumped together as physical objects, yet "angels beyond proof" suggests a metaphysical explication. One might anticipate a "fallen Angel" of the Miltonian variety, but here the angels, with a lower case "a," are still in the act of falling, having, apparently, not yet hit bottom. "Confetti made of stars" is a great visual for the night sky ... and it also fits nicely with the idea of falling (as in falling stars). And all of these images are a part of the City's big puzzle ... which will have to be assembled and integrated in order "to be."

Excellent writing!

TobinMueller said 302 days ago

Lyrics
Thanks so much for mentioning the lyrics, listening to them, letting them swirling around in the impressionistic way they are supposed to be heard. When I write musical theatre, I craft lyrics in a careful, collaborative, tethered way, always subordinating them to story, character and meter. But when I write stuff like this, I have a concept and then just let words roll out, not trying to be precise and rational, but, rather, emotional and under-conscious. I often don't write anything down and edit myself audioly (instead of on paper). If I don't like it while re-listening (when creating the demo track of the pre-recording version), then I overdub a new lyric. Like building a puzzle, connected more to specific music sections of the song, and the motion of the lines, than to a stanza or meter. Way more fun. (Writing lyrics is the hardest thing for me.) So glad you liked them.

	said 309 days ago
	Great Wow... What a great rhythm... This sounds good... And your vocals are fantastic... Sounds amazing.... Thanks for sharing this song...

said 308 days ago

Great!
Sir Tobin, this is amazing progressive rock piece. I haven't always been a huge fan of that Genre, but I listen a lot to Dream Theater, Queensryche and some other bands (my brother's favorite genre, Petrucci is his guitar god!!) and this piece has much of Rudess keyboard stuff. Much enjoyed the work here and especially the background sound. Amazing .... KUDOS!

Take Care
- Yeman A. Al-Rawi

said 302 days ago

I did...
... notice who played drums right away!
How did you get Scott to play for you?
Killer track, also.
I definitely hear the Genesis and the Yes going on.
Amazing that so many musicians can come together from so many places and create something like this. It's hard enough for Allen and I do to it, and that's just TWO people, let alone all the hands in this cookie jar.
Excellent work by all. Triumph through adversity!
Well done!

sschedra said 302 days ago

Wow! and WOW Again!
Tobin, your tastes and talents are here in full. I haven't heard music like this in years. This is really great stuff. And hearing all that you guys endured, you have my respect and my support. I must sample some more of your work. You are a very gifted person. I am particularly touched by your son's trauma as I am a bass player (amoung other jack trades). I also have a son who plays. I pray that he will find a way around this (playing opposite handed?) so that he may continue his passion.
Stephen

	magnatone said 299 days ago
	Puzzle City Holy Smokes - you're incredible. Love everything about this sound - and so different from your solo piano (of the few I've heard so far) This is so reminiscent to me of my all-time heart-fave band YES - you must've been a fan? This is great - thanks

	woofer3 said 278 days ago
	Forsooth - An excellent and clever work, well written and well performed, and well produced. Really love it.The intro reminded me a bit of a Frank Zappa piece but can't bring to mind which one, - possibly something from The Man from Utopia ? John.

	Jarvoid said 249 days ago
	Roundabout the second minute I was completely hooked. Yes,completely,this is the type of prog rock that is so evocative of the 70's and I believe will become the "classical" music of that era.....Howe you have done this track here squire I do not know but it will keep me aWakeman, listened and downloaded..........ever been influenced by Genesis? Jarvo

	Jarvoid said 249 days ago
	Roundabout the second minute I was completely hooked. Yes,completely,this is the type of prog rock that is so evocative of the 70's and Mor az I believe will become the "classical" music of that era.....Howe you have done this track here squire I do not know but it will keep me aWakeman, listened and downloaded..And er son........ever been influenced by Genesis? Jarvo

BossHook said 239 days ago

I am way
late to the Tobin party but I will catch up. Reading the "liner notes" here while listening gave me a bit of nostalgia for records. Not to trivialize the tragedies befallen but the story of how it came together despite the setbacks was a cool insight. Thanks for sharing the experience - it certainly breathes like a studio recording done with everyone there so your talents in producing are high ranking.

	asconejar said 223 days ago
	tsada very honest music, human touch is very evident, raw, jazzy, chic korea type of keyboard. Very happy to hear this song but also my sincere sympathy to the troubles you all experience in completing this song.

	Kori Arashi said 195 days ago
	Awesome! This seriously is overly professional and I like it! Keep up the good work!

Artist Profile

TobinMueller

Artist Bio I am a professional musician, composer, playwright and director. I lead a charmed life. I'm married to fellow MJer Suzanne and MJer Twonicus is my son. See my Spotlight Interview - Tobin Mueller: Talking With Myself in the Macjams Music Blog. You can ...[more]

Artist Music

Finding No Path

Last Song On Vaudeville (early mix) w/ bbarner

Vortigern's Fortress (EKNM)

Dare To Sing (AUDIOCRACY w/ Tadashi Togawa)

In The Great Dream (Robin Hood)

One Less Child (Robin Hood)

Lay Your Burdens Down (Robin Hood)

Hail To The Sheriff (Robin Hood)

Out Of The Forest (Robin Hood)

Too Many Years (Robin Hood)

Happy Birthday World

Seven Buttons On A Nehru Jacket (w/ Mcboy)

Sitcom Psychedelica (Woodstock after-party)

Puzzle City (AUDIOCRACY)

Emerald Path

Chromatisome Swing (tribute to Oscar Peterson)

Eruption of Previous Life

Caught In The Current (v2) - feat. BBarner & Komrade K

You Can't Touch Me (LSP)

I Wanna Fly (v2)

Lightning Strikes (v2 w/ more organ)

Lightning Strikes (v1)

Bring On The Storm

Hold On (w/ Komrade K)

Door In My Heart (v2)

Be My Love

Walls (Analogapalooza - from Robin Hood)

Sweet Liberty (Analogapalooza - Statue of Liberty dedication)

Pose For You (Analogapalooza - w/ Jessica Flood)

You Make My Heart Skip A Beat

We Are The Ones

Can't Complain (w/ Komrade K)

Speak Truth To Power (w/ twon, Darren Chapmen, Audiocracy)

When The Future Comes (w/ Twon, Alimar, Audiocracy)

To McBoy: 2 Peas in a Chili Pod

A Monk Caught in the Thelonious Sphere

Before There Were Gods

Chaos of the Subconscious

The Gumshoe Wears A Rag

Crazy Story (vers. 2 w/ Thoddi)

What I Was Thinking While You Were Talking (w/ Ziti, Mungo)

I Have Dreamed In Another

I Am Yours (Last Embrace Behind The Wall) w/ Mystified

Caught In The Current (w/ BBarner and Komrade K)

My Heart Still Beats (w/ Thoddi, etc.)

Icarus II (w/ Texasfeel)

House of Cards (...When I Sing)

Dreams III (featuring Woody Mankowski)

Lady of the Lake (w/ Mystified)

Tobin's Sampler

Revolution's Son (v2, w/ dchapman, twon, Alimar, Audiocracy)

When You Left

Revolution's Son (w/ twonicus)

Under A Western Sky

I Sail On (arr: Troy)

A Promise (w/ Woody Mankowski)

Let Me Play (w/ McBoy and BBarner)

I Sail On

Turn The Key

The Waitress (version 2)

What Thou Lovest Well (w/ Packo)

The Waitress

Morning Whispers

River Runs Through Me

Escaping The Fray Zone

Just Above The Ground

Final Words

Pilgrim of the Return

Secret of Life (w/ bbarner)

At Her Window

If I Could Live Long Enough (w/ IVANJS)

Windowshade

Save the Planet

Can't Complain

Dreams II (w/ Emily Rohm)

Borate Zone: Please Eat

Was There Once A Time

Forge A New Life - Part 2

Forge A New Life - Part I

	davisamerica said 317 days ago
	right then tobin man ... heavy toll on this one eh? finished product is amazing.

	TobinMueller said 316 days ago
	Heavy toll ...Just life intervening. Its what gives everything special meaning. Thanks for the early kudos.

	TobinMueller said 316 days ago
	Authentic Prog Thanks. that's a real compliment. Its tough to work in a specific genre, satisfy the progheads, and still make music they way I hear it. I love the guitar work on this and being able to play vintage synths. It is really such fun!

	TobinMueller said 316 days ago
	Artful Thanks, man. We are all wanting to make "art." Its a high goal when we can be playful and artful all in the same space. I really appreciate the comment.

	TobinMueller said 316 days ago
	Quality musicianship Thank you, Steve. Working with talented, giving musicians who know how to both create and listen is one of Life's great joys.

	TobinMueller said 312 days ago
	The torch ELP and Yes were my two favorite bands in college. Thanks for the comment about taking the torch, which we obviously tried to do, self-consciously so, but also for "running with it" since part of the idea is to add and create something new from the direction those great bands started.

	TobinMueller said 315 days ago
	Harmonizations Thanks. I truly dig harmony. And I'm am continually surprised how high my son can sing. I have a falsetto that goes pretty high, but when layered with Twon's voice, it doesn't sound so lame anymore. He adds great energy to the music. (You should hear him on several other tracks, pretty astounding energy and emotion conveyed.) Thanks for listening and enjoying.

	TobinMueller said 314 days ago
	Return costumer How cool is that. Thank you. You know how often one of us listens to our own tracks during the writing, arranging, performing, mixing and mastering process. It is great to know someone else listens more than once, integrates it, if even for a while, into themselves. Very appreciated comment.

	TobinMueller said 314 days ago
	Tony Banks Very cool, thanks. I've always enjoyed his stuff. I once put together a compilation tape of solo recordings by guys who played in Yes. Discovered some great Tony Banks tracks. I called the compilation "No - the solo works of one-time Yes men." I have to go dig that up...

	TobinMueller said 310 days ago
	jazz ear I'm really glad you want to hear the rest of the story. The whole "jazz ear" thing is something I enjoy employing. Alongside my classically trained sensibility and my homespun folk roots. Thanks for the compliments.

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	TobinMueller said 302 days ago
	passion Thanks. Passion can cloud the judgment when it comes to music choices, sometimes, make things sound way better in your head then it does to everybody else. I'm glad it translated in the right way. I appreciate the listen.

	TobinMueller said 302 days ago
	Thanks for the trip New York City is definitely in this song. Thanks for coming along for the ride.

	TobinMueller said 303 days ago
	Queensryche Did you notice who played the drums on this track? Thanks for all the great kudos.

	TobinMueller said 276 days ago
	son's trauma Thanks for your empathy. He's found a silver lining, which is one of life's great lessons, as a singer (who can now sing much harder lines since he doesn't need to play difficult bass lines) and song-writer. If he can ever play bass again, you can bet I'll put the song up on MJ.

	TobinMueller said 276 days ago
	YES Yes, I was and am a huge Yes fan. They are as influential as any one of my mentors, from Chopin to Brubeck. YES opened a whole new section of my brain, unlocked it, when I first heard them.

	TobinMueller said 276 days ago
	Frank Zappa Zappa was so versatile, so explorative. I was so disappointed when he bowed out of a run for president as a Libertarian in late 1980s. His early death was very sad. A marvelous mind and personality.