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These Odds
by rsorensen

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Guest views: 925
Member views: 3
Song comments: 36
Tokens: 0
Plays: 111
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Downloads: 37
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Submitted on: Aug 15, 2008 - 01:28:47 AM
Last Updated: Aug 17 2008 - 12:14:13 AM
Keywords If you're gonna play the game boy ya gotta learn to play it right (3)
Description Well I've been here a year now and I guess this here is my anniversary post. I've always wanted to write a song with a 50s ballad style progression and I finally got around to it. To those of you that aren't fans of slightly filtered vocals, I apologize. But I gotta say I'm loving them lately. I tried this song with clean vocals and it just didnt sound right to me. Lately I've been listening to a ton of Sparklehorse too (who filters his vocals often), and you can definitely hear it in this.

There's a spot for a solo after the last chorus, and I tried a few things that just didn't stick, so I left it open. If anyone wants to add something there feel free. I think a bluesy Rhodes or a lap steel solo would sound killer, so if anyone wants to jump in, please do.

I'm pretty happy with this one, but as always I'm open to suggestions for improvement, so feel free to offer. Thanks for listening. Happy Birthday to me. I love this place!
Lyrics you tell me you wont say goodnight
you tell me it's too hard this time
but I'll come back to you again
I'll come back if you'll let me in

We have played this game before
We both have walked in and out that door
But this time it feels different
Yeah this time I think you mean it

And I don't like these odds
you're giving me to gamble with
And I won't play these games you're playing
because I'll never win

I spent all my time on making you happy
Before I realized we're not meant to be
The glowing stars shoot out from your eyes
Nobody can say we never tried

And I don't like these odds
you're giving me to gamble with
And I won't play these games you're playing
because I'll never win

Hardware Gibson Firebird VII, Squier Vintage Jazz Bass, M-Audio KeyStudio 49i (Organ, Piano, Percussion), Tambourine, Blue Snowball
Software: GB 08
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12parsecs

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Feter said 146 days ago
These Odds
first Happy anniversary my friend ...second THIS is a
fabulous song ..loved the keys and your vocal work !!!
very nice very nice ..thnx alot for sharin it !!!

rsorensen said 142 days ago
first up
thanks feter!

Moviz said 146 days ago
I like
the 'filtered' sound on the vocals in this case; it gives the impression that the conversation is in the mind and not yet vocal, though it could maybe let loose in the last verse, but for me OK as is. Love the waltz style blues and the organ. Good lyrics and great vocal style, cheers M

rsorensen said 142 days ago
hmm
clearing up the vox in the second verse aint a bad idea. i may resing parts of this later so maybe i'll try that out. thanks for listening.

lavalamp said 146 days ago
TOPS
Original, creative and just f*ckin' good, my man.

You've outdone yourself. What are you doing here?

LL

rsorensen said 142 days ago
I'm
having a blast! thanks dave glad you like this

Lennon714 said 146 days ago
INXS
This song takes me back to when I first started watching MTV and INXS' "Never Tear us Apart" was huge. GREAT band, GREAT tune. This is very well done. I'd love to hear you take it home with some gritty lead on the fade out. However, I can certainly understand that you're aiming for something outside of that.

rsorensen said 142 days ago
inxs
AH! you know as I was recording this I knew it reminded me of a certain song but couldn't figure it out. You're totally right though. Makes sense as I wore out my 'Kick' cassette from repeated listenings back in the day. i did try some dirty lead but it ended up sounding contrived. i might get brave one day though and try an organ solo. but for now i'll let someone else give it a shot. thanks for stopping by eric.

said 145 days ago
Happy Jammiversary Ridd!
It's been a good year for musical creativity here, hasn't it?

Lovely ballad. I for one enjoyed your filtered vocals very much. Very apropos for a piece of this nature.

Poignant lyrics as well.

Take care man!

rsorensen said 142 days ago

thanks michael. i'm loving the filterd vox too on songs like this. it gives everything a real hazy numb kind of vibe.

gail60 said 145 days ago
Happy Anniversary
You are a talented dude and happen to be one of my favorite Macjammers! This song helps prove why! Great job Rid!

rsorensen said 142 days ago
hey
thanks gail. appreciate the kind words. that collab we did is still one of my favorite collabs ever. we'll have to do another soon

egobandit said 145 days ago
I tell ya
Great piano choppin in there Classic reminds of some Floyd for some reason. Too too good as far as something being wrong I cant find it. Keep em coming I like when Im working and One of your songs pops on my Ipod! MAkes my day Thanks!

rsorensen said 142 days ago

yeah - i had floyd in mind with the piano and the echoing BG vox. They use it very effectively in 'The Thin Ice'. Glad to be on your ipod! thanks for downloading

12parsecs said 145 days ago
the odds
i've been away all week, and when i come back - you've posted ANOTHER song!?! man, am i feeling behind.

nice intro. poor sad t-rex. hehe. and great lyrics - you make it seem so effortless. top notch production, as per usual. nice gtr tone. b3 sounds authentic. programmed drums or loops? some great fills in there!

rsorensen said 142 days ago

thanks scott. don't worry I feelthe well starting to dry so you'll have time to catch up. I spent a long time on the drums and I'm pretty happy with them. They're heavily edited loops.

magnatone said 144 days ago
These Odds
wow - could this BE more cool? That filtered voice sound is perfect in this song - love how it stands out, but seems kind of unreal at the same time. Of course, I especially love the piano - and the organ adds punch that really holds me in this song. GREAT work Rid - and happy anniversary Mr. rsorensen - long may you stay at MJ!

rsorensen said 142 days ago

it COULD be more cool with a piano solo from you... hint hint. THanks for checking this out Karen. Glad you enjoyed it.

cjdaley said 144 days ago
hey
beautiful organ layer, there. Happy anniversary (and it's cool that people offer beautiful songs as presents for their own anniversary).

rsorensen said 142 days ago

thanks man. it's my first song with this many keys and I'm a rather inexperienced player, so I'm glad you think it sounds good. i wanted to do an organ solo in there as well but I chickened out. Thanks for listening/commenting.

Vic Holman said 143 days ago
time flies
I think Macjams has vacuum that compresses time. Before you know it a year or 2 or 4 fly by.

a cool tune for the last dance at the prom. Geez that was a millienium ago.

rsorensen said 142 days ago

I KNOW! I can't believe it's been this long. I should really have more songs to show for it, but I got a late start. This is totally a last dance type of song haha. Thanks for stopping by Vic.

yrp said 142 days ago
An
excellent composition!
There is a palpable fragility in it, much like Sparklehorse (a clear influence)...
That Hammond playing are great (samples?).You know, once I thought the hammonds an absolute cliche and loathed each and every song which featured the instrument.
But, after listening to compositions which use it wisely (Like some songs on Talk Talks Laughing Stock)I changed my mind.
Your song is also a good example of nice Hammond use.

Best,


Carlos


rsorensen said 142 days ago
B3
thanks! Yeah this song was definitely inspired by Sparklehorse's 'Spirit Ditch'. I never set out to use the Hammond for this - just kind of happened. I find theyre best used sparingly as well, but it didnt sound right when I dropped it out. Glad you think it works . Oh - It's not sampled - its the GB Rock Organ with some tremelo fx. Thanks for checking this out and your comments.

guygrooves said 142 days ago
You
Are soooooo good!!! This is a great song man. I love the filtered vocal. Guitar sounds perfect for the piece. The harmonies need a little work, although they do add some charm the way they are now. Production is stellar as always. Nice change up!!

rsorensen said 142 days ago
harmony
thanks, guy. I think it's that first 'IIIII don't' in the chorus that's a little off, or are you talking about something else? I'll probably resing that part at some point but yeah I left it for now cuz it does add a little vulnerable charm to everything. Good call. Thanks for checking this out and for your kind words.

Karmatoburn said 141 days ago
always
you are brilliant. i wish i had the song in me like this.

rsorensen said 140 days ago
:)
thanks karma. nice of you to say. I wish i could do this full time. maybe someday.

spitlogic said 141 days ago
Awesome
Well structured and great performance. This is classic and a good way to celebrate your anniversary. Yes. I'm feeling this one.

rsorensen said 140 days ago
cool
I really respect your work, so to know that you're feeling this means a lot. Appreciate the listen, thanks.

said 140 days ago
These Odds
I'm late
But not that late :) Another 'Winner' it appears
Well done ridd. love it.

Peace Dee.

rsorensen said 120 days ago

thanks dee. hope you're back soon!

Heightened said 140 days ago
Another frigging brilliant song!
Now you are starting to piss me off! Seriously - this is awesome!!!

rsorensen said 120 days ago

sorry!!! hey you're no slouch, man. Nothing to be pissed off about :)

Char said 138 days ago
Been there.
Love your hook:
And I don't like these odds....
because I'll never win.
It gets better every time you listen to it.
Thanks.

rsorensen said 120 days ago

thanks char. glad you like this

Dj French Toast said 123 days ago
I love your
production choices . Nice tune man . Downloaded . thank you .

rsorensen said 120 days ago

thanks DJ. don't forget to listen to the new version :)

lengold said 114 days ago
Really lovely song
that stood on its own - but, of course, love the later version too.
Pro musicianship, performance and production.
Cheers
Len



saymme said 98 days ago
..
Back for more listening & dl !! I didnt comment before ! This is a REAL great one.... WOW
Tx to MichaelWark & Char I got back to this : ) Coverchallenged by Michael_Wark !! New today TX!!! my pleasure totally
H

Artist Profile
rsorensen photo
rsorensen

Artist Bio I'm an illustrator working in Vancouver, Canada. Recently I decided it was time to take writing and performing music to the next level. I recently completed recording my first album called New Beautiful by Satellite Tragedy, and it'll be released by...[more]
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