I'd love to change the world.

But I don't know what to do. So I'll leave it up to you...

This blog may go nowhere. Not sure yet. I am sitting in a hotel room in Marquette MI pondering existence. So I write...

I've never really tried to "change the world", I spend too much time making my little world better. Maybe that is selfish. I am starting to think there is more to give.

Now for something completely different...

I am going to do a little shameless self-promotion tonight. I am on a self induced nostalgia trip.

Back in 2008, I was possessed to write and record an acoustic LP. It was a huge step away from the Metal band I cherished for so many years (and still do BTW), but I had to get all of these ideas out of my head and onto tape. Driven is the correct word, I was driven to do it by forces beyond my control.

I had some help, mostly from Dave Watson, who worked his butt off at Soundscape Studios to make me sound good and produce something worth a shit. I also had the brilliant idea to bring Jon Rice (JFAC) in on the project to take the drum throne. In a few hours, he nailed everything better than I could have imagined. Both Dave and Jon are gifted guys, and I was lucky to have them on board.

I always thought of myself as a songwriter first, and a musician second. I can honestly say that after months of work on this project, I became a better musician.

Now, I spend a lot of time criticizing in my blogs, and I know that in putting examples of my own work out there, I am opening up the door to some criticism from others. But that's OK, do better, then we will talk. I have the benefit of the underground to protect me. I can still do what I want.

The following song, Shine, seems to be a favorite based on hits it has gotten over the years. It is a self explanatory love song that took a total of 10 minutes to write and 10 tries to record. I could not get the vocal right no matter how hard I worked. I was guilty of over thinking it. Mr. Watson had already mixed another version of the vocal that I think we both hated and knew was not right. I am sure he was not pleased that I demanded we re-re-record it the day I sang this take. It is still not perfect, but overall it turned out good enough. I am glad we took the extra steps.

One more example, then I will quit this self indulgent study:

freaknotcounted:
I try to not write in heavy metaphor, except when I do. This one was pretty personal in lyrical meaning and I will leave it at that. What is really cool about this version is, well... everything. This was an old Domicile MKII song written in its Metal form back in 2000. I re-vamped it for this project, and I love everything about it. Jon Rice's shuffle is amazing in this song, and I am proud of it. I stretched my then vocal range to it's peak in the bridge (my range is actually better now, go figure). The result is very cool. My broseph, Base says it is one of his favorite songs, period. Believe me, that is all the compliment I need.

OK, I lied... I want to throw up one more:

For me, alone.
This little sleeper is one of my most favorites that I have ever written. It is very auto-biographical. It is simple, and I dig that sometimes. It has to do with my personal struggles through the years, and my tendency to shut down. In a way, it's a "just leave me alone, I'll figure it out myself" tune.

There's more. Find them if you want. I am thinking about giving this entire LP away on Spotify or something. If I get the chance, I will put it up this weekend and see if I can make it a free download.