Click to listen to “The Cause of the Effect” by Scott Davis
Context:
“I wrote it in the car on the way home and sung it into my phone, then got home, ate indomie, and recorded it. Oh, and I think you’ll enjoy the the end of the song for obvious reasons [ed.: "Obvious" because I'm a melodica fiend - NC]”
Related:
Scott’s Friend of a Friend Interview
1/2 of The New Plagiarism EP, by Scott Davis
Dude from WilliamsBoard
by Rachel Rabbit
I’ll meet you at Savalas
Complement your work
Get you alone
Stick a thumbtack in your balls
Click to listen to “Bleeker St,” performed by Mark Fullmer
Context: A couple weeks back, as I sat transcribing the lyrics for “Beijing Huan Ying Ni,” my mp3 player got stuck on “Bleeker Street,” a Simon & Garf. number from their pre folk-rock phase (and did you know folk-rock wasn’t even really their idea?). Well techically, I got my mp3 player stuck on it, but the point is I found a new appreciation for the song’s simple intricacy. The counterpoint melodies weaving back and forth above and below each other. The subdominant-to-mediant suspensions. Funny how it doesn’t sound nearly as nice when you put it into technical terms. Anyway. I figured I could write something like that. So I did, recorded it, listened to it, and promptly concluded that I liked the original song far better. Thus this cover, born’d.
EcoWarrior
by Rachel Rabbit
If you think you’ll save the earth
By not using shampoo
Then perhaps you should
Stop using my $17 styling product
John Waters says “if you go home with someone and they don’t have books, don’t fuck ‘em.” I agree, and always make a beeline for the bookshelves when I’m in someone’s apartment. I used to subconsciously curate my bookshelves for this eventuality before I worked in publishing, but since I’ve been in the biz for about five years now (and Rachel more than that) we have lots of books that aren’t necessarily representative. We got rid of probably ten or so boxes of what we could live without when we moved, which would’ve been anathema five years ago but you learn to let go. Also, I love YA and space operas, but you don’t keep those after you’re done with them. Anyway, I got a new camera, thought I’d turn the other cheek and share some of our shelves.
Doppelganger
by Rachel Rabbit
I’m trying so hard to be Parker Posey
You say I’m Mariah Carey
Click here to listen to “Across the Universe,” by Mark Fullmer
Context: Yep, second time this month I broke my promise not to do covers, but if the first time (“Vespers”) was well worth it, this time…well let’s just say I have reasons which will become evident on March 18th (cue mysterious Mark laugh).
On the music: I started with a concept – since I’m without access to (or competency at) percussion, why not use *rain* to provide the rhythm for a song? I’ve always had a thing for rain. I layered it in, after recording the synthesizer and vocals, and that concept led to the other ‘atmospheric’ FX. Perhaps the effect comes across as heavy-handed, given the lyrics, but hey, take it up with John Lennon if you got a problem.
Tom Gabel
by Rachel Rabbit
If we had ever met
In Gainesville
Before Fat Wreck
You’d laugh at me
Buying showtunes at the record store
Friend of a friend and AMR music month champion Mark Fullmer created a Courage quotation page on Facebook. It expires in a few days, so if anything stands out for you, head on over and slap it on the wall.
That Movie I
by Rachel Rabbit
The Village scared the shit out of me for years
Even with that ending
The rapist in Twin Peaks—I think about him when I am home alone
Don’t even get me started on I Am Legend
Because then I will start thinking about the dog and cry my fucking eyes out
Click to listen to “Beijing welcomes you,” by Mark Fullmer
Context:
I’ll be leaving for China in June for 2 years to serve in the Peace Corps. So. There you go.
The song title translates as “Beijing welcomes you,” and I think this is sort of the Chinese equivalent of “It’s a Small World.” It was composed for the 2008 Olympics and famously sung by 100 of China’s biggest celebrities, including Wang Lee Hom, Zhou Bichang, Karen Mok, Jang Nara, Li Yuchun, Zhang Zilin and yes, Jackie Chan. Apparently everyone in China knows it. It’s a catchy tune and good Mandarin practice, and I like to think of the lyrics as a good omen for my journey.
Lyrics (Transcribed):
Click to hear “New Young Americans,” by Nick Courage
Context: I was having a latency problem all AMR music month, which sounds sexual but isn’t – just a frustrating recording issues. Actually, had a tough time expressing myself all February; was misunderstood by strangers, had some half-hearted vitriol slung my way. Tried to push through regardless, but tended more easily toward hibernation. Felt like History was holding my hands down while the Future licked my face. This song is partly a reaction to that.
Lyrics:
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McGolrick Park
By Rachel Rabbit
I had an epiphany
I finally understood what Speed Levitch was talking about
The trees were alive
The dogs were dancing
I found out later it was pharmaceutical-induced hypomania
(I don’t fucking care)
(It was awesome)
Click to hear “Po’ Man’s Blues,” by Mark Fullmer
Context:
The musical inspiration for “Po. Man’s Blues” came mostly from The Beatles’ “Dizzy Miss Lizzy”, with a dash of Sammy Davis Jr’s version of “Have a Little Talk with Myself”. Personally, the most enjoyable part of recording the thing was laying down the bass line. I would’ve thrown in a few rockabilly screams but I really didn’t want to concern my landlord who was next door painting. The lyrics began with trying to figure out how to avoid a mess of tired similes and the concept just got worse from there:
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