Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Striking Back

Striking Back
Written and Recorded 2010

This is another hidden gem that I thoroughly enjoy listening to. It's done in the same style as "Ticking Away," but it doesn't fit into the time theme. I remember recording some of these parts, especially the rhythm guitar that is nearly always doing a very high energy strumming pattern, and just losing myself in the music. It's super high energy and though the recording isn't perfect, it's a pretty joyful piece.
  • The start of each verse/A section is a big question mark, the listener has no idea when the progression will actually change and the melody develop.  It goes on longer than our ears want it to, which I find really engaging. 
  • I recorded these songs all in one complete take on each instrument. So whatever instrument goes first is the structural template for the entire song. When I did lay it down, whether it be the keyboard or the guitar usually, I usually had the different parts kind figured out in terms of progressions, but I would almost improvise the form. The number of verses/choruses, time between progressions, breaks in the song, etc were all done on the spot and never really planned out. I would go by instinct.
  • There's a lot of power in the first chorus/B section. There are a few instruments that change their role in terms of rhythm, but the 8th notes continue throughout in one way or another. This gives the brief silence before the second chorus/B section even more weight, then doubling it before proceeding the very conclusive Post-chorus/C section progression. 
  • The title of "Striking Back"is definitely me trying to take a little control in my life. At that time in Baraboo, I felt like I had no command over what my job would be. There's a lot of pent up energy in this piece that I find refreshing.

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