Tag: Songs from 2006

A New Religion

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Written by Ric Albano Song Length: 4:11
Listen to the Song: Purchase the MP3:
[audio:ANewReligion.mp3]
Lyrics
Dolphins flying in the sky, formations four by four
Yet no one seems to find this scene absurd
They’ve all been trained to say that this all existed yesterday
Or so they’ve heard, now they’re sure

Some cultivated visions fave morphed into this new religion
And no one dares to test its doctoral rule
Less they be ridiculed, evicted from the “Clique of Fools”
Through cruel avenues

The theorem is undisputable, the cause is undeniable
The burden is unbelievable to come
We’ve got to blindly act, before there is no turning back
Don’t be numb, beat them drums

The Reverend gave his sermon today
Then folded up his good notebook and on private wings flew away
Does he really believe that his words will sustain?

Dolphins marching on the ground, two by two, side by side
And those who don’t salute are forced inside
To be reeducated, corrected, and assimilated
With the tribe, the blessed tribe

The Shaman carved a new edict on the stone
For the tribe to follow religiously until those good souls regain the throne
This trumps every other thing that you’ve known

Composition © 2006 Ric Albano
Publication © 2007, 2009, 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Composed on August 25, 2006
Recorded starting on April 13, 2007
at Saturation Acres, Danville, PA
Produced by Ric Albano
Engineered by Bret Alexander
Mixed and Mastered in 2007
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Original Release: December 27, 2007
on Imaginary Lines II
This Release: September 9, 2009
on Imaginary Lines 33

Performers
Ric Albano
Piano, Keyboards, Bass, Percussion, Vocals
Ron Simasek
Drums

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: A methodic, mechanical beat sets the atmosphere for this ode on groupthink and intellectual laziness.

Song Trivia
The “dolphins flying in the sky” is a reference to a widely believed “scientific” study that claimed dolphins are more intelligent than humans.

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Believe

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Written by Ric Albano Song Length: 4:19
Listen to the Song: Purchase the MP3:
[audio:Believe.mp3]
Lyrics
So what’s the point of quiet charity if it won’t get you the gig?
They don’t forgive irregularities just because your heart is big
And why leave home with an atlas stone when a flask of pebbles might do?
This quite excessive sense of diligence
Offends my reasoned confidence in you

I do my best to view the world from deep behind these eyes
I draw my energy from sources not simply surmised

But what’s the point of simple clarity in such a complex universe?
Should we not strive towards more parity,
By ripping out the contents of your purse?

I steer my ship by ancient stars and hold the wind with poise
I grasp at every passing wave in a quest to find pure joys

Believe, believe
Believe, believe

So what’s the point of quiet charity if you don’t bag some esteem?
Complied reduction of this narrowly sliced time just seems obscene
And who would roam with an atlas stone…
When there are so many sights to see?
What’s the point of true contention,
When the scientific evidence has been decreed?

I beat my path with head held high and wisdom at my heels
I don’t pretend to know that this is how we all should feel

Believe, believe
Believe, believe

In a pinch and you’re on the run, will ye come undone?
If it’s a cinch just to follow the sun,
Why then fear of this unusual one?

Composition © 2006 Ric Albano
Publication © 2007, 2009, 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Composed on September 12, 2006
Recorded starting on September 14, 2006
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Produced by Ric Albano
Engineered by Ric Albano
Mixed and Mastered in 2007
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Original Release: December 27, 2007
on Imaginary Lines II

Performers
Ric Albano
Piano, Lead Vocals
Ron Simasek
Percussion
Janet Rains
Backing Vocals

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: One of the few songs from Imaginary Lines II which were preserved in original form, “Believe” is a lyrical debate on God, with the simple, sparse musical arrangement of just paino and top-end drums.

Song Trivia
The song was recorded just two days after it was composed and it is the only recording on Imaginary Lines 33 from 2006.

Animal Society live version of “Believe”

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33 Shots at Louis

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Written by Ric Albano Song Length: 3:07
Listen to the Song: Purchase the MP3:
[audio:33ShotsAtLouis.mp3]
Lyrics
Stay away from my front door
I’m sick-n-tired of you crawlin’ across my hardwood floor
I’ve got no dinner for you, Louis

I used to believe that you had my back
But now I can see that you’re nothing but a two-bit, no good quack
I’ve got no further business with you, Louis

We caught you grinning while singing the blues
Hand constantly out above open-toed sandal shoes
Why couldn’t you just walk more block –
In your dreadlocks and bloody socks – to an inn?

We heard you bitchin’ that night at the ball
Lips stiff yet bent and uptight in the dancing hall
Why couldn’t you just sit this one out?
You’ve done enough damage to your kin!

We saw you shakin’ it out at the bar
So stoned that you couldn’t recite who your children are
How could you now bathe in such shame?
Was all that moral rabble just your game?

So stay away from my back yard
If the summer’s too humid for you or you’ve lost playing your last card
I can’t pick a winner for you, I’ve got my own live to live
Get out on your own!

Composition © 2006 Ric Albano
Publication © 2007, 2009, 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Composed on September 26, 2006
Recorded starting on April 13, 2007
at Saturation Acres, Danville, PA
Produced by Ric Albano
Engineered by Bret Alexander
Mixed and Mastered in 2009
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Original Release: December 27, 2007
on Imaginary Lines II
This Release: September 9, 2009
on Imaginary Lines 33

Performers
Ric Albano
Electric Piano, Bass Guitar, Vocals
Erik Trabert
Electric Guitars
Ron Simasek
Drums

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: Almost the reciprical of the deep and emotional 33 Flames for Mary, this ia an upbeat, fun and frivolous song. It is one the few to feature a piano lead by Ric Albano, which trades riffs with the fantastic guitar work of Erik Trabert.

Song Trivia
This song was originally a pure instrumental titled “I Kicked a Dog”.

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The Last Man to Walk Alone

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Written by Ric Albano Song Length: 3:49
Listen to the Song: Purchase the MP3:
[audio:TheLastManToWalkAlone.mp3]
Lyrics
JR felt the tremble deep in his bones
He had become the last man to walk alone
He made the choice, the bridge would burn
A one-way jaunt with no return
He’d learn that he could never go home again

RJ watched it all from on up high
From beyond the great beyond that lines the sky
No spoken voice was granted him
A broken choice all results grim
But he’d try to set the table of life again

The ferment continued until the end of time
For some it seemed vulgar but for many it was simply sublime
RJ back to his drawing board
JR toward his prison ward
In time they’d end up in the same camp again

But he won’t ever get there again
Not to see the stalagmite citizens
Nor the crude, fair-weathered friends
He won’t ever get there again

And he will never see there again
Never perform the vapid rituals
Nor die the slow death from the bends
He will never see there again

Composition © 2006 Ric Albano
Publication © 2007, 2009, 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Composed on February 28, 2006
Recorded starting on April 13, 2007
at Saturation Acres, Danville, PA
Produced by Ric Albano
Engineered by Bret Alexander
Mixed and Mastered in 2009
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Original Release: December 27, 2007
on Imaginary Lines II
This Release: September 9, 2009
on Imaginary Lines 33

Performers
Ric Albano
Electric Piano, Keyboards, Bass, Vocals
Ron Simasek
Percussion

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: A nice, blue-grass-esque tribute to Johnny Cash which builds layer upon layer with synth work from Ric Albano.

Song Trivia
The unique percussion sound by Ron Simasek was achieved by turning over the snare drum and playing by hand.
The song’s message was unfortunately undermined a bit by the movie spoof Walk Tall, released the same Christmas as Imaginary Lines II.

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Keep Doing What You Do

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Written by Ric Albano Song Length: 5:04
Listen to the Song: Purchase the MP3:
[audio:KeepDoingWhatYouDo.mp3]
Lyrics
Don’t break your head trying to think up clever things that need be said
Just keep doing what you do
Don’t break a leg trying to clear up everything so nothing is vague
Just keep doing what you do

With you there’s proof of an infinite sun
With you there’s truth of an apothegmatic One

Don’t waste your time scouting landscapes to find higher hills to climb
Just keep doing what you do
And don’t lose your mind trying to make amends for those sins
That aren’t assigned to your soul

With you there’s proof of an infinite code
With you there is truth that can never grow old

Take a look around and appreciate all the wonders abound
And keep doing what you do

With you there’s the truth of the proverbial life
With you there’s proof of a terminated strife

Composition © 2006 Ric Albano
Publication © 2007, 2009, 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Composed on March 10, 2006
Recorded starting on April 13, 2007
at Saturation Acres, Danville, PA
Produced by Ric Albano
Engineered by Bret Alexander
Mixed and Mastered in 2007
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Original Release: December 27, 2007
on Imaginary Lines II

Performers
Ric Albano
Piano, Keyboards, Bass, Vocals
Ron Simasek
Drums

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: The rare, straight-forward, love song in the Imaginary Lines collection.

Song Trivia
This song was originally intended to be the last section of a four part, 16 minute “Ocean Suite”, following “He Was the Ocean” (later renamed “The Old Man In the Sea”), “Twilight of Innocence”, and “Dawning of Decadence”. This song was the only part completed in time for Imaginary Lines II.

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