Feb 2022 dirge
This isn't quite slothcore, but it's pretty slow. I did most of it on my phone, the rest in Logic. I meant to use an acoustic guitar, but my guitar needs new strings, so I kept it (almost) all digital.
If I didn't lie what would I say?
If I told the truth you'd walk away
If you heard my story, well that smile of yours just might disappear
Cause I'm a stranger here
If you think that I'm someone who cares
And you want to keep me in your prayers
If I said I'd think about it, maybe I could ease your fears
But I'm a stranger here
Yeah I'm a stranger here
I don't know why but there's no time
Storm winds are blowing in my mind
It's too late now for me to change or you to interfere
I am a stranger here
Oh I'm a stranger here
If you made me welcome at your door
Just remember I've been here before
And the limits of your welcome have been made quite clear
But I'm a stranger here
But I'm a stranger here
Oh I'm a stranger here
I am a stranger here
@headfirstonly Mar 2022
"Dirge" has such unfortunate connotations these days, but this has that undertow of lamentation and grief, and the deftly applied reverb gives this a sense of being recorded in a cathedral that totally fits. The keys in this are beautifully understated and the way they fade into that reverb has got me nodding in appreciation.
That repeated "but I'm a stranger here" really goes in and sticks. Downloaded.
@nancycunning Mar 2022
I like how that word stranger has this little bit of a southern accent slip into the A sound...Interesting to thing about having the way you say "stranger" give a glimpse into who you are and how you're strange. I'm with angelina it doesn't feel slow to me. Feels somewhere in the Tom Petty, U2, REM quadrant - though maybe that just means it makes me feel how I felt listening to their music in college. Nice work.
@elesimo Feb 2022
Love the lyrics here, and your voice has so much emotion! An amazing song, I love it!
@angelinapowersuit Feb 2022
Dark but Doesn’t sound slow, I think the tempo gives it a calm, level headed feel. This ain’t your first rodeo. You may be a stranger but you know those around you all too well.
@sarahk Feb 2022
Solid lyrics with enough ambiguity to allow listeners to fill in their own details. Musical production is so impressive! How y'all do this with mostly just a phone is incredible.
@barbara Feb 2022
Love this so much!! For me, it doesn’t *feel* slow, just deep and intense. It’s exactly the right speed for me. It’s also beautifully built and intriguing. My mind is afloat on possible backstories. The drums that kick in on v2 are so on the spot to up the intensity. Also impressed by the way the wait for the rhyme on the hook is so extended you almost forget about it, and then it slides in to deliver the payoff with a real zing. Cool crafting! I love this lower, darker range too (voice and instruments), and the character you evoke in your delivery is very convincing. Marvelous and downloaded.
@jamkar Feb 2022
Ethereal instruments and somber lyrics. Plenty of feeling to my liking. Great start!
@writeandwrong Feb 2022
I always love how raw emotion comes thru in your performance. Somber. This has an ethereal feel to it that just adds to the ambiance. Fantastic write! And thanks for stopping by and commenting on the cat lyric. Yeah, she literally said we'd all be better without it around because they carry germs...... I'm still shaking my head....
@stephenwordsmith Feb 2022
I feel I'm getting a glimpse of a long journey - I'm hearing four minutes of a saga that has gone on for years, going through dark and cold places with the occasional glimmer of warmth, returning once more to a familiar place which will not allow the stranger to become familiar.
I feel like I'm at the edge - kneeling at the line between a cold, open place and a warm inviting exterior. I see fireplaces and tall gothic edifices, perhaps a cathedral or a manor house.
A soothing listen that holds enough conflict to keep the words from leaving the consciousness. Amazing what you can do with a phone these days.
@rayboneor Feb 2022
That's an interesting lyric. There's a dark edge to it, and I kept thinking it would resolve somehow, but you keep it open and darkly mysterious, which I like. The "stranger here" hook is fantastic. And dang, you've created a pretty impressive soundscape with that phone. I love the way it sounds. The dirge-like quality is totally effective, pleasantly hypnotic
@airbagtester Feb 2022
I can definitely see this as a dirge in the way lots of songs by The Cure could be called dirges. It makes a great use of space in the same way. I like the little tape warble at the end too.
@lmr Feb 2022
Terrific lyrics, I love the way you bring me in with the repetition of "But I'm a stranger here". Unfortunately I can't hear anyone's audio at on the site at this point for some reason. Looking forward to hearing it. I believe you asked a question about collaboration? if so, I would be interested in doing lyrics or melody, though I'm probably stronger as a lyricist. But then I would relish the opportunity to put music to your lovely words as well. You can also reach me at [email protected].
@bandybum Feb 2022
This entices with a a rich, murky melding of sounds flowing along. Captivating vocal delivery. Strong work!
@dragondreams Feb 2022
I love the richness of the backing. And when the drums came in, I got goose bumps. They appeared at exactly the right spot. You've created a great atmosphere to carry the lyrics.
I really like this one!
@richaaaay Feb 2022
Great work. Impressive to make this on your phone. The vocal phrasing and lyrics really make this work.
@ajna1960 Feb 2022
It definitely has a deep emotive sad and melancholy vibe, both within the music and the lyrics. In a strange kinda way, I enjoyed my listen even though it was sad :)
@doglatin Feb 2022
I enjoyed this, in all its mopey, dirgy, slothcorey glory. I keep starting and scrapping songs because my lyrics are coming out too depressing, but you've made a really enjoyable thing here...maybe I should keep plugging away, embrace it.
@apauls Feb 2022
I like this, I'm getting Zooropa-era U2 vibes on this one - post-punkish. The subtle but anthemic synths in the instrumental break rock so gently. Almost slothcore, but it definitely has a pulse!
@toms Feb 2022
Hey it sounds like the Kinks! I AM TOTALLY KIDDING IT SOUNDS NOTHING LIKE THE KINKS. :) Really excellent, Rod! Crazy that you did it mostly on your phone. That's just nuts, and it turned out splendidly.
@andrea Feb 2022
Sounds different than the other songs I listened to, and I like this too. You have a nice sound and you use it well. The hook is good. It drew my attention :)
@lyricslinger Feb 2022
Enjoyed listening to this. I like the device you used of having the hook at the end of each verse, but slightly varying the way you deliver the I'm a stranger lines