This is another song for my rock opera (see the liner notes on this song for more details: https://fawm.org/songs/126834 ). One of the unusual things about songs for rock operas is that there can be a lot of very short songs for specific things that are happening in the plot or to transition from one scene to the next. This is definitely the shortest song I can remember ever writing!
The teens have only just started playing music together when this song happens. Mrs Wetherton, who runs the group of ‘Homes for Abandoned Children’, has a bunch of similar-looking men (think of Agent Smith in the Matrix) who do her dirty work for her, driving a fleet of unmarked white vans, they round up the children left parentless when the parents are picked up for playing rock and roll, and doing any other dirty work she needs done. They are the ‘chorus’ in this song.
As happens every FAWM, I see a Weekly Challenge that I think ‘no way I’m doing this one!’
I did 5 tracks of vocals for the chorus voices – two on a different note, but then pitch-shifted (using ReaPitch in Reaper) to bring them back to the same note as the others. For the voice of Mrs Wetherton, I spoke in a Monty Python-type woman’s voice, then used Melodyne to shift it up a few notes. No rock and roll instruments in this song, only strings.
Something Wicked copyright 2022 Michael J Birch
Something wicked (x4)
I have a feeling
Something’s wrong
Can’t put my finger on it
Something’s going on
Bring me that boy
The ratty one
We’ll make him talk
Before the day is done
Something wicked (x4)
@williamjames Feb 2022
The voices work very well! one would be hard pressed to guess its just you! This sounds quite menacing and intriguing.Wonder what happens next...??
@leka Feb 2022
I had to check this one out too. Great character.
@tunecat Feb 2022
Lovely strings!!! Love the opery opening voices. Great full of atmosphere
@scubed Feb 2022
Verrrrry ominous! Nice!
Where are you with the rock opera? I’d love to listen to the whole thing when it’s done.
@panch Feb 2022
Very atmospheric, powerful and more than a little bit sinister. I love the idea of putting a rock opera together, you have some impressive characterisations.
@donna Feb 2022
Wow, Mike! That music is powerful. Sounds like that rock opera will be a blast. :) Now I need to keep checking in to see what else will show up. ;)
@liz561 Feb 2022
By the tingling of my thumbs...... very atmospheric.
@chroes Feb 2022
Oh, a rock opera! How fun! Cool concept, and the chorus / choir is very oppressing in this one. The variations on the strings are very cool and highten the atmosphere!
@bethdesombre Feb 2022
Oo! That instrumental intro (and the 4x wickeds at the beginning)! Even without knowing the broader context of the rock opera (though now I'm curious) this is really evocative!
@edward9thstreet Feb 2022
I glad you're getting on with this rock opera. This sounds like it would be right at home on a stage. Very cool.
@quadrivium Feb 2022
I love the "Smoke on the Water" quote at the beginning. What a wonderfully evocative and ominous piece of music, Michael! The Mrs. Wetherton voice works really well for the mood. I'm having images of Mrs. Umbrage.
@caitlin Feb 2022
Ohhhhh that bass intro! Really sets the mood before you even hear a word - you’re ready for “something wicked “ from the get go. I dig the strings throughout, very powerful!
@oswlek Feb 2022
Ha! This is great! Sounds like something Floyd might have written for a follow up to "The Wall".
@andrea Feb 2022
Oh my gosh, that has a powerful feel. I think I need to visit Broadway this weekend (or after FAWM). Can't wait to hear the pieces all together. I'm hooked!
@musicbymichelle Feb 2022
Haunting! Definitely rock operaesque. Definitely leaves me intrigued.