Heuristics Inc's Album-A-Day project: "a very serious crime"
The Flash Player!
This is a nice flash console for playing the Album-A-Day. Check it out. It's written by a guy named Dre!
Check out the Comments page if you'd like to chat about the songs on this album.
Most of the album was recorded using Acid, my multitracking program of choice, unless noted otherwise.
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1. emphatic enzymatica
A prelude. It has no lyrics, and also a title that doesn't really have anything to do with the story. But it's a prelude. When you're working with phrases from your spam mail for an entire album, you take what you can get. I'm surprised I had enough titles to make a coherent story at all.
2. consumer alert
Music done using Audiomulch. Vocal added with Acid.
consumers are advised to exercise care in the handling of the product. brain damage may result from improper use of the product. the consumer, by using the product, acknowledges that any use of the product is at the consumer's own risk. under no circumstances shall the manufacturer be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from use of the product.This is a literary device known as "foreshadowing." "Backshadowing"? Or maybe it's just something that happened in the story, I don't know. English wasn't my best subject.
3. cycliclamplight
Audiomulch processing of three different samples of the words:
cycliclamplightThanks to Mobile Sound Unit also for use of his Sprouter VST that makes it sound so cool. Also doesn't really have much to do with the story, but I liked the sound of the words. And, symbolically, it has a lot to do with the mental state of the main character after the events in track 2.
4. blind date
A pop tune! Ok, maybe not.
going on a blind date never done this before i think it must be fate i feel it down to the core i'm going to meet this girl going to take her home now time to give it a whirl so what i don't know how i know that she's the one she's the woman for me we'll never be undone i'm sure she will agree
5. your fantasy becomes real
Live singing through vocoder.
fantasy
6. 100% safe
The first song I finished for the album, although the third one I started on. I think it kind of shaded the direction the rest of the thing was going to take. I didn't really figure out the overarching storyline until about the 7th song (chronologically speaking) or so.
you're safe with me let yourself go i swear that nothing could ever happen to you 100% safe here with me nothing will happen you'll be safe here with me tied up in my basement you'll be 100% safe
7. our prime concern
our prime concern is always your safety the sooner that you learn the sooner we'll be happy our prime concern is this relationship now it's your turn don't you let it slip
8. Be careful
Initial sound processing done in Audiomulch, then taken into Acid for the incorporation of additional sounds.
be careful don't make me angry you better behave or i'll have to discipline you
9. everyone wants to be a part
An instrumental. An important event happens here. See? It's exciting music.
10. this is a real hit
This is about the time (7th track chronologically) that I figured out what the whole story was about. I like that sort of seat-of-the-pants approach to writing concept albums, luckily it worked out ok.
you made me do this i was happy but you made me mad you made me do this now it's time to teach you a lesson this is a real hit
11. all we can give
An instrumental, in which disturbing sounds are heard. At the end. I hope the listener can tell what the sounds are and what they mean.
12. the truth is inside
...and the final track, the last one on the album, and oddly enough the first track I started working on in the morning.
i built a locked box and wrapped in old socks the truth is inside buried in a landslide i can't bear to see the truth won't set me free if it tells its tale i'm going straight to jailI'm hoping the main character gets his comeuppance, personally, but I left it kind of open. Draw your own conclusions.
...and finally, my "album a day" diary:
10:40 Ok, I've got coffee, I've got equipment. I'm taking some inspiration from Brad Sucks and trying to get all the titles of songs from spam messages that I get today.
1:13 song 1's music is maybe complete (2:00) song 2 ... um. song 3 complete: "100% safe" (2:26)
1:47 song 4 complete: "cycliclamplight" (1:12)
2:19 song 1 complete: "the truth is inside" (2:00)
3:31 song 2 complete: "everyone wants to be a part" (1:08)
4:13 song 5 complete: "consumer alert" (2:26) this album is pretty dark so far, at marked contrast to the beautiful day outside. but now it's time to take a shower!
5:31 song 6 complete: "emphatic enzymatica" (3:12)
6:29 song 7 complete: "this is a real hit" (:51) i'm enjoying taking these quotes from spam and turning them into nasty things. heh heh.
7:06 song 8 complete: "all we can give" (1:15)
7:48 song 9 complete: "your fantasy becomes real" (2:17) ...and now it is time for PIZZA.
9:25 song 10 complete: "blind date" (1:15) believe it or not, after all this the album has become a CONCEPT ALBUM, with a narrative going throughout the whole thing. weird, eh?
9:53 song 11 complete: "our prime concern" (1:24)
11:12 song 12 complete: "be careful" (1:33) ok, all the songs are now finished. i also have a track order that makes sense with the story. i'm listening to all the tracks to make sure that they make musical sense in that order too. next, assuming all goes well, is mastering.
1:32 mastering complete. the song order made enough sense for me to say "ok, it's done." phew!
2:16 AM Ok, I'm officially calling it done. That makes it 15:36 total time reqired. This has all been very exhausting. I'm tired.
Total time: 12 tracks, 21:04