Thanks very much to Richard & Lawrence for listening and commenting; always grateful for your ears & time!
Originally Posted By: gruverider
also I like how you got the drums going in and out, just a super touch. It gives the song a warm lyrical narrative emphasis. When they stop I feel a strong "stop and look closer" at the character moment. Then the drums come back and the train moves forward again. And the repetition of this throughout the whole song is fascinating.

I appreciate that. One of the things that some people are prone to do is to take their 8 layers of instruments, start them all at the beginning, and run them all straight through to the end. The dynamics and arc of a composition are enhanced by NOT just doing that - which involves thought, planning, and work, usually lots!