This is song #3 in our Sitars in Space series (with Viridian & Last Resort)

Are We There Yet

Lyric and backtrack was written by Robert. He mixed the song as well. I provided support for the arrangement and mastering..

Vocal RobertC
Solo guitar and fills - ScottC

The Lyrics:
arewethereyet?

2 beats per minute
cocooned in time
cryogenic crew
trick the paradigm
10 beats per minute
no cognitive decline
cellular division
in suspended mind

I hold a handful of earth
sealed with a billion seeds
wonder is it right to freeze
the light of souls at birth

we werent supposed to wake
on science we`d depend
now I look out on an endless end
a cosmic joke hard to take

redpill greenpill bluepill
sixty years from the entry phase
arewethere arewethere arewethere yet
children dream as I age

who hears my wordless wail
its the known I fear
I`m an echo no one hears
doomed though the dark to sail

redpill greenpill bluepill
sixty years to ask why
arewethere arewethere arewethere yet
the stars don`t take sides

redpill greenpill bluepill
sixty years from the entry phase
arewethere arewethere arewethere yet
children dream as I age

60beats per minute
30beats per minute
10beats per minute
2beats per minute


© Robert Cordrey March 2023

The band:
Style INSIGHT - Insight - New Age Indian Raga
2613_ Bass, Electric, FunkPumpingOffbeat8ths Ev _0
3182_ Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm GrungeUnplugged_0
3230_ Guitar, Electric, Background CinemaHeldLo_0
3231_ Guitar, Electric, Background CinemaHeld_0
3875_ Guitar, 12-String Electric, Rhythm PopBa_0
Drums-BluesRockFunky16ths^1-HHSnr,HHSB_0
RealDrums-Tabla16ths_0
RT3439_Guitar, Electric, Rhythm BritPsycRockMarchSingleNoteD_0
RT4044_Sitar, Background SlowSwing16thsAnwar Sw16 075_0
RT4267_Sitar, Rhythm Slow16thsDronesAnwar Ev16 065_0
RT4268_Sitar, Background Slow16thsAnwar Ev16 065_0

SpiritLevel:

A very original arrangement and production on this. The opening verse effect is intriguing and I’m torn between really liking it or not so much—perhaps the vocal is a bit too far back? Dunno. I do like the construction . . . finishing with that same effect on the outro. What follows is excellent and classic Spirit Level. Excellent work!

My best to you all,

Deej

Hi Scott & Robert ...

Indeed, a most interesting project! Interesting in a very good way, though. I always enjoy a non-traditional post. Opens my eyes and ears to new possibilities.

As Deej said, intriguing opening and close. The opening creates a lot of possibilities for what might follow. Robert can create some of the best lyrics!

In my opinion, Robert's vocals were mixed correctly for the ethereal ambiance of the song. I did, however, think the lead guitar was a bit too overpowering, as it was substantially louder than everything else - just a bit too loud, I think.

All that said, what a great musical journey that was! Never know what to expect from Spirit Lever, but I always enjoy it!

Alan

Some of the best lyrics Robert has ever shared with us, I think. And the song, as a whole, itself? A masterpiece. Beautiful beginning. The lyrics are not to be heard clearly, at the beginning, until "I hold a handful of Earth", but I suspect that that's the way it's supposed to be? The rest is, again, incredible. Thinly veiled metaphors that tell of the human condition, in all its rawness. "The stars don't take sides". Indeed - perhaps (perhaps) that's the tragedy of it all - that they don't. The slowing down at the end is magical.

Humblest and sincerest CONGRATULATIONS to all of you.

Scott / Robert,

Love this. You guys make some really innovative music. Great song and production. Love Scott's guitar!

Robert's vocal has a touch of Robert Plant's quiet side - very nice!

Bob

Hmmm. I heard this song a few days ago. I musta been too blown away to comment then. I came back now after listening again to see if that was you playing the sitar. Wouldn't o' surprised me. Scott, that guitar tone really grabs me --very powerful and tasty. Robert, no one writes lyrics as well as you do, and your vocal is always enjoyable. That's the Spirit.

SL,

Interesting and original...lyrically and musically.
Cool tracks. Good mix.
Scott's guitar fits like a (soft kid) glove.

Spacey and spicy with some special sauce. Nice!

Interesting song.
I don't like sitars (or banjos) so the intro and outro are not for me, but I like the rest, cool lyrics (a bit hard to understand in some places) and good vocals and guitar playing from you guys.
The drums/percussion are a bit too busy for my taste, but it still works, so I guess it's okay.

Thanks Deej for checking out the song. Really appreciate your comments. Glad you liked it.

Hi Scott and Robert
Sounds really interesting
Everything fits together and is developing very well
Good effort from BiaB
And a very good job from both of you
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

Thanks Alan for checking out the song. Really glad you liked it. Roberts lyrics really try and paint a visual story and the music is for colorful splashes and textures. An audio/visual journey. I think the loud guitar came from accidently bumping it up to 11. Lol

Hi Scott and Robert,

Very cool and original as your music often is. Your guitar is sitting in the mix perfectly for me, Scott, and I like the lines you are playing too.

Cool vocal, both the main vocal and the intro and outro parts.

Good one guys, enjoyed.

Stellar production. I love the blend of instruments.

Lyrics, once again, are top-notch.

Once again, another Spirit Level classic. I enjoy the music you two collaborate on.

I wasn't excited with the intro but the rest of the song was fantastic.

You two produce some outstanding music.

Sounds great!

Mysterious travel to an unknown place, wondering what happens when it's time to wake up... Many nice lines like "I hold a handful of earth" and "its the known I fear".
I love the intro, the Indian soundscape works very well, feels like waiting on the gate of the space flight with millions of others.
Scott's guitar and Robert's voice highlight the journey. The ending is a nice slowing fall into the cryogenic sleep.

Janne

We think we are

World music at its best!

We like the combo of sitars with the rest of the band and the tablas really fit with the feel of moving through space. Scott’s guitar sounds excellent!

Both of us enjoy science fiction and this was like a micro novel.

Robert, your arrangement of the vocal sections worked to a charm for us.

Far out!

J&B

Robert & Scott.
Very unusual and abstract opening, nicely flows in main theme. Fun fusion of instruments and styles. Neat ornamental guitar by Scott and mysterious & cool lyrics. Good mix, easy to follow vocals.

This is great:
"now I look out on an endless end
a cosmic joke hard to take"

Thank you for sharing.
Misha.

Thanks James for the wonderful comments. Really appreciate you checking out the song.



Thanks Bob for checking out the song. Your comments are very much appreciated.



Thanks Marty. Yes you got a prerelease listen from my Facebook page :-)

No that is not me playing the sitar. I remember when I was a youngster Coral put out and electric guitar/sitar. I think it was to emulate the George Harrison vibe that was happening at the time. Really glad you liked the song.

Wow spacey. I like the sitar, and exotic sounds and mux

Scott,

This is really cool!

Sounds like it could have come from a 60s sci-movie with David Bowie in it or something.

Really wild!

Thanks Floyd your comments are very much appreciated. Glad you liked it.



Thanks Elliot Glad you liked the song.



Thanks for checking out the song. Robert and I are very much into the psychedelic sounds of the 60's. Glad you liked the song.



Thanks Andi for checking out the song. Glad you liked it.



Thanks Dave for checking out the song. Robert did a great mix of this song. There where some tricky moments balancing the slowing and speeding up of the tempos. Glad you liked the song.



Thanks Scott for checking out the song. Your comments are very much appreciated.



Thanks Mario. The tempo changes in the intro and outro were done to give a three dimensional Feel to the lyrics. Your comments are very much appreciated and so glad you liked the song..



Thanks Janne Your comments are very much appreciated. I think the nailed what Robert was going for in the lyrics. Definitely a mystical journey. So glad you like the song.



Thanks Janice and Bud for the very kind comments. So glad you like our "far out" music. Really glad you liked it.



Thanks Misha for checking out the song. Your comments are very much appreciated. Really glad you liked the song.



Thanks David for checking out the song. Yes we were going for the 60's vibe. Really nice to visit these head spaces that bring back memories of our youth. So glad you liked the song..