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The Trainwreck That's My Life An uptempo country rock lament. My brother thinks this sounds like CCR, even though I was probably trying to channel Rockpile. But heck, I'm a big fan of both bands, so who knows?? Somewhat unusual song form that ends on a bridge. I like to call these "bridges to nowhere".  Thanks in advance for any listens and comments. R.W.Davis: Lyrics Me: Music, arrangement, mix, master, vocals, harmonies, BGVs AI: Unemployed Style is _SUNRAY3.STY (Sunray Modern Ctry Boogie Midday) RealTracks in style: 4028:Bass, Electric, ModernCountry8ths Ev 120 RealTracks in style: 2541:Pedal Steel, Background ModernPopCountry Ev 110 RealTracks in style: 4054:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ModernCountryStraightPowerRiff Ev 120 RealTracks in style: 844:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm CountryRockPopping Ev 120 RealTracks in style: 3361:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm BritClassicRock70sHeld Ev 110 RealTracks in style: 4053:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ModernCountryStraightTremoloHeld Ev 120 RealDrums in style:BluesRockEv^5-a:Snare, Open HiHat , b:4 Beat Snare, HiHat In the general vicinity of the trainwreck That’s my life in general The toxic masculinity halo effect Put me in a pigeonhole I tried to carve out a nice slice of life for us But it didn’t work out so well But then I rolled the dice, paid the price, lost her trust And got stuck down in a well I was calling for her with no answer Into the void of our old lives I heard the echo of my own voice Going in and out like the tides How were we ever going to survive? In the climate change circumstance we were living in Nothing seemed to make much sense But it got really strange when we danced on the tin But we haven’t done it since I wrapped up in scarves in the middle of July The snow trapping us inside We couldn’t see the stars buried up in the sky And we had no place to hide I was calling for her with no answer Into the void of our old lives I heard the echo of my own voice Going in and out like the tides How were we ever going to survive? In the back and forth somewhat brief conversation That kept us so occupied Looking south and north, a whole new celebration As the fireworks collide I was blind-sided by the things that she decided Without even consulting me It coincided with the things that I provided As she was insulting me I was calling for her with no answer Into the void of our old lives I heard the echo of my own voice Going in and out like the tides How were we ever going to survive? What does that mean? Echoing voices Haunting me every night Reaching out in the darkness Echoing voices What does that mean?
DC Ron
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Hey Ron!
Always good to hear a new one from you. Had to listen to it twice!
And yeah, I got a late 60s to early 70s country fell from it. I couldn't come up with a particular group it sounded like. Maybe that's a good thing - it sounds like DC Ron!
What I like about your vocals are its sonic characteristics. Your voice is semi-soft and a wee bit raspy. And you typically sing the individual words with a slight staccato effect - you don't hold the words very long. All of that works well for me.
I particularly enjoyed the strong kick drum. It was very much up front, yet not intrusive on the rest.
The only thing that might have added just a bit more to the song would be more differentiation in the chorus - particularly the drums. A ride cymbal just loud enough to break through might be helpful.
All that said, it's a really good song that's fun to listen to. My older brother (deceased 5 years back) drove OTR for J.B. Hunt for many years. Bakersfield, CA, to Manitoba, Canada, and then to New York was his usual run. A lot of your story in this song reflects well on many of his circumstances that didn't work out as good as he would have liked.
Much enjoyed@!
Alan
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Nice rocker. What's not to love about that?
Nice sounding mix
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Ron,
As soon as I saw a reference to Rockpile, I couldn't click quick enough! Early Nick Lowe is a fav. This is a great little rocker - I can picture Rockpile playing it, with each band member having fags (cigarettes) hanging out of their mouths and surrounded by clouds of smoke.
I love those BVs that come in on verse 5 - once I heard them, I wanted more of them. You know how partial I am to backing ooos and ahhs.
A bridge that goes nowhere - that would be called a pier or a jetty. Good anyway! I'm still trying to work out what this means ... 'The toxic masculinity halo effect'.
An entertaining listen!
Andrew
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Love the phrasing and unique rhyming (such as general and pigeon hole). I'm with Andrew on those ooo's; that was a beautiful elevation and I was sitting here going "Oh, yeah!". Bridges to nowhere...love that concept; I'm stealing it!  It certainly fits the whole song's theme.Overall, a very fun piece of music.
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Ron,
Love this! Great lyrics and melody. I also like the steady groove / pace. It's always great to hear you sing and you sound excellent here!
A new favorite for me!
Bob
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What a really great song! The vocals and production are excellent. When read the lyrics are a bit depressing, but when sung they come to life. I thought "Blind-Sided" would have been a better title. I'm asking others this as it's my blind area: what do you use for mastering?
Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
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Ron,
Love everything here! Everything I hear from you is always catchy, well produced and performed!
I enloyed my listen!
Thanks, TB
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Very good song, production, and I especially like your singing! (Always love your singing!) The lyrics were challenging melodically, but you sang them into shape. With the possible exception of "In the climate change circumstance we were living in." That line was tough to pull off. Really liked the last line of each verse. Great job!
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
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Hi, Ron.
Vocals (and attitude) sound great, lyrics are clever and fun, and the arrangement upbeat and poppy. Nice BGVs, too!
Tasty pop!
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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Hey Ron!
Always good to hear a new one from you. Had to listen to it twice!
And yeah, I got a late 60s to early 70s country fell from it. I couldn't come up with a particular group it sounded like. Maybe that's a good thing - it sounds like DC Ron!
What I like about your vocals are its sonic characteristics. Your voice is semi-soft and a wee bit raspy. And you typically sing the individual words with a slight staccato effect - you don't hold the words very long. All of that works well for me.
I particularly enjoyed the strong kick drum. It was very much up front, yet not intrusive on the rest.
The only thing that might have added just a bit more to the song would be more differentiation in the chorus - particularly the drums. A ride cymbal just loud enough to break through might be helpful.
All that said, it's a really good song that's fun to listen to. My older brother (deceased 5 years back) drove OTR for J.B. Hunt for many years. Bakersfield, CA, to Manitoba, Canada, and then to New York was his usual run. A lot of your story in this song reflects well on many of his circumstances that didn't work out as good as he would have liked.
Much enjoyed@!
Alan Alan, THANK YOU for the kind remarks. Y'know, I don't think I've ever heard a forum member break down my vocals before now, but I can't say I disagree with anything you say. Suffice it to say my goal is to try to coax my naturally weak vocals into a form that is at least inoffensive, just 'cause I don't want the listener to be distracted from the song. If I accomplished that...success! What I lack in technical ability I hope to make up for in zeal. Huh. I might not have paid enough attention to the drums on this one, since I agree with your point. Now I think I want to add a cowbell on the chorus. I just might yet... Sorry for the loss of your brother. Hoping the reflection was a happy one in the aggregate despite the unfortunate circumstances. Long haul is not for the faint of heart, he must have been quite the guy. Really appreciate the listen and for sharing your thoughts!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Another cracker.
The only thing I'm not keen on is that oversaturated boogie guitar on the left.
Your slightly clipped phrasing is very distinctive and lends an unique twist to your songs.
Tres COOL.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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DC Ron:
Cool tune—really like the write. To me, not so much CCR . . . To me definitely has more of a Rockpile (Edmunds, Lowe) type feel. Terrific production . . . crisp and pro level. Excellent work!!
Deej
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Ron, I have to admit I was totally distracted by your vocal--so sharp, clear, tight harmony, pronunciation right on, excellent delivery--I hardly paid attention to the backing and arrangement! Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Great work!
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
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Yeah, I'm with your brother on the CCR, but this one has a much better singer. I understand the cool lyrics --unlike "a bathroom on the right," or "stuck in a low dive again."
Ai unemployed. HA! Well Ri was surely a big part of this one. Love those lyrics, and the driving beat you gave them. Excellent choice of harmony lines. I like how you put them back a bit, unlike, say, The Everlys. The ooze and oz you added were also a great touch. Yep, Real Intellegence throughout. Good mix too. Fun, Ron.
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Nice rocker. What's not to love about that?
Nice sounding mix THANKS, Herb! Ron,
As soon as I saw a reference to Rockpile, I couldn't click quick enough! Early Nick Lowe is a fav. This is a great little rocker - I can picture Rockpile playing it, with each band member having fags (cigarettes) hanging out of their mouths and surrounded by clouds of smoke.
I love those BVs that come in on verse 5 - once I heard them, I wanted more of them. You know how partial I am to backing ooos and ahhs.
A bridge that goes nowhere - that would be called a pier or a jetty. Good anyway! I'm still trying to work out what this means ... 'The toxic masculinity halo effect'.
An entertaining listen!
Andrew Thank you, Andrew! Yeah, Nick is a talented dude. One of the few lyricist's that can make me laugh out loud, and his music is always likeably ear-wormy. So what does "toxic masculinity halo effect" mean? Never asked the lyricist, but to ME it references being stereotyped by gender. Not that THAT ever happens...
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Love the phrasing and unique rhyming (such as general and pigeon hole). I'm with Andrew on those ooo's; that was a beautiful elevation and I was sitting here going "Oh, yeah!". Bridges to nowhere...love that concept; I'm stealing it! It certainly fits the whole song's theme.Overall, a very fun piece of music. Thanks, Beth! Yeah, my lyricist is always giving me offbeat rhymes and other new and interesting concepts to play with. He's a talented guy and makes my part in this a lot of fun. BGVs and bridges (to nowhere and otherwise) are two of my favorite parts of songwriting, so glad you enjoyed them. Glad you found the song fun! Music should be fun.
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Ron, everything that I was thinking as I listened has already been said so all that I can add is
WOW WHAT A FANTASTIC SONG!
Everything about this is perfect.
Loved it.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
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LOVE that opening. Played it 3 times before I let the rest of the song continue...
Excellent BAND! Great use of BIAB. A powerful groove.
Drums sound Great!
Strong vocals. Sitting perfectly in the mix.
EXCELLENT Mix.
I got so wrapped up in the Production and MIx that I had to go back again to actually listen to the song...
Oozes originality.
Such interesting lyrics. I found that I enjoyed Listening to them without reading the lyric (that was the 3rd listen). That seldom happens.
That points to the combination of melody and words being "more than the combination of the two". Something special.
I've always liked a hanging bridge.
fj
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Ron,
Love this! Great lyrics and melody. I also like the steady groove / pace. It's always great to hear you sing and you sound excellent here!
A new favorite for me!
Bob Thanks, Bob! The pace was no doubt inspired by songs like Nick Lowe's "I Knew the Bride", where it starts at a 9/10, goes to 11, then bounces around between 9 and 10 until it fades out. It's a hard trick (for me) to pull off. This was a fun song to sing, and worth the effort to get about right as I can. Glad you liked the song!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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