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Andrew, you've just shown me the power of 'Breaking the Mold'. John Lennon influenced?
I don't know, just something about it!
Fact is, I'm gonna use that as the title of my new song, ... "Breaking The Mold!" Thank you Andrew, for the inspiration!!
I really enjoyed what I'll call your "Chaotic Soundscape! "!
That's it for now, I got a new song to write! Hi Drew! I’ve been immersed in a Beatles soup my whole life, so either Lennon, McCartney or Harrison are bound to come out sometime. I look forward to your inspired song! This ‘cross-pollination’ is one of the joys of this forum! Thanks for listening! Andrew
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Pretty clever write with many great ideas and wonderful little details. My new favorite from you  ![[Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]](https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/images/icons/default/thumbs_up.gif) Thanks B.D.! I did enjoy creating this, and had hoped for a good reception. I just did a quick estimation of time put into this … Music - chords and melody - 3 hours incl. BIAB Lyrics and melody edit - 4 hours Vocal recording - 2 hours Bass solo write and record - 5 hours Reaper mixing and testing - 5 hours Artwork in Canva - 1 hour Video - 7 hours Thread post - 1 hour Estimated total = ~28 hours And for your benefit, here are my track stats … BIAB - 6 VST instruments in Reaper - 2 (bass) Me - 7 (vocals and bass) AI - 0 Thanks for listening and the compliment! Andrew
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Hi, Andrew. Clever write (*ding* and formatting).  Loved the combination at the end - very cool! Was I born this way, scrawling lists on the side of my bassinette?
I doubt it I had not mastered speech yetLove it! Well done - really well done!
-- 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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Hi, Andrew. Clever write (*ding* and formatting). Loved the combination at the end - very cool! Was I born this way, scrawling lists on the side of my bassinette?
I doubt it I had not mastered speech yetLove it! Well done - really well done! Hi David! Thanks for noticing the vibraphone marking the bullet. I planned early on to do a number things to emphasise the lyric theme. When I wrote ‘bassinette’ I wasn’t sure how well that term would be known to a North American audience - gee, there weren’t any stickers for it either, so it’s something lost in the 60s/70s. That gives me an idea for a song - terms you don’t hear anymore. Andrew
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Fair dinkum, Andrew – who would have thought anyone could fashion a love‑song out of dot‑points complete with duelling bass‑guitar solos? Pure genius!
In short, “Bullet Points” is a bloody ripper of a track/video—an inventive blend of clever wordplay, solid musicianship, and a video that’s as tongue‑in‑cheek as it is lovingly crafted. If you ever need a checklist for love, just press play and let Andrew’s bullet‑point serenade do the heavy lifting.
cheers
Izzy
WARNING .....Natorious longwinded OTT bit.......................
Bullet‑Point Romance: A Review of Andrew ‘The Antipodes’ McAllister’s “Bullet Points” (feat. duelling bass‑guitars, Vibes, and a whole lot of Aussie charm)
First Impressions – The “Bullet‑Proof” Hook
From the moment the opening synth‑hit of a single “dot” pinged on the screen, I knew I’d been lured into a very specific type of love‑letter: one that could be copy‑and‑pasted into a PowerPoint checklist. The concept is absurd enough to be brilliant—“My mind works in bullet points”—and Andrew runs with it like a kangaroo on a cocaine binge. The lyric is essentially a lyrical spreadsheet, but instead of a boring office memo it’s a heartfelt confession that somehow feels both meticulously organised and wildly human.
The Verse‑to‑Chorus Alchemy
Andrew’s verses are built on a chord progression that feels as familiar as a Sunday arvo at the beach, yet each line is peppered with a different kind of punctuation‑based metaphor. He sings about asterisks, dashes, boxes, and checked‑off tasks with a delivery that sounds like a folk‑rock storyteller who’s just discovered the power of bullet‑point therapy.
When the chorus drops, the harmonic shift is smoother than a well‑buttered vegemite sandwich. The melody from the A‑section rides straight into the chorus without a hitch, proving that even the most “list‑like” of verses can blossom into a soaring, sing‑along refrain. It’s a neat reminder that the best relationships, like the best playlists, are built on a mix of structure and spontaneity.
Dueling Bass‑Guitars – A Musical Boxing Match
If you thought a single bass line was enough to keep the low‑end grounded, think again. Andrew’s “duelling bass‑guitar solo” is the musical equivalent of two Aussie blokes stepping into a backyard ring, each armed with a bass instead of a nulla-nulla. The first bass (recorded live) brings the warm, human grit you’d expect from a seasoned bar‑room session. The second, a crisp SI‑Bass VSTi, adds a slightly robotic bite—like the perfect foil for a lyrical robot that’s still trying to figure out free‑flowing speech.
The production trick of blending the MIDI bass with the recorded performance to “add attack” is a stroke of genius that makes the duel feel both authentic and cinematic. It’s as if the two basses are arguing over who gets the last piece of lamington, and the compromise is a glorious, syncopated conversation that keeps the listener tapping along (or at least nodding in bewildered admiration).
The Video – Bullet‑Point Visuals that Actually Hit the Mark
The YouTube visual is a cheeky montage of kinetic typography, animated check‑boxes, and a couple of animated avatars that look like they were drawn by a man with a love for spreadsheets. The video’s style can be summed up as “Early‑Morning Folk‑Rock Push meets PowerPoint karaoke”—and that’s exactly the point. Every time a lyric mentions a bullet, a literal dot pops up on screen, marching in perfect time with the beat.
The use of Vibes (the MIDI instrument for the “bullet point sounds”) is a delightful Easter egg for anyone who’s ever been reprimanded for “too many bullet points” in a report. It feels like Andrew is poking fun at his own perfectionist tendencies while simultaneously celebrating them.
Production Details – A Love Letter to the Studio
RealTracks: The acoustic finger‑picked indie‑folk layer on the chorus ( 4519) adds a gentle, intimate texture that cuts through the pushy electric rhythm ( 4818).
Drums: The “PopRock8ths” kit gives the track a tight, toe‑tapping groove that makes even the most list‑obsessed listener want to get up and dance.
Vocals: Double‑tracked main vocal plus a harmony on the chorus (the “BV ooos” are a nice touch) give the track that classic folk‑rock sheen—think early‑80s Men at Work meets modern indie‑pop.
All of this is wrapped up in a steady beat with a sweet spot that feels like the tempo of a brisk walk down a beach promenade—fast enough to be exciting, relaxed enough to stay grounded.
The Bottom Line – A Bullet‑Proof Love Song
Andrew has taken something that most people would consider a creative dead‑end (the dreaded bullet‑point list) and turned it into a full‑blown, emotionally resonant pop‑folk anthem. He’s managed to make a song about “my mind works in bullet points” feel relatable, funny, and oddly romantic. The duelling basses add a layer of playful competition that mirrors the lyrical theme of two different minds learning to love each other’s quirks.
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 bullets)
Keep those lists coming, Andrew. The world could use a few more love songs that are both organized and wonderfully chaotic.
Izzy.
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Funny & clever.
Musically I'm not sure the C Aug works for me.
Everything else does though.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Fair dinkum, Andrew – who would have thought anyone could fashion a love‑song out of dot‑points complete with duelling bass‑guitar solos? Pure genius!
In short, “Bullet Points” is a bloody ripper of a track/video—an inventive blend of clever wordplay, solid musicianship, and a video that’s as tongue‑in‑cheek as it is lovingly crafted. If you ever need a checklist for love, just press play and let Andrew’s bullet‑point serenade do the heavy lifting.
cheers
Izzy
... Woah! Steady on there Izzy! I forgot to mention that I have a AUD$1 fee for every word included in a response!  No seriously, thank you so much for your wonderful and thorough review and your ★★★★★ rating! And I really appreciate all the Australianisms peppered throughout your reply. We have to stick together. It is at this time that I should mention that I am a Promite (not Vegemite) guy. Oh, and I am sure it was a typo, but just in case anyone thinks my last name is 'McAllister', it is actually 'Davies' as in 'Dee'. Andrew PS My sincerest apologies to all those that have been occupationally traumatised through the excessive use of bullet points, but, you know, the flame that burned the shortest is that which burned the brightest. (I've got no idea of the relationship of this saying to the topic at hand, but I felt I should finish off with something proverbial.
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Funny & clever.
Musically I'm not sure the C Aug works for me.
Everything else does though. Hi Ray! Yes, the C Aug is a bit of a cliche - or maybe an acquired taste? One thing is for sure - I know from previous comments that you'd prefer to be honest with your thoughts yet give credit where credit is due. Kinda makes your feedback have value. Thanks for listening! Andrew
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" but just in case anyone thinks my last name is 'McAllister', it is actually 'Davies' as in 'Dee'."
Oops, sorry Andrew, my bad . I am currently engrossed in all things Gillian McAllister absorbing her novels which relate to my previous working life the same way "bullets" relates to yours.
Proofreading was never my forté sadly. 😕
" I forgot to mention that I have a AUD$1 fee for every word included in a response!"
Strewth Cobber - You must be reading Ms McAllister as well !! 😨
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Izzy,
No harm done! In fact, ‘Andrew McAllister’ has quite a nice ring to it!
Andrew
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AH, this is so cool. Not just the song, which is, but... I heard this gem the other day when it showed up on YT. I REALLY enjoyed it, but now I get to come hear and READ about it. Love all the detail you provide here, Andrew. I especially like the harmony. So well done and spot-on in timing. The solo, however, seemed a bit chaotic. I blame the bass. Really cool how you develop the responding harmonies too. My mind works in bullet points is a great tag and a good philosophy. 
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