Hi Folks.
Got a strange one to share. I snatched lyrics from Ray (rayc on forum). Since he allowed me to follow my instincts with them, it was a fun, freestyle project. Not really sure what style of music this relates to. Please do not be shy, hard or soft critique is ALWAYS welcomed. Thank you for listening!
Misha.


Hubris

tech:
2 parallel arrangements Midi in vArranger / Real tracks in BIAB.
RealDrums: AmericanaRoots16th Pedal Steel: 2667
Synths of Halion Sonic. + 75 pounds of various FX
Mixed in Cakewalk.
Ray-Lyrics / Misha-Rest



Lyrics (I shaved some lines of original text, to make it fit better into arrangement) :

V1 Hubris is a word
That doesn’t rhyme with turd
But they meet in the same shyte (clearly not the word) sandwich.
Where an arrogant display
Arrives on time each day
And your every word makes me twitch

C1 But, you know that you’re a pain
And still you’re dumb and numb
Like you’re sipping Novocaine
You can’t see your life

V2 Mongrel is a mutt
The sort who’ll crack your butt
But they eat in the so cool cafe.
Where a selfie marks the spot
Whether they peace (again subbed) or not
And think breeding is supping a latte

C2 But, you know that you’re a pain
Self-doubt means you’ll succumb
Till you’re sipping Novocaine
You can’t see your way

Bridge
Though the fjords get in your way
You are colder at the end of the day
Waiting in silence, defying compliance
of mold.


V3 Narcissist’s a label
Price tag you got from Babel
But they meet in the “vita di merda”
Where a mirror makes your day
Or the echo chambers pay
And your image couldn’t be absurder

C3 But, you know that you’re a pain
And still you’re dumb and numb
Like you’re sipping Novocaine
You can’t see your life

Hi Misha,

You managed to make this into a good song for sure! I think you have a real talent for composing music!

To be honest I think the mix could be improved - it sounds a bit muddy to my ears in some places. It is like your voice is competing with the guitar about the same frequencies. Not in the whole track, but in some places. Maybe panning the guitar a bit more to the left or right would solve the problem... maybe there is no problem - just my tired ears.

Will

Misha,
thanks for making a silk purse from the cranky sow's ear I offered.
You've made the muddy muck into a sinister character assassination of narcissists unknown.
This is REALLY enjoyable and another example of you creativity when given free reign.
Thanks mate.

Wow - definitely a unique listen, and it definitely showcases Band-in-a-Box's versatility. This song almost reminds of 90's UK downtempo, almost similar to Massive Attack or Portishead. The groove is addicting, and your vocals with those abstract lyrics fit the mood perfectly.

Really well done! Thanks for sharing

Ray...
Just let it all hang out & tell us what you think...
Mysteriously cloaking you excellent lyrics...
Misha...
You've done a great job in giving life to Ray's lyrics...
Kudos to both of you on a well done collaboration.

Misha and Ray ...

Congrats to both of you for an excellent project! Cool lyric, Ray - and great vocals and mix, Misha. Super collabn!

Ray - hats off for the creative lyric!

Misha - cool vocals and great backing tracks and arrangement.

As far as style/genre, I lean towards Alt Pop.

Beyond cool! Best to both of you ...

Alan

I love the verbal acrobatics in this one. Groovy vocal. Enchanting and exotic music.

Ray & Misha,

A VERY creative lyric. Cutting, caustic, cunning.

With musical tracks and a vocal to match...

An excellent backing track - great combination of tracks to create the perfect musical bed...

Well done.

fj

Will,
Thank you for kind words and your input! You are right, whole mix is muddy. Guitar was dead center too, will change that and a couple of other items will need panning / EQ. I really appreciate you saying it straight!
------------
Ray,
it was fun and a very different experience! Thank you for your lyrics and support! Also, I am grateful for not twisting my arms on chopping some parts of your text
------------
Deryk,
Thank you for listening and great feedback!
Massive Attack sounds interesting, just listened to a track.
Strange that it was quite popular, but bypassed me
------------
Jim,
this is probably outside of interest scope for many here. Thank you for listening, your openness and support!
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Alan,
thank you for finding time and great comments here and on SC! I know it is not very easy for you.
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Ezekiel,
Thank you! Yep, Ray has special alliance with lyrics
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FJ,
Thank you for listening and great comments! I need to work on this muddy mix some more to bring some clarity to vocals, so lyrics are more coherent

Misha.

Well, this is the first song I'm listening to this morning

and I just about fell out of my chair, had to (rewind) to hear that cool intro

and maybe the best opening lines I've ever heard.

They say start your song with strong and memorable first lines, well...

Hubris is a word
That doesn’t rhyme with turd
But they meet in the same shyte (clearly not the word) sandwich.

holy mackerel ! this is fantastic Ray!

I like the casual, experimental sound, it fits the words well

Lyrically, I don't know for sure what you're getting off your chest,

insulted by the dumb-assed youth of today?

This song applies well to most of our college aged youth here

that don't think about any consequences, they just want the opposite

of anything established.

But, you know that you’re a pain
And still you’re dumb and numb
Like you’re sipping Novocaine
You can’t see your life

excessive pride or self confidence

Great song!!!

Kenny

Thanks Jim,
an unusually pointed lyric from me - that's how it arrived. I've written a couple that I almost disassociate from but usually make them available for others who may see things that way.
Misha did excellent work - I'm sure he could spin cornsilk into a song.

Alan, Thanks very much - I think Misha's contribution was the moire valuable - I dribbled at the pen again.

Thanks FJ,
Oddly i don't swear in "real life" - I'm not sure who or what prompted the lyric.

Thanks Kenny,
I don't know if there's a specific protagonist or target for that matter. The lyric arrived almost fully formed but it does have a one size fits many aspect doesn't it? I'm impressed with your interpretation.
It's the 2nd time I've used "hubris" in a lyric: the 1st time was in 2011. I may have used it up this time.
The previous song saw it in service as a deliberately pompous metal lyric's 1st verse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3YUgNmvqVU

Very original! Both the lyrics and the instrumentation. Loved the intro!

I think you could improve the mix by spreading the instruments out a little more in the stereo field to give everything their own space, and maybe a little eq on the guitar to carve out some space for the vocal.

But, that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the song, well done Ray and Misha!

Trippy, clever, and interesting!! Really like the musical vibe...a little creepy! Really cool collab guys!! Take care. Greg

Kenny,
Thank you for listening and great feedback!
----------------
Dave,
Thank you for listening, positive comments and for the tips on mix!
Yep, it is way too soupy. Will try panning and guitar EQ to spread things a little. I just need some time for ears to "heal" from this tune a little

---------------
Greg,
Thank you for listening and great comments! Sure, I agree a little creepy, but not too dark


Misha.

As always very clever. Rob

Misha, this is so creative! Just when I think I have thought what this sounds like it seems to go in another direction....almost elusive! Very interesting and impressive! The vocal here is great and entertaining! Very nice work! Thanks, Torrey

Misha / Ray,

What a great collaboration. Such an interesting interpretation of the lyrics - really inspiring.

Congrats to both of you and well done.

Bob

Rob,
thank you! "Clever" credit goes to Ray, I am just interpreter
------------
Torrey,
"...almost elusive!" this is excellent comment, I like it! Put a smile on my face. You are right. It went directions.. but I can tell you, it was fun Thank you for your support and kind words!
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Bob D,
Thank you for listening and nice comment!

Misha.

Hi Misha,

I read your comment about Massive Attack. You should really try to listen to the song called "Unfinished Sympathy" - it is a classic! Also watch the video on youtube... it is one of the best "one shot"-videos ever made.

Will

Very cool backtrack. Perfect for the lyric. Super vocal and so creative. Loved this song. Well done.

A little late to the party...but glad we came!

This is dripping with good things...most of which have already been well expressed.

We like it all. The write is clever and complex and your vocal delivers it strongly w/o any hesitancy at all.

Everything is so different...in good ways. Especially the lyric and the very textured mix. Couldn't imagine trying to put all that together.

Kudos!

J&B

Will,
thank you for the suggestion.
Yes, I remembered that tune! Seen it about 25 years back...Deja Vu
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Scott,
Thank you for listening and nice feedback here and on soundcloud.
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J&B, thank you for words of support and feedback! To me, and I believe to Ray (he gets all lyric kudos ), it was an offbeat thing. It was challenging, but fun!

Misha.