Hi, all:
It’s been quite a while since I’ve done a collaboration with Carroll Kiphen. He sent me these lyrics some time ago and it took me a bit to find the sound I was shooting for. For better or worse, here’s what we settled on . . . hope you enjoy! And thanks in advance for all feedback and suggestions.
Stay well, all—
Deej
Here’s the song:THE INVISIBLE MAN Here are the lyrics:You look through me
You look past me
You don’t see me standing here
You’re so unaware
With that vacant stare
When did I disappear
Clearly you can’t see me
Clearly you can’t hear me
You don’t know I’m alive
I’m invisible
The invisible man
What will it take
For me to make
You know that I’m alive
What can I do
What can I say
For you to see the light
Are you blind
Are you too blind
Or am I made off of glass
See me, see me, see me
Is that too much to ask
And here’s the band:RealTracks 1717: Bass, Electric, TexasBluesRockStraight
RealTracks 1830: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopModernGroove
RealTracks 802: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm SouthernSnappyGritty
RealTracks 3736: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm GrungeSlowDistPower8ths
RealTracks 3445: Guitar, Electric, Soloist CountryRockJohnny
RealDrums: RockHardKick^01-a:Closed Hat, Snare, b:Open Hat, Snare
I know the invisibility feeling only too well, haha. Great song! Deej in "power song" (is that even the right term?) mode. The lyrics are to the point, too - great collaboration, really enjoyed it. Love this kind of relentless, driving rhythm ... it adds a certain determination (again, the right word?) to the song. Well done, both.
Our original animal brain is designed for self preservation; the forebrain is there to help us notice that we need each other to do that. Unfortunately we still don't really "see" each other yet. Enough of the philosophy; now on to music appreciation. Man, there is so much in this gem to appreciate, Deej. I see you guys for sure. Hearing this strong song it's easy to see how much you enjoy what you're doing. Thanks for sharing. Wow, I got this far in my comment and still haven't once mentioned how much I really like your vocals, Deej. Great idea Carroll has here and the lyrics are perfect. I'm always impressed when someone can write a song from a poem. The mix is very pleasurable with every piece perfectly placed.
Nice simple lyrics easy to relate to. The rocking rhythm has a classic 60's vibe in the modern outfit. Very nice selection of the band. The solo is bit short and the bass has some boominess in my ears, but that's probably because of the ear fatigue after mixing whole day
Another excellent vocal performance, nice backing vocals, too.
Janne
Loved the intro Deej! That bass and guitar, then adding the rest really grabbed me. Janne may have a point about the boominess of the bass, but I thinks it adds a lot and wouldn't change it at all. A straight to the point lyric, but with a driving rhythm behind it. It's got that rock drive, but a country lyric - think. The best of both worlds. Nicely done!
Wow! Is this ultimate professionalism or not? You're sure raising the bar with your songs.
Enjoyed the Hipgnosis style artwork too.
Rob
Deej,
THAT VOICE...& your melodic sense always work for me.
Nice band too...not a fan of the country solo but that's a minor matter.
Good lyric to launch THAT voice.
Deej,
This is a killer track! The bass in this is devastating in a good way...it really gives the track such a solid sound! The vocals are great as they always are on your tracks! Great work with bgv also. Love the panning on them! Great lyrics and sound!
Thanks, Torrey
Deej...great concept and lyrics...love the vocal (of coarse) and harmonies...I love these mid-tempo tunes...and I agree with Torrey about the track...top-notch at every level!
Deej,
Love that BAND! Cool guitars. Cool Bass.
Excellent vocals and BGVs.
I thought the drums were a bit too dry (compared to the rest of the mix).
I agree with ray about the solo - it did not seem to "fit the tone" of the song itself (and the rest of the tracks).
Very catchy. Enjoyed the listen.
fj
Deej that was fantastic
Super band and mix
Outstanding vocal and lyrics,
"Are you too blind
Or am I made off of glass" - what a great line
Loved it
Hi Deej, you are super vissible with this swell song!
I certainly enjoyed all of it. And you kept your promise to make a lighter song too... :-)
I can imagine how a whole crowd is singing along with your chorus. Here, in some places in the Netherlands, if they enjoy a song they throw beer to the performers (a lot), but you would end up soaking wet. And that is a huge compliment!
But I don't live in those places. I believe Rob and Anne-Marie do...
I keep the beer for myself and enjoy what I hear. And it's good!
Hans
Very cool intro Deej. Loved the groove to the song. Drums and bass really drive the song. Excellent lyric. One can relate to the lyrics. Super vocal. Well done
Great lead and background vocals, Deej, and the counterpoint harmonies work very well.
Excellent thought provoking write and mix.
The guitar solo sounds fine to us.
You and Carroll make a great team!
J&B
Man,
If I had my eyes closed, I would think I was at an R.E.M. and dBs songwriting jam back in 1984.
It sounds identical.
And trust me, I have given you the highest praise I know how to give!
How did you get those guys to come to your house???
Cool song......captures a feeling I think we've all felt at times!!! I like the vibe you chose for the music, and your vocals always rock!! Take care. Greg
James, Marty, Janne, Brad, RnAm, rayc, Torrey, firesong, fj, Mario, Hans, Scott, J&B, David and Greg:
Thanks much for stopping in. After a few heartbreak ballads it was fun to turn it up a notch . . . and Carroll always seems to bring out the rocker in me. Glad you all seemed to like what you heard. A few thoughts on some of the comments:
Re the bass: I didn’t strike me until after I posted it, hearing it on the car speakers, that, yes, the bass was a bit more boomy than perhaps intended (though sounded better over the studio speakers—go figure). I may still dial them back, but for now will keep as is. I do think it helps drive the song—appreciate the feedback.
Re the guitar solo: I’ll confess I had to warm up to it a bit, but it captures the sound I was looking for. A southern rock type vibe with a bit of flavor. The reality is I auditioned pretty much every guitar solo for this tune and nothing delivered. I get the comment, but am happy enough with what it does.
Re the drums: Floyd . . . totally agree they could be a bit more wet. I’ve made an adjustment in the mix, and hopefully that gets it to a better place.
Thanks all for the listens. Stay safe and well.
Deej
Sounds good to me Deej.
I had a thought that maybe it could use a break for a build once or twice but it sounds fine as is.
Vic
Good tune. I was looking away from the screen when you sang SEE ME SEE ME SEE ME and it triggered a flash of Tommy by the WHO See me Feel me..... a song that is essentially about the very same topic.
From Avatar " I see you "
Hi David
Great rock song with very cool sound
Fits perfectly to your voice
The chorus is absolutely top class
You should do more in this direction
I would find it cool ;-)
Many greetings
Andi ;-)
Fabulous song. You keep topping yourself.
Love the opening riff. What a groove!
I liked the guitar solo and thought it went fine with the song. My only problem with the solo are the last few notes didn't quite resolve the solo back into the song.
Hey Deej ...
You never fail to deliver. Your vocals are unique and sound fabulous. You and Carroll put together a great song. And, as always, production rocks! There's never a disappointment when I click onto one of your songs!!! best to you ...
Alan
Vic, Guitarhacker, Andi, Ezekiel and Alan:
Thanks all for the listens.
I’m generally with you, Vic, on finding a place to give a song a chance to breath . . . just couldn’t find a way to do it here given its brevity (and I wanted to keep this one short). A better musical mind might have found an alternative.
Andi, I’d love to do more of these types of songs . . . sadly, they don’t come to me too often and my own lyrics don’t often mesh. Carroll does have a way of getting me to go there.
Ezekiel, Spot on comment on the guitar solo. I went back in and tried to smooth it out a bit more . . . and perhaps a bit better on the remix . . . but still not perfect. Unfortunately, the BIAB tracks weren’t offering me a smoother way to resolve it.
Stay well, all--
Deej
Simple but effective rock song with a catchy chorus.
I like it a lot!
Hi Deej,
Top song, good lyrics, well sung and excellent mix.
Great work.
Best Regards
Nigel
Deej,
WOW! Outstanding song and vocal. You always bring your best to these songs.
Great, great music...
Bob