Paper Cranes by The Orbiting
Genre: Electropop
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Keywords:
ledebutant (48), illuminati (27), Hiroshima (3), paper cranes (1), pinwheel (1), earth (38), wind (42), fire (37), water (57), Sadako Sasaki (1), amphetamines (1)
Description:
This song was originally intended to be our entry into LIOLI #4. It's a little late, but we're excited to be posting it now. Thanks again to chikoppi (and bud). We've actually gotten the last three songs for our album from LIOLI challenges.
Train sound effect courtesy of:
The Freesound Project (http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/samplesViewSingle.php?id=25068)
Train sound effect courtesy of:
The Freesound Project (http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/samplesViewSingle.php?id=25068)
Lyrics:
Water rushing over stone, surface splits,
runs in rivulets,
breaks the banks,
charges after me.
Today I drown.
Floating free (floating free).
Earth wind and fire,
they all conspire,
to tear me down
and leave me burning.
Paper cranes for nuclear war,
take the pills,
forget what crying's for.
Wind's so cold,
but blows a broken pinwheel.
Earth wind and fire,
they all conspire,
to tear me down
and leave me burning.
Drinking salt for days,
the woman told me to.
Drinking salt for days, now,
the woman told me to.
You'll get better soon,
no matter what it does to you
You'll get better soon,
no matter what it does to you.
Wash away the dirt,
the stains around my eyes.
I am made of air and water.
Stone keeps me alive.
Alive.
Alive.
Earth wind and fire,
they all conspire,
to tear me down
and leave me burning.
Alive.
Alive.
Hardware:
Rumors persist that some hardware was used in the making of this song, however, no hardware was harmed. Yet.Rode Nt-1a for the vocals
Software:
GarageBand, Logic ExpressYou must be registered and logged-in to comment.
echoroom
jeez, the production on this is just ... off the scale ,,, the tambourines are zinging round my head.
Vocals - strong, sensual, at the centre of this musical whirlpool. Probably my fav of all Lisa has done (tho' they sound a bit dry, and kinda feel like they stick out a little in places).
the lyrics ... good, i'm so jealous. Inscruitable, poetic.
a dark distorted dance track - great work guys.
Steve
The Orbiting
Thanks so much Steve. If you swing back this way, I'd love to hear more about the spots where you feel the vocals stick out. I tend to agree with you that they might still be a bit dry in a few spots, but Matt and I thought it would be great to get the song up at this point and get some feedback before we try to massage it into shape for our CD. So, if you wanted to be more specific about the sticky-out spots, it's definitely welcome feedback.
Thanks for saying you like the lyrics. I always think of you when I'm writing, you cursed bar raiser! (Lisa)
BranDaMan
This is so damn good! What a sensational song! Keep 'em coming.
The Orbiting
Thanks, Brandon.
Ed Hannifin
Astounding Lisa vocal on this one... vocals, I should say, but that lead vocal is more out there and assured than any previous...and I say this as a fan of the old, winsome and tentative Lisa approach as well...
What do I know from electropop? Nothing, that's what. Some of the synth tones that have an edge to them sound a bit harsher with that edge than I'd choose m'self, but again, that could just be my middle-of-the-road tastes... or reflect the high end on my headphones...
Relentless bass...
The lyrics are stunning....
There's one instance, at the word 'crying', when the lone lead vocal seems just a tiny bit strainy or something, maybe because it stands apart from the other vocals there....
I've gotta say, though, that I'm digging a little here, and just because you've expressed an intention to go back and mix this again...
What's that word beyond 'awe'? Oh yeah. Jealous.
Ed
The Orbiting
Thanks, Ed. You're our official #1 fan, as you know (well, actually our only 'official fan' but I like to pretend that there are more of you) so I love to see your comments on our songs, very much.
I appreciate the comments on the vocal, both the praise and the mention of 'crying'. I absolutely agree with you on 'crying' and I toyed with re-recording it, because I had rehearsal takes where I hit it just fine, so I knew I could, but just wasn't having the right kind of voice day when I recorded. It slipped through the cracks, though. I think I'll definitely re-record it when we go to do it for the album, or double it with something else, so that it doesn't stand out as much. You have good ears, mister.
Winsome and tenative Lisa tends to go away when Matt gives me music. Although, I'm going to be posting a song like that, soon. I always feel really, I dunno...tough, when I go to sing to his stuff and end up mostly in my lower register, usually. This vocal was a bit iffy to my ears, but Matt produced it very well and all of the issues I'd had with it when I handed it over to him, he fixed up.
Thanks for the comment on the lyrics. This is a really personal song and I worried that no one on earth would have any interest in them but me.
echoroom
On further listening, I'm not sure what it is - -the 'drinking salt for days' part sounds fine, but sometimes in the early part of the song, the vocal seems ... maybe not to loud, but it doesn't quite sit with the track ... maybe it's just a bit too dry for my tastes. I have a similar issue on a track I'm working on with Alex Weiler, getting the vocals to sit right in the electronic backing ... the end 'moans' and the 'salt water' part sit well... oh, maybe I just ned to go back to bed, I've got up too early.
The Orbiting
Up at 8 on a Saturday morning. Are you mad, man?
Thanks for elaborating. I agree with you about the dryness in spots. I still kind of hear it on the chorus harmony, although Matt fine-tuned that for me. It's very helpful of you to mention the specific spots where you hear it, definitely the kind of information we can take back to the DAW and use.
I just said DAW. I'm a geek.
echoroom
woke up at 5.30 and couldn't sleep ... just come back from my personal trainer, so i intend to zzzz this afternoon ...
dajama
and mix. The lyrics are nicely done, offering powerful imagery. And the vocal is great - terrific layering of different tracks ( I love the fadeout). This has a great sound, and a terrific arrangement. Very well done. Thanks for sharing. Peace.
The Orbiting
Thanks for saying you like the lyrics, David. As I mentioned to Ed, earlier, I was worried that people would find them a bit inscrutable (and I can hear Steve in the corner saying "That's not a bad thing, you know.") so it's good to hear that you got some interesting images from them.
I like the end of the song too!
Vic Holman
This is pretty darn cool, it has great drive and is in your face. In my awkward opinion, I think maybe some reverb on the vocal to give it some air and lift could give it some dimension. Maybe that's what Steve was driving at. But then again I haven't ridden with Steve to know what kind of a driver he is.
But hey, I like it no matter what.
cchaplin
The lyrics are indeed strangely powerful, in an esoteric kind of way.
Very nice.
Jim Bouchard
I am laughing because I was listening to this and thinking, "this definitely seems sort of busy", but the thing was I was listening to the MJ stream reading comments people made and unbeknownst to me the download opened up and started playing in iTunes at the same time, so I had a double density of paper cranes that was definely Avant Garde. Do you think it's a little trebly or am I just being over-sensitive? Seems like there are some sharp spikes up at 16000 Hz and 7200 Hz, but I am not an expert on electropop so maybe that's what you want.
Great words! I'll be back later for a more detailed comment!
jiguma
I really like this! The usual lush multitracked backing works really well with your vocals Lisa (as usual). Please insert lots of positive comments as listed above here: .....................
Neil
Mystified
Lisa--your voice is just so fab in this track; I love the confidence and strength.
I have to agree with some other comments--the first thing I thought mix-wise is that the vox sounded a bit dry in comparison to the space of the rest of the track.
Maybe used as an accent here and there that 'dry' contrast could be effective, rather than a consistent texture?
The backing track is so sonically interesting and full of sparkle and ominous pursuit. More contrast...nice :)
Kudos for another fab collab!
Parichayaka
What a ride! Dark, light, distorted yet almost haunting and soothing by virtue of the softer vocals carrying the song. Amazingly crafted production and the voice(s) provide this wonderful contrast to the gritty choice of samples. The songwriting here is excellent - one of your best without a doubt - the structure, chords and especially the treatment of Lisa's voice, which sounds great in the higher octaves by the way. Just a silly idea here, but I'd love to hear a version with a trip hop feel, exploring the potential of the melodies and lyrics with slightly less distortion in the mix, if that makes any sense. You guys are outdoing yourselves with every song!! Great ending too.
The Orbiting
Trip hop you say? Sounds very interesting to me. Matt and I have never gone back and re-styled one of our songs, but that could be a lot of fun and I find your idea intriguing.
Glad you liked it, P.
i am a straight sucker for lisa...........
this is not my usual fare, but from a musical stand point, this thing is so full, it is pouring over the edges....
the lyrics are deep..nuff said.
vocals are a little dry, but vocalized in spectacular fashion.
great post
kristyjo
Lots to listen to and get lost in. I like the contrast in modality as well. Definitely inscrutable, but images move forward as I listen. Agreeing with other comments in that the vocals are a bit forward, and dryer than the rest of the piece, thus making them stand out, maybe more than you intended. Nevertheless, your vocal power and flow are really great to listen to.
perceptualvortex
I've folded a thousand cranes myself. This tops them all. You guys are a great team!
deebs
I went along for this one...
Like a magic carpet ride...
Great sound.
Go
Mcboy
had me trippin.......a good trip......loved the textures and rhythms and of course lisa's vocal........one minor nitpick.....bass frequencies are missing in action.....it does have a cutting biting sound without the bass frequency...which is kool too.....i enjoyed it much nonetheless...!
ktb
There's always a unique element to your tracks that you just don't catch on the radio anymore. Its elemental and organic. When they come up with software that lets me emulate Lisa's voice I may never come out of the studio.
Matt: kudo's on a killer bed
gregd
Can't wait to hear the album.
-greg
thats a real cool group too.. just kidding! realy cool song ! flawless! prodution sounds very clear!
ledebutant
I was just waiting for someone to give me a hard time about that Earth, Wind and Fire thing. :-)
lavalamp
Love you voice as always. Love the modern thing. Think you all are very talented.
But, would really love to hear an acoustic piece from Lisa again, you've got such a great voice. You need to showcase it even more. Just my humble opinion. I bet everyone would disagree.
Don't get me wrong though, great sound, vox and production is super. Well- done.
Dave
ledebutant
Thanks Dave for the kind words. I do enjoy doing acoustic songs very much, but The Orbiting is pretty much an electronic project, so Matt and I tend to stick to that and I find it an enjoyable outlet for a different type of singing for me.
Although, I have several ledebutant acoustic songs in the works, so you'll have lots to listen to in that department, soon. I promise. Thanks so much for your continued listening and support, you're a doll or a lamp...;-)
Heightened
They just keep rolling in!