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Keywords:
Audiocracy (7), The Lost Records (3), Townicus (1), Twon (8), Bob Piper (1), prog (20), progressive (110), fusion (92), The City (1), Hope (81), TobinMueller (34), Tobin Mueller (6), Tobin (66)
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Description:
This is the second track from AUDIOCRACY's debut album, Revolution's Son. On the album, its full title is: Part II - The Hope: Puzzle City
It all began when Bob Piper shared a guitar demo of an instrumental he was contributing to the Audiocracy collaborative project, back when it was going to be a double album featuring one disc of vocals-driving prog and one of purely instrumental tracks. But I heard lyrics and sang a 4-part demo, returned it to Bob (through Alimar) and he gave the green light to develop it with singing and keyboards, etc. I played organ and synths over his guitar work and my son Anton (Twonicus) overdubbed most of my vocal parts.
Members of the band suffered many unforeseen maladies in the past two years. First, my son was accidentally electrocuted and lost the use of his left hand (he's left handed, luckily); he will never play bass again professionally. (So, on this track, I actually play bass on the keyboard, using the Trilogy plugin.) Then, the drummers mother died and he went into a major funk. (So, on this track, we have another drummer.) Then Darren Chapman had an back injuring and surgery, with a several month recovery period. (Bob Piper does all the guitar work on this track.) Then my father (who had fallen into dementia and was living with me) had a stroke and eventually died. Through all of it, Alimar (our nexus and engineer) was going blind. I'm sure something happened to Piper as well, but I can't recall. So, in order to keep the project going, I scuttled plans for a double album and concentrated on just finishing a single disc. It all worked out in the end.
The song fits really well into the concept of the album. It's upbeat feel is a perfect set up to the drama of what happens next.
Part I - The Dream: Revolution's Son
Part II - The Hope: Puzzle City
Part III - The Underground: Escape into The Fray Zone
Part IV - The Confrontation: Speak Truth To Power
Part V - The Extinction: Gethsemane Again
Part VI - The Survivors: When The Future Comes
Part VII - The Re-Emergence: Dare To Sing
Guitars: Bob Piper
Vocals: Twøn
Vocals, organ, synths, Trilogy fretless bass: Tobin Mueller
Drums: Scott Rockenfield
Guitar Engineering: Al Ligammari
Mastering: Mike Rorick, Audio Magic Recording Studio
You can purchase the album from:
The Lost Records
CDBaby
and, to get to it on iTunes, please go there and search Audiocracy (the link doesn't work from this page for some reason) - however, then you won't get the cool booklet!
Earlier demos from AUDIOCRACY:
Revolution's Son
Speak Truth To Power
When The Future Comes
Lyrics:
PUZZLE CITY
The City is phantom
The City is anonymity
The City is breathing
The City is where I come to be
Falling tiles from roofs
Falling angels beyond proofs
Like confetti made of stars
Falling pieces from the puzzle City
Falling
Fill in the glass
Fill the stones
Fill in the space between
Between mind and bones
Fill in the pieces shaken loose as you ran
Replaced on streets that you walk when you can
In the City
Falling tiles from roofs
Falling angels beyond proofs
Like confetti made of stars
Falling pieces from the puzzle City
Come take your fill
Be what you will
In the City
lyrics ©2006 Tobin Mueller
music ©2006 Piper/Mueller
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right then tobin &mdash 02/26/08 - 08:18:10 AM
Heavy toll &mdash 02/26/08 - 11:52:46 AM
...Just life intervening. Its what gives everything special meaning. Thanks for the early kudos. [ Reply to This ]
by Far &mdash 02/26/08 - 08:35:04 AM
the most Authentic progressive post I've heard here... Yes sets the bar for me on this kind of work... and you have it all going on in this ... the textured layers that interweave to create the foundation... excellent vocals .. really excellent.. but even more compelling is the lyric... you must have tapped into your jones for NYC... there is a certain believability or trueness, and I suspect that it's autobiographical... my close friend work in and loves NYC and as I've grown older, I've also grown out of it... but this sounds very much like his defense's of NY when we mull it over.. and you've crafted wonderful word/pictures... fragments... but the accumulated effect is to paint a true picture... I love it when art does this... completely describe the thing, without ever saying it.... [ Reply to This ]
Authentic Prog &mdash 02/26/08 - 11:58:11 AM
Thanks. that's a real compliment. Its tough to work in a specific genre, satisfy the progheads, and still make music they way I hear it. I love the guitar work on this and being able to play vintage synths. It is really such fun! [ Reply to This ]
Hey Tobin :) &mdash 02/26/08 - 09:34:08 AM
Sounds a lot like Yes-Zappa-Genesis-Jethro Tull. Amazing stuff, really!
One question: there`s something strange in my ear, is it live played? Don`t sounds like it is...
I.G.M. [ Reply to This ]
Drums last to join in &mdash 02/26/08 - 12:02:59 PM
This track was done by sending pieces around to every guy via the Net. The biggest "weirdness" was that the drums were added after the guitar, instead of before, which is near impossible, if you've ever tried it. Nothing was played to a click track, only with natural feel. Playing it live, we won't sound any tighter, but at least the drumming would lead the way, instead of be a follower. Moral: build a file the right way: start with the composition, but start the recording process with the rhythm section! (Drums were added even after the vocal on this one!) [ Reply to This ]
I'm impressed &mdash 02/26/08 - 09:49:51 AM
with the band's ability to persevere through all the trials and get this done, and so perfectly. The guitar and vocals are amazing, and everything in here works together so well! You really paint a vivid picture of city life, withe the music giving the lyrics energy and edginess. It is evident this took a lot of time and effort to develop, and it was well worth it. Kudos to all! [ Reply to This ]
The City &mdash 02/26/08 - 12:06:28 PM
Thank you. We tried to bring an organic quality to each of the tracks, many of which are even more evolving and layered than this one. Storytelling was central, in both music concept and style. Yes, each track took tons of time to both write and arrange, let alone record/mix/master. Actually, with all the stuff that happened to everyone, this record took slightly more than 2 years. Thanks for making it seem like it was all worth it! [ Reply to This ]
Nice! &mdash 02/26/08 - 10:35:42 AM
A bit of Yes.
Sweeping syncopation and rhythm. Real pleasurable and RICH! [ Reply to This ]
Syncopation and time signatures &mdash 02/26/08 - 12:10:44 PM
Thanks. I always love the use of unusual time signatures. But what we do a few times on this record is simply play without time signatures (altho ones are added to the sheet music afterward). Simply creating lines and stresses, like in the Renaissance before time signatures were invented, lines that play out what you want, say what you think, without regard to preconceived packets of 4s or 3s. I feel like it lets the music breathe, even tho it is much harder to remember! [ Reply to This ]
You are so right &mdash 02/26/08 - 12:26:22 PM
I would like to try playing without a signature, but it may come out like spaghetti for me! [ Reply to This ]
Outstanding &mdash 02/26/08 - 10:49:48 AM
what a great and powerful, artful and supercool piece of progressive rockmusic. Awesome! great performance and georgious vibe and atmosphere, bravo!! [ Reply to This ]
Artful &mdash 02/26/08 - 12:14:02 PM
Thanks, man. We are all wanting to make "art." Its a high goal when we can be playful and artful all in the same space. I really appreciate the comment. [ Reply to This ]
Stunner &mdash 02/26/08 - 11:34:38 AM
The quality of musicianship on this is really stunning.... i can't even comprehend it! I have the album and it's fantatsic - very diverse, rich... as Scott says, true art. [ Reply to This ]
Quality musicianship &mdash 02/26/08 - 12:25:37 PM
Thank you, Steve. Working with talented, giving musicians who know how to both create and listen is one of Life's great joys. [ Reply to This ]
Textural Heaven. &mdash 02/26/08 - 12:07:18 PM
Complete satisfaction.Beautiful piece of progressive rock.Stellar production,arrangements and perfromances.Top shelf for sure!
Blessings, [ Reply to This ]
Textural heaven &mdash 02/26/08 - 12:32:26 PM
There are actually about 4-5 guitar layers, slightly different, to bring out differing lines and feelings while creating an integrated texture of guitars. The bass is fretless, and sometimes plays high, lending to the overall guitar texture. The keyboards are nearly all vintage, adding to the genre-era. And becuz Anton and I are son and father, our vocals blend naturally.
If there is anything meant to stand out as contrast, it is the drumming. As opposed to going for the cohering/normal drumming thing, we decided to have the percussion be an equal soloing-type addition, bursting out in spurts and yells, more jazz than rock, and letting the momentum of the lines be the driving forward force, instead of a steady drum beat. That's my favorite aspect of the textures.
Thanks for noticing the details. [ Reply to This ]
Nice work &mdash 02/26/08 - 12:16:43 PM
Not really my style, but I really appreciate the textures and performances - top notch. Great interplay between the instruments and vocals and the harmonies are great. I really liked how you are able to blend in the softer sections with the main themes and give it variety.
Thanks for sharing - perhaps I could grow to like this style/album. [ Reply to This ]
Interplay &mdash 02/26/08 - 12:37:13 PM
Thanks for giving it a listen, even tho its not your normal style. We try and weave in, even within lines, a moment for each instrument. And since everyone emphasizes different styles in the band, there is a natural tension of musical style, which adds to the challenge for both the player and the listener. Hopefully, in the long run, it makes it more fun to re-listen/replay each song, since, what we want to achieve is a sense of continued discovery. I really appreciate that you are willing to give it a try. [ Reply to This ]
Hmmmmmmm! &mdash 02/26/08 - 02:39:45 PM
I'm a huge fan of Yes, Genesis, Gentle Giant, Tull, King Crimson et al, so this is right up my alley. The Yes style on the vocals is uncanny, and where did you get Steve Howe from?!
The singing/playing/arrangement and production are awesome, and everyone deserves huge credit for the result.
I'm lost for words Tobin - amazing!
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Steve Howe &mdash 02/28/08 - 07:45:47 AM
Just that sound he gets, let alone the great notes he plays, drew me in when I first heard the guitar-only music bed. On other tracks, he uses a bow, a Roland guitar synth box, and fabulous articulations to get some amazing sounds. Bob Piper is incredibly versatile and I am very thankful to have worked with him. Steve Howe has been a huge inspiration to so many prog players. Thanks for mentioning him. [ Reply to This ]
PUZZLE CITY &mdash 02/26/08 - 02:58:31 PM
ye nothing is easy .and I bless the giant work .
such precious friends gathered into building this
incredible work .Deep Bow !! [ Reply to This ]
progress &mdash 02/26/08 - 03:52:20 PM
everything prog &mdash 02/26/08 - 09:56:21 PM
very complicated, yet flows so smoothly. and HUGE! this really sums up the best of ELP and Yes. Actually I hould say you picked up the torch and ran with it.
EXCELLENT! [ Reply to This ]
The torch &mdash 03/01/08 - 08:55:23 AM
ELP and Yes were my two favorite bands in college. Thanks for the comment about taking the torch, which we obviously tried to do, self-consciously so, but also for "running with it" since part of the idea is to add and create something new from the direction those great bands started. [ Reply to This ]
I have been... &mdash 02/26/08 - 11:19:03 PM
...following the various posts of this collection. Tobin, every single piece is so impressive...very complex, smartly orchestrated, engaging and complicated vocals, and such attention to the recorded details. You set the bar...well...it's way up there, that's for sure. I am thinking that it's maybe only you who can reach it because your comps are so unique. I learn something new with each listen to a new number from you. Best of luck on this project.
Peace.
Paul [ Reply to This ]
I learn something new with each listen &mdash 02/28/08 - 08:15:07 AM
Thanks for that. Actually, I try to learn something new with each composition. I've always been drawn to what I've never done, to something I hear from someone else or inside my head that I'm not sure how to accomplish, so I pick a project in order to figure it all out. And I always try and make whatever sound I am learning into my own version of it, trying to give to a listeners a new take that they, in turn, can use for whatever thing they are striving for. Thanks for what you said, it made me feel great. [ Reply to This ]
Enjoy &mdash 02/27/08 - 09:37:47 AM
all the music in this wonderful piece. It seems like this really shows your vocal talents to great degree. Harmonizations, high vocal sounds. Lots of really cool music going on here. I think the guitar in indeed very creative in the the descending lead sounds that go hand in had with the falling words etc.
Everything you put out to my ears seems at a high level of musical craftsmanship.
Thanks for sharing! [ Reply to This ]
Harmonizations &mdash 02/28/08 - 07:42:08 AM
Thanks. I truly dig harmony. And I'm am continually surprised how high my son can sing. I have a falsetto that goes pretty high, but when layered with Twon's voice, it doesn't sound so lame anymore. He adds great energy to the music. (You should hear him on several other tracks, pretty astounding energy and emotion conveyed.) Thanks for listening and enjoying. [ Reply to This ]
Set the bar? &mdash 02/27/08 - 10:45:00 PM
Yeah, I'm pretty sure you have for this genre. Wow. Never a dull moment. Sure, Gentle Giant and Yes come through here and there, but it's unique and special. Very evocative lyrics as well.
So sorry to hear about all the misfortunes along the way. [ Reply to This ]
Evocative lyrics &mdash 02/28/08 - 07:38:37 AM
Thanks for the comments about the words. I tried for poetic, impressionistic lyrics throughout this project, trying to tell a story in a non-musical-theatre way (since that is what I do in my day job), but in a way that I found more compelling internally. And for open vowels and words that sang well. In many ways, this song is a set-up for things that follow. But I'm glad you think they stand on their own as well. [ Reply to This ]
swell &mdash 02/28/08 - 07:31:07 AM
Very nice! Cool sound. Interesting all the way through. The guitar is sweet here. [ Reply to This ]
This is way too cool &mdash 02/28/08 - 09:50:14 AM
I love this one a pro mixing/playing and singing.
I have some other fave on this CD and one is "Speak Truth To Power"
but this one is also a fave and some day I think I'll buy your CD.
Stay cool that's the rule you guys ROCKS.
---
Kenta [ Reply to This ]
Speak Truth &mdash 03/01/08 - 02:06:38 PM
Thanks. I think "Speak Truth To Power" is our track that's closest to a potential single. It is more mainstream hard rock and has a streamlined straight ahead architecture. But this one is a shortest, so we'll try and get it some air time too. I love the way all the tracks flow into a cohesive unit when listened to back to back. I hope you do decide to buy the CD soon! (Buy it from The Lost Records and Alimar gets all the profits!) [ Reply to This ]
Tobin &mdash 02/28/08 - 04:58:13 PM
This project is very cool. The power of using the internet as an interface to collaborate on music is manifested in this CD.
The song here is energetic and very suited as the companion to the words "The City is phantom, The City is anonymity, The City is breathing, The City is where I come to be.
I just wrote a little contribution to a forum post about the CD release here: http://www.macjams.com/forum/viewtopic.php?forum=4;showtopic=117200
[ Reply to This ]
Forum &mdash 02/29/08 - 07:50:18 AM
Thanks for the very generous comments in the forum about the album release on The Lost Records. Much appreciated. As we begin to circulate the CD, reviews are coming in and are very encouraging. Thanks for helping, being such a great listener, and a valued friend and contributer to many other recordings of mine that you've played on. I always look forward to your own music submissions and comments. [ Reply to This ]
wow! &mdash 02/28/08 - 11:19:05 PM
I just felt like I had to comment again... this song has been running through my head all day. LOVE it!!! [ Reply to This ]
Return costumer &mdash 02/29/08 - 07:58:23 AM
How cool is that. Thank you. You know how often one of us listens to our own tracks during the writing, arranging, performing, mixing and mastering process. It is great to know someone else listens more than once, integrates it, if even for a while, into themselves. Very appreciated comment. [ Reply to This ]
Great Song!!! &mdash 02/29/08 - 04:55:13 AM
Very appreciated!Tune so cool, remind me to the 70's and early 80's Tony Banks compositions...Very good!
CharlyDeeCynthius|Italy| [ Reply to This ]
Tony Banks &mdash 02/29/08 - 08:02:17 AM
Very cool, thanks. I've always enjoyed his stuff. I once put together a compilation tape of solo recordings by guys who played in Yes. Discovered some great Tony Banks tracks. I called the compilation "No - the solo works of one-time Yes men." I have to go dig that up... [ Reply to This ]
Prog-proper &mdash 03/02/08 - 08:02:58 AM
This is the real deal, as big and grand as the genre should be!
Glad you put this up because as an excerpt - it really does make me want to hear the next bit of the story (same feeling as Rush 2112).
It's all been said, Yes, Genesis - but wow! To be doing this now using gear from back in the day gives it a feeling of a newly discovered 70s masterpiece.
Very powerful music, but also in images from the lyrics - your words just take me straight downtown. Lest we forget.
Stunning production and how you managed to knit it all together is beyond me; just as well that you have a jazz ear and can deal with the crazy timings!
Nice work Tobin, you should be proud.
Jim
[ Reply to This ]
jazz ear &mdash 03/03/08 - 10:46:33 AM
I'm really glad you want to hear the rest of the story. The whole "jazz ear" thing is something I enjoy employing. Alongside my classically trained sensibility and my homespun folk roots. Thanks for the compliments. [ Reply to This ]
gentle giant &mdash 03/02/08 - 01:06:36 PM
wow, to read all the adversity you guys had to overcome to make this makes it all the more remarkable. Glad you stuck with it. The amount of passion that went in to this really shows. [ Reply to This ]
passion &mdash 03/11/08 - 10:43:53 AM
Thanks. Passion can cloud the judgment when it comes to music choices, sometimes, make things sound way better in your head then it does to everybody else. I'm glad it translated in the right way. I appreciate the listen. [ Reply to This ]
A New Genesis &mdash 03/04/08 - 10:45:24 AM
Liked the passion and energy from this. I'm from New York - born and raised. Living there in the 70's listening to progressive rock was in many ways mind blowing and growing. This in a wonderful fresh way takes me to that time and place. Thanks for the trip Tobin.
Best,
Charlie [ Reply to This ]
Thanks for the trip &mdash 03/11/08 - 10:45:59 AM
New York City is definitely in this song. Thanks for coming along for the ride. [ Reply to This ]
One person's intrepretation .... &mdash 03/04/08 - 01:15:00 PM
I don't know the story of Audiocracy ("State of Music"?), but this song suggests it's going to be a philosophical/religious journey about putting the pieces of a life puzzle together.
Your language is concise, yet simple phrases are loaded with mulitple meanings.
Like: "The City is where I come to be" can be read simply as this is the place where I happen to find myself at this particular point and time ... yet it also can be read as a place of expected fulfillment.
That second verse is especially potent. Falling tiles and falling angels are lumped together as physical objects, yet "angels beyond proof" suggests a metaphysical explication. One might anticipate a "fallen Angel" of the Miltonian variety, but here the angels, with a lower case "a," are still in the act of falling, having, apparently, not yet hit bottom. "Confetti made of stars" is a great visual for the night sky ... and it also fits nicely with the idea of falling (as in falling stars). And all of these images are a part of the City's big puzzle ... which will have to be assembled and integrated in order "to be."
Excellent writing!
[ Reply to This ]
Lyrics &mdash 03/11/08 - 10:55:05 AM
Thanks so much for mentioning the lyrics, listening to them, letting them swirling around in the impressionistic way they are supposed to be heard. When I write musical theatre, I craft lyrics in a careful, collaborative, tethered way, always subordinating them to story, character and meter. But when I write stuff like this, I have a concept and then just let words roll out, not trying to be precise and rational, but, rather, emotional and under-conscious. I often don't write anything down and edit myself audioly (instead of on paper). If I don't like it while re-listening (when creating the demo track of the pre-recording version), then I overdub a new lyric. Like building a puzzle, connected more to specific music sections of the song, and the motion of the lines, than to a stanza or meter. Way more fun. (Writing lyrics is the hardest thing for me.) So glad you liked them. [ Reply to This ]
Great &mdash 03/05/08 - 03:36:01 AM
Wow... What a great rhythm... This sounds good... And your vocals are fantastic... Sounds amazing.... Thanks for sharing this song... [ Reply to This ]
Great! &mdash 03/06/08 - 08:08:14 AM
Sir Tobin, this is amazing progressive rock piece. I haven't always been a huge fan of that Genre, but I listen a lot to Dream Theater, Queensryche and some other bands (my brother's favorite genre, Petrucci is his guitar god!!) and this piece has much of Rudess keyboard stuff. Much enjoyed the work here and especially the background sound. Amazing .... KUDOS!
Take Care
- Yeman A. Al-Rawi [ Reply to This ]
Queensryche &mdash 03/10/08 - 12:11:54 PM
Did you notice who played the drums on this track? Thanks for all the great kudos. [ Reply to This ]
I did... &mdash 03/11/08 - 10:26:37 AM
... notice who played drums right away!
How did you get Scott to play for you?
Killer track, also.
I definitely hear the Genesis and the Yes going on.
Amazing that so many musicians can come together from so many places and create something like this. It's hard enough for Allen and I do to it, and that's just TWO people, let alone all the hands in this cookie jar.
Excellent work by all. Triumph through adversity!
Well done! [ Reply to This ]
Wow! and WOW Again! &mdash 03/11/08 - 12:23:21 PM
Tobin, your tastes and talents are here in full. I haven't heard music like this in years. This is really great stuff. And hearing all that you guys endured, you have my respect and my support. I must sample some more of your work. You are a very gifted person. I am particularly touched by your son's trauma as I am a bass player (amoung other jack trades). I also have a son who plays. I pray that he will find a way around this (playing opposite handed?) so that he may continue his passion.
Stephen [ Reply to This ]
son's trauma &mdash 04/07/08 - 08:34:19 AM
Thanks for your empathy. He's found a silver lining, which is one of life's great lessons, as a singer (who can now sing much harder lines since he doesn't need to play difficult bass lines) and song-writer. If he can ever play bass again, you can bet I'll put the song up on MJ. [ Reply to This ]
Puzzle City &mdash 03/14/08 - 06:36:26 PM
Holy Smokes - you're incredible. Love everything about this sound - and so different from your solo piano (of the few I've heard so far) This is so reminiscent to me of my all-time heart-fave band YES - you must've been a fan? This is great - thanks [ Reply to This ]
YES &mdash 04/07/08 - 08:31:04 AM
Yes, I was and am a huge Yes fan. They are as influential as any one of my mentors, from Chopin to Brubeck. YES opened a whole new section of my brain, unlocked it, when I first heard them. [ Reply to This ]
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