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Description:
NOTICE: There were many comments about the over-use of compression on this track. I have gone ahead and done a re-mix in which I hope this problem has been fixed. It can be found here:
http://www.icompositions.com/music/song.php?sid=86089
Thanks for all the constructive criticism. You folks are the best!
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION:
I wrote this tune right after I “hit bottom” and left MJ. It deals with our Jekyll-and-Hyde-like existence. Mine in particular!
Janus was an ancient Roman deity. He was viewed as the god of new beginnings. In Roman art and coinage he is depicted with two faces looking in opposite directions (as in the photo). It is this dual aspect that provides the metaphor for this tune.
This is a complex prog-rocker and was a real bear to mix. I worked on it for over a month. I’m still not fully satisfied with the mix, but I just can’t bring myself to mess with it any more. Time to just let it go...
Many thanks to my Goodwilly brothers (Mike Dancy, Vic Holman & Jack Miller) and dear friend Roxylee, whose critiques, tech-advice and/or words of encouragement, were a great help to me at various stages in the mixing process.
Lyrics:
JANUS FACED
I.
I reach for the stars,
but fall into an abyss;
dug with my own two hands,
when I was not looking.
I call out for help,
but my cries are swallowed by the din.
It’s then the clear truth dawns...
my enemy lies within!
II.
I’m Janus-faced.
I’ve got a Janus-faced heart.
Yeah, I’m Janus-faced;
and it’s tearing me apart.
It’s a tale of two psyches;
---of a heart divided, that cannot stand.
Will I break free of hate’s gravity,
or sink down in the quicksand?
1st CHORUS:
Did I sign on for this?
Is there something I have missed?
Some kind of “karmic” debt?
Or my egos’ bag-of-tricks?
Lost in uncertainty;
one thing I know for sure...
This is not the world I wanted!
This is not the world I wanted!
III.
Well I’m Janus-faced;
looking east and west.
Yeah, I’m Janus-faced.
There’s a conflict in my breast.
One part of me is praying,
for protection on your head.
The other part of me would really
like to see you dead!
IV.
We’re all Janus-faced.
It’s a Jekyll and Hyde scenario.
We’re all Janus-faced.
It’s the human condition, don’t you know?
Caught up in perpetual conflict;
distracted by the battle sounds.
In our delirium,
we don’t notice as the quicksand sucks us down!
2nd CHORUS:
Did we sign on for this?
Is there something we have missed?
Some kind of “karmic” debt?
Or the egos’ bag-of-tricks?
Lost in this travesty;
one thing we know for sure...
This is not the world we wanted!
This is not the world we wanted!
No!
Hardware:
The usual.
Software:
LE7, GForce M-Tron
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First.... &mdash 04/08/08 - 03:55:34 PM
Jack! &mdash 04/09/08 - 03:37:09 AM
I'll take the smiley face as a compliment.
"He's Smiley Faced, yeah he's Smiley faced..."
Be well bro! [ Reply to This ]
JANUS FACED &mdash 04/08/08 - 04:07:05 PM
Great Rockin track my friend .your singing here so
open and passioante ...ye this is more into your
old arrangment kinda song .very nice lyrics thnx
alot for sharin such gem !! [ Reply to This ]
Thank you Feter... &mdash 04/09/08 - 03:39:15 AM
You heard the earlier mix...it was rather crude by comparison. Thanks for the return listen bro.
Be well! [ Reply to This ]
Good Composition &mdash 04/08/08 - 04:56:21 PM
Shades of early Yes, ELP, Genesis. You're getting better at this prog=rock thing.
Keep it up. [ Reply to This ]
Hey! &mdash 04/09/08 - 03:44:47 AM
Thanks for listing some of my old musical heroes Thomas...
I appreciate the compliment. Prog-rock is sure a lot of work for one guy though!
Be well! [ Reply to This ]
Janus Faced &mdash 04/08/08 - 05:06:31 PM
yes, it is reminiscent of YES to me (extra high compliment). You've been writing some great stuff since your return - very talented. Great vocals here, I think the mix turned out really well. Congratulations! [ Reply to This ]
Hi there Karen! &mdash 04/09/08 - 03:47:47 AM
Thanks so much for listening and commenting. I really appreciate the YES comparison! They were giants were'nt they?
My next post will sound more like the Stones and/or the Faces. Stay tuned!
Be well friend! [ Reply to This ]
right then &mdash 04/08/08 - 05:12:02 PM
there you go Mr. Wark! Killer Michael ... mix is great and glad u let it go for the rest of us to enjoy! very, very glad you are back! [ Reply to This ]
Hi Jack! &mdash 04/09/08 - 03:49:31 AM
Hey, thanks for the kind words of support bro! Glad you find this one worthy!
Be well! [ Reply to This ]
Well &mdash 04/08/08 - 07:00:16 PM
you certainly gave this one the full works Michael....... sounds great and full... love the lead guitar and the production treatment. You really have developed your own style lyric-wise... ooh love that bass at the end... you've been practicing havent' you? LOL... great stuff, cheers M [ Reply to This ]
Maurice! &mdash 04/09/08 - 03:51:35 AM
Great to hear from you, ya blighter! Thanks for the nice review.
And yes, I do practice every once in awhile. Ha ha...
Be well friend! [ Reply to This ]
epic &mdash 04/08/08 - 09:46:25 PM
A pretty big project and it came damn nice! EPIC piece for sure. seems you have added some too, since i heard your in progress piece! very, very, nice work!
oh, great lyrics as well. [ Reply to This ]
Vicar! &mdash 04/09/08 - 03:55:01 AM
Since the last time you heard this, I deleted the electric rhythm guitar track and replaced it with two acoustic guitar tracks. I think everything else is just the tweaking of the mix (which has been CONSIDERABLE).
Glad you enjoyed it bro.
Be well! [ Reply to This ]
Whatever you did .. &mdash 04/09/08 - 06:35:38 AM
.. when you were away, it must have included a mixing course Mike. There's a lot more clarity in this than in any of your other mixes that I can remember. Like some of those bass lines in the more "up" sections. Interesting starting synth bass sound. Like the acoustic rhythm tracks and their placement in the soundstage - always helps to have one right, one left. Interesting lyrics and great sounding drums (DoD again?). The vocals sound strong and on pitch throughout, but I'm finding the distortion on them a bit distracting. Was that deliberate?
Overall though a really good post.
Congratulations.
Neil [ Reply to This ]
Thank you Neil! &mdash 04/09/08 - 10:40:23 AM
Perhaps this is a good mix, but I'm too close to it still to see it. It took a lot of time to bring all the various elements into some kind of balance.
Compression was a huge task too. Mike Dancy was a big help in that department.
RE the vox: I know what you mean. And I know what caused it. I used the wrong setting on my Snowball Blue USB mic. I've tried to clean up the distortion some (it was much worse). I could try re-singing those parts but they were incredibly difficult and I simply lack the courage to attempt it again.
I found the correct setting on the mic (there are three) and used it on what will be my next post. I'm certain you'll hear the difference.
Thanks for listening and always being a constructive critic and constant friend these past few years. I cannot imagine MJ without you!
Be well! [ Reply to This ]
BTW: &mdash 04/09/08 - 10:56:18 AM
I forgot to mention that the drums are a mixture of standard Apple Loops and DoD. [ Reply to This ]
Powerful &mdash 04/09/08 - 07:38:07 AM
Mike, first, thank you for your kind words. Second, you sing with such powerful lyrics and emotions! I think we can all relate to these words as the spirit and flesh war against each other daily. I love the arrangement in this, too. your musical skills and creativity are amazing. Rock on, bro! :-) [ Reply to This ]
Roxy! &mdash 04/09/08 - 10:44:05 AM
Hey, those were kind but honest words. Your dead-on critique of the way the vox sounded in that earlier mix sent me back to the mixing board to smooth things out. While it's still not perfect (as Neil pointed out above) it sounds way better than it did. Many thanks!
Glad you appreciate the writing here. It's what I was feeling at the time translated into a somewhat universal idiom.
Be well sis! [ Reply to This ]
Yes &mdash 04/09/08 - 08:45:15 AM
Hello Kenta! &mdash 04/09/08 - 10:46:15 AM
Ha ha... Brief and to the point my friend! Many thanks for listening and commenting!
Be well! [ Reply to This ]
Fantastic... &mdash 04/09/08 - 09:52:23 AM
Micheal, I'm new to MJ and have no idea what caused your departure, but I've seen some great stuff from you in my short time here. This is just ONE example.
I hope you continue to frequent MJ and post these amazing works!
The mix sounds great to me personally. I'd let it ride for a while and take a break then listen in a month or so and perhaps you'll have new insights. It is tight, emotional and offers some very cool sounds!
Thanks so much for posting (and coming back!) [ Reply to This ]
Hello Mark! &mdash 04/09/08 - 10:54:48 AM
I explained the reasons for my departure on my Profile Page.
It's good to be back and I certainly hope to stay. I really appreciate your encouraging comment.
Be well friend! [ Reply to This ]
flavorful &mdash 04/09/08 - 10:58:24 AM
Most flavorful indeed. Lots of nice contrasting lines. The voice distorted a bit, but from what you said, you had a hell of a time trying to mix just right. That aside, the idea, the idea for the lyrics, ...fantastic.
I feel the pain of your dichotomous life of repeated bifurcation (wuumph, how's that for a line ala Webster's).
I feel it is the pain of perfection you feel, like you did when trying to mix this baby. Perfection, oh what a pain. Black or white, right or wrong, ughhhhhh, a tough way to live.
The answer of life seems more and more to lie with living in the gray or constant fractal morphing.
Breathe in and out and just plain be. We freaking think to much.
Again, another splendid Wark work.
[ Reply to This ]
Ha ha.... &mdash 04/09/08 - 11:08:10 AM
Hey, thanks Damien!
I appreciate the brotherly advice. Yes, I DO think too much. But I also don't lean on the merits of my Lord and Redeemer enough, and that makes a huge difference. His grace is sufficient as the wise St. Paul said.
Glad you like this piece.
You just may have given me the name for my own music publishing concern: Warkworks!
Be well friend! [ Reply to This ]
Ambitious project &mdash 04/09/08 - 11:10:20 AM
for sure, and I think you brought it home nicely! Even I noticed the singing distortion, but it kind of fits in this sort of music, so don't bother too much about it. Great lyrics! Great song!
/Henke [ Reply to This ]
Thank you Mr. H! &mdash 04/09/08 - 12:31:58 PM
Glad you enjoyed the tuneage friend! Thanks for listening and commenting...
Be well! [ Reply to This ]
You had me at.... &mdash 04/09/08 - 11:40:29 AM
I reach for the stars and fall in the abyss. Duality is a particular interest of mine, and this tackles the subject neatly and intelligently. Your singing and mixing meanwhile have moved onto a whole other level... the break obviously did you good.
Great post. [ Reply to This ]
Hello Steve! &mdash 04/09/08 - 12:37:29 PM
Duality...yes. And I'm not at peace with it. I never will be...
My singing does move onto a "whole other level" on this one: OUT OF MY RANGE! Ha ha...
But hey, I gave it a shot! Glad you liked it my friend! Thanks for the encouraging comment...
Be well! [ Reply to This ]
Good track &mdash 04/09/08 - 12:05:24 PM
You can tell you are singing your soul on this track. Glad you are back, its a really good track, cool mix of instrumental and synth. Funny how a tortured mind can make really good tracks and insightful lyrics. Nice one Micheal. [ Reply to This ]
Thank you Keith! &mdash 04/09/08 - 12:47:41 PM
Yes, I sung my soul out. Spent the following week recuperating attached to an iron lung. (Just kidding!)
It's good to be back and to make new friends. At the time I recorded this, I wasn't absolutely sure I was coming back, or if I was going to continue to write and record. I'm glad I didn't give it up.
Thanks for listening and commenting friend!
Be well!
[ Reply to This ]
Compression &mdash 04/09/08 - 12:08:10 PM
Really nice writing, arranging. I love the drumming, and even tho it has that MIDI punchiness that can be annoying, you play with inventiveness and keep it interesting, yet also use enough grooves to sound like a real play, well done. (The bell at 2:20 could be cut, and a couple left side hits. And the ending seemed abrupt mainly becuz of the last flourish and cymbal hit.)
The vocals are, in my ears, overly compressed throughout to the point of being a problem. Not sure if mixed it or recorded it that way. The effects also seemed overdone in spots (the reverb seems to come and go.) My ears got tired becuz of the compression, limiting, saturation in the vocals.
The instrumental section seems incomplete, too skeletal. I'd replace that steel drum with a rhythm guitar, fender or B3. The guitar is cool, altho a bit stuck in a single chord and rhythmic pattern, and I wanted it to break out more. ALtho my ears appreciated the rest during this section, it didn't transport me like, I imagine, you wanted it to.
The lyrics are epic but lack an important personal point of view in place, being too narrative in places. The fear is that it will seem presumptuous as opposed to authentic, if that makes sense.
But I dug it. Is there any chance you could redo the vocals/vox mix? [ Reply to This ]
Sensei Tobin! &mdash 04/09/08 - 12:29:16 PM
So glad you took the time to comment.
RE the drums. I know what you mean. It was difficult getting them to sit properly in the mix. But this was the first tune I worked on after my departure. Since then (as evidenced in CAFFEINE and in the upcoming SENSE OF DIRECTION) I've gotten a better handle on recording and mixing them.
Yeah, the vox IS a problem here. It was due to a wrong setting on my mic. I had to use a lot of comp (among other things) to clean them up. They still sound a bit distorted though. They were incredibly difficult for me to sing. A bit out of my range! I'm too scared to attempt a re-record any time soon. Maybe later...
Although I'm rather fond of the mid-section---the skeletal-ness was intentional: a break from the dense wall of sound that preceeds it---I do think your suggestions have merit. As you know, in a break like this one can go in any number of directions. As I do this sort of thing fairly frequently, I'll keep your ideas in mind. Indeed, perhaps the next time I attempt a prog piece, I should run it by you while still in the early stages of development!
I don't understand your comment re the lyrics. For me, they're as personal as it gets; being a direct expression of where I was emotionally at the time. Not everyone will feel the same way, but then, so much of this is subjective...
Anyway, thanks again for listening and lending a critical ear. Even though I hate re-recording, I still take good critiques to heart and try to incorporate what I learn in future works. (They're all DEMOS anyway!)
Be well my friend! [ Reply to This ]
I'll have to..... &mdash 04/09/08 - 01:48:03 PM
I'll have to "fav". cuz I missed this. Great music here.
It must have been hard work to this. I can appreciate that.
Always good to hear one of yours.
WOW,
LL
[ Reply to This ]
Hi David! &mdash 04/09/08 - 01:53:03 PM
No! You didn't miss this one my man. Earlier mixes were not posted. They were circulated among a few friends who helped with some of the mixing and compression issues.
Thanks for signing on! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Be well friend! [ Reply to This ]
Nice rockin' track &mdash 04/09/08 - 08:24:21 PM
Some lovely guitar work on this - you haven't lost your touch! I like the interesting changes and dynamics that give this such an edge. Nice vocal, and interesting effect you use there for part of the track. Excellent lyrics, totally thought-provoking and some great turns of phrase. Very nicely done, my friend. It's great to have you back! Peace. [ Reply to This ]
Thanks loads Dave! &mdash 04/11/08 - 12:09:01 AM
I must admit though, that I have a love-hate relationship with this one. I like how it turned out---except for the distorted vox---but it was WAY more work than I normally enjoy doing.
RE that vocal effect: I ran my vox through a Spreader in the transition following the instrumental break. I used a setting that basically splits the vocal track in two. It seemed apropos given the subject matter! Glad you found it interesting...
Thanks again for listening and commenting!
Be well friend! [ Reply to This ]
Hey Mike &mdash 04/10/08 - 06:10:30 PM
This is one of your most impressive pieces - a real epic! I don't know how you come up with these songs (I would have got 3 or 4 from this). Anyway, I haven't done an A/B comparison with the earlier mix (which I thought was pretty good in any case), but overall this sounded fine.
A few comments have been made regarding the distortion on your vocals - I must admit I thought it was intentional (or perhaps as a result of some processing during the recording) - I can't say I was really bothered by it. I have found that adding extra compression does tend to emphasize these little nasties. Most importantly, this ambitious piece really hangs together well, is wonderfully sung and played and is an excellent addition to your growing catalogue.
Thanks for sharing it (and for the advanced preview).
Peter [ Reply to This ]
Thank you Peter! &mdash 04/10/08 - 11:59:27 PM
I had forgotten that you had heard an earlier mix...I must be getting a tad senile my friend!
I do think this is one of my better compositions, in spite of it's obvious flaws. It's all part of the learning process, isn't it? If during these past few years I had been trying to produce flawless music, I'd have already died of a massive coronary from the stress! Ha ha...
Don't get me wrong, I DO want these ditties to sound as good as possible, but I always remind myself that I'm doing this primarily for the fun and the fellowship---NOT to win a MacJammy Award.
I really appreciate your friendship and steady support Peter. Hopefully we can collab sometime soon! In the meantime, I look forward to your next venture...
Be well! [ Reply to This ]
... &mdash 04/11/08 - 01:01:17 PM
painful words that i understand. it's nice when creativity can come from the pain. i know what you mean about being tired of messing with the mix. ive spent months on songs before and than finally just had to let it go. than end up playing them six months later and it comes out better with time between working on them. some nice playing on this. [ Reply to This ]
Hi Chance! &mdash 04/11/08 - 01:09:05 PM
I think we all understand pain. It seems to be one of the things we share in abundance in this life. It's certainly what makes the blues so timeless...
I dislike spending an inordinate amount of time on a tune. I'm a "get 'er done and move on" kind of guy, so this one really ruffled my feathers when I couldn't seem to get it right.
Thanks for taking the time to listen and comment friend. I'm glad this one spoke to you.
Be well!
[ Reply to This ]
... &mdash 04/12/08 - 10:17:06 AM
i know what you mean. ive got songs that ive never completed because i spent countless hours and couldn't seem to get em right. [ Reply to This ]
What a grand performance &mdash 04/11/08 - 02:31:46 PM
What a big tune... Much bigger than me, in fact. It would take a few listens before I'd be able to comment and say something other than, it seemed to really vibe w/ a space that I've been in. Definitely one to grab and go. Thanks for that, Michael! Loved the sound! Complex, it seems. Kinda crunchy w/ digital stuff going on. Don't know if it's the beast of over compressing or what but now, I don't know what I'm talking about and maybe you did this on purpose. I should stop talking and listen more.
I really like compositions like this. I can hear that an awful lot of work went into this! Great job! Really nice work!
This will take a few listens and, I'm up for it! Thanks for sharing your art! Nice to see you back! Dion
[ Reply to This ]
Dion! &mdash 04/11/08 - 03:23:34 PM
Long time no hear, bro!
Thanks so much for listening and commenting.
I'll send you a note.
Be well! [ Reply to This ]
Yea! &mdash 04/11/08 - 03:24:22 PM
I really liked the draft you sent and couldn't wait 'till it was posted. Sounds really good on the laptop! I'm glad that I could help you out, and like I said before, I hope I didn't steer you in the wrong direction :) This is one of my favorite tracks that you've done! Excellent track Mike! [ Reply to This ]
Thanks Mikey! &mdash 04/11/08 - 03:54:48 PM
You were a huge help bro! I applied some of the things you taught me on my next post as well. It came out really good, as you will see next week!
I'm glad you like the end result of this posting. The main flaw in this is my vox, but that's because I recorded it on the wrong mic setting, and is not due to any of your compression advice.
Thanks a lot for listening and commenting.
Be well bro! [ Reply to This ]
What an epic! &mdash 04/11/08 - 04:16:55 PM
Len! &mdash 04/11/08 - 05:53:49 PM
You have returned! Ha ha...
What a crazy Forum Post that was. It really gave a couple of us a good scare! Glad you're still with us.
Thanks for the nice review, but I hope I don't attempt another "epic" anytime soon. It's way too much work (and I'm old and lazy).
Rock on friend! [ Reply to This ]
Holy smokes Michael &mdash 04/12/08 - 09:27:48 PM
this thing rocks and provokes the mind and boggles the imagination. Pretty awesome. My only wish is taht there were less compression in general - but mostly on the drums and vocals - I miss a little air.
That said - I'm amazed by what you produce and love the tremolo breaks. Really cool. [ Reply to This ]
Hi Bud &mdash 04/29/08 - 01:47:14 PM
I agree that this is over-compressed. I re-mixed it with considerably less compression. Also softened the edge of the vox a bit. The new mix can be heard at iComp.
Be well! [ Reply to This ]
Wow Man! &mdash 04/14/08 - 10:16:42 AM
What a performance!
Dualities. Always choosing...
Who knows the ultimate results in whichever paths we choose or avoid. Thanks for getting me to think a bit, Mike (as you often do).
I can't help but feel the tearing in your voice.
Really nice, buddy!
Doug [ Reply to This ]
spirit vs the flesh... &mdash 04/29/08 - 01:49:07 PM
...the human spirit vs God's Spirit. Duality sucks.
Glad you enjoyed the performance Doug!
Be well! [ Reply to This ]
(};-P &mdash 04/15/08 - 10:59:04 PM
:-) ..... Well, If he can get away with it? Kudos bro! Compression, smession! it's not that bad..... I like the changes a lot and I really think this kicks ass, if I do say so myself!
(};-Peace out,
Ax [ Reply to This ]
Thanks alot Axe! &mdash 04/29/08 - 01:51:23 PM
It came out OK, but I think I might have gotten in a bit over my head! Ha ha...
many thanks for the kind (and---as always---entertaining) review!
Be well! [ Reply to This ]
Kudos !!!!!! &mdash 04/18/08 - 05:48:39 PM
Brilliant production Awsome. Wowwee luuuuve it.
You Rock/ what a Song/ What Lyrics/ What a Voice.
Peace Dee. xxx [ Reply to This ]
Settle down there Dee! &mdash 04/29/08 - 01:53:08 PM
If you don't like the tune just come out and say so! Ha ha...
Thanks friend. You made me blush!
Be well! [ Reply to This ]
Great! &mdash 04/24/08 - 06:48:34 PM
This is a great song Mr. Mike. The sounds and the whole music work and composition is great. The vocal is treat to listen to... I love your work and welcome back to your 2nd home!
Take Care
- Yeman A. Al-Rawi [ Reply to This ]
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