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Rapunzel (LIOLI8) by The Orbiting [Email]

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 716
Comments: 63
Votes: 11
Plays: 136
Last Played: Dec 02, 2008 - 03:38:50 PM
Downloads: 25
Fans: 47
Uploaded: Sep 27, 2008 - 10:25:36 AM
Last Updated: Sep 27, 2008 - 09:00:26 PM
Fan List
Keywords:
Rapunzel (1), love (983), Prince Charming (1), tower (1), hair (6), loneliness (12), The Orbiting (23), Raygun Dreamdate (7), illuminati (25), ledebutant (46), collaboration (106), LIOLI 8 (3)
Description:
Our LIOLI 8 Entry. Die, Dr. LIOLI, DIE!!! (The loop represents the counter-melody in the second chorus and pops up here and there afterwards, especially the outro).

From Lisa: Lately, I've had more of an urge to be involved earlier in the musical process that I often am and during LIOLI 7 Matt indulged me on our song, Wake Up, by letting me write the basic song and then fancying it up afterwards. We did the same thing on this one, where I wrote a very basic musical part (mostly a bassline and crappy drums) for myself to work with and wrote and sang my parts, then handed it to Matt to bring the awesome. Everyone should have a bandmate as generous and supportive as him.

Lyrically, I've been thinking for a while that fairy tales are a rich source of lyrical concepts, even if the original story isn't identified. I have several single friends who love the book, "He's Just Not that Into You," which is supposed to help women "decode" a man's actions in order to gauge his level of interest. I started to think about that book in terms of some fairy tales, especially Rapunzel. There's a chapter in HJNTIY, which is titled something like "He's Just Not That Into You if He's Not Calling," and I thought about Rapunzel, locked in a tower, basically waiting for her prince to show up whenever it's convenient for him to scale her hair. She's sort of the epitome of a woman who is waiting by the phone, so I started thinking about the things that might rocket around Rapunzel's brain right after reading HJNTIY.

Of course, every situation is individual and Rapunzel would have had the wrong end of the stick if she'd thought her prince didn't love her. Perception is a very powerful thing in relationships and Rapunzel getting a copy of HJNTIY at the wrong time could have given her fairy tale a very different ending.

From Matt: A few years ago I told Lisa that I was looking forward to her contributing some music writing to our growing catalog. Beginning with Wake Up and now with Rapunzel, you can hear her work as a songwriter, as opposed to simply a singer and lyric composer. On this one, I felt I had the role Depeche Mode has with Martin Gore's songs. Take the song and make it something that feels like The Orbiting. That is The Orbiting. A great deal of fun for me, especially as I don't have to labor over arrangement decisions. To me the song is about a woman who lets down her hair. I had no idea it meant more that that!

Thanks to the LIOLI organizers for providing us incentive to finish a song in relatively quick fashion.

Lyrics:
Rapunzel

In our loneliness
we agree
to almost anything.
Singing from my tower
you asked me to let you in.

You told me you loved me
and would always need me near,
but you would always leave me
and I'd never know
when you would reappear.

How can this be love,
when it can't be returned?
Taken out in the world?
When it's not what I dreamed of?

Separated from my love,
I cried and cried your name,
and every time I thought I lost you
is when you came again.

I hoped you'd take me far from here
and set us free from shame.
Instead I turn to hide my face,
can't watch you disappear again.

How can this be love,
when it can't be returned?
Taken out in the world?
When it's not what I dreamed of?

Rapunzel, Rapunzel,
let down your hair.
I will climb it
and give you my name.

How can this be love,
when it can't be returned?
Taken out in the world?
When it's not what I dreamed of?

(it's not what I dreamed of, it's not what I dreamed of)

You told me you loved me and would always need me near.




Hardware:
Lisa: Rode Nt-1a, G5, Event ALP-5's. Copy of Grimm's Fairy Tales.
Matt: Things that make cool sounds. Other things that make cool sounds.

Software:
Logic Studio
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This is a really &mdash 09/27/08 - 10:45:25 AM
beautiful song, beautifully written and performed/produced.
Cheers
Len



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Len &mdash 09/27/08 - 10:57:06 AM
Thanks so much!

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NIce &mdash 09/27/08 - 01:16:25 PM
This song has got a nice low end to it. Very comfy. Really sounds like a Peter Gabriel mix.
I think I would have come back after that last vocal line with the backing tracks for a fadeout, if it was up to me. I like the last line, but it's left sort of dangling there and having a bookend keeps the bookcase tidy sometimes.
Other than that this is superlative, one of your best. Almost too good for LIOLI label, since it sounds really inspired by itself without the challenge gimmick as an impetus for creativity. But isn't it always that way with the good stuff?

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Thanks Jim the kind comment and advice. &mdash 09/27/08 - 09:08:51 PM
I hadn't noticed until you mentioned it, but there is a bit of a Peter Gabriel vibe (his later stuff anyway) going on. You'd probably laugh at us, but in the final mixing stages we were mindful of staying off of the limiter so we wouldn't risk your wrath! Your idea about the ending is an interesting one. Lisa kept trying to get me to splice that ending vocal piece into the beginning, to give it that bookend thing. But for some reason I didn't hear it. I think that bringing back one of the themes at that point might be something to look at.

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Completely True &mdash 09/27/08 - 10:27:47 PM
Matt's telling the truth Jim. One of the very last things he said in our final stages of mixing when we were trying to decide if this was loud enough was, "Well, we know we'll make Jim happy if we leave it like this," (or something like that) and that was why we decided to cash out at this volume level.

Okay, now I understand why you said "I don't hear it," about my suggestion for the arrangement, Matt! I actually wasn't suggesting bookends. I was just suggesting dropping the drums out from under the first two line of the verse so the vocal would be acapella there, then having them come in under "singing from my tower." I was thinking, "Man, he's some kinda hard-core purist for not even being willing to try it." ;-p Of course, you are a super-genius and I defer to you in all things musical.

I think I agree with you Jim about bringing the other vocal line back in at the end. I just loved that harmony and wanted to have it twice; I even think there's an issue with it emphasizing a portion of the lyrics that aren't really central to the song.



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Sorry &mdash 09/27/08 - 10:34:53 PM
Should have said the "backing tracks" not the vocal line.

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Rapunzel &mdash 09/27/08 - 01:20:05 PM
What a great sound - the quality of this production is really awsome

Beautiful vocals and playing throughout



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Thanks &mdash 09/28/08 - 07:59:07 PM
Thank you, Skatehorn. I appreciate your kind words.

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so so rich &mdash 09/27/08 - 03:17:15 PM
in texture and depth. You guys I love. Its always such a trip simply because its always innovative and fresh. If this was a soundtrack for a dream, I wouldn't want to wake up.

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KTB :-) &mdash 09/28/08 - 08:02:25 PM
One thing I love about Matt's mix is that he really did get a lot of depth and space and detail into it. He always surprises me with what he does. Thanks, John. I love it that I can always count on you to listen to what we post.

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Can always count on you two &mdash 09/27/08 - 03:48:13 PM
to bring some wonderful and different to the table, and you have not disappointed this time either. Lisa, you singing is, as always, rich and full of emotion. You carry the lyrics so very well that I'm sure it made Matt's job not only easier, but much more pleasant as well;

I didn't notice the loop in there because I was distracted by you vocal and Matt's music, both of which are lush and beautiful.

Very very nice, Kudos to both of you

Ed




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Ed &mdash 09/28/08 - 08:13:25 PM
Thanks for noticing the emotion in the vocal. I tried to sing this one with feeling. It made me run out of air at times, but I stuck with what I had and I'm glad you think it worked.

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Rapunzel &mdash 09/27/08 - 05:13:22 PM
Wo .. what a set of a song and singing ...fairy
spheric sound and feel ..excellent mixing ,great
job my friends ..thnx alot for sharin !!!!

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Feter &mdash 09/29/08 - 06:49:45 PM
I love that word you've coined, "fairyspheric." I could imagine a Mystified album being called that.

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... &mdash 09/27/08 - 06:15:28 PM
great performance and backing track...and great production. Hearing touches of many styles from different eras. Very cool artwork too!

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Different Eras &mdash 09/29/08 - 06:50:55 PM
Thanks, Willy. You have a point about that different eras thing. I'm happy you liked the song. :)

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Vocal rythm &mdash 09/27/08 - 07:29:50 PM

The song is good .
The backing track especialy .
About the vocals I think they are too much folowing the beat , they should sometimes be a lil before the beat to bring some changes in the rythm/groove feel .



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Henri &mdash 09/29/08 - 06:53:32 PM
Thanks for the critique, Henri. I absolutely agree with you. The "swing" is something I really need to work on with my singing. I was hearing that myself after a few days distance from the track. I'm always grateful when people give suggestions for improvement because we will be redoing this and I'll keep your words in mind.

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How can this be love? &mdash 09/27/08 - 08:32:23 PM
It's not, of course. And the end of Dr. Lioli thereby hangs by a hair, not a thread. You created a very sell-able song. Thank you.

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Clever Char &mdash 09/29/08 - 06:54:08 PM
"a hair, not a thread..." Love that!

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Oh now, what have we here, &mdash 09/27/08 - 08:46:48 PM
the Sirens voice calling the Dr. to his doom. Very effective. I see this was a team effort as well. The combined strengths of the team make a formidable weapon in our battle to save MacJams City from becoming a Karaoke Park for Polka loving Evil Scientists.

Excellent work here Super Loopers. All you other Super Loopers take notes, there will be a test on Tuesday next, assuming the city survives.

Excellent, just excellent. Or did I say that already

CSP

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CSP &mdash 09/29/08 - 06:54:25 PM
Why thank you, Captain.

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Bjrk's happy/relaxed alter ego &mdash 09/27/08 - 10:31:23 PM
The background synths/chords/percussion must be the most beautiful I've heard here on MJ. Amazing. I'm always grateful when I'm done listening and I feel like I've heard something I couldn't do with my current setup. Great energy, full sound, soothing with so much detail it put a big smile on my headphones:) Lisa, your voice sounds excellent, the melody seems perfect for your range (what does that even mean!) Wonderful job. Put my name on your ever-growing fan list.

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Pari! &mdash 09/29/08 - 06:56:09 PM
Both Matt and I think the world of your music, so a compliment from you means the absolute world! I agree that Matt did a beautiful job with the backing tracks here and I think his mixes always reward a headphones listen, so I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it.

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Thanks for not &mdash 09/27/08 - 10:50:47 PM
letting your hair down... you stay towererful.......

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Towerful &mdash 09/29/08 - 06:57:55 PM
Sigh...I think staying towerful is half my problem in life. :-p

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One of your best &mdash 09/28/08 - 04:12:44 AM
Really good track. The lyrics are very well written and sung. The music slips and slides along nicely, and the loop is really well incorporated as I could not get the first time. Well done, beautiful.

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Hidden Loop &mdash 09/29/08 - 06:59:44 PM
Thanks so much, Keith. Always happy when you enjoy what we do.

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Haunting &mdash 09/28/08 - 07:36:33 AM
....I never really know what to say about the music you two cook up; everything I start with comes out as a slightly polished version of "gawrsh, it's shore a puurty song!" The talent you two bring to the show is inspiring!

The Peter Gabriel references ring very true, and the haunting, doubting tone of Rapunzel's words are as real as the stone of her tower. But what hooked me was the opening reference to "our" loneliness... it casts deep shadows into the absent prince, what he may be feeling (or, more accurately, her perceptions of them, as she's singing the story) and what genuine moment of connection they *may* have once shared. Was it real, or was it something more wishful and hoped for?

Good stories tell a great tale, but great stories know what not to tell, and the empty spaces behind what she knows and believes are poignant and real.

Great writing, great music. A knockout blow to the Dr. for sure!

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Rik, Rik, Rik &mdash 09/29/08 - 07:06:09 PM
I think I need you to come to my house and explain my life to me. I alway feel as though I understand something about the world or being alive a little better after reading one of your comments. You have a gift that way for deep pith. I really feel as though you got to the heart of the song this time around. Thank you.

Die Dr. LIOLI. I can't thank you enough for organizing this one, Rik.

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Fairy Tale &mdash 09/28/08 - 08:17:10 AM
Like the modern take on the fairy tale. Vocals are great and weave together well with the original sounds and beats you employ here. Cool song!

Thanks
Bill

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Bill &mdash 09/29/08 - 07:06:52 PM
So happy you liked it. Thank you, Bill.

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Laid back and mellow &mdash 09/28/08 - 10:36:19 AM
Good song, reminds me of Portishead in some ways and Dido in others

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Let Down Your Hair &mdash 09/28/08 - 05:06:23 PM
Lisa, wow. Brilliant job. Could you imagine yourself on a $50,000 Dollar mic?

You guys are true artist.

Thank you. Thank you for the motivation.

Dave

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This is great... &mdash 09/28/08 - 08:51:04 PM
...and I'll be back...

But in the meantime, this is great...again...

Ed

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a new orbiting song? &mdash 09/28/08 - 09:30:51 PM
im there!
smooth vocalization. how nice your singing really is. the backing vox are equally sweet, and i am happy.
one thing, tho, the vocal line is reminiscent of Blondie's "call me".... heh. took me a long time to dredge that from my drug soaked brain....
another tiny, little, wee thing i did notice, the first line has a small, almost imperceptable pop at :13 seconds on the word 'from'.... a no thing, really, but i know you are perfectionists, so i thought i would make my observation. this is a great song, overall. production is warm and full of live. the empty spaces have a ton of room to breathe, and musically it is a hit.
i love it when i hear what can be done with loops.
i have never had the knack for it, and on every loop contest you both seem to mesmerize and thoroughly impress.
thank you for posting this, and please dont take so long in between songs...
AD

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hey guys &mdash 09/28/08 - 10:13:47 PM
Great sounding tune
I'm a new fan

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Gorgeous... &mdash 09/28/08 - 11:00:38 PM
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. As always.

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Forget Power Trio &mdash 09/29/08 - 09:26:51 AM
You two are a power duo! In my head I can hear a tasty electric guitar subtlety in parts (I would like to see you two incorporate more instruments besides all electronically made ones in the future).

This one doesn't quite have the kick-in-the-pants feeling that Wake Up does but is excellent none-the-less. The sound bed is gorgeous and the vocals are spot on as well. I think the vocal phrasing could be spiced up (it's gets a little redundant in the verses). Your vocals are really dream and fit the fairy tale great. This music feels like the time when you wake up and keep falling back asleep and are falling in and out of dreaming. Very nice!

Other than that, you two rock and need to produce more quality music! I was happy to see a new Orbiting song in my inbox.

Peace,

Adam

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Oh Man ! &mdash 09/29/08 - 09:39:26 AM
this is absolutely a gem. I do not believe it could be any better than this. I love the vocals as always ... great back story .... and the production feel on this is killer .... yeah ... i love this. and double cool ... I can download! Thanks guys

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great &mdash 09/29/08 - 03:02:02 PM
i'm thinking that Matt wasn't the only one bringing the awesome. this is a great song, regardless of the LIIOLI factor. it's really nice to see you guys up and posting again, seems like I haven't heard from you 2 in awhile. i know there's kids in the mix, makes it hard. great track.

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wow Lisa... .... & Matt . .. . . ! ! &mdash 09/29/08 - 03:16:04 PM
Man I LOVE THIS!!! What a wonderful speed/tempo on this...so 'RIGHT' : ) : ) ! & The lyrics...seams like You're reading my thoughts Lisa...(can't believe these things actually still can happen..) AWESOME SONG the Music fits extremely well very nice LOVE IT ( : ) !!
Courtsey to You Both /Lena

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This is wonderful &mdash 09/29/08 - 04:41:41 PM
Great storytelling, great music. As it stands in the countermelody, that's my favorite mashing of the loop I've heard yet.

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Aaaaagh - that feels better &mdash 09/29/08 - 07:07:14 PM
This is so good that I've come back from my brief MJ holiday to type something.

Lovely Gabriel sound - interestingly soft (as opposed to "sharp" in the mix department. There's one bright sounding percussion instrument that follows the bass for a little while which leapt out (in a good way) to reinforce the subtlety of the rest of the mix. Lovely vocals Lisa, and (as usual) a fantastic backing track from Matt.

Something else could happen at the end, but not sure what - maybe an extended musical interlude without vox?? Not a big issue - sounds great!

I agree with Jim's comments about LIOLI - too good.

Neil

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Very cool &mdash 09/29/08 - 07:17:33 PM
I really like the lyrics, and the excellent updated take on the old story. The production and mix is (as always with you guys!) excellent - lovely sound and perfect balance. I especially like the sound on the percussion throughout. The singing is wonderful - great expressiveness in your voice, Lisa, and what a lovely tone. This is a great song, and I'm delighted the challenge brought it out. Thanks for sharing. Kudos to both of you. Nicely done. Peace.

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You guys, oh my god! &mdash 09/29/08 - 07:59:08 PM
This song is SO GOOD! I love everything about it! Those backing VOX are sweet! How cool! Downloaded, onto iPod. Thank you so much for making such great music and sharing it with us!

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making cool sounds &mdash 09/29/08 - 09:51:57 PM
great tune in all departments.

subtle and graceful.

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Pulling My Hair Out &mdash 09/29/08 - 10:19:57 PM
Kids,

you get together once in real life and you go and do this?!

Lisa, this is your best vocal ever. I'll bet that by the end of this very day, Grimm's Fairy Tales will be a household name. Seriously, what you've done here is pure wonder.

Matt, not bad dude. (I marvel at what you do - were you ever in SGT?)

This is a great production.

Thanks y'all.

Bob

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Thank for the kind words. &mdash 09/30/08 - 10:48:03 PM
And you gotta tell me what/who SGT is. I guess by asking I'm answering your question.

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Very nice. &mdash 09/30/08 - 12:47:01 AM
Interesting take on the Rapunzel story. Well produced track.

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Wowzers! &mdash 09/30/08 - 11:41:55 AM
Sorry it took so long to get here. Been working feverishly on an rsorensen cover...

This was worth the wait. Just beautiful. Laid back, borderline mystical, pop. Almost world music.

Wonderful vocals Lisa! And excellent production as per usual.

Be well friends!



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You two &mdash 09/30/08 - 12:29:30 PM
always do such fantastic tunes and this one doesn't disappoint! Wonderful concept with the lyrics, Lisa. I thought they were great! Absolutely wonderful voice too :)

I thought the production sounded stellar listening on my earbuds here at work!

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Doesn't get much better than this &mdash 09/30/08 - 05:03:18 PM
Dr. L is toast and we're all the richer for it. Lisa - and Matt - you two really delivered with this one - what a fine collaboration. Excellent story and concept. I love the waiting by the phone analogy - just genius. Lisa your voice sounds better each time out and Matt - your production is awesome.

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This has to be &mdash 09/30/08 - 07:37:14 PM
One of Lisa's best vocal tracks. Everything is right on the button. I can imagine Bjork envious of this one. Fantastic instrumentation to compliment. Kudos to the two of you.




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what I dreamed of &mdash 09/30/08 - 08:05:01 PM
the vocal harmonies are so nice

nice modulation into the chorus

this song is thrilling

thanks



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So many cool things happening &mdash 10/01/08 - 12:37:17 AM
I like the suggestions that were made - I think - to start out acappella without drums, but otherwise, keep it just like this! I really get a kick out of the thought that this is a LIOLI challenge piece. It is SO far beyond what I could even imagine as a piece based on 'walking clav 01' I adore the space Matt gave to the instrumentation - He has a real gift there. Lisa, your delivery is so sophisticated, yet vulnerable. The vocal harmony on the end is really appealing - maybe throw in a bit of that in the interior of the song, too??

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Cool tune &mdash 10/01/08 - 12:22:17 PM
Always nice to listen to you two:)

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Hair today &mdash 10/02/08 - 03:20:53 PM
....and Hair tomorrow. Glad you folks are HERE. The Orbiting are one of MJ's bedrock creators.

Another nice dreamy one from the dreamy duo.

Nice vocals and nice arrangement.

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Damien &mdash 10/03/08 - 02:57:20 AM
...your comments just rule! The dreamy duo. I think that's our new nickname. We should change our banner. :)

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Quality stuff &mdash 10/04/08 - 12:52:39 AM
This is really cool. I love the change that the chorus brings and the backing vocals in that section really add something. Amazing backing track; there are some very cool sounds in there. Good stuff!

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MARS CALLING!!! &mdash 10/06/08 - 03:22:15 PM
Too much bottom end on your vocal. It's a little bit boomy. Sort it out.
Otherwise - very cute :-)

Be cool,

Pie




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Love how... &mdash 10/10/08 - 07:54:19 AM
...the vocals and bass line blend so well. You guys sure seem dialed into each other!

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Sweet &mdash 12/01/08 - 09:59:11 AM
and very clean vocals. All of the instruments are perfectly chosen for your voice.

Awesome
edpdx

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