I Can't Imagine

michael2

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Description

I worked on this song today before I went to work, and then got home an hour or so ago and mixed it. It's about a friend. I have been listening to a lot of Bon Iver, Yes, the Beatles and Pink Floyd lately, so pardon the intrusion of my influences. There aren't any synths making ambient sounds in this, although I used the sampler in Logic a bit: there are some reversed piano notes I turned into an instrument, and another instrument I made with some weird sounds I recorded awhile back (i save all mistakes for future chopping). There is a low bass synth doubling the bass line and mixed in really low behind it (with an EQ boost 2 octaves above the songs root). The piano is a sample set that I bought called the rain piano (supposed to sound like a beat up upright - it's not bad). This is a long psychedelic tune, not sure if the genre is right. Been awhile since i recorded a song, so i hope you like. may re-do it with ebow.

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Song Stats

Hits: 2343
Comments: 48
Fans: 38
Plays: 243
Downloads: 108
Votes: 3
Uploaded: Jul 03, 2009 - 03:07:56 AM
Last Updated: Jul 03, 2009 - 10:38:02 AM Last Played: May 14, 2013 - 11:37:31 AM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike

Song Actions

Keywords:

slo-core (10), indie psych pop that's sad (1), droney (3), harmonies (35)

Hardware:

fender tele, ibanez bass, line 6 toneport, m-audio 49e keyboard, macbook

Software:

logic express, line 6 podfarm, exs24 sampler, sampletekk rain piano, ezdrummer, ultrabeat

Comments

cjdaley	cjdaley said 1415 days ago (July 3rd, 2009)
	great It pulls you in from the first bar. Sounds laidback but with a dark dramatic undercurrent. Pity for me you did not post the lyrics. Check out my latest song called Big Bong Theory Overture (By the Monggz)

michael2	michael2 said 1415 days ago (July 3rd, 2009)
	thanks CJ good to see you around. thanks for the listen. Check out my latest song called yes you told me (that you're cynical)

ktb

ktb said 1415 days ago (July 3rd, 2009)

life
if someone asked me to choose an artist to do the soundtrack, I would nominate you. A glorious collection of sounds. The vocals (esp the backing parts) are simply beautiful. Curious when you write if you find a "sound" (such the piano in this) and then let the process wrap around that and grow it from there. Outstanding Michael. The little ambient cameo's you intersperse mesmerize. Something for the white album :-)

Check out my latest song called Blackwater (by Tokai)

michael2

michael2 said 1415 days ago (July 3rd, 2009)

KTB
thanks for the listen and the kind words. the way you described the writing process is basically how it goes. i had the little piano line and then when I got that new piano sample, it just ended up being the main line. as I listen to this now, there are a couple things I'd change, but that's what happens when you make stuff up as you go along. thanks so much for checking this out, glad that you can appreciate it.

Check out my latest song called yes you told me (that you're cynical)

Jim Bouchard	Jim Bouchard said 1415 days ago (July 3rd, 2009)
	nice bass, etc... the bass really stands out for me. The drums seem to be the real floyd part to me. I was hoping this would be more Bon Iver than PF when I read you description, and what it really sounds like is more PF than any of the other influences, but I'll take what I can get of the genius that is m2. Check out my latest song called Big Yawn (Apogee One mic demo)

michael2

michael2 said 1415 days ago (July 3rd, 2009)

thanks JIm
the bass turned out okay; I was actually wrong when I said no synths were used. actually there is one really low synth doubling the bass part. i mixed it really low and then tried out that visconti trick where you boost the EQ 2 octaves above the root note. the bon iver thing is only evident in the falsetto backups, but maybe i'll do a shorter re-mix that is less PF. thanks for listening.

Check out my latest song called yes you told me (that you're cynical)

bud	bud said 1415 days ago (July 3rd, 2009)
	Beautiful Michael You are so good at this kind of song - you have a great way of moving with conviction at mid tempo. Really like the treated bits that keep it organic while adding synthy spice. Your vocals sound excellent and the layering is really nice. Check out my latest song called ditto

michael2	michael2 said 1414 days ago (July 4th, 2009)
	kevin thanksa bunch, very nice of you to say. i do love a slow song. somehow they end up sounding mid tempo even though it's 60 BPM. i had fun, glad you liked. Check out my latest song called yes you told me (that you're cynical)

Parichayaka

Parichayaka said 1415 days ago (July 3rd, 2009)

wow
Multi-layered, smooth and with all the references you mention above, this has a contemporary feel to it. Love the backwards piano, and the fact that you don't resort to synths gives it an authentic quality. This is some solid songwriting with a great piano riff to remember. Very impressed. Like drinking a dark mocha smoothie with lots of heavy cream in it. It's not a matter of taste, this is just awesome.

Check out my latest song called Tosh Frenzy

Lennon714	Lennon714 said 1415 days ago (July 3rd, 2009)
	I'm about 45 seconds in to it and I love it. Zoned out and droney. I've said it before, but your ambient noises are so painstakingly precise. I can tell you approach the ambient noises just like you would a guitar or drum part. Enjoying this a lot. Check out my latest song called Honest Man

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 1415 days ago (July 3rd, 2009)
	floydian beatles .. for sure. cool tune, Michael. quite a mesmerizing piece. I dig the subtle reversing and the doubled bass works out great. the backing vocals are a real trip. Check out my latest song called Darkest Skies

Boundless	Boundless said 1415 days ago (July 3rd, 2009)
	Dream like Can hear the Floyd influence. This said, great track. Fine arrangement. Mellow as mellow can be. T ha nks ! Check out my latest song called Weather or Not - Jim Bouchard's Collab

Nausia	Nausia said 1415 days ago (July 3rd, 2009)
	record it get a band in the studio and get wasted all the time i can imagine what it would be like this sets an mj bar Check out my latest song called Dr Milf says 'deepest bows'

magnatone	magnatone said 1415 days ago (July 3rd, 2009)
	I Can't Imagine Michael - wow - this is just fabulous! Congratulations on one of the finest songs i've heard in a long while - and i've heard LOTS of excellent songs on MJ! Check out my latest song called Blind Love (Seeing Heart) - Orchestral Version

oblique_strategies	oblique_strategies said 1415 days ago (July 3rd, 2009)
	keep letting the influences in michael you take them to entirely new places fabulous b Check out my latest song called Test Upload (not oblique)

sloparts

sloparts said 1415 days ago (July 3rd, 2009)

Pin Floyd meets the Beatles, meets Fleetwood Mac
Nice piece of work here Michael. Great backtrack full of drama and a surging energy that engulfs the listener. I too wish you had posted the lyrics, (for the deaf people in the crowd). That said, the feeling and delivery of the vocal and harmonies work really well with the rest of the mix.

Very cool my friend, this takes me back about 30 years sound wise, and I like that.

Ed

Check out my latest song called Quack's Blues

Reggie_Pole	Reggie_Pole said 1415 days ago (July 3rd, 2009)
	Class act Fantastic. You are a natural. Love that voice, and the harmonies are beautiful. I could some imagine some Gilmourish guitar somewhere in there, but I'm just biased that way. Very nice adornments throughout. Bass sounded great. Wonderful piece of music. Check out my latest song called UnerSpizm

Feter	Feter said 1415 days ago (July 3rd, 2009)
	I Can't Imagine I cant Imagine how great you are ? ..straight moody and soulfulness ... and its a true classic ...the sense of the real deal ...the vocal here is amazing as it fits the sound bed your arranged here ..a true blast here .. early 70s ..man ! thnx alot for the gem !!!!!!! Check out my latest song called Roll with it

egobandit	egobandit said 1415 days ago (July 3rd, 2009)
	Mike Pull no stops love your sound, Yes ,Pink, Beatles but truly you. love it thanks for the download! truly greatness! Check out my latest song called walkin out my door

lavalamp	lavalamp said 1415 days ago (July 3rd, 2009)
	Great tune Dark Side of M2 indeed. Did you record this at Abbey Road? Brilliant production, even more brilliant idea and execution. Love this Dave Check out my latest song called A Funky Little Thing

magnatone	magnatone said 1415 days ago (July 3rd, 2009)
	Downloaded specifically for motorcycle trip playlist - leaving tomorrow - will REALLY enjoy this all week! thanks again michael! Check out my latest song called Blind Love (Seeing Heart) - Orchestral Version

AcetyleneJukebox	AcetyleneJukebox said 1414 days ago (July 3rd, 2009)
	Mellow goodness Besides the other influences you mentioned it also reminded me a little of Wilco. Very fine song writing and mixing. Really like the psychedelic garnishes. Check out my latest song called Camino Embrujado

echoroom	echoroom said 1414 days ago (July 3rd, 2009)
	Havent seen you in quite awhile... ... so it was interesting to see what you'd been up to. Talent is still glowing in you - yes, this is PF-ish, but a wonderful track. I love the tempo, the subtle piano, the low aching voice (which just gets better). DL, fav'd, and makes ne feel guilty for not being around here for so much ... my loss. Check out my latest song called Otnemem/Heal

rsorensen	rsorensen said 1414 days ago (July 4th, 2009)
	oh boy this is good. really beautiful song, man. everything in it's right place. drums sound really good too. I gotta get me ezdrummer. very floydian, but i can hear those other influences you mentioned as well. good stuff dude. up there with some of your best indeed. curious to hear what it'd sound like with the ebow Check out my latest song called Again

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 1414 days ago (July 4th, 2009)
	Dark side of the michael2 Great sounding song, especially in the vocals. Really nice job. Check out my latest song called Fourth Candle

PaddyNavinCaryatid	PaddyNavinCaryatid said 1414 days ago (July 4th, 2009)
	Very cool... .. this is simply superb. Gorgeous tune, fantastic mix and a wonderful vocal arrangement. It may have been a while since you recorded a song but it was worth the wait. Downloaded iPodded Check out my latest song called Get Out of Town (V.2)

Roxylee	Roxylee said 1414 days ago (July 4th, 2009)
	Michael, wow Everything they said. Floydish and Beatlesque, yet uniquely Michael2. I like the beat up piano sounds. It gives the song a more personal touch, like you're recording it from your den and not in a studio setting. You did most of this before work? Wow. Check out my latest song called Emma, by davisamerica

mowguy3	mowguy3 said 1414 days ago (July 4th, 2009)
	Very layed back yet full and rich recording. I personaly love this track. Wow!! indeed. Check out my latest song called What Would That Make Me?

oblique_strategies	oblique_strategies said 1414 days ago (July 4th, 2009)
	Always the first steps Random card drawn from the oblique strategies Check out my latest song called Test Upload (not oblique)

michael2	michael2 said 1413 days ago (July 4th, 2009)
	i have them sitting on my desk at work. good draw. Check out my latest song called yes you told me (that you're cynical)

racerat	racerat said 1413 days ago (July 5th, 2009)
	yup I join the chorus: "Beautiful". The distant strings-bowing-piano-backwards-whatever-it-is-its beautiful. Thanks, Philip Check out my latest song called My Broken Sky

five_extra_arms

five_extra_arms said 1413 days ago (July 5th, 2009)

I Can't Imagine...
...what it'd be like to sit in your studio and watch you work on something as amazing as this is. If there's a documentary on you, I wanna see it!

Your production skills have greatly improved since you left GB for Logic. This sounds so amazing. Besides your vocals that are always packed with emotion and darkness at times, I especially love that bass sound and the actual bassline you played.

I've always like when you and echoroom perform to a piano. You just have the right style and sound to nail it.

Worth the wait Michael.

Thanks.

Check out my latest song called Green Machine

Elevator_Funk

Elevator_Funk said 1412 days ago (July 6th, 2009)

Sweetness....
This is the greatness I aspire to in so many ways. after hearing the drums on this I'm glad I bought EZ Drummer. Also the whole construction of the song is so good. I'm more of a jammer and not a composer, but if I could compose, I would hope it would sound this good.

There were also some Radiohead influences in here besides the others you mentioned. I can't believe stuff like this is available for free download, but I won't argue, i'll just take it! Thanks for a great tune.

Check out my latest song called E2A

buckhorn	buckhorn said 1412 days ago (July 6th, 2009)
	Definite psych This put me in a real flash back mood. Always nice to hear a vocal tune from you. Great sound to the mix. Check out my latest song called when you smile

lengold	lengold said 1412 days ago (July 6th, 2009)
	Really beautiful song, arrangement and performance. Cheers Len Check out my latest song called B E A U T I F U L

tempie

tempie said 1412 days ago (July 6th, 2009)

imagine
i've got a real awe of people who can pull off an honest quiet tune. add the talent you have for creating your own electronic instruments and well, it's nothing i could do. but if you ever want to get away for a week of rural recording, i can help you out (just bring a generator and bear spray) :)

this is great man, and thanks for the DL.

Check out my latest song called Fan Fiction (Stan Lee Writes Reed Richards)

LunaTrick	LunaTrick said 1411 days ago (July 6th, 2009)
	I love this moody work of yours Michael This is one of my faves yet... sort of 4ADish... and so well done! Check out my latest song called Luna Gypsy Heart II (Eternal Firelight)

Daugrin	Daugrin said 1411 days ago (July 7th, 2009)
	Imagination Fixation Obviously the influence thing is working, but this could be an outtake from a couple of things which speaks well of your production. My hat is off. Well done, enjoyed the listen. Daug Check out my latest song called Ride Yer Bike

somebuddy	somebuddy said 1411 days ago (July 7th, 2009)
	great great great Pro sound and pro writing. I can't imagine being able to pull off something like this. Check out my latest song called Peter Pan

paul f. page

paul f. page said 1410 days ago (July 7th, 2009)

John and Paul...
If you hadn't told me, I would have guessed this was a "lost track" from a 1966 studio recording. But, though the influence is pretty up-front, this is still a really interesting number. I do wish I could understand the lyrics better. I pick up a word or two, but it's pretty slurred, so...oh, well. ...This is a cool track and I enjoyed it. Bring out the oil pans!!!
Peace.
Paul

Check out my latest song called I Speak Of Love

Sigmund	Sigmund said 1410 days ago (July 7th, 2009)
	can't imagine No need to even consider a redo on this one - it is very cool just the way it is. Very fine work - thank you for sharing your work here. Sig Check out my latest song called Under Your Bed - feat. strangedream, rok41 & Steve Ritter

sonnyjim	sonnyjim said 1410 days ago (July 8th, 2009)
	Dreamy Organic and imperfect (in the best possible sense of the word, of course!). Very fine. Check out my latest song called A Bell In The Valley

rabbit_ears_motel	rabbit_ears_motel said 1410 days ago (July 8th, 2009)
	hmmm pretty cool. couldn't have done this better myself. Check out my latest song called hip hop/electro drum track

Jscott	Jscott said 1409 days ago (July 8th, 2009)
	great I like it, souds great. Great mood song, lots of feel Check out my latest song called I think of you (remix)

cplacito	cplacito said 1408 days ago (July 10th, 2009)
	Finally I agree with cjdaley and boudless. it is really laid and has an incredibly infectious groove to it! I also wish you had posted the lyrics...but maybe the first time if i was too busy reading i would miss the vocal melody and music a bit as a tradeoff. are the drums really ezdrummer? what version and kit? it sounds pretty good compared to my EZD Check out my latest song called apathy

michael2

michael2 said 1408 days ago (July 10th, 2009)

hey
thanks. i used the ezdrummer vintage expansion kit. when using ez drummer, you need to go into the piano roll and change up the velocities on the hits, so they don't sound so mechanical. i EQed them a bit, added a touch of compression and there is a master bus with some reverb that is slightly on them, but mostly it's the "room sound" in EZD.

Check out my latest song called yes you told me (that you're cynical)

yrp	yrp said 1406 days ago (July 12th, 2009)
	No matter how much influences you may carry, your talent absorbs it all.I can hear none of these clearly.So, the song is all yours on its full and soaring glory. Good to know the songwriting gears are moving again! Check out my latest song called West (w/awigze) - Doomsday Challenge

MarcusPerry	MarcusPerry said 772 days ago (April 7th, 2011)
	Nice Very nice work! I came here to check out the piano sound you recommended..sounds great. This is a really great arrangement, wonderful voice, excellent mix. All around top notch. Check out my latest song called Don't Wait For Me

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Artist Info

Name: michael2
Location: Los Angeles Cali USA

I'm a guy who never wanted to do anything but play music. I grew up with classic rock and prog rock before discovering punk and the new york dolls once I got to high school. As i got a little older (and less angry), I developed a love of ... [see more]

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