Get Flash to see this player.
Description
When I retired the Rik account last year, quite a few tunes went away with it. Some of that was a good thing, but a few were pieces I was rather pleased with when they were posted. This one was a particular joy - and has some history.
When Bud launched the CBGB Demo Challengein March 2008, I served up an early eighties-sounding piece of crazy electropop called "Mars Needs Ducks". That version, incidentally, can still be heard on the MacJams Music blog CBGB Podcast Volume 2 and is the only song ever posted to MJ featuring me whacking away on a guitar. So far, anyway.
I decided to take another crack at it, only with a real guitarist this time, and sent a note to Vic Holman asking if he might be interested. And since Vic's sense of humor is as keen as his playing, he cheerfully agreed to have a whack at it. This song is mostly what resulted. Mostly.
The version I ultimately posted version had a few problems - mostly due to me being a bit too eager to post my first collab with Vic. Many of the comments pointed out the technical errors here and there - the guitars not being synced quite right, this being a little off, that being a little off. Drakonis, in particular, was very helpful in pointing out little things I'd missed but were detracting from the flow of the song. I also didn't heed Vic's advice about boosting the lead vocals in the final mix, and as a result they were almost buried.
So..... I resolved to take my time this time around, and do the very best I could to iron out the technical issues that were raised the first time. I also took Vic's suggestion about restoring a synthesizer solo that I'd deleted to make room for Vic's guitar. Initially I thought that there would be too much instrumentation soloing going on, but now I'm of a mind that if the soloing is good, then play all night till the sun comes up! Vic thought the synth solo was pretty cool and should stay in, and as usual, Vic was quite right.
So here's the fixed version. It's still far from perfect, but I think it shines a lot brighter than it ever did. Big, big thanks to Vic Holman for the incendiary guitars that power this tune like booster rockets on max! And to Drakonis and the rest of the MacJammers whose feedback helped make this version so much better.
When Bud launched the CBGB Demo Challengein March 2008, I served up an early eighties-sounding piece of crazy electropop called "Mars Needs Ducks". That version, incidentally, can still be heard on the MacJams Music blog CBGB Podcast Volume 2 and is the only song ever posted to MJ featuring me whacking away on a guitar. So far, anyway.
I decided to take another crack at it, only with a real guitarist this time, and sent a note to Vic Holman asking if he might be interested. And since Vic's sense of humor is as keen as his playing, he cheerfully agreed to have a whack at it. This song is mostly what resulted. Mostly.
The version I ultimately posted version had a few problems - mostly due to me being a bit too eager to post my first collab with Vic. Many of the comments pointed out the technical errors here and there - the guitars not being synced quite right, this being a little off, that being a little off. Drakonis, in particular, was very helpful in pointing out little things I'd missed but were detracting from the flow of the song. I also didn't heed Vic's advice about boosting the lead vocals in the final mix, and as a result they were almost buried.
So..... I resolved to take my time this time around, and do the very best I could to iron out the technical issues that were raised the first time. I also took Vic's suggestion about restoring a synthesizer solo that I'd deleted to make room for Vic's guitar. Initially I thought that there would be too much instrumentation soloing going on, but now I'm of a mind that if the soloing is good, then play all night till the sun comes up! Vic thought the synth solo was pretty cool and should stay in, and as usual, Vic was quite right.
So here's the fixed version. It's still far from perfect, but I think it shines a lot brighter than it ever did. Big, big thanks to Vic Holman for the incendiary guitars that power this tune like booster rockets on max! And to Drakonis and the rest of the MacJammers whose feedback helped make this version so much better.
Leave a Comment
You must be registered and logged-in to comment.
Lyrics
Mars Needs Ducks
I lie awake at night
Looking at the sky
Stars and moon
Are whispering goodbye
I don't know just who to fool
I don't know just what to feign
Mars Needs Ducks
Keeps flashing in my brain
I sleep away the day
And tell myself it's fun
Tourists drinking
And pointing at the sun
They don't know just who to trust
They don't know just what remains
Mars Needs Ducks
Repeating in our brains
Words & Music (c)2010 Rik Berryere
I lie awake at night
Looking at the sky
Stars and moon
Are whispering goodbye
I don't know just who to fool
I don't know just what to feign
Mars Needs Ducks
Keeps flashing in my brain
I sleep away the day
And tell myself it's fun
Tourists drinking
And pointing at the sun
They don't know just who to trust
They don't know just what remains
Mars Needs Ducks
Repeating in our brains
Words & Music (c)2010 Rik Berryere
Char
I like the synth. It is out of this world. How are the ducks going going to get to Mars? Beautiful playing by Vic Holman. Wild lyrics. Great for a campy Sci-Fi movie. I think the worst of that bunch is Attack of the Killer Klowns. I love the line, "What are you going to do with those pies, boys?" So, I as, "What are going to do with those ducks, boy?" Thanks. :)