Okay, now that I've got that out of my system, it's time to post the Reggae songs from October! As you may remember, there was an optional subject of Cthulhu, H.P. Lovecraft's malevolent tentacle faced elder God. The majority of the songs do take on this subject, which I really appreciated. Also, reggae must have been a huge draw because I have more songs this month than any other month!
Bridge Under Water - Rule Your World
My comments: Bridge Under Water consists of Krissy Kelly and Jon Baker, who have worked together on a song before. They did one of the few songs that didn't take on the subject, but instead decided to write some uplifting and redemptive lyrics. Freakin' hippies... Anyways, I think they did a great job!
Esban - Please Go Away
My comments: This was an unexpected submission from first-timer, Esban. What a pleasant surprise it was to get this song in my e-mail this morning. I love the lyrics, especially the spoken breakdown toward the end. "Forgotten about that...dragon face... God, I'm sick of that creature, man."
Kayce Kelly - Cthulhu Who?
My comments: Kayce did the best Jamaican voice of all the songs, I thought. His guitar work doesn't scream reggae but the way he sang more than make up for it. It's a great example of how a good song can be really simple. He does lose points for calling H.P. Lovecraft's writings crap. Bad, Kayce! BAD!
Josh Nieto - Losin' Da Faith
My comments: Normally I get a mass of songs sent in at the last minute. Josh sent in his song before October even started! That's some dedication! Even though he avoided the subject of tentacles and looming terror, Josh did a great job with his song. This is a song that I could hear on an actual album and not question it being there.
Brian Salapek - I Can See Forever (When I look in your eyes)
My comments: After a couple months of auto-tune and pitch shifting, I went back to my normal vocals. Well, I added a reverb. Anyways, I had fun writing such a ridiculous song. I referenced The Call of Cthulhu and At The Mountains of Madness with the Shoggoth and Tekeli-li! lyrics.
Rene Zansman - Cthulhu is a Wimp
My comments: Rene always gets me with a super catchy chorus in his songs, and this one is no different. The song itself has pretty bad rhythm but in a weird charming way. I think this is one of his best songs, next to the Sucklin' Pigs song from back in May.
I had asked for suggestions of what kind of song to do next. There were a lot of genres thrown out that I would really enjoy, but I doubt I could get many people into writing a Gansta Rap (sorry, Eric). But in those ideas, I found one that I think will be a lot of fun.
Genre: Sea Shanty!
Subject(s): The Sea, or Drinking!
Traditionally, Sea Shanties are maritime work songs, sung with no musical accompaniment. It would be cool to have some a capella songs, but I am definitely not going to go in that direction. I think this genre really strives in simplicity, and an acoustic guitar is enough to make a great sounding song. A few other instruments to consider, a fiddle, mandolin or accordion. With the instruments, it is really more of a "Sea Song" but that doesn't sound as cool. WE'RE CALLING THEN SHANTIES! The lyrics are what really shines here. You could think of your song as a story, or a simple "call and response" song full of nonsense. Just make sure it has to do with drinking or the sea, or drinking the sea or whatever.
This picture is definitely a Pirate Jug Band, but you get the idea.
Here are a few resources for the style of music and some traditional examples.
With the subjects being as broad as "the sea" or "drinking" it leaves a lot of room for creativity. I definitely expect at least one person to write a song about being swallowed by a whale, though.
When it all comes down to it for September's voting, I kinda feel like it was rigged. Jon Baker really had the best song, but wasn't able to be in the voting. Kayce's song was pretty kick ass, but I think the lack of vocals really turned against him. And my song, being a sequel to a very famous song from college, got the attention of a lot of people who otherwise probably wouldn't have listened to the songs or voted. Oh well, it's not like winning this really matter to anyone, does it? Maybe. Hmmm...
ANYWAYS! The winning song was Stumblin' Nate, Part TWO!
What's the prize? In memory of college, and when Nate used to stumble, the prize is a delicious can of OLD GERMAN BEER! The world knows no finer! It says so on the can, so it must be true, right? Right?
Is there a part three on the horizon? Probably. It will surely come out when I cant think of anything else to write a song about. In fact, I already have one verse to a Stumblin' Nate rap written. The world knows no finer.
Just a reminder that the songs for October are REGGAE with an optional subject of CTHULHU! I already have one submission (it was turned in before the end of September, actually) and I am really excited for the songs this month!
Also, whenever I figure it out, we will have an announcement for the November song!
It seemed like a lot of people were into the genre of metal for September, but at the end of the month I still only ended up with two songs. Actually there was a third, but it was a cover so I am going to have to not include it in the voting. It's a pretty cool cover, too!
Anyways, here are the songs! Vote for your favorite below!
Jon Baker - Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin Cover)
My comments: I think Jon did a pretty awesome cover here, but I can only accept covers when the month dictates it. I still wanted to post the song though, he did a good job! This is one of my favorite Zeppelin songs and if it was covers this month, I think he would do really well. But alas, I cannot include it in the voting...
Kayce Kelly - Metal Up Your Ass, Parts 1 & 2
My comments: Kayce did this song entirely with GarageBand on his iPhone. Even though I don't like the use of samples, I think he did a good job piecing it all together, making a rocking metal song. Actually, my favorite part is the lead that I know he did by himself. I only wish there were vocals, since I think Kayce sings really well.
Brian Salapek - Stumbling Nate, Part 2
My comments: Probably about ten years ago I wrote the original song so I felt a sequel was in order. I always end up doing something like this with songs about Nate. Part of the lyrics are based in reality while the rest make Nate out to be some sort of mythical being. He kind of is, though. Also, I cannot figure out what I (unconsciously) stole the main guitar riff from. Does anyone recognize it?
October should be an exciting month for the song writing game. Jon Baker has come up with the great suggestion of REGGAE MUSIC! I was not sure where to go with it, when he gave me this awesome suggestion. We will definitely have some interesting results!
I recently took away the subject from the song writing game but actually had a complaint about it so there will now be an optional subject. Just to make things interesting, and because it's what I felt like drawing, the subject is Cthulhu. Cthul...who? Click here for more information.
Disco it was not, but a winner is was. August's winning song was "We've Got Snacks" by Brian Salapek!
In fact, the song has taken on a life of its' own and is being referenced quite a bit by my wife. I asked what we would have for dinner. Her response, "How 'bout some snacks, baby?" There is even a dance! I am waiting to receive the video of said dance and will post it ASAP. The dance sort of looks like this:
That's right! It involves strange movements and amused looks from people like Kayce!
So, let's leave it at that. But before I finish this, don't forget about the METAL SONGS for September!
I think disco was a really alienating genre. Without horns or a string section, it's hard to capture the sound, you just end up with some weird hybrid dance song. I researched it a bit, trying to pick out the nuances between disco and funk. The best answer I received was "Disco is to Nickleback as Funk is to Nirvana." Disco is written for the radio and for hit singles. How do you translate that into a song you're writing for a blog that no one reads? Good question.
Well, we ended up with two songs and neither is disco. That's what happens sometimes though. Here are the songs. Have a listen!
Brian Salapek - We've Got Snacks
My comments: I think my song is really terrible but awesome at the same time. I think the picture of me with spilled beer on my shirt is a good cover photo for it. Terrible and awesome at the same time. That's me. Oh, and I did a spoken part and used autotune! Yay!
Rene Zansman - Crushed Teeth Late Night Boogie
Rene's comments: I tried finishing up a song today even though most of our electricity is down, the result is awful!
My comments: I think this song is more disco than mine with the high vocals but not really. I admire Rene's dedication to the game even if it comes down to writing a song on the spot in the dark.
