A song I've had stored in my head for quite awhile, though never committed to tape (erm... binary code) - probably because I thought it was a bit simple and even trite. Having to come up with an album's worth of material in a month cured me of…
A song that really crept out of nowhere and one that I don't entirely understand its meaning. Some things in the song I can pinpoint the origin, but some I haven't a clue. I'm really happy with the way it turned out - semi-ok vocal and all.
Another song held over from my band days. Again, an attempted homage to the Velvets, but perhaps a little too shiny. I still plan to replace the cheesy 'solo' synth with glockenspiel somewhere down the line.
The beginning guitar and singing evokes a modern Velvet Underground in a unique way. Love it.
(addendum: I honestly wrote that before clicking over to your notes about this song, and now I'm cracking up. Well done.)
A song I wrote and recorded in one day (the day before the RPM Challenge ended, actually). I really stretched my abilities as a picker here (duff notes and all), but I shamefully admit I really like this song. A reminder to me of the strength…
Beautiful opening guitar layers, wonderful picking. I love these lyrics, bleeding in the snow=nice. The title is quite nice as well.
Ha, we're kin: you sing "I'll fly away", I sing "I'll sail away." Oops. :)
A song I've had stored in my head for quite awhile, though never committed to tape (erm... binary code) - probably because I thought it was a bit simple and even trite. Having to come up with an album's worth of material in a month cured me of…
This song has been hobbling around half-written in my psyche for eons, and it took the RPM Challenge to finally finish it!
Like many of my generation, my first peek into the world of women (and what they looked like under their clothes) was National…
Absolutely perfect. I love your sound here so much. (I hope you don't mind if I download your album: I'm pretty sure it'll be in constant rotation for a while.)
Ooh, another one! I'm enjoying all your tracks, but the J&MC style ones are sticking with me tonight. BTW, great job recording and mixing these - that's a skill I still haven't mastered (no pun intended)
A blatant attempt at exploiting the deep well of The Jesus and Mary Chain/Pixies/Raveonettes/House of Love. A lovingly loud, shiny and guitar-laden paean to those great bands.
A song I wrote and recorded in one day (the day before the RPM Challenge ended, actually). I really stretched my abilities as a picker here (duff notes and all), but I shamefully admit I really like this song. A reminder to me of the strength…
A song I've had stored in my head for quite awhile, though never committed to tape (erm... binary code) - probably because I thought it was a bit simple and even trite. Having to come up with an album's worth of material in a month cured me of…
Another song held over from my band days. Again, an attempted homage to the Velvets, but perhaps a little too shiny. I still plan to replace the cheesy 'solo' synth with glockenspiel somewhere down the line.
A song that ended up in an entirely different place than from where it began. It was meant to have a dark 'David Gray' kind of feel, but ended up being the love child of 'Love and Rockets' and 'Stars on 45.'
Summer Grass- I didn’t originally intend for this to be the title track, but since most, though not all, of the songs on this album sound like summer to me, I decided, why not? The guitar even sounds humid and warm, but in that nice July way…
Piano Sonata One -- the Mexican Sonata
1st movment here
2nd finished -- but waiting its turn
3rd in concept form (much to think about)
Dedicated to Ralph who passed away last year during the RPM month of February,, The slower middle section…
As the song says, this is a song I wrote for the RPM Challenge. I simply took my actual experience beginning at 12 midnight on February 1st, and a couple or three hours later I had my first song. The player takes away the intensity of this track…
Beautiful - I love the Mexicali/Spaghetti Western vibe your current tracks have.
And for some reason I'd love to hear 'Ziggy Stardust' era Bowie cover this!
Wonderful. Sounds like a song that's new and at the same time has been around forever — something every great song has in common. Has a 'Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid' vibe that's so evocative.
I can't wait to hear the rest of your album!
(and thanks for the super kind words too!)
Great song... I think this tune gets further away from your influences than some of your others - and highlights your band's uniqueness - which is why it's one of your stronger songs, imo.
i started writing this song 5 years ago and finally recorded it this year. sad to say, but my $$ situation isn't that much different. this is a whiny song from a liberal-arts grad who is a brat and can't really make ends meet in NYC.
i definitely…
turning point #1
lyrics:
It was spring time, or their time depending on which one you asked
how much it mattered to two birds flying away from the cold.
She sang and he'd swing, together a flight all their own on wings she swore were made…
clarity during a swift beginning is a mirage yet unknown
lyrics:
Momma, you've got to see this man I've found
clean cut, honest, and so handsome
We're thinkin' 'bout pickin' up and movin' on
he'll get a job where we'll go
and he'll make…
From your parents you will learn everything and nothing without even realizing
lyrics:
Don't look in the mirror, your skin will never seem as soft
Don't wait in the middle when your mind is already made up
Just make it home, please…
Simon & Garfunkel meets Cat Power - love it!
Great lyrics - especially the lines at the end: "Eskimo kisses completeness/Sweaters and branches and sweetness/Noses and cheeks are my weekness" — fantastic.
Grew out of my frustration at having to sing, play all the instruments, and engineer my own recording...
Baby, Would You Be My Engineer?:
Baby, would you be my engineer
and keep my headphones sounding clear?
I desperately need someone…
Comments on Black Pepper Sea's stuff
thanks for submitting your tracks to The New Spin. I love 'em. I'll play one tonight. Anything I should say about you?
That is one damn good album. Can't believe it's the work of one month.
Another wonderful song. Amazing lyrics, great narrative. Love the subway sound at the end.
The beginning guitar and singing evokes a modern Velvet Underground in a unique way. Love it. (addendum: I honestly wrote that before clicking over to your notes about this song, and now I'm cracking up. Well done.)
Beautiful opening guitar layers, wonderful picking. I love these lyrics, bleeding in the snow=nice. The title is quite nice as well. Ha, we're kin: you sing "I'll fly away", I sing "I'll sail away." Oops. :)
Another beautiful song. The ethereal guitar is so great, and then...amazing change. Oh man.
Absolutely perfect. I love your sound here so much. (I hope you don't mind if I download your album: I'm pretty sure it'll be in constant rotation for a while.)
Ooh, another one! I'm enjoying all your tracks, but the J&MC style ones are sticking with me tonight. BTW, great job recording and mixing these - that's a skill I still haven't mastered (no pun intended)
Very nice J&MC/Raveonettes feel on this. I'm really enjoying this.
Really nice song- I can see why you like it
Your stuff is wonderful! R-e-a-l-l-y wonderful!
Excellent track and an excellent album. I liked all the tracks, but I'll just comment on this one... :)
Wow, I really love your dreamy, folky sound!
A beautiful song that really says something.
Definitely my fav. This song is addictive. ...sip...
Comments made by Black Pepper Sea
Superlative stuff as usual, Gary. And of course your recording skills continue to amaze me!
Really lovely. I feel like the musical equivalent of a caveman with a tuned stick when I hear real musicians like you perform!
Fantastic - I especially love the bass playing on this.
Hilariously irreverent... made even better by its straight-faced delivery.
Love this song - as well as the rest of your album. Definitely in my Top Ten of 2010 RPM Challenge entries!
Beautiful - I love the Mexicali/Spaghetti Western vibe your current tracks have. And for some reason I'd love to hear 'Ziggy Stardust' era Bowie cover this!
Wonderful. Sounds like a song that's new and at the same time has been around forever — something every great song has in common. Has a 'Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid' vibe that's so evocative. I can't wait to hear the rest of your album! (and thanks for the super kind words too!)
Just listened to this again today - just lovely. I'm a big fan of Low, and this has the same beautiful feel as their best work. Nicely done!
Great song... I think this tune gets further away from your influences than some of your others - and highlights your band's uniqueness - which is why it's one of your stronger songs, imo.
Very cool - and honest! Kind of like the anti-Lady GaGa...
Very poignant - a 21st century parallel to Phil Ochs.
This is something Conor Oberst wishes he wrote.
Great tune - I'm a sucker for hand claps too! I love short songs that have lots of content - great.
Beautiful - and I'm a sucker for glockenspiel!
Harmonies like that are very difficult - nice job.
You have a great voice - I'm jealous! Nice music too!
Simon & Garfunkel meets Cat Power - love it! Great lyrics - especially the lines at the end: "Eskimo kisses completeness/Sweaters and branches and sweetness/Noses and cheeks are my weekness" — fantastic.
Every DIY'ers dilemma! We can all relate... nice tune.
Very nice - great lyrics. Has a good 'Iron & Wine/Bonnie 'Prince Billy' feel to it.
Beautiful instrumentation - it's very difficult to do without it sounding trite or cheesy, and you made it work perfectly.