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.'
nearly there!! running out of time and could i get this recorded to a click??! Hell no, so i did it live and it shows. ah well, it has a certain charm!
I remember hearing this on the RPM player a little while ago and it really caught my attention. I love simple, elegant songs like this - so much more effective that huge, songs that drone on.
Sounds like it could be a Ray Davies demo - and that's about as good as it gets!
Thanks too for the kind words about my work.
another one i always play on the guitar, inspired by Nick Drake's stuff; half way through this song goes into unknown guitar improvisational territory, where i just played over my own stuff after looping it
that is not a sample you hear in the background, it is the dryer going. leave it in? okay, sure i'll leave it in. it's these artistic decisions we're all forced to make.
I literally pulled this out of my ass in a few minutes. The lyrics just poured out of me once i decided to sing about myself. Very autobiographical, also inspired by polka music. i love polka music!
I can hear the eastern European influence (of course), but it also has a kind of melancholy, French feel to me. Very nice - I love the contrast between the title and the lyrics!
this is about a couple who are at odds with each other because of their goals, could also be viewed as a guy who wants his partner to commit suicide with him?
i usually play this on guitar, but for the RPM Challenge, i wanted to do it electronically…
Nice one - move over Serge Gainsbourg & Jacques Brel!
I wish I could speak French - I love Francoise Hardy, Michel Polnareff and France Gal, l but I can't understand a bloody word!
Awesome, as always. I think you guys are RPM's hidden gem. Have you ever listened to For Stars? They're one of my favorite (though now defunct) bands. Your sound is less hyper and it reminds me of their best stuff.
Love the Buster Keaton reference!
This started sounding quite Nick Caveish and at the same time I wanted to do something with Joe Meek; so it's a murderballad-variation on Johnny Remember me. There's stylophone and theremin in there. The theremin is quite effective at some points…
Just lovely - it takes some stones to write such a stark song - you have to really have talent - and you do!
Hate to make comparisons, but your stuff reminds me of the best bits of PJ Harvey.
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
It's like you channeled late 60s Cat Stevens and Donovan at the same time (and again I hear the beauty of the Kinks)!
I remember hearing this on the RPM player a little while ago and it really caught my attention. I love simple, elegant songs like this - so much more effective that huge, songs that drone on. Sounds like it could be a Ray Davies demo - and that's about as good as it gets! Thanks too for the kind words about my work.
I'm usually not a fan of long songs, but this is probably my favorite on your album. Melodic, interesting and varied - a nice surprise!
Nice piece - beautiful guitar.
I can hear the eastern European influence (of course), but it also has a kind of melancholy, French feel to me. Very nice - I love the contrast between the title and the lyrics!
Great lyrics - reminds me Robyn Hitchcock (no higher praise)!
Nice one - move over Serge Gainsbourg & Jacques Brel! I wish I could speak French - I love Francoise Hardy, Michel Polnareff and France Gal, l but I can't understand a bloody word!
Beautiful - bittersweet.
Again, killer lyrics.
More duets, please (with cursing)!
Awesome... sounds like a song Harry Nilsson would have loved to record. "If there's one thing I know, I'm young and you're old" -wonderful!
Groovy... like crossing Ennio Morricone with Bud Shank!
You're killing me - wonderful vocals/lyrics... like a lo-fi Laura Nyro!
Great - reminiscent of the songs Lou Reed used to write for Mo Tucker to sing (no higher compliment)!
Just beautiful - says so much using so little. Again, great lyrics!
Awesome, as always. I think you guys are RPM's hidden gem. Have you ever listened to For Stars? They're one of my favorite (though now defunct) bands. Your sound is less hyper and it reminds me of their best stuff. Love the Buster Keaton reference!
Super cool - I love the "Telstar" organ sound and the morose lyrics - great vocals too!
Just lovely - it takes some stones to write such a stark song - you have to really have talent - and you do! Hate to make comparisons, but your stuff reminds me of the best bits of PJ Harvey.