ManicRobThrill

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Amazed

"Crystallized" is finished and I haven't been this excited about a new song in years. Written start-to-finish in a wonderfully inspired frenzy on Sunday night, thanks to some prompting by Mr. Deacon and the others. I think I know where the ambience on this track goes; very atmospheric in a Guy Chadwick kind of way. Putting the vocals down and mixing it on Saturday (I'll make the time, come what may).

Feeling ground down by work; so much to do -- so few days.

On the polar opposite, wide awake and alive again. Feeling the love. From the usual suspects, the returning voyagers and the family -- can't say enough good things, so why bother?

Looking forward to the next happy moments, which seem to be plentiful right now.

Back to the headphones; some more delay (how long has it been since I used my Casino? Ask Liz).

Friday, July 21, 2006

The first review

This is the first review; you can read it here. Thanks are not enough. Apparently, it also hit The Hype Machine.

If that wasn't enough, CD Baby is now carrying the album and it officially hits outlets via The Orchard next week.

Have a good weekend.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Who knows where the time goes?

Fifteen days since my last post and the hours have been a blur. Exhilarating and exhausting.

Too many details; too much to list; too tired to chronicle every little detail. Family, friends, music, work-work-work; gym and household to maintain. Feeling more than 100% after my dental to-do and nearing the end of a blitz at work. Recording has been a blast and the only thing that slowed anything down was the heat (oofah). Car repairs, road trip and the only dent in the good vibes was the painfully sad news of Syd Barrett's passing (I will say no more than that).

Thanks to all of you who called or e-mailed and have been more than patient. Good to hear those voices--great to see a lot of you. All caught up -- except Brother Ro -- D.B.: see you Saturday; love to the rest of you. Noticed a spike in the counter; very cool. Glad you're still reading and riding along.

Now where was I?

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Here we go again

It's that time -- Mercury Retrograde. Time to be more aware; three weeks to get through.

Feeling tired after the torrent of being back to work and this evening's activities. So many e-mails to get to (and thank you to everyone who's written to me the last two weeks; I apologize for being behind in answering or calling). Back to the gym tomorrow night; better get to the laundry afterwards since there won't be any time this weekend!

Get the latest Utne Reader; some great food for thought.

Brother Joe - have an amazing time in Rio. You are a savage animal.

Mp.3's will be posted soon.

Monday, July 03, 2006

Take it back

With some spare peace and quiet, I have time to jot down some thoughts.

Music -- playing/making music for me comes in waves. Sometimes I feel the absolute joy and gratitude that I have always been able to do this. Sometimes it's a chore. Sometimes I regain my awareness that I am not a teenager and am not seeking the holy grail of fame. More often than not in recent months, I find it painful for several reasons -- those I will not write about, as I'm tired of my own voice and the people closest to me know why. Sometimes I no longer feel excited about hearing things; I don't have any interest in "new music"; I don't buy CD's and I don't enjoy going to shows (on that front, time has passed me by and I don't regret it. I am 41 and have seen/heard all I wanted to, past and semi-present). So do I retrace my steps and try to recapture it? No. Nothing could be more insulting or beneath me. I hate the "living in the past" mentality. Enough already. However, by writing the songs that I have been, it connects me to a different line of musical thinking. Case and point--as I've said earlier, these songs are the here and now; what I did with The Punch Line was resurrect songs (as much as I loved them) that lived with another person; the person I was. If I were to do such a thing again, I would be an absolute hypocrite. So forward we go. This new connection is fresh and I'm finding my footing, as I have been moving past the constraints of the life I've been tied to. So even though it isn't the everything that it used to be, my music is still a saving grace.

People -- I neglected to maintain relationships with friends I should have. I cannot say I am filled with regret; it was what it was, but it's an interesting contrast as I allowed myself to hold onto friends that inevitably, the ties would loosen from. I have always been astute enough to see things as they really are; unfortunately, as it's been pointed out by many (as of late), my "nice" and "caring" side led me to hope that these friends would see where they were going wrong in terms of our friendships. Having to point out to someone that they're being unfair/wrong/selfish--whatever the situation was--should never have been my responsibility and I should have said then "I tried--no point". Okay. My error. So we go forward. And that means without them, unless they make the effort. I don't owe anyone anything. I've done my share. It's either walking on the grounds of mutual respect or it's nothing. And being able to just say that as a matter of fact is another saving grace.

Family -- love. Unconditionally. As I've gotten older, I appreciate them more than ever.

Being graced with so many good things and good people around me, after the last few (and naturally misinterpreted) posts of "purging", I can share the positives. I prefer to eliminate all negatives immediately and have now done so.

Time to motor; daylight's burning and there's a song waiting to be recorded this early in the a.m. before the day's activities.

Have a safe and happy 4th.

Sunday, July 02, 2006

As the day winds down

What Your Soul Really Looks Like

You are quite expressive and thoughtful. You see the world in a way that others are blind to.

You are a grounded person, but you also leave room for imagination and dreams. You feet may be on the ground, but you're head is in the clouds.

You see yourself with pretty objective eyes. How you view yourself is almost exactly how other people view you.

Your near future is calm, relaxing, and pretty much what you want. And it's something you've been anticipating for a while now.

For you, love is all about caring and comfort. You couldn't fall in love with someone you didn't trust.


A different and somewhat interesting quiz (thanks, Katydid).

Once again proving to me how small this world has become, thanks to the net, I reconnected with two old, dear friends - one is an ex. And it's a joy to welcome them back into my life.

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Relief, finally

Downtime weekend, although work on "Stylized" begins now. Nonetheless, a four-day weekend and well-earned rest is something I'm very happy about.

Dentist visit last Monday equalled an antibiotic that's finally taken the pain in my gum away and is healing the infection (I hope!); back for another check next Monday. Ugh. A hectic work week as the company gets in complete move-mode. A Saturday lunch at Whole Foods; Liz' new Treo fun and I was smart enough to get the iBook Protection Plan before the 1-year warranty ran out; that means I have now a total of 4 years' insurance on this machine. Checking plans with friends, etc. and balancing home life -- what more can I ask for?

Oh, yeah -- the Mets beating the shit out of the Yankees, at least for today. Hey, I'm a regular guy.

Been a "rock" week -- the new staples of my musical diet as of late have been Zep, Lep and Queen. Blame Supergroup.