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WeeklyBeats.com / Music / NWSPR's music / Only the Dead Can Tell

Only the Dead Can Tell

By NWSPR on May 24, 2020 11:02 pm

I'd say this is the most time I put into a song this year and I'm really pleased with the results.  I would spend an hour or two each day starting on last Sunday, and lay down different stuff.  This song started as pure electronic with an 808 kit and maintained parts of the original DNA up until Friday when it all started being stripped away.  Hard to imagine an 808 in here listening to the final draft.  I probably have enough left over scraps to do an electronic remix in a week or two.

The only place I fell short of my goals are the vocals and only the chorus is in this mix.  Ran out of time to write and record full lead vocals, but the chorus and the harmonica parts were in my head for days so it was easier to get that down.  The rest is guitar, bass, and symphonic VSTs.

Hope you enjoy it and are all doing well.  Enjoy the holiday weekend as best you can!

What a rich arrangement! That harmonica part works especially well.

This track is another one that shows how well you can build an energetic track. I didn't think of Robot Rock this time. I guess robot mode distortion would not be as fitting here.

Nice! I have a lot of songs that I intended to write lyrics for but never did.

Yeah you're really nailing the energy on your recent tracks and this one just bursts with upbeat feelings.  The extra time spent definitely shows.  Looking forward to the electronic re-mix.  smile

Yess harmonica is a classy touch every time. Great energy. I'd love to hear a full vocal version, the parts that are already there are really nice. Respect for consistently putting in the work on a single project over multiple weeks! That's really cool!

This is awesome. I'm so impressed you were able to put something that sounds so complete together in a week. Love the slower section in the middle.

great effort!
Love the change in tempo - gives it smth extra. Well done!

It feels like time got put into this, it's fucking amazing.

I guess I'll have to wait for the classic NWSPR version of this.

A nice track that is both happy and melancholic, like the end of a summer afternoon. This harmonica! And the outro with the claps, the guitar and strings, ending with delicate keys. Very nice, I'd love to hear that extended.

Holy shit...funny story.. I listened to this track earlier this week, but didnt find time to comment till now. I was humming this song this weekend, but couldn't figure out where I heard it! I could have sworn it was a Hold Steady song. Haha! So catchy. Sometimes less lyrics are more. Wow. Too funny. So catchy!! A+!!

Reilly Farrell wrote:

What a rich arrangement! That harmonica part works especially well.


Thanks, it was fun to experiment with so many instruments and patches in a way that is only acceptable on Weekly Beats smile

Anon_Buster wrote:

This track is another one that shows how well you can build an energetic track. I didn't think of Robot Rock this time. I guess robot mode distortion would not be as fitting here.


Ha ha, thanks! Hope to keep the energy level up for a few more weeks at least.

E-dub wrote:

Nice! I have a lot of songs that I intended to write lyrics for but never did.


Yeah, hard to get back to stuff even with the best of intentions.  Thanks for listening!

CosmicCairns wrote:

Yeah you're really nailing the energy on your recent tracks and this one just bursts with upbeat feelings.  The extra time spent definitely shows.  Looking forward to the electronic re-mix.  smile


Thanks! After much consideration, I think I like last week's song where I only spent two hours.  Funny how that works, but it was nice to have extra time for music.

hieme wrote:

Yess harmonica is a classy touch every time. Great energy. I'd love to hear a full vocal version, the parts that are already there are really nice. Respect for consistently putting in the work on a single project over multiple weeks! That's really cool!


Thanks! I need to spend some more time learning harmonica because it is a fun addition. 

hent03 wrote:

This is awesome. I'm so impressed you were able to put something that sounds so complete together in a week. Love the slower section in the middle.


Thanks for checking it out.  I was really psyched to have some extra time to mess around. I like the slower parts as well and want to learn more about orchestral arrangements.  It's on my list smile

dj someguy wrote:

great effort!
Love the change in tempo - gives it smth extra. Well done!


Yeah, the song originally started as a slower electronic piece.  I guess midweek I got bored and built the front part with the faster tempo.  Thanks for listening!

Devieus wrote:

It feels like time got put into this, it's fucking amazing.

I guess I'll have to wait for the classic NWSPR version of this.

Thanks! I appreciate it.  I did put more time in last week and was able to explore a bit more. Fun stuff.

Kedbreak136 wrote:

A nice track that is both happy and melancholic, like the end of a summer afternoon. This harmonica! And the outro with the claps, the guitar and strings, ending with delicate keys. Very nice, I'd love to hear that extended.


Yes, basically a mix of my two emotional states in the last weeks.  Bitter sweet.  Thanks for listening!

Saucey-dough wrote:

Holy shit...funny story.. I listened to this track earlier this week, but didnt find time to comment till now. I was humming this song this weekend, but couldn't figure out where I heard it! I could have sworn it was a Hold Steady song. Haha! So catchy. Sometimes less lyrics are more. Wow. Too funny. So catchy!! A+!!

Well that's high praise!  Happy to get the melody in your head... maybe you can do something better with it!  Loved your track this week!!!

Awesome man, love the energy.  The harmonica is an awesome touch, really gives the tune a distinct sound.  Love the piano out to too, very cool way to wrap it up!

NWSPR wrote:
Saucey-dough wrote:

Holy shit...funny story.. I listened to this track earlier this week, but didnt find time to comment till now. I was humming this song this weekend, but couldn't figure out where I heard it! I could have sworn it was a Hold Steady song. Haha! So catchy. Sometimes less lyrics are more. Wow. Too funny. So catchy!! A+!!

Well that's high praise!  Happy to get the melody in your head... maybe you can do something better with it!  Loved your track this week!!!

Thanks! I'm going to take you up on that! I'd be so down for a collab.

Excellent songwriting and it has a bit of a Dropkick Murphys feel early on with the harmonica.  But the pianos midway give it an epic feel. Excellent outro too. Nice work!

Yes yes, most excellent. I listened to your electronic version first, last week. Now coming back to this ... hmm, can't pick a fave. This is good stuff. Big big, epic stuff. The work is noticeable and paid off.

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