Tape 15: Chain that Bit Me
by @jimdgreen · @tobermory · @fourtracktape · @thedutchwidows · @moggzy
Liner Notes
T1: @thedutchwidows - Drums and Bass T2: @tobermory - Vocals and Keys T3: @moggzy - guitar T4 @jimdgreen - Spoken word
@jimdgreen says: The guys have done such a great job on the first 3 tracks, I have had a complete existential crisis of confidence, I struggled to find something worthy to add to the track, I have something but I know it's not strong . . .
Then I had a technical mare with what I did, in hindsight I used the wrong microphone, I think it needs a preamp/cloud lifter before the four track, as what I have is ALL bass, which when you have a deep voice isn't ideal.
I reached out the guys who were super supportive, and came back with some constructive suggestions (particularly @moggzy) that I think have saved the tape . . .
Tobermory: Couldn't get the chorus line out of my head while I was getting keys down so on to the track it went. Think Moby Dick but for the 'kite-eating tree' Charlie Brown generation - you can't get revenge on an inanimate object, you can only fix it. Rather zen when you're fighting with a 4-track tape, right?
Lyrics
[spoken] I do not know if I can mend this But have to to try Or I will Cry Not for the want of effort Have to to try
[Singing] do do do do . . . do do do do do do . . . do do
do do do do . . . do do
Again with the bicycle chain that bit me Hope I bite it back one time
[spoken] I don’t know if I can mend this But have to to try And not Cry Not for the want of effort Have to to try
[Singing] do do do do . . . do do do do do do . . . do do
do do do do . . . do do
Again with the bicycle chain that bit me Hope I bite it back one time
Again with the bicycle chain that bit me Hope I bite it back one time
do do do do . . . do do do do do do . . . do do
do do do do . . . do do do do do do . . . do do
Again with the bicycle chain that bit me Hope I bite it back one time
do do do do . . . do do do do do do . . . do do
Again with the bicycle chain that bit me Hope I bite it back one time
Comments
Love the lo-fi of this, and the dual vocals are a great idea! Really good track.
Nice dreamy groove provides a solid base (er, bass) to build on. The analog wobbliness actually works really well here. Good call with that chorus/hook, it really anchors the piece and is a nice counter-balance to the spoken word. That guitar is so shimmery and right in the pocket. Now I want to make a sticker that says "you can't get revenge on an inanimate object, you can only fix it" to put on my toolbox. 🔧
Nice dreamy groove... the analog wobbliness add rather than detracts. Feels like a cherished favorite listened to so many times that the tape has warped. Good call with that chorus/hook, it really anchors the whole thing and is a nice counter-balance to the spoken word. Now I want to make a sticker that says "you can't get revenge on an inanimate object, you can only fix it" 🔧
oooh! so dark and moody! this is the second time i've heard a 4-track collab with two different singers for verse/chorus, and the other one was also this year! i think it's a cool development. and i enjoy the ones that get a little more fleshed out production-wise, too so starting with drum+bass was good to free things up tracks for other. that can be risky because it could also overly dictate where the song goes, but it sounds to me like everyone else found their place just fine. a real fun underground jam!
This was so fun. As with all of these tapes, it is hard to imagine that you all were not in the same room creating this together. Great textures and movement and trippy 80's vibe. Nice job everyone!
Like the drums with the snare bah bah bah, very insistent with the driving bass. Gotta love some do do do as well. Great work.
This feels like my early 20s, I'm in a dim-lit bar having a warm beer regretting my decisions. Love the chorus, it's weird and honest, love the guitar, the keys that come and go, the vocals. This is really great, legit sound, folks!
The two vocals actually work really well as opposites. This has such a wonderfully woozy, disorienting sensibility. That wobbly guitar and the insistent bass. I’m also really feeling the 80s darkwave. Really good, gang!
Good going guys! The dark 80s really works I reckon. Sorry to hear about your continued vendetta with the tech gods @jimdgreen, really sucks the fun out of it, I agree, a Cloudlifter will probably soothe your woes - but it's still $$$
Some amazing stuff going on here! Love the shimmery guitars and keys and vocals trading off. I'm getting some very digital-sounding glitches in the audio though which is not the kind of lo-fi I expected! Dunno if there's something that could be fixed there because this is top-tier four-tracking otherwise
This is a wild trip through some 80's prom flashback and I dig it. The little breakdown segments are great, all of the different vocals, dreamy synthy keys and guitar. This is a lot of fun.
This is so cool and mysterious. I love the alternating vocal sections over the big 80s alt rock sound. The drums and bass really drive this a lot. Love the sparkly textures of the guitar and keys.
Oh man this is what makes this challenge so good. Everyone put in exactly what was needed to make a great song. The vibe is 100% 80s and I love it.
This feels like a more cheerful path than your usual gothrock or shoegaze. At least in the sound. I've lost a bit my pants to a bike chain, so I can relate to that a bit.