Whoop Heet

Here's a song that is stylistically similar to Apfel Augen, but with (half stolen) lyrics, and some percussion that I'm quite fond of. The guitar is tuned C#G#C#F#A#C#. It features some cool whistling, which I was trying to make sound like slide electirc guitar.

Could I call you just to hear you? Would you care? (credit to Animal
Collective)

Throw it on the fire; it ain't water.

Shove it down my stomach; you can't eat it.

Hell, I'm still hanging around the corner where I left you (credit to
Tallest Man on Earth)

(Get Flash to see the track player.)
posted by Corduroy (7 comments total)

Also, I failed dismally in my attempt at NaSoAlMo. I think this is the only song I recorded last month.

For those who missed it, this is Apfel Augen.
posted by Corduroy at 3:16 PM on December 1, 2008

There's some weird "feedback" on the instrumental bit after "would you care", is that whistling?

I like the sound of your stuff a lot. And the execution as well. Sometimes you've mentioned that these are only demos or "tests", but they really sound like completed pieces to me. I like them a lot.
posted by micayetoca at 3:26 PM on December 1, 2008

Hm, I'm not noticing the feedback... it's probably the whistling, but I don't really intend for it to sound like feedback.

Thanks, micayetoca. Most of my recordings are intended to be rough drafts, but I very rarely rerecord. But I'm glad they don't always sound like first tries, and I'm very glad you always take the time to listen and comment on my tunes.
posted by Corduroy at 5:10 PM on December 1, 2008

This is really neat. It reminds me of Tall Dwarfs.

The whole mood is cool -- the distant, mournful whistling and the percussion, too, and the somber, double-tracked vocals.

As I mentioned to you earlier, I don't play guitar, and so I don't really know anything about alternate tunings -- what do these do for you? I mean you, specifically -- do you know what you're going for and tune the guitar in order to facilitate that? Or do you tune the guitar in some weird way with no purpose in mind, and then let that tuning inspire you to write a new song?
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 4:51 AM on December 3, 2008

Thanks, Karlos. My view of alternate tunings is closest to the last thing you said. I haven't looked up tunings yet, although I'm not opposed to that or anything, and have stumbled upon all the tunings I use. I then just sort of place my fingers and places and see what sounds are made. It makes it easier to not use very obvious sounding chord progressions (although I may be doing G C D songs without realizing it....), and I sometimes feel as though it's cheating, but I'm working past that. They're just so pretty and easy.
posted by Corduroy at 2:42 PM on December 3, 2008

The unison double vocals really sell this for me. Makes me think of Pinback for some reason. Nice tune!
posted by arcanecrowbar at 3:43 PM on December 3, 2008

Somehow I missed this when it was first posted; sure glad I noticed it today. Really nice job on this one, Corduroy. I love the mix of textures with the guitar, bongos, clapping, and sorta-chanting vocals all thrown together.
posted by Galvatron at 5:52 PM on December 11, 2008