Category: Songs & Scores

Opus Instrumentalus 2: Vibrations

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

Vibrations is an instrumental, eclectic blend of pop, dance & electronica, infused with euro, ambient, chillout & aggressive beats. Vibrations has somewhat of a cinematic flow if you listen front to back…

The 2nd album in the Opus series, Vibrations has a distinct theme, based on electronic styles and rhythms, creating a blend of genres within the category. The songs are instrumental pieces, with a few minor exceptions, but no sung verses.

Rising Up opens the album, setting a tone in a pop-dance groove, with spoken phrases throughout. The “I am…” of course, refers to that which binds us, love, the awakening human consciousness… all of that.

Genuine Article kicks it up a notch, being carried along with a distorted rock drum groove. Synths and hits are introduced, with a menacing fuzz in the foreground, and an almost tribal loop underlying the drum kit’s aggressive pace.

Flawless brings us down into a more contemplative space. A flowing dance/house tempo carries the melody, and a hooky synth instills it’s catchy riff, amongst the “Flawless…” phrases. Throw in a funky guitar solo, and you have a dance-pop tune that sticks with you.

Trance Sends picks up the pace again, introducing a driving house beat and several synths. The song builds in waves as layered pads and loops blend with percussive synths and some electric guitar.

Determined slows it down a notch, but not in attitude. This one is more a trip-hop, clubby groove that creates an atmosphere of dark determination, building to a breakout when the mood shifts into more dance/house vibes playing synths and percussion against each other. Then, it starts over in a new key…

Juggler walks a steady pace. A feeling of introspection and discovery reverberates, with slightly jolting breaks and dynamics throughout. Ambient pads and ghostly swells enhance the underlying somber tone. Is there a resolution?

Listen starts out aggressively, with a chaotic blend of effects and disturbing edginess. Quickly, the pace begins, carried by a funky, driving loop, breaking occasionally for a breath before engaging again, coupled with a grungy wah-synth that echoes the slap bass groove.

Traveler brings us back to steadiness, with a solid dance/house groove, mellow synths and temperate flow. Imagine driving on a long, winding highway…

Blue Sky & Rain asks, how can you search for the darkness, when it’s a clear, blue, sunny day? It’s a steady pace with a dance/pop groove, synths, a few breaks, and an air of uncertainty.

Walking is straight ahead dance/house, with some additional percussion, pizzicato strings, solemn pads, and a flute, singing softly in the background. A piano tells of what’s to come…

Enchanted is a gentle, ambient-pop ending to this story, centering in a somber piano, that carries us out of the sonic adventure that Vibrations was.

© 2004 Nothing So Right Music


Soul Survivor

Monday, September 7th, 2009

“Soul Survivor” is a song I released as a single, and is also featured on the Strange Daze EP. It features the backing vocals of Gypsy Butterfly.

In the late autumn of 2002, a friend approached me that worked in an office close the studio I was creating in at the time. She stopped me and asked: “You write songs, right?” I smiled and said “Yes”.

She went on to explain how she’d been hearing so many songs on the radio about losing someone. But nothing was helping her, as she’d lost her son in a car accident the year previous “just like that, with no warning”.

She asked, with watery eyes, if I could write her a song about someone like that; someone who’d lost somebody close, like a family member, suddenly.

“Soul Survivor” was the result. It “came to me” one day shortly thereafter while I was driving to town. By the time I’d returned to the studio, I – with an abundance of goosebumps – had the complete thing written and composed in my head. So, it was needing a channel, or an outlet.

I gave her the recording, with a warning to not listen to it while driving. She seemed to find it quite helpful, as the next time I saw her, she was noticeably lighter, and happier.

That kinda stuff makes me feel good about what I do.

Soul Survivor
By Trance Blackman

I was given no warning
I was given no chance
To say… good-bye.
And now all that remains, is the question: Why?

I awake in the morning
See your picture on the wall
It makes… me cry
But I know with some time, that I will get by

BRIDGE
Only want to hold you once more
To tell you “I Love You”
Only want to see into your perfect eyes again…

CHORUS
‘Cause I am your soul survivor
You will never be too far from me
I am your soul survivor
Your memory will live on inside of me… always

So what awaits me tomorrow?
Should I go on with my life?
I’ll live for you…
Sometimes I hear your name, how I do miss you…

Now I laugh and I can sing
There is love still in my heart
And it makes me cry…
But I know you are safe, no regrets, no lie

BRIDGE
CHORUS

©2002 Nothing So Right Music


Wander: Sensations

Monday, September 7th, 2009

“Sensations” is the 12th track from the original Wander album. The “Hip Deep Remix” is featured on the Wander… Another Path album.

This song is an emotional one about facing the challenges of a relationship. It speaks to the moment when something changes, whether it’s a feeling or a knowing, when there may be no way to fix a problem, or reason to continue the journey together. It’s that feeling that arises at the crossroads and junctions as we trip and fall through making sense of ourselves.

Sometimes, it just wasn’t meant to be. These are the sensations we all deal with…

Sensations
by Trance Blackman

A sudden change appears
Feeling so many fears
Letting emotions flow
Does everybody know

Remember the sacred days
Those you and I spent away
Careless like winds and time
Now I know you are mine

A sensation arises within you
It’s there deep in your eyes to consume you
A sensation arises around you
Chase you every direction you run to

And now what seems to be
Is you’re in love with me
So call it destiny
So call it make believe

A sensation arises within you
It’s there deep in your eyes to consume you
A sensation arises around you
Chase you every direction you run to

Piano Solo

A sudden change appears
Feeling so many fears
Letting emotions flow
Doesn’t everybody know

A sensation arises within you
It’s there deep in your eyes to consume you
A sensation arises around you
Chase you every direction you run to

(2x)

©2002 Nothing So Right Music