Rob's Album 3 Diary
It is early morning of September 10th, 2013, and the third Liberty’s Exiles album is finished. And all I can think is what an awesome ride this album has been. I got the first song from Simon, a tune called “A Page From My Diary” on August 4th. So, this album did take a little bit longer than the second one, and it is just as good as the first two (to my ears).
With the second album I kept a little diary for each track, as it was written. For this one I decided to wait until the album was done, and write some thoughts going back through the process.
Once again, this album has ten songs (though the epic this time around, “A Loaded Deck” is a six part suite). The length is a bit longer than the first two albums as well. I think it’s because we just didn’t want to stop. This album was so much fun!
The lead cut, “Every Single Way”, opens the third album much quieter than the open tune for the second album (remember “Commotion”?). Though it may be a ballad, this one still has a lot of power in it, with some punchy vocals from Simon, and some amazing guitar work. I stuck to the strings on this one (can you tell I love the strings?)
When we started this one, even though it would not be the lead cut, “A Page From Diary” was the first to be finished. This is another one of those songs that, even though it isn’t a two parter, there is a definite change in the song (like “Dreams Dreamers Dream”, from the second album). The song starts off a beautiful ballad, with Simon’s vocals drenched in emotion. I still get goose bumps listening to this one. The second half of this song picks up the pace and is classic Liberty’s Exiles (have we been around long enough to have a “classic sound”? I vote yes!). I love how this song turned out!
The third track, “Death Insomnia”, is the first song on this album with lyrics from me. I had a bit of an insomnia problem for many years, and the lyrics tell of someone who just wants some sleep. This one is a pure rocker. In your face, and powerful from start to finish. Once again, Simon delivers in the guitar department (as if you would expect anything else!). Such a cool groove in this song. And, I personally think the keys sound pretty cool (I may be biased on that one).
“Stay Strong”, lyrically, was written for a friend of mine who is going through a hard time with a disease that brings her chronic pain. Reading her posts on facebook, and talking with her, her bravery inspired me. This is another slow tune, but Liberty’s Exiles loves the melodic tunes, and this tune is no exception to that rule. I love how Simon was able to convey so much emotion, he really delivered the feeling of this tune (but then again, he always does).
I wrote the lyrics for the fifth song, “Wherever You Go (I’ll Find You)”, for my wife Janae. She has been my rock, and my reason for living for nearly 15 years now. Once again, Simon seems to have read the lyrics and conveyed my emotion through the music. He is damned good at reading into the song. I brought back the rock-organ on this song (the same sound I used for the first song I put keyboards on for Liberty’s Exiles… “Alone Without You”, from the first album). Some live drumming on this one too. Such a beautiful song.
Next up, the nearly 34 minute prog epic, “A Loaded Deck”. There are six songs in this one, that could be taken individually (but you’d better not!). Lyrically, the song is based on various cards in a deck of Tarot Cards. I bought my first deck of Tarot Cards just the day before. Something told me it would inspire some pretty cool lyrics. I just didn’t think it would inspire this many! The first part, “The Wheel of Fortune” is a melodic rock tune, like only Liberty’s Exiles can do. The second part, “The Cup Runeth Over” goes right for the jugular. A hard rocking piece with a killer vocal performance and some heavy music. And that bass groove? Damn! I love this one! Part three, “Two Sides of the Coin”, was a tough one for me to add to, it took the longest for me out of any song on the album. It’s such a different song, but still all Liberty’s Exiles. I had finished it once, but went back to change a couple things, and that’s when I came up with the strings for the verses. It ended up being pretty damned cool. I love the vocal melodies on this one. “The Strike of the Sword” is such a cool tune. It starts out with this beautiful acoustic guitar/synth solo before getting into the meat of the song. A very punchy song, with some tempo changes and all around killer music. The fifth part, “A Wave of the Wand” has an amazing bass groove that propels the song forward, with some great guitar work from the master. I think out of the entire suite, the chorus on this song is my favorite bit. Simon hit this one out of the park for sure! Lyrically, “You Can Have the World”, is my favorite part of the song, and the closing piece. It not only brings closure to the story, but to our entire lives as well. Another great song, vocally, musically, and a perfect way to close out the longest song in our catalog… for now (cue creepy laughter).
“Letting It Go” is the perfect follow up to the epic. Once again, an amazing bass groove from Simon pushes this song forward, but some really cool guitar work and vocals are the star of this show. I tried something different with the keyboards, and was happy to see that Simon liked it. Was cool to step out of my comfort zone. Such a catchy tune this one. Lyrically, this song is about taking all of the negative shit you’ve been through and casting it aside. That’s where my head is at these days.
“Fractured Home” is one of the single most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Simon wrote the lyrics about the children in the Middle-East, and the struggles they are going through. From the second I heard it, I knew it needed strings… Have I mentioned that I love the strings? This may be one of my favorite songs on the album. The lyrics give me chills.
“Too Close To the Sun” started out as a song I was working on, and was passed on to Simon. What he did with the song amazes me! Another powerful tune, and the vocals leave me speechless. The man can sing! I love the tone of my keys on this one. I wouldn’t change a thing with this song (or any of the others, to be honest).
“Buried Alive” is the final song on this album. The lyrics are about, well, being buried alive, and knowing that there is nothing you can do, and time is running out. And this is another scorcher (so many killer songs on this album). The guitar work on this song is phenomenal. And, as always, Simon turned in one kick ass vocal performance. I think this is the best album closer since “A Laughing Tear” or “End of the World” (get it, I love them all!). Great song. Great ending to the third cycle of music.
And there you have it, our third album! Reading interviews growing up, you always see artists saying that they could never pick a favorite from their catalog, they are all like their baby. Well, I get that now. I can’t say how well this stacks up against the first two albums, as I love them all very much. This one is tied for first with the first two albums. I will say that some of my favorite moments thus far in Liberty’s Exiles history are on this album (though I will never tell which!).
This time around, I dedicate my work on the album to my son Robbie. He was born twelve years ago this month, and has been my inspiration and driving force since the day he was born. I love you buddy!
I would also like to thank my amazing wife, my two beautiful daughters, my parents, brothers, sister in law, nieces, nephews, everyone else lucky enough to be related to me, my true friends, the people I’ve been fortunate enough to meet on the internet, all of the amazing bands that have given me entertainment through the years, and of course, Simon, for putting up with me through yet another album cycle. But most of all, I thank anybody who supports what we are doing.
With the second album I kept a little diary for each track, as it was written. For this one I decided to wait until the album was done, and write some thoughts going back through the process.
Once again, this album has ten songs (though the epic this time around, “A Loaded Deck” is a six part suite). The length is a bit longer than the first two albums as well. I think it’s because we just didn’t want to stop. This album was so much fun!
The lead cut, “Every Single Way”, opens the third album much quieter than the open tune for the second album (remember “Commotion”?). Though it may be a ballad, this one still has a lot of power in it, with some punchy vocals from Simon, and some amazing guitar work. I stuck to the strings on this one (can you tell I love the strings?)
When we started this one, even though it would not be the lead cut, “A Page From Diary” was the first to be finished. This is another one of those songs that, even though it isn’t a two parter, there is a definite change in the song (like “Dreams Dreamers Dream”, from the second album). The song starts off a beautiful ballad, with Simon’s vocals drenched in emotion. I still get goose bumps listening to this one. The second half of this song picks up the pace and is classic Liberty’s Exiles (have we been around long enough to have a “classic sound”? I vote yes!). I love how this song turned out!
The third track, “Death Insomnia”, is the first song on this album with lyrics from me. I had a bit of an insomnia problem for many years, and the lyrics tell of someone who just wants some sleep. This one is a pure rocker. In your face, and powerful from start to finish. Once again, Simon delivers in the guitar department (as if you would expect anything else!). Such a cool groove in this song. And, I personally think the keys sound pretty cool (I may be biased on that one).
“Stay Strong”, lyrically, was written for a friend of mine who is going through a hard time with a disease that brings her chronic pain. Reading her posts on facebook, and talking with her, her bravery inspired me. This is another slow tune, but Liberty’s Exiles loves the melodic tunes, and this tune is no exception to that rule. I love how Simon was able to convey so much emotion, he really delivered the feeling of this tune (but then again, he always does).
I wrote the lyrics for the fifth song, “Wherever You Go (I’ll Find You)”, for my wife Janae. She has been my rock, and my reason for living for nearly 15 years now. Once again, Simon seems to have read the lyrics and conveyed my emotion through the music. He is damned good at reading into the song. I brought back the rock-organ on this song (the same sound I used for the first song I put keyboards on for Liberty’s Exiles… “Alone Without You”, from the first album). Some live drumming on this one too. Such a beautiful song.
Next up, the nearly 34 minute prog epic, “A Loaded Deck”. There are six songs in this one, that could be taken individually (but you’d better not!). Lyrically, the song is based on various cards in a deck of Tarot Cards. I bought my first deck of Tarot Cards just the day before. Something told me it would inspire some pretty cool lyrics. I just didn’t think it would inspire this many! The first part, “The Wheel of Fortune” is a melodic rock tune, like only Liberty’s Exiles can do. The second part, “The Cup Runeth Over” goes right for the jugular. A hard rocking piece with a killer vocal performance and some heavy music. And that bass groove? Damn! I love this one! Part three, “Two Sides of the Coin”, was a tough one for me to add to, it took the longest for me out of any song on the album. It’s such a different song, but still all Liberty’s Exiles. I had finished it once, but went back to change a couple things, and that’s when I came up with the strings for the verses. It ended up being pretty damned cool. I love the vocal melodies on this one. “The Strike of the Sword” is such a cool tune. It starts out with this beautiful acoustic guitar/synth solo before getting into the meat of the song. A very punchy song, with some tempo changes and all around killer music. The fifth part, “A Wave of the Wand” has an amazing bass groove that propels the song forward, with some great guitar work from the master. I think out of the entire suite, the chorus on this song is my favorite bit. Simon hit this one out of the park for sure! Lyrically, “You Can Have the World”, is my favorite part of the song, and the closing piece. It not only brings closure to the story, but to our entire lives as well. Another great song, vocally, musically, and a perfect way to close out the longest song in our catalog… for now (cue creepy laughter).
“Letting It Go” is the perfect follow up to the epic. Once again, an amazing bass groove from Simon pushes this song forward, but some really cool guitar work and vocals are the star of this show. I tried something different with the keyboards, and was happy to see that Simon liked it. Was cool to step out of my comfort zone. Such a catchy tune this one. Lyrically, this song is about taking all of the negative shit you’ve been through and casting it aside. That’s where my head is at these days.
“Fractured Home” is one of the single most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Simon wrote the lyrics about the children in the Middle-East, and the struggles they are going through. From the second I heard it, I knew it needed strings… Have I mentioned that I love the strings? This may be one of my favorite songs on the album. The lyrics give me chills.
“Too Close To the Sun” started out as a song I was working on, and was passed on to Simon. What he did with the song amazes me! Another powerful tune, and the vocals leave me speechless. The man can sing! I love the tone of my keys on this one. I wouldn’t change a thing with this song (or any of the others, to be honest).
“Buried Alive” is the final song on this album. The lyrics are about, well, being buried alive, and knowing that there is nothing you can do, and time is running out. And this is another scorcher (so many killer songs on this album). The guitar work on this song is phenomenal. And, as always, Simon turned in one kick ass vocal performance. I think this is the best album closer since “A Laughing Tear” or “End of the World” (get it, I love them all!). Great song. Great ending to the third cycle of music.
And there you have it, our third album! Reading interviews growing up, you always see artists saying that they could never pick a favorite from their catalog, they are all like their baby. Well, I get that now. I can’t say how well this stacks up against the first two albums, as I love them all very much. This one is tied for first with the first two albums. I will say that some of my favorite moments thus far in Liberty’s Exiles history are on this album (though I will never tell which!).
This time around, I dedicate my work on the album to my son Robbie. He was born twelve years ago this month, and has been my inspiration and driving force since the day he was born. I love you buddy!
I would also like to thank my amazing wife, my two beautiful daughters, my parents, brothers, sister in law, nieces, nephews, everyone else lucky enough to be related to me, my true friends, the people I’ve been fortunate enough to meet on the internet, all of the amazing bands that have given me entertainment through the years, and of course, Simon, for putting up with me through yet another album cycle. But most of all, I thank anybody who supports what we are doing.