The original intent of the ORC album was to record between January 1 and February 29 and have a completed album released in March. It was soon realized this was not going to be possible. So the deadline was extended a month, but at the current rate of recording the album will not be finished by the end of March either.
It has been decided that the album will be finished when it's finished. All deadlines have been canceled. And since recording isn't at the furious pace it started out this update may not be as informative on a weekly basis as it has been in the last few weeks. There will be future updates on the ORC album, but they will not be documenting every movement Metal XOR Studio makes.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Musician Profile #10: Mark S
Mark S entered the scene in the fall of 1988, the beginning of Jason's senior year in high school. He was Jason's Spanish teacher. And the musical connection came on Friday, October 28, when Mark walked over to his desk, pulled out an acoustic guitar, and started playing "Groovy Kind of Love". Jason had never seen a teacher do that before!
It was known that Jason and Harry played around with music, especially in their bands Pheonix and The Two-Tones. So when Christmas arrived it was decided that Mark, Harry, and Jason would play a short set of five songs during one of the class periods. On Wednesday, December 21, they performed in front of what seemed like half the school, all crammed into one classroom.
Early in 1989 Harry and Jason teamed with Mark again for a new musical endeavor, the Traveling Deengelburys. This was a 50's and 60's band they created to play at a fund-raiser dance on March 31, 1989. Mark was one of the lead singers and also played bass guitar. He brought the selection of music and taught the other six band members how to play the songs. After the successful show, they suggested a ten-year reunion to play once again in 1999. But the reunion never happened.
But now contact has been re-established with Mark and there will be a Traveling Deengelbury reunion of sorts this spring, consisting of four of the band members. No music is planned, just a reliving of past memories.
It was known that Jason and Harry played around with music, especially in their bands Pheonix and The Two-Tones. So when Christmas arrived it was decided that Mark, Harry, and Jason would play a short set of five songs during one of the class periods. On Wednesday, December 21, they performed in front of what seemed like half the school, all crammed into one classroom.
Early in 1989 Harry and Jason teamed with Mark again for a new musical endeavor, the Traveling Deengelburys. This was a 50's and 60's band they created to play at a fund-raiser dance on March 31, 1989. Mark was one of the lead singers and also played bass guitar. He brought the selection of music and taught the other six band members how to play the songs. After the successful show, they suggested a ten-year reunion to play once again in 1999. But the reunion never happened.
But now contact has been re-established with Mark and there will be a Traveling Deengelbury reunion of sorts this spring, consisting of four of the band members. No music is planned, just a reliving of past memories.
Monday, February 25, 2008
ORC Update: Week 8
This feature was posted every Monday to document the weekly progress of the new ORC album at Metal XOR Studio.
Due to various reasons there were no ORC sessions at Metal XOR Studio this week. And since the album will not hit the original target release date of March 1, there are changes being made in the production schedule. Watch for an upcoming post regarding this matter.
As far as this weekly feature goes, this will be the last one for a while. Certainly when big ORC news comes out it will be posted on this blog, but these small weekly updates will now go away.
See you sometime in the future for the next update. . .
Due to various reasons there were no ORC sessions at Metal XOR Studio this week. And since the album will not hit the original target release date of March 1, there are changes being made in the production schedule. Watch for an upcoming post regarding this matter.
As far as this weekly feature goes, this will be the last one for a while. Certainly when big ORC news comes out it will be posted on this blog, but these small weekly updates will now go away.
See you sometime in the future for the next update. . .
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Album of the Week #27: Singles Collection
Project name: Mune Mud
Album name: Singles Collection
Release date: 2004
Release format: CD
Studio name: Metal XOR Studio
Tracks:
1. Etesian Wind
2. Etesian Wind (original speed)
3. Waterfall
4. Mystical Dream
5. Gridlock
6. EnVenum Above (original)
7. Believe Me
8. Garden of Hesperides
9. Reality Found Me
10. Ominous (remake)
11. Clouds Set Free
12. Up A Lonely Road (original)
13. Summer Song
14. Winter Song
15. One Night (v2.0)
16. One Night (v1.0)
17. Ginkgo Biloba
18. Little Germany
19. Reflection
20. One Second
21. From Cousin B
22. Camilla
23. Ocean Body
24. Ocean Body (demo)
This article from last October gives a good explanation of Mune Mud singles that have been released over the years. Basically it explains that there are two singles from every Mune Mud album from Olympus to The Search for Metropolis. And on each single is the song from the album plus an additional unreleased song, usually a demo or alternate version.
This compilation collected all of the singles onto one album. The singles themselves are very rare and this gave the public a chance to hear some rare b-side songs.
But as with Hobson's Second Choice the following year, there were issues that prevented this album from being totally completed. The duplication factory was hit by a tornado and all copies of the album were destroyed. Therefore the album was never officially released, but it still retains its 2004 release year.
One day the album will have a re-release so the public can finally hear it. But until then it remains one of the "lost" albums of the Studio.
Next week's Album of the Week: Heimlich Maneuver by the Two-Tones from 1989.
Album name: Singles Collection
Release date: 2004
Release format: CD
Studio name: Metal XOR Studio
Tracks:
1. Etesian Wind
2. Etesian Wind (original speed)
3. Waterfall
4. Mystical Dream
5. Gridlock
6. EnVenum Above (original)
7. Believe Me
8. Garden of Hesperides
9. Reality Found Me
10. Ominous (remake)
11. Clouds Set Free
12. Up A Lonely Road (original)
13. Summer Song
14. Winter Song
15. One Night (v2.0)
16. One Night (v1.0)
17. Ginkgo Biloba
18. Little Germany
19. Reflection
20. One Second
21. From Cousin B
22. Camilla
23. Ocean Body
24. Ocean Body (demo)
This article from last October gives a good explanation of Mune Mud singles that have been released over the years. Basically it explains that there are two singles from every Mune Mud album from Olympus to The Search for Metropolis. And on each single is the song from the album plus an additional unreleased song, usually a demo or alternate version.
This compilation collected all of the singles onto one album. The singles themselves are very rare and this gave the public a chance to hear some rare b-side songs.
But as with Hobson's Second Choice the following year, there were issues that prevented this album from being totally completed. The duplication factory was hit by a tornado and all copies of the album were destroyed. Therefore the album was never officially released, but it still retains its 2004 release year.
One day the album will have a re-release so the public can finally hear it. But until then it remains one of the "lost" albums of the Studio.
Next week's Album of the Week: Heimlich Maneuver by the Two-Tones from 1989.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Interview
For more than a decade the fictitious magazine Eclectic Musician has been the exclusive publication to feature Metal XOR Studio. It has now published its fourth interview with the Studio in its March 2008 issue.
The fourth interview mainly focuses on the upcoming ORC album. The Studio blog site and associated websites are briefly mentioned. Also discussed are other music projects that are in the works or will be soon. Enjoy the read.
The fourth interview mainly focuses on the upcoming ORC album. The Studio blog site and associated websites are briefly mentioned. Also discussed are other music projects that are in the works or will be soon. Enjoy the read.
Read this doc on Scribd: 2008 March Eclectic Musician interview
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Musician Profile #9: Jeremy S
Jeremy had a relatively short career with Metal XOR Studio. And during that time he never played one instrument.
He started in 1988 as one of the three original members of the Two-Tones. He helped by writing some of the lyrics. He also sang in many of the songs. He held his position until June of 1989 when he moved away to attend West Point. It took a few months, but he was eventually replaced by their friend Joe in the Two-Tones.
And in early 1989 he was also an honorary member of the Traveling Deengelburys. He helped get the T-shirts made and did much of the video recording.
Although he was only associated with the Studio for less than a year and a half, his contribution was vital to the early days of the Studio.
Next week: Mark S
He started in 1988 as one of the three original members of the Two-Tones. He helped by writing some of the lyrics. He also sang in many of the songs. He held his position until June of 1989 when he moved away to attend West Point. It took a few months, but he was eventually replaced by their friend Joe in the Two-Tones.
And in early 1989 he was also an honorary member of the Traveling Deengelburys. He helped get the T-shirts made and did much of the video recording.
Although he was only associated with the Studio for less than a year and a half, his contribution was vital to the early days of the Studio.
Next week: Mark S
Monday, February 18, 2008
ORC Update: Week 7
This feature will be posted every Monday to document the weekly progress of the new ORC album at Metal XOR Studio.
There was only one recording session this week do to various reasons. Lyrics were written for a song. The song will either be one whose music has been started already that has no lyrics yet or they will be for an entirely new song. There's no title for the lyrics yet, so they are still in their very early stages.
Hopefully this week will be more productive. Watch for the next update in 7 days. . .
There was only one recording session this week do to various reasons. Lyrics were written for a song. The song will either be one whose music has been started already that has no lyrics yet or they will be for an entirely new song. There's no title for the lyrics yet, so they are still in their very early stages.
Hopefully this week will be more productive. Watch for the next update in 7 days. . .
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Album of the Week #26: Hobson's Second Choice
Project name: Mune Mud
Album name: Hobson's Second Choice
Release date: 2005
Release format: CD
Studio name: Metal XOR Studio
Tracks:
1. My Computer's Evil
2. Habitat Refined
3. Timon
4. Prelude to Ageless
5. Aurora
6. Janus Faced
7. Puffing Billy (alt vocals)
8. March of the German Swashbucklers
9. Lullaby (demo)
10. Mr. Carpenter (demo)
11. Ouatoga (demo)
12. Wormwood (acoustic)
13. I Don't Know Your Name
14. 7-Zark-7
15. Trainshed
16. The Fire Made Heat
This album is basically a collection of unused tracks from 2004's Hobson's Choice album. They were unreleased songs, demos, and alternate takes.
The problem with this album was that the packaging was never done. The music was complete and the CD's ready for duplication, but due to a union strike in Warrenton, Maryland, the album was not finished. So there is no official release date other than the year '2005'.
Two of the songs featured guest musicians. "I Don't Know Your Name" had Nikki singing background vocals with Jason singing the main vocals. And "The Fire Made Heat" was a song written and sung by Nikki's brother, Clint.
Many of these songs could have easily been part of Hobson's Choice but there just was not enough room on one CD, so they were left off. And to share them with the fans this album was to be created.
Some day the printers will be fired back up and the album will finally be finished. But for now it remains held within the red tape of beaurocracy, struggling to be freed.
Next week's Album of the Week: Singles Collection by Mune Mud from 2004.
Album name: Hobson's Second Choice
Release date: 2005
Release format: CD
Studio name: Metal XOR Studio
Tracks:
1. My Computer's Evil
2. Habitat Refined
3. Timon
4. Prelude to Ageless
5. Aurora
6. Janus Faced
7. Puffing Billy (alt vocals)
8. March of the German Swashbucklers
9. Lullaby (demo)
10. Mr. Carpenter (demo)
11. Ouatoga (demo)
12. Wormwood (acoustic)
13. I Don't Know Your Name
14. 7-Zark-7
15. Trainshed
16. The Fire Made Heat
This album is basically a collection of unused tracks from 2004's Hobson's Choice album. They were unreleased songs, demos, and alternate takes.
The problem with this album was that the packaging was never done. The music was complete and the CD's ready for duplication, but due to a union strike in Warrenton, Maryland, the album was not finished. So there is no official release date other than the year '2005'.
Two of the songs featured guest musicians. "I Don't Know Your Name" had Nikki singing background vocals with Jason singing the main vocals. And "The Fire Made Heat" was a song written and sung by Nikki's brother, Clint.
Many of these songs could have easily been part of Hobson's Choice but there just was not enough room on one CD, so they were left off. And to share them with the fans this album was to be created.
Some day the printers will be fired back up and the album will finally be finished. But for now it remains held within the red tape of beaurocracy, struggling to be freed.
Next week's Album of the Week: Singles Collection by Mune Mud from 2004.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Musician Profile #8: Joe B
Joe's affiliation with the Studio began around the year 1988. Although not a member of the Two-Tones, he was present at several of their recording sessions throughout 1988 and 1989. In June of 1989, Jeremy (the singer) left to attend West Point. A few months later Joe became his replacement as the official third member. In May of 1990, the Two-Tones held their last jam/recording session.
In 1989 Joe was also an honorary member of the Traveling Deengelburys. He was considered the band's manager and made sure the band had what they needed. His name was Binky Deengelbury.
He also provided vocals on a couple of early Mune Mud songs, specifically "King Song" and "The One-Liner", both of which appeared on the unreleased Mune Mud debut album. Both songs also appeared on the 1994 Binary Pipedream album.
During the years of 1991-1993 he was also in the background of the band The Spartans. He did attempt some guitar playing but he usually provided vocals, if anything.
He moved away some time around 1993-1994 and the Studio is still waiting to here from him again.
Next week: Jeremy S
In 1989 Joe was also an honorary member of the Traveling Deengelburys. He was considered the band's manager and made sure the band had what they needed. His name was Binky Deengelbury.
He also provided vocals on a couple of early Mune Mud songs, specifically "King Song" and "The One-Liner", both of which appeared on the unreleased Mune Mud debut album. Both songs also appeared on the 1994 Binary Pipedream album.
During the years of 1991-1993 he was also in the background of the band The Spartans. He did attempt some guitar playing but he usually provided vocals, if anything.
He moved away some time around 1993-1994 and the Studio is still waiting to here from him again.
Next week: Jeremy S
Monday, February 11, 2008
ORC Update: Week 6
This feature will be posted every Monday to document the weekly progress of the new ORC album at Metal XOR Studio.
Work on the new album continued this week with a couple of new sessions.
Song 13 - "Brave Machine"
The session for this song was to change out some of the sounds used. The strings and piano were taken out and stranger sounds were used to replace them. The song is progressing nicely.
Song 14 - untitled
While looking for sounds for "Brave Machine", a nice sound was found and used as the basis of this new song. There is no direction or plans for this song yet, but it's there if needed.
See you in another week. . .
Work on the new album continued this week with a couple of new sessions.
Song 13 - "Brave Machine"
The session for this song was to change out some of the sounds used. The strings and piano were taken out and stranger sounds were used to replace them. The song is progressing nicely.
Song 14 - untitled
While looking for sounds for "Brave Machine", a nice sound was found and used as the basis of this new song. There is no direction or plans for this song yet, but it's there if needed.
See you in another week. . .
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Album of the Week #25: Hobson's Choice
Project name: Mune Mud
Album name: Hobson's Choice
Release date: November 23, 2004
Release format: CD
Studio name: Metal XOR Studio
Tracks:
1. Tracing Aristotle
2. Arabian Sugar Cookies
3. She Walked to the Fair
4. In Search of...
5. Hollyhock and Tansy
6. Goh Mifune
7. Puffing Billy
8. All Things Wonderful
9. Little Light
10. Mr. Carpenter
11. Ouatoga
12. Wormwood
13. Two in Space
This could be considered a "concept album" since it was one block of sound from the beginning of track 1 to the end of track 13. The spaces between songs contained additional sound clips of various things having to do with the songs.
This album used a computer more than any other to date. The music was still recorded to 4-track cassette but it was mixed into the computer where additional effects processing took place. The computer also made possible the blending of all the songs with the short "filler audio" between songs. And this was the second Mune Mud album released on CD.
It was also the first album to have variations of its cover. There were four colors available. The front of the cover was just a strange picture found online. The back of the cover showed an old picture of the town Jason lives in taken around 1910.
There were plans to record a second CD for the album, one that had the same songs but with a commentary track by Jason explaining how the songs were recorded, what they meant, etc. But after the first track was recorded, the project was dropped because it was going to take too much time to finish.
There was a lot of material recorded for this album. Some of the unused tracks were later used on the companion album that came out the next year, Hobson's Second Choice.
Next week's Album of the Week: Hobson's Second Choice by Mune Mud from 2005.
Album name: Hobson's Choice
Release date: November 23, 2004
Release format: CD
Studio name: Metal XOR Studio
Tracks:
1. Tracing Aristotle
2. Arabian Sugar Cookies
3. She Walked to the Fair
4. In Search of...
5. Hollyhock and Tansy
6. Goh Mifune
7. Puffing Billy
8. All Things Wonderful
9. Little Light
10. Mr. Carpenter
11. Ouatoga
12. Wormwood
13. Two in Space
This could be considered a "concept album" since it was one block of sound from the beginning of track 1 to the end of track 13. The spaces between songs contained additional sound clips of various things having to do with the songs.
This album used a computer more than any other to date. The music was still recorded to 4-track cassette but it was mixed into the computer where additional effects processing took place. The computer also made possible the blending of all the songs with the short "filler audio" between songs. And this was the second Mune Mud album released on CD.
It was also the first album to have variations of its cover. There were four colors available. The front of the cover was just a strange picture found online. The back of the cover showed an old picture of the town Jason lives in taken around 1910.
There were plans to record a second CD for the album, one that had the same songs but with a commentary track by Jason explaining how the songs were recorded, what they meant, etc. But after the first track was recorded, the project was dropped because it was going to take too much time to finish.
There was a lot of material recorded for this album. Some of the unused tracks were later used on the companion album that came out the next year, Hobson's Second Choice.
Next week's Album of the Week: Hobson's Second Choice by Mune Mud from 2005.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Collector's Corner #23
This was the publicity poster released on Saturday, August 4, 2001 for the Mune Mud album The Search for Metropolis which was released on November 6 of that same year.
Although there were only a few hard copies of the poster created (this being the only one on colored stock), an email was sent on that Saturday to all the Metal XOR Studio fans to alert them of the upcoming album release.
The poster today resides in the Rare Poster Wing of the Metal XOR Studio.
Although there were only a few hard copies of the poster created (this being the only one on colored stock), an email was sent on that Saturday to all the Metal XOR Studio fans to alert them of the upcoming album release.
The poster today resides in the Rare Poster Wing of the Metal XOR Studio.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Musician Profile #7: Darrin R
Darrin has been a friend of the Studio almost longer than anyone else. He and Jason wrote their first song, "Fatty Fatty 2x4", in grade school. Darrin provided the lyrics and Jason played the piano part.
But it wasn't until 1988 or 1989 that Darrin and Jason rekindled the magic. They would "cruise around town" and sing along with songs on the radio, making up their own lyrics. It wasn't long before Jason started taking his tape recorder with him when they cruised. They recorded a few tapes of their singing. Near the end of this short music career, Jason put together a tape called "The Best of Darrin and Jason" which included their favorite songs. The tape was never an "official" album release, just something made for Darrin and Jason to hear.
Darrin also made appearances with other projects through the years. He was part of a few Two-Tones recording sessions. He was the saxophone player for the Traveling Deengelburys. And he recorded a few songs with Mune Mud (providing lyrics and some drums). One of his songs with Mune Mud appeared on the 1994 Binary Pipedream album.
With his hectic schedule he has not been a part of the Studio's music for quite some time. He is always welcome to contribute but chances are Darrin's days at Metal XOR Studio are over.
Next week: Joe B
But it wasn't until 1988 or 1989 that Darrin and Jason rekindled the magic. They would "cruise around town" and sing along with songs on the radio, making up their own lyrics. It wasn't long before Jason started taking his tape recorder with him when they cruised. They recorded a few tapes of their singing. Near the end of this short music career, Jason put together a tape called "The Best of Darrin and Jason" which included their favorite songs. The tape was never an "official" album release, just something made for Darrin and Jason to hear.
Darrin also made appearances with other projects through the years. He was part of a few Two-Tones recording sessions. He was the saxophone player for the Traveling Deengelburys. And he recorded a few songs with Mune Mud (providing lyrics and some drums). One of his songs with Mune Mud appeared on the 1994 Binary Pipedream album.
With his hectic schedule he has not been a part of the Studio's music for quite some time. He is always welcome to contribute but chances are Darrin's days at Metal XOR Studio are over.
Next week: Joe B
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
This Day in Studio History
It was Sunday, February 5, 1995, that Isthmus had their first official jam session.
The first Metal XOR Studio was still under construction in the basement of the house Jason was renting when they had the jam session. It consisted of Jason on electric guitar and vocals and Harry on keyboards, bass guitar, and vocals.
From that day's recordings came the album Electric Field Donut in 1996 and the EP album Ideas in 1997.
The first Metal XOR Studio was still under construction in the basement of the house Jason was renting when they had the jam session. It consisted of Jason on electric guitar and vocals and Harry on keyboards, bass guitar, and vocals.
From that day's recordings came the album Electric Field Donut in 1996 and the EP album Ideas in 1997.
Monday, February 4, 2008
ORC Update: Week 5
This feature will be posted every Monday to document the weekly progress of the new ORC album at Metal XOR Studio.
The Studio is slowly gathering steam, building its way up to pre-illness speed. But even as the illness fades there has been a separate project underway at the Studio. That project is drawing to a close, so this week (or definitely by next week) total focus will be back on the ORC album. But this week wasn't a total waste, here is the small amount of progress that was made.
Song 13 - "Brave Machine"
There were two sessions involving this song this week. The first was to create the basic idea. A short demo was made and sent to Attic Works Studio. The second session extended the song and added new parts. It's in a more complete state now. A second demo was recorded to be used for lyric-writing. The song title is just a working title, it will probably change. The song itself has been called an Italian pop song, so you can let your imagine take you where it will.
I'll update with more news in one week. . .
The Studio is slowly gathering steam, building its way up to pre-illness speed. But even as the illness fades there has been a separate project underway at the Studio. That project is drawing to a close, so this week (or definitely by next week) total focus will be back on the ORC album. But this week wasn't a total waste, here is the small amount of progress that was made.
Song 13 - "Brave Machine"
There were two sessions involving this song this week. The first was to create the basic idea. A short demo was made and sent to Attic Works Studio. The second session extended the song and added new parts. It's in a more complete state now. A second demo was recorded to be used for lyric-writing. The song title is just a working title, it will probably change. The song itself has been called an Italian pop song, so you can let your imagine take you where it will.
I'll update with more news in one week. . .
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Album of the Week #24: The Search for Metropolis
Project name: Mune Mud
Album name: The Search for Metropolis
Release date: November 6, 2001
Release format: CD
Studio name: Metal XOR Studio
Tracks:
1. I'm Friendly When Asleep
2. From Cousin B
3. The Theme from Eight Concepts
4. Dreaming the Sky
5. Encounter
6. It's All Right
7. A Thousand Words
8. Urban Gaxiola
9. Battlefield: Tycho
10. Ageless
11. Cambrian Explosion
12. Red Ray
13. Ocean Body
14. Jealous Circle
15. Market Connections
16. 100,000 Punctuated Breaths
17. Frozen Pipes
It had been four years since the previous Mune Mud album release (Sleep State F from 1997). And the music was now more polished and better produced than ever. And part of that was the fact that this was the first Mune Mud album released on CD.
It was crunch-time, the album was nearing completion and it still needed a title. For some reason it was difficult to name this album. Jason had been looking for ideas for weeks. One day he was at his dad's house. His dad was talking about the old Superman TV show that he watched over and over. He went on to say how we was taking clues from various episodes to try to figure out where Metropolis was supposed to be located. Then the album title hit Jason like a speeding locomotive... the search for Metropolis!
The album cover sported a painting by one of Jason's long-time inspirations, Salvador Dali. Dali had inspired a few songs by Jason back in the early to mid 90's. The reason this particular painting was chosen is because it was what Jason based his song "Suburb of a PCT" on, which is the unlisted "hidden" track on The Search for Metropolis (it is tacked on at the end of the last track, "Frozen Pipes"). The inside of the album cover was a collage of images and lyrics from the album (see image below).
This collection of songs was a lot more upbeat and positive than many previous albums. Since Sleep State F, many changes had occured in Jason's life. He had started dating his future wife, whom he married in 2000. He had bought his first house and moved the Studio once again. And the first Star Wars prequel movie had been released. It was a period of new beginnings.
There was a publicity poster created for the album on Saturday, August 4, 2001. There were a few hard copies posted, but it had more distribution as an email to Metal XOR Studio fans. The poster showed the same piece of Dali art as was on the album cover with a list of the songs underneath (in alphabetical order).
Next week's Album of the Week: Hobson's Choice by Mune Mud from 2004.
Album name: The Search for Metropolis
Release date: November 6, 2001
Release format: CD
Studio name: Metal XOR Studio
Tracks:
1. I'm Friendly When Asleep
2. From Cousin B
3. The Theme from Eight Concepts
4. Dreaming the Sky
5. Encounter
6. It's All Right
7. A Thousand Words
8. Urban Gaxiola
9. Battlefield: Tycho
10. Ageless
11. Cambrian Explosion
12. Red Ray
13. Ocean Body
14. Jealous Circle
15. Market Connections
16. 100,000 Punctuated Breaths
17. Frozen Pipes
It had been four years since the previous Mune Mud album release (Sleep State F from 1997). And the music was now more polished and better produced than ever. And part of that was the fact that this was the first Mune Mud album released on CD.
It was crunch-time, the album was nearing completion and it still needed a title. For some reason it was difficult to name this album. Jason had been looking for ideas for weeks. One day he was at his dad's house. His dad was talking about the old Superman TV show that he watched over and over. He went on to say how we was taking clues from various episodes to try to figure out where Metropolis was supposed to be located. Then the album title hit Jason like a speeding locomotive... the search for Metropolis!
The album cover sported a painting by one of Jason's long-time inspirations, Salvador Dali. Dali had inspired a few songs by Jason back in the early to mid 90's. The reason this particular painting was chosen is because it was what Jason based his song "Suburb of a PCT" on, which is the unlisted "hidden" track on The Search for Metropolis (it is tacked on at the end of the last track, "Frozen Pipes"). The inside of the album cover was a collage of images and lyrics from the album (see image below).
This collection of songs was a lot more upbeat and positive than many previous albums. Since Sleep State F, many changes had occured in Jason's life. He had started dating his future wife, whom he married in 2000. He had bought his first house and moved the Studio once again. And the first Star Wars prequel movie had been released. It was a period of new beginnings.
There was a publicity poster created for the album on Saturday, August 4, 2001. There were a few hard copies posted, but it had more distribution as an email to Metal XOR Studio fans. The poster showed the same piece of Dali art as was on the album cover with a list of the songs underneath (in alphabetical order).
Next week's Album of the Week: Hobson's Choice by Mune Mud from 2004.
Friday, February 1, 2008
State of the Studio #6: February '08
The biggest news coming from the Studio this month is the recording of the new ORC album. Recording actually began on December 31 and will continue for at least another month. Highlights of the recording thus far:
You can monitor the progress of Metal XOR Studio's contribution to the album by checking here every Monday for the ORC Update feature.
As far as plans for February, it looks to be much of the same... more ORC recording.
Using the same audio player used for the new Listen Online! Music Player, there are plans to eventually start posting entire Metal XOR Studio albums online that would allow you to select which track to stream. But this project will not be started until the ORC album is finished.
Another recording session for Paige's second album is also scheduled for February.
And that is all for now. Next report in 29 days!!!
- First Metal XOR Studio recording session for the album - December 31, 2007
- New Eclectic Musician magazine interview scheduled for March 2008 issue
- First joint recording session for the album - January 19, 2008
You can monitor the progress of Metal XOR Studio's contribution to the album by checking here every Monday for the ORC Update feature.
As far as plans for February, it looks to be much of the same... more ORC recording.
Using the same audio player used for the new Listen Online! Music Player, there are plans to eventually start posting entire Metal XOR Studio albums online that would allow you to select which track to stream. But this project will not be started until the ORC album is finished.
Another recording session for Paige's second album is also scheduled for February.
And that is all for now. Next report in 29 days!!!
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