Even with many new personal changes in my life recently including the birth of my gorgeous son, I have been surprised to find time to record 'The Orange Line'. I had visions the project ending much like 'Under the Pyramids', whereby I ran out of time to complete the project, hence it became an E.P. 'The Orange Line was sitting at 5 songs only a few weeks ago. Due to sleepless nights etc since then, I have found the opportunity to record; and record I have. I have worked out 7 of the old songs from the Cassette Tapes from 1999-2002, which I have found tricky. These are song that I haven't played in a decade. I have struggled with a couple and in all honestly I don't think I will be able to work them out. The 7 I have worked out however are great songs - in my opinion, which have a new lease of life. Here is the album as it stands at the moment, track by track:
1. Unidentified Flying Object - Opening track, with long intro and strings. This song has input from my friend and musician Stuart Carroll who provided the strings. It has had a few compliments on the track already now, and is a strong opener. The track still required a lot of work.
2. A Stage with your own Fears - An old old song, it first half is a dark plucked tune. The original was only ever one acoustic. I re-learned the song, and have since put bass, and two sets of lead to it. It is a nice, quiet come down from U.F.O before it. The song, like all on the album at the moment still require a lot of work.
3. Roadtrippin' - An old song I use to really enjoy playing. I had pretty much remember this song even from all those years ago. It is simple but quite distinctive. In 2011 in a rehearsal studio preparing for a gig, I played the song. I then wrote a brand new song for 'Under the Pyramids' using the riff but slowed down; however the track didn't make it on the E.P. I recently recorded it as it was back then. I have added bass, and numerous pieces of lead - both distorted and clean. It is definitely one of the more upbeat tracks on the album. Can't wait to have this track complete.
4. Nostalgic - Another really old track. I found this song to be the most difficult to work out again of all the tracks. I really like the structure of the song. It is unusual, not your standard song. I recorded the main riff, then some lead and some bass. I have used the original cassette tape intro of me saying 'This is the Heads of State....with....Nostalgic...'.
5. Survived Unpromised Souls - The version on this album was originally recorded for Opus. 1. I thought I had included it on Opus. 1, but would have preferred to have used it on this album. Turns out I had not used it, so I have put the track on this album. I am unsure whether to add a couple of instruments, or to leave it as a purely acoustic track.
6. You Never Said Anything - Recorded previously, I am happy with this upbeat, pacing track. This song is mainly complete with bass, numerous lead and vocals. It may need another set of vocals and definitely needs drums. This track definitely helped set the tone or the rest of the album.
7. Living on the Edge - Dark and slow, this track was originally recorded in 2010 and was not used. I have used the original, added an electric built up intro of a new version I had been working on, and added numerous vocals and lead. It is definitely a song I wanted to put on the album.
8. Plasticland - Possibly one of the most upbeat songs I've ever written. I used to enjoy playing this song with Stuart Carroll years ago. I really wanted to work this song out, and it was a bit of a struggle. I have recorded a simple clean guitar riff and lead that Stuart wrote in the original version. I do not know what to do with track at the moment and is the track causing the biggest dilemma on the album. It has to be on it; but it has to be perfect.
9. Superhero - Possibly one the best songs I have ever written. I have made numerous versions of this song over the years and none of them have stuck. I have this electric version which is possibly one of the best versions I've recorded to date; however it definitely needs an acoustic in it. I am also still considering clarinet or maybe another wind instrument if someone is able to collab with me to do so. The song consists of rhythm, lead and vocals. The lead is the original lead written by Stuart Carroll.
10. Beware: Beckon Angels - A classic for us when we we're younger and in the band 'the Heads of State'. We played this song endlessly and had all part written for it. I found this song difficult to work out too. Finally got there, and have added bass, distorted rhythm and lead to it. The recording isn't as perfect as some of the others, so at the present time it needs a lot of producing and editing. So happy to have this track recorded though, the album wouldn't be the same with it.
11. A Story of a Wall - The first track to be nearly finished in its entirety. It has guitar effects, drums, rhythm, lead guitars and vocals. It also now has the original introduction from the cassette tapes saying "...this is called...A Story of a Wall". This song has received good feedback from other musicians on soundcloud, including Carmine who is currently working on a remix of the extended version of the song. This album version is shorter and editing differently from the version on Soundcloud.
12. All the Time - This was the first song I worked on for the album, and I have decided to use it as the outro to the album. The original version I began recording earlier in 2012 just was not sounding the way I was wanting. So recently I set to work on a new version. Got the tones correct inth rhythm guitar, added to sets of clean lead, and added a distorted rhythm build up with distorted lead. This track is so powerful at the moment, and I would like to add strings and maybe drums. It will sound fantastic with vocals in it, and it is the perfect end to The Orange Line journey.
I am very happy with the album at the moment. If I get time to record more songs and can work them out, then I will most definitely put them in the album too. I am content with this album as a 12 track piece. I would not have been content with anything less. Most songs on the album require vocals, which I will put in later at some point. Some songs could use improvements on the guitaring which I may do, and pretty much all of them need edited and produced to a better standard.
Many musicians etc state that before they release a new music album, it is the best work they have ever made. I do not believe that this is the best album I have ever recorded or made; I believe though that this piece defines me more than the rest. It is a true reflection of me musically and where I have come from. This album means a lot to me, and has been important to record. I have had a good amount of support from other musicians, particularly Stuart Carroll who recorded many of the original versions of the songs with me. I am very thankful to all these people. These factors have pushed me into recording possibly my last, and best, piece of work. Only time, motivation and the means will dictate what I do musically in the future. If I don't do anything else, I can feel settled knowing I made this album. In many ways I feel this album should have been the very first piece I ever released.
I doubt I will be finished this year by the end of 2012. I intend to get as many songs as perfect as I possibly can. I also intend to get numerous instruments I cannot play on the album, and so this will take time getting people willing to collab. So this is where I am with this album. I'm very excited about it.
Watch this space,
Wullae
http://wullaewright.bandcamp.com
http://soundcloud.com/wullaewright
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