The RPM Challenge

(Thursday, 31 July 2008) Written by Colin Garvey

Some of you may remember I was working on a (much delayed) 'proper' album. Well, I had 16 songs in varying states of completeness - around 67 minutes in total. I thought that was too long. I tried getting rid of some of the songs, dear God I tried, but I couldn't bear to part with a single one. Last week, much to my embarrasement, I wrote two more songs. Good ones. "Great," I thought to myself. "they can go on the album too - oh, hang on a minute. Bugger."

18 songs. 74 minutes. This won't do at all.

To add insult to injury, I then came up with a new arrangement for an old song I used to love playing but got bored of. "Well, this one has to go on there; it would be an act of unforgivable neglect to leave it off."

19 songs. 79 minutes. Er...

So. Change of plan. I will now be releasing an EP with the more mellow acoustic material; with the help of God that'll be finished within the next few weeks. The full-length album will be more aggressive and edgy, though I'm keeping a couple of the pretty songs on it to provide a bit of balance. That will be finished, well, some point this side of Never. I'm putting it all out free, and I'll keep you posted when I upload it.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to nail my hands together so I can't spoil it all by writing any more songs.

Comments (7)

1 modernity
Written by Volksmetall, on 07-31-2008 18:08
surely, given the modern world where people download tracks rather than albums and the physical limits of a CD surface no longer apply, you should be able to do whatever you want?

2 I wish I had that problem
Written by Kavin.s Acoustic Church, on 07-31-2008 18:20
I'm in another lyric dry spell, but that's how I am, feast or famine.

I've all but given up on the "album" concept (except for RPM) and just releasing songs/tunes as singles.

Can't wait to hear the new stuff, Colin.

3 I am doing whatever I want...
Written by Colin Garvey, on 07-31-2008 19:56
...which is to make an album. Call me old-fashioned, but I like them. Not all good songs are 'hits', and abolishing the concept of the album means, for the main part, the hits are all most people will hear. A lot of good and interesting music gets totally ignored this way. If people want to cherry-pick 2 or 3 songs off my album, then fine, so long as they're listening I'm happy. But I don't think the album as an art form is completely obsolete yet.

4 I understand completely
Written by Gary Fox, on 07-31-2008 23:08
Good On Yer, Colin...

Not every tune needs to be radio friendly. I did this song for RPM 2006 called 'Real' that I really liked (no pun intended). I uploaded it to Garageband for reviews and all anyone could say was "where's the chorus?" or, "this song just keeps changing, but where's the hook?" All I could think was FU! Not every song needs a catchy chorus, though this one did have a refrain. I can do catchy, but not every stinking song. One guy did say he thought it was the most interesting thing he had heard in a while, so thankfully, someone got it. If it weren't for deep album cuts, I wouldn't by anything. Jimmy Page used to say the best Zeppelin songs never got played on the radio.

So Colin, write away. Make a 40 song, 5 CD Magnum Opus. Put it in your car on shuffle and drive far away and back and revel in it. Listen to it ten years from now and marvel at how damn good it is. No opinion matters but your own and those whom you trust.

Cheers,

Gary

5 Not obsolete
Written by Babys First Ride, on 07-31-2008 23:31
There are still some young folks that pick an artist they like and get every sond they can...like we did back in the day. As a U2 fan, i used to buy the US releases and the UK release, long play singles, remixes. But if this is for you, than pack it full. You always wish you had when you're, "in the mood"

6 Written by Honeycomb, on 08-01-2008 18:33
Just do what I do. Record them under more than one band name...

7 I understand
Written by Endicott Road, on 08-02-2008 09:32
your problem. And I make 2 CD's out of the music, not just one.
I enjoy listening to your music, so let us all know when you've put your music up for "public cosumption". I'd love to hear it.
Regards.
ER

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