My Music (Strikes Again)

[AshMcAuliffe]

Thank you Talyubittu. I would provide all alcohol and munchies and i would solemnly swear a promise to behave myself.

Dradeel - Yup. The harsh vocal track is still happening. I think a suitably dark video would be a good accompaniment. I think i will do some rough guide vocals and see what happens for all the tracks. The lyrics are indescribable. I'll post them all for opinions over the weekend.

[AshMcAuliffe]

Lyrics i have put together for the songs in the hope that a vocal recorded "Dark City" sees the light of day... They are just things i've put together over the past few months but are still subject to change. "In Dreams" still need lyrics but i'm working on that.

Crystalline
Andrew McAuliffe

The neon blue smoke covers downtown
The dirty alleyways
Pulsating beats from seedy nightclubs
The ceilings of decay

Dishevelled humans like machines
Their frequencies all wrong
Mechanically heading downtown for another chance to share their broken minds...

The crystal line devoured
Auto-programmed to get high
Pulsating heartbeats drowned in sound
The drugs they can't deny

Disillusioned
Disenchanted
Yet on the outside smile
Yet on the inside something dark lurks... they want to die

Dead End
Andrew McAuliffe

You are the soulmate to many people around the world
And no-one dares to question you
And like a rose in winter the argument dies
And all i want is to feel someone by my side

Time goes by
Day by day
Hour by hour
Deed by deed
Lie by lie
Side by side
Heart to heart
Reaching a dead end

Bruised and broken i'm alone in my room
There's nothing to comfort bar the white light of the moon
Blood bruises beat bashed befall me
But i've numbed
I feel no pain
Now there's a darkness over me
Telling me to cut myself
I'm not the only one like this
Who finds the urge hard to resist
Getting close to an end
All i know is grey

Time goes by
Day by day
Hour by hour
Deed by deed
Lie by lie
Side by side
Heart to heart
Reaching a dead end...

Fragile State of Mind
Andrew McAuliffe

They use their eyes to see
The soul in me
When all is meant to be
The little death's for me

Hands behind me tied
The dark inside my mind
When the unseen is seen
This sceptic will believe
and all i ask for is
A sign to see
A clearer line
A way to free myself from my fragile state of mind

The lines are blurred
All i sense is absurd
The only way to be i closed entirely
and all i ask for is
A sign to see
A clearer line
A way to free myself from my fragile state of mind...

Fractured
Andrew McAuliffe

I looked into the sky, i saw your face and i fell in love with your light blue eyes
The essence of fear
And i saw your eyes begin to well up with tears...

I felt nothing but hurt for you
Your tears began to fall as rain
So i ran for shelter and i cried

"Empty out your heart
Empty out your soul"

I looked into the sky and i felt shivers down my spine the moment i confused my feelings for you
But i realise you're not alive...

You're eyes, their pain, an odyssey
The sun is gone - i stare in wonder once again
I lie in rain

"Empty out your heart
Empty out your soul
Empty out your mind and stay here with me because
Fractured is not the way to be..."


Dark City
Andrew McAuliffe

The emptiness
That silent suicide
When the joy of love and pain of hurt collide
You feel torn
So you look deep inside
It's a secret you know you cannot hide
You can't change not
You've left it too late
It takes it slow within you to permeate...
And when you venture off life's path
Here's what will read on your epitaph
"Born-Lived-Aged-Died weak"

(In the dark city) I tried
(In the dark city) I cried
(In the dark city) i begged the dark city for death...

Hall of Mirrors
Andrew McAuliffe

A house
A dream
A death
A scream
What's right?
What's wrong?
Alll hope is gone
This house
This dream
My death
The scene
The fear
The pain
My blood pours away...

And the sky shall fall
And i'll avenge it all

Some safety sent and safety sold
I now awake myself
Distracting mind made matters brings my dreamscape back to health
The mystical and the musical and the mirror draws me in
While something in my mind connects the nightmare to my fate

And the sky shall fall
And i'll avenge it all


Operate
Andrew McAuliffe

I gave you everything
I left myself with none and now you're gone
I gave you everything
You've broken me now
You've torn my soul apart
And now i'm standing here
The fire burns
The vision burn away
I gave you everything
I gave you everything
Everything...

I gave you everything
My name, my faith
My mind, my heart, my smile
I gave you everything
The tears i cried
The night my sore soul died
And now i'm bleeding here
The pyre burns
The ashes touch the ground
I gave you everything
I gave you everything
Everything

I gave you everything
From cash to pills to kisses lipstick smudged
I gave you everything
I trusted you
I fucked everyone off
And now i'm crying here
The blade so sharp
It trembles in my hand
I gave you everything
I gave you everything
Everything

Now you are free
I just bleed for you...

[AshMcAuliffe]

Book of Shadows - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=EM8BDPT1
The Nocturnicon - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JET9JMHD

[AshMcAuliffe]

I have artwork news...

Front Cover - http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...33743_2865.jpg
Inlet Tray - http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ffe/back02.jpg
Double picture in centre of album with some lyrics (yet to be added) - http://www.flickr.com/photos/dkitch/...7621633365215/
Back picture of booklet - http://www.flickr.com/photos/dkitch/3734918676/

[AshMcAuliffe]

another question - Albums with a bonus remix track or hidden track: Good idea?

[dradeel]

I was never fond of remixes. Pure bonus tracks that are complete new songs or hidden tracks are cooler It's a totally new experience. Sonic Syndicate has done it perfectly I'd say. They have tons of bonus tracks that it takes a while to discover if you weren't as lucky as to live in a country that released an album with the bonus tracks and they had some hidden and unreleased bonus tracks around as well. Awesome! Keeps the love of the band fresh!

[AshMcAuliffe]

I was thinking of making a new song to add as a bonus track but cannot for the life of me actually sit down to do it. I think i'm defo on a music making break. The remix of "Sirius" is ok and i'm kind of swaying towards adding it as a hidden track. I don't want to be shoddy and just add a track i've already put on any of the E.P.'s i've put out... although maybe a remastered version of "Gnosis" might go well....?

[AshMcAuliffe]

omg! i seriously underestimated the power of a good mastering!
A producer friend of mine has been mastering the tracks and i've heard the first mastering version and wow! He's managed to bring the tracks even more to life and bring to the fore some of the subtle electronic effects i thought were lost/drowned out. He's going over the tracks this week to finalise the mastering. Awesomeness! I'm so excited... i'm like a little kid!

[AshMcAuliffe]

All music written and performed by AshMcAuliffe

Produced by AshMcAuliffe
Recorded at The ['mju:zɪk] SpaceLab, Easington
Mastered by Przemyslaw "Soulburner" Rel
Artwork by Dylan Kitchener (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dkitch/)
Text by Taisir Chase

Thank You - Adam Bagnall, Amanda Nelson, Andrea Walker, Calum King, Colin Fell, Colleen McAuliffe, Irene Corkin, Irene Green, Jennifer Sitwala, Joanne Robertson, Jonny Lessard, Kelly Atkinson, Michael Albright, Robert Kryński, Shirley Stevenson, Taisir Chase.

Special Thanks:
Przemyslaw "Soulburner" Rel - I'm extremely appreciative for all your hard work on my album and for the sound musical advice.
Dylan Kitchener - Thank you for the photographic masterpieces. You rock!
Morten Rolland - Basically, you have been a muse. You've always offered vital yet impartial advice. I value your opinion quite a lot, ya know? Thank you.

© A.M. Music 2010

[AshMcAuliffe]

The album has been mastered!
One final piece of artwork to finish and then it's off to the printers we go.

[dradeel]

Originally Posted by AshMcAuliffe

Morten Rolland - Basically, you have been a muse. You've always offered vital yet impartial advice. I value your opinion quite a lot, ya know? Thank you.

Aaaawww That made me really happy. Hehe. I'm glad your cd is complete, comrade. I'm anxious to hear the final results.

[AshMcAuliffe]

Originally Posted by dradeel

Aaaawww That made me really happy. Hehe. I'm glad your cd is complete, comrade. I'm anxious to hear the final results.

Yay. Glad it made you smile. The original passage was longer... but Adam suggested whittling it down to stop it sounding mushy.
What do you think to the finished artwork?

COVER - http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._5324197_n.jpg
INNER BOOKLET - http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._6932728_n.jpg
CREDITS - http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._3463898_n.jpg
BACK LINER - http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._5569889_n.jpg

[dradeel]

It still looks fab. I've liked the cover art pics since you first showed them.

So how will the final product be? Do you usually invest in high quality printing?

[AshMcAuliffe]

Well the CD's are going to be in jewel casing but black... It's going to look exceptionally dark.
The company says it's high quality printing. The mastered music sounds pretty awesome.
Aiming to have the CD's on order for the start of April.

[AshMcAuliffe]

"Dark City" is finally ready.

DIGITAL DOWNLOAD -
I'm happy to say that the digital download version of the album is ready and will be released on Monday 8th March. The digital download will contain all the artwork and an exclusive Universal Sickness Remix of "Sirius" which will not appear on the CD format of the album. You can pre-order the digital download album now.

DIGITAL ALBUM TRACKLIST -

Intro
Fragile State of Mind
Hall of Mirrors
In The Future
Crystalline
Operate
Dark City
In Flux
Sirius
In Dreams
Fractured
Dead End

Bonus Track - Sirius (The Universal Sickness Mix)

The digital download of the album will cost £5/$8.99. If you would like a copy of the download please follow the following:

* Send payment via PayPal to the email address andrewmcaullife@btinternet.com
* Add a message with the payment stating your name and email address
* Download link will posted to your email account

REGARDING THE CD ALBUM -
Physical CD's are soon going to go into production and are scheduled for an April release. Dates will be confirmed. You can pre-order the CD version of the album now. The CD's will cost £9.99 inclusive of postage and packing. The reason for this price is for the CD printing and production cost. I hope you can appreciate this as i'm paying to have the CD's professionally made. You can pre-order the CD by following this procedure -

* Send payment via PayPal of £9.99/$15 to the email address andrewmcaullife@btinternet.com
* Add a message with the payment stating your name and FULL postal address.
* You will receive a confirmation email which will act as a receipt
* CD will be posted in April when CD's are printed

If you prefer to wait to buy the CD please send me an email to ashleymcauliffe@hotmail.com

Your support would be much appreciated.

[dradeel]

Nice... Very nice! I guess I'll order one to be sent home to Norway. I'll probably get back to you on that when it's closer to date or whatever. Hehe.

I'm looking forward to see the finished product!

[AshMcAuliffe]

awesome. Cheers man!
The download has proven popular thus far. I'm glad people are eager to hear it.
I added the "Sirius" remix as an extra track for the download instead of putting it on the CD.
I'm looking forward to reading what people think of it.

[AshMcAuliffe]

Dark City (Digi Download) - Released Today.

includes - Bonus Track and all artwork

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/websc...if%3aNonHosted

Now... i must sleep...

[AshMcAuliffe]

Well... i have gotten 2 reviews back so far.

Via MySpace "Thanks a lot for the opportunity to listen to your wonderful album.
I really like it. As already mentioned on an other site. :-)
You did a good job, go on. Hope to hear from you again in future."

Via Facebook - "The track "Sirius" is really nice.
As well as Fragile State of Mind, Hall of Mirrors, Crystalline, ...
Listened to the album several times now. It's quite catchy."

[AshMcAuliffe]

Forgot to add this on here but the digital download of "Dark City" Includes a Bonus Track, all the Artwork AND the first guitar album "Book of Shadows" for £5 http://lnk.ms/6rCH1

Book of Shadows (2006) Review
Review by Jonny-Boy via Facebook

Book of Shadows is quite possibly one of the most well-rounded indie-pop albums you will ever hear in your life. Much of it seems heavily influenced by The Cranberries, as their general musical song structure is all over the place, but there are songs that bring it to its own and make you realize, this is not an album of Cranberries covers, it's a well-put together story.

Who the Hell starts with an intense build up to brace you for a haunting melody with a faint vocal. A typical, but very interesting start for an album of this genre. The lyrics are quite mysterious and don't play up to be anything more.

I Am Me is more direct and the music is genuinely softer, as it should be with its lyrics. This is one of those soft pop-rock masterpieces that deliver everything it promises and leaves you wanting more still.

The Beginning is the first song we get to that has Cranberries fan written all over it, but that doesn't take away from the song. The influence is there, but it doesn't take over the song and in fact seems to shoot it into a lovely song. Dolores would be proud. And so should everyone else.

Happiness Is Merely Supernatural is my favourite song on the album and is quite possibly the best song on the album as well as one of the greatest songs of all time. The verses are well put together, but the chorus takes off into something genuine and heartfelt. There's something sad and emotional about it that quite a few people should be able to relate to. Not only that but the chorus' hook is very catchy. The refrain is haunting and takes some spite against whom the song is talking about. If there's one song you're going to listen to from the album, one song that should be a single and played all over the radio for the masses to love, it's this song.

Resurrection is a simple song and doesn't proclaim to be anything more, but that doesn't stop it from being the start of something very artsy. It's the kind of song indie critics cream their pants over and promises to be a fan favourite. The solo is simply terrific and shows off some wonderful playing by the artist, proving there’s more than a just sweet vocal.

Little Tears of Passion is The Cranberries' Empty. But it's not. It is. It isn't. Except the harmonica solo at the end which seems like tribute to Alanis. Anyway, the song is too beautiful to be so short. I feel it should've been expanded, but it's a great little breath of fresh air and showcases that there is more than one musical influence on the album.

Hand of Glory (I Don't Need Your Hate) is a song with content that would generally be said rudely, passionately and would not hesitate to be mean back to who it's talking to. But it's not and that's what keeps it 100% original. It says everything in an "I don't need this, I just want to keep things peaceful" tone. It's definitely worth the listen if you're ever mad at someone.

The Sceptics' Skin is another positively haunting song with faint vocals. Almost like a sequel to the first song on the album, so that we don't forget that this album isn't all "happy, have fun & peace".

Don't Take Away the Fire. If there's a Cranberries outtake on this album, this is it. And all these Cranberries references, do not mistake them for ripping off or cramping the artists style because influence is something to be proud of and showcase as loudly as possible.

Take Breath is probably my second favourite song on the album. This song just screams praise to someone is very cute in itself. It sounds like another single and that in itself should have fans demanding more.

Girl Called Silence. I'm not big on poems on albums, but this is good. Not my favourite, but it's really a unique step for the album.

And the Epilogue is the first dose of instrumental tracks that follow on other projects. It's quite epic, but makes you realize the album is over and you've heard it all.

Also: MY version of the album came with a bonus track (not sure if everyone else got it). It's an edit of the song The Beginning. Seems like an attempt at a radio edit for a song that originally over 5 minutes long. There's really no other difference than that, but it plays off like a good bonus track. It also seems like it's there to remind you the album is good and you should go listen to it again (which I will)."