Reply To: Artificial Heart discussion
Now I Am an Arsonist – Suzanne Vega was the perfect choice for vocals on this song, she does an amazing job. I first heard this on YouTube from the cruise, I love it just as much as when I heard it there. The solitary guitar picking and melody really meld well together.
I’ve heard some people say that this one’s about a journey to space from the ships perspective. That seems to be a good fit to me. Other than that, I really have no idea what this about.
Down Today – Here’s another one that I was really looking forward to hearing based on live performances. The ukulele performance is great, and the electric piano is perfect, but the melody really makes the song. I wish that Coulton had put in the backing vocals that Paul and Storm did for it in live performances, though. Other than that, pretty perfect pop song.
I believe this is another break-up song, about a hot air balloon operator that journeys off to get away from his ex-spouse.
Dissolve – I think that weird keyboard thing in the beginning works way better as a opener than the mellow bass from the concerts. This one works really well. I dig the keyboards that come in at the end of the second verse and bridge (leading in to the chorus). They best part is in the second repetition of the chorus when they bring in the long A notes on the left channel).
Uh… some sort of deadly box is given to an ex?
Nobody Loves You Like Me – Here’s another one that I’m extremely fond of. The acapella really works for this, it makes it about ten times more haunting than it would otherwise be with instruments. I was kind of expecting a lot more backing vocals at first, but this sparse arrangement, oddly, adds a lot more than a lot more would add.
This seems to be about a man who either commits suicide due to his recent divorce, or kills his recently divorced spouse.
Still Alive – Yay for theremins! This was a nice update from the legendary home recorded version from oh-so-long ago. It seems to employ a lot of the same instrumentation as the original, but I guess it worked before, so why change it. Sara Quinn does a fine job on vocals (though she seems to have a few odd breathing fits that are bothersome to the flow). Overall, pretty great.
This song is irrefutably about Portal.
Want You Gone – I was hoping Coulton would release a version with his vocals (though, it begs the question of why he didn’t sing Still Alive if he was singing this). This version seems to be at a higher pitch than the original, which really works when it comes to the falsetto in the choruses. I also love the addition of all those drum noises.
This song is irrefutably about Portal 2.
The Stache – This was one of my favorite songs in the live performances (particularly because of that awesome main riff). I feel it doesn’t quite reach it’s full potential here in the recording, but it still is good. I feel like it should be about 20 percent higher in rockage. Also, see the past pages if you care to hear my thoughts on the break in the riff after the first chorus.
This seems to be about, and correct me if I’m wrong, a guy who really digs his mustache. Also, he has fond memories of his life as they relate to the mustache.