Carpe Diem
Carpe Diem is the second album produced by Tsbytomd. The name comes from the idea of not sitting around waiting for "someday" to do something.
In this case, the "something" is to make music. Rather than sitting around waiting for that nebulous time in the abstract future when making music would be possible, I decided instead to dive right in and start making music. Can I do better? I most certainly hope so! I want to get to the stage where I am recording my own lyrics. But rather than wait until I had a great singing voice and was an accomplished musician, I figured that I'd "learn on the job" and get busy making music.
Nobody knows when the reaper is going to come knocking on the door, so no point in wasting time when there is a dream that needs chasing. Here is mine.
Listen now!
Carpe Diem - Information:
Direct links to mp3 files provided - right click and save if you want a copy.
1: Experiment in Colour - 3:09
An eclectic mix of different sounds combined into a melting pot of different acoustic sensations. This track has an overall elaborate sense to it while still keeping its roots.
2: Into the night - 3:00
This bouncy little track has definitive urban bass feel to it with a smattering of tribal over the top. This is another one of those tracks that is crying out for a set of lyrics to go with the music. I'm really happy with how this one came out. It keeps a tight focus, maintains the energy throughout the track and has a definitive "get up and dance" feel. The breaks are well placed and the overall tone is "let's party".
3: Three armed drummer - 2:56
This minimalist track features just percussion. I used to have a drum kit (not that I ever practised enough to be able to actually play) so I have a soft spot for this track. The name is from the idea that in order to play this piece, a drummer would need an extra arm (or two) to hit all the bits that need hitting at the same time. There is a slight jazzy undertone in the background which keeps the song grooving through to its conclusion.
4: The lady sings - 3:34
This is the only track on Carpe Diem album that has actual lyrics. The singer is unknown, I found a collection of samples from the same singer on a disc of random sound samples. The overall effect does not really go to the same party so the track ends up with a slightly disjointed feel. Clearly using random samples like this is a bad idea. Songs with lyrics ought to have a theme to them so that the music works with the lyrics of the song into a single symphony rather than being ... well, random.
5: Funkytron play live - 1:30
The idea here was to try and recreate the feel of a live performance with a digital setting. It almost works, but lacks that "improvised" feel that live tracks tend to have. It was a good idea but the overall execution fell just short of the mark. For those that aren't sure, Funkytron is a fictitious band.
6: Svelte - 2:54
This big bass number has a strong house feel with an overarching bass line that dominates everything around it. There is a slightly mischievous feel running down the back of this track which keeps the interest up and the listener guessing where it is going. Update! Svelte now has a video clip!
7: Small Wooden Chest - 3:12
Small wooden chest is a tight little track with a funk undertone that gives it just a smattering of jive. The overall feel of the song seems a little forced like it is trying to make you calm down but with too much energy to actually let you. Like a stepchild on too much red cordial, it wants to settle down but can't.
8: Zero Zero One - 3:00
This offbeat little number is a quirky little ditty, which is my favourite on the Carpe Diem album. If you listen to the whole album then this one ends up having a bit of a familiar feel as some of the background elements show up in different songs. It has a happy little jump in its step and a smile on the corner of its mouth like it knows something you don't. I love how this one came out.
9: Experiment in Taste - 3:02
This track has many elements in it that are good on their own but don't seem to quite gel together. "Cacophony" would be one way of putting it. I think I ended up combining too many sounds in the one track and the end result is a song that feels too cluttered.
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Last updated: May 2011