Zander Gray - Calm Storm [Debut Album Thread] - Roleplay

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Zander Gray - Calm Storm [Debut Album Thread] - Zander Gray's debut album!

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niggajones		#1 Posted : 21 April 2013 03:28:35(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered Joined: 08/06/2012(UTC) Posts: 3,401 Thanks: 362 times Was thanked: 739 time(s) in 493 post(s)		CALM STORM ARTIST: Zander Gray LABEL: 50 Shades of Zander Gray (Independently Released) GENRE: Progressive Rock, Ambient, Experimental Rock, Hard Rock, Progressive Metal, Alternative Metal PRODUCED BY: Zander Gray TRACK LISTING: 1. Spring Sun 2. Godess 3. Tell The Truth 4. Dracula 5. Mulch 6. Alarm Clock 7. Weekend 8. Out 9. Killing Moon 10. Overcast PERSONNEL: Zander Gray - Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Piano, Synthesizer, Ukulele, Drum Programming, Percussion, Production, Lyrics, Arrangement, Samples, Electronics Edited by user 24 April 2013 09:37:11(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified


8 users thanked niggajones for this useful post.		Andre Gandra on 21/04/2013(UTC), snap_itshannah on 21/04/2013(UTC), erich hess on 21/04/2013(UTC), Walton on 21/04/2013(UTC), stephaniewazhere on 29/04/2013(UTC), Princess_Valentine on 29/04/2013(UTC), RoseJapanFan on 02/05/2013(UTC), DistortedAudio on 10/05/2013(UTC)
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niggajones		#2 Posted : 21 April 2013 08:50:56(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered Joined: 08/06/2012(UTC) Posts: 3,401 Thanks: 362 times Was thanked: 739 time(s) in 493 post(s)		TRACK 1: Spring Sun GENRE: Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Ballad The first track on Zander Gray's debut album "Calm Storm" starts the album off slowly, fading in with sounds of wind and rain. Much of the album was recorded in the back of Gray's Volkswagen van, parked to the side of the road during a long road trip across B.C. This seems to be one of the underlying themes of the album, and Spring Sun serves to welcome us to that mental place that Gray was in during the recording of it. Quote: "I needed inspiration, and what I realized is that the place I come from really shaped who I am as a person. So I got in my van and drove, just drove wherever. Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, Chilliwack, Hope, Yale, this album has little pieces of those places everywhere. I never planned this album out. It all came to me. Spring Sun was the last song written for it and I think it sums up everything I was feeling. That's why it's the first track. It's my special welcome to you, my friends, and I'm beckoning you to just listen to my journeys." Consequently, the wind can be heard through the trees during the song, which gives it a very melancholic feel. Zander can be heard coughing, sitting down, and then finally playing a slow electric piano chord progression. This lasts for almost a minute before the vocals come in, sometimes i want to pack my life up hop in my van and drive to vermont or maine, or any of those states in the east that i don't remember sometimes at night it hurts real bad i slept at the side of the road in my van i think these are the parts of my life that i could never miss The simple chord progression turns into a winding arpeggio, accompanied by Zander's soothingly soft crooning, but i can't say i could ever have it any other way After he finishes speaking, the vocal cadences are repeated on an acoustic guitar, very slowly and somberly. sometimes when i play guitar i bleed and i get blood all over my strings sometimes i sing and strain my voice but it's all great to me sometimes there's no audience i play for an hour to the parking lot but i can't wait until the sun comes out and road gets hot The arpeggio comes back, accompanied by the acoustic guitar as Zander's voice becomes more powerful with each line, almost rising to a yell, i can't say i could ever have it any other way in these times hard times sunshine is shining on me bad times rough times tough times shine down on me good times bad times painful times the sun shines on me i can't say i could ever have it any other way The instruments fade away, almost as if the song is over, but then the piano comes back, softer now, as Zander near-whispers the lyrics, sometimes i think i'll pack it all up get in my van and drive back to hope and spend my days next to the fireplace so i can truly rest sometimes i want to close my eyes put a brick on the pedal and drift away i'll drive until i get some place where the sun shines all year There's a sudden crack of lightning and a crash cymbal hit as the piano, guitar, and drums come in to accompany the last choruses, Zander finally utilizing his full range, in these times hard times sunshine is shining on me bad times rough times tough times shine down on me good times bad times painful times the sun shines on me SOUNDS LIKE: Edited by user 28 April 2013 15:27:14(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified


6 users thanked niggajones for this useful post.		erich hess on 21/04/2013(UTC), snap_itshannah on 21/04/2013(UTC), Walton on 21/04/2013(UTC), kandii on 27/04/2013(UTC), stephaniewazhere on 29/04/2013(UTC), Princess_Valentine on 29/04/2013(UTC)
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erich hess		#3 Posted : 21 April 2013 09:09:36(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Moderators, Registered Joined: 09/04/2010(UTC) Posts: 42,827 Location: representing the 954 Thanks: 21866 times Was thanked: 18088 time(s) in 10509 post(s)		erica:zander's van is a entity all it's own. it is as unique as it's owner.i think with this one song,zander has become canada's redemption for rush. that is right,i fucking hate rush. the song is beautiful,mr gray.i love the somewhat rough way it is done,with the sounds of nature in the background.
		"I'm not saying its even a good thing to own a chimpanzee. But that's freedom, folks." Alex Jones.


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niggajones		#4 Posted : 21 April 2013 09:24:38(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered Joined: 08/06/2012(UTC) Posts: 3,401 Thanks: 362 times Was thanked: 739 time(s) in 493 post(s)		Zander: you hate rush? why? Does Geddy Lee's pure uglyness scare you? It does me...it's good he can play bass, it's the only way he could ever get laid.



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erich hess		#5 Posted : 21 April 2013 09:31:58(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Moderators, Registered Joined: 09/04/2010(UTC) Posts: 42,827 Location: representing the 954 Thanks: 21866 times Was thanked: 18088 time(s) in 10509 post(s)		erica:it's his voice. it just drives the wall up me. yes,its that bad.the wall is driven right up me.it hurts like hell too. nina:wow,love. maybe if you...use it,you wont be so tiny there. erica:is that so? you must be- nina:whoa.stop right there,love.i know what you are going to say. not cool.
		"I'm not saying its even a good thing to own a chimpanzee. But that's freedom, folks." Alex Jones.


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niggajones		#6 Posted : 21 April 2013 09:38:39(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered Joined: 08/06/2012(UTC) Posts: 3,401 Thanks: 362 times Was thanked: 739 time(s) in 493 post(s)		Zander: I understand Erich's aversion to "bum fun." I don't understand how people do it. I mean, I've never tried it, but I'm assuming it's none too pleasant.



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snap_itshannah		#7 Posted : 21 April 2013 09:41:10(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered Joined: 01/10/2012(UTC) Posts: 18,715 Thanks: 7755 times Was thanked: 6357 time(s) in 2889 post(s)		OOC: Great job, doll. Love these lyrics and descriptions.


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niggajones		#8 Posted : 21 April 2013 09:46:46(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered Joined: 08/06/2012(UTC) Posts: 3,401 Thanks: 362 times Was thanked: 739 time(s) in 493 post(s)		OOC: thanks hannah! c:



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erich hess		#9 Posted : 21 April 2013 09:47:08(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Moderators, Registered Joined: 09/04/2010(UTC) Posts: 42,827 Location: representing the 954 Thanks: 21866 times Was thanked: 18088 time(s) in 10509 post(s)		erica:it depends on what's going....never mind! there is no way to say the rest without sounding like a whore. nina:oh grow up,erica. i've tried it once.once,mind you. castor isnt exactly...tiny.she giggles erica:yeah....try....she looks around nervously
		"I'm not saying its even a good thing to own a chimpanzee. But that's freedom, folks." Alex Jones.


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niggajones		#10 Posted : 22 April 2013 04:50:51(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered Joined: 08/06/2012(UTC) Posts: 3,401 Thanks: 362 times Was thanked: 739 time(s) in 493 post(s)		TRACK 2: Goddess GENRE: Progressive Metal, Experimental Metal The second track of the album is where Zander begins to show his heavier roots. As with many of Zander's other songs, the lyrics were written to suggest feelings instead of actual occurrences, "Goddess's" lyrics suggesting feelings of love for somebody with more power than you, and feelings of love despite inequality. The song's intro begins with a heavy, chunky guitar riff that echoes off into space, lasting almost a full minute before drums, rhythm guitar and bass come in, creating a huge wall of sound that's very intense. The instrumental intro to this song lasts about 2 minutes before the instruments relent and become more relaxed as Zander sings the first lines in his soothing tenor voice, you are a goddess you are my goddess, the only one for me you sing to emptiness, you're in the clouds and i'm allowed to love you The next section of vocals starts out relatively calm as well, but halfway through Zander goes from mellow singing to intense screaming, sounding almost unhealthy for his vocal cords you love the little things, oh happiness brings me, brings me, brings me to you you are something i can't read or smell, or see, or be with hurt me! fucking cut me! it hurts so good but only with you There is a long instrumental interlude, the guitars getting heavier and building to a crescendo before returning to the relative calmness of the vocal sections, you are the sun, and everything you steer the ships away from the shore you are the rainy days spent away from you i'm longing for a break in the pain The next sections features perhaps Zander's most frantic screaming ever recorded, as he screeches out the lyrics fast and vicious, you are a greyhound bus take me home, please because it's warm out here and i'm used to the damp under the mountains where i cried you lied, but its okay, goddess! you are my goddess! you are mine! half the time i'm yours, godless! For nearly two minutes there's an instrumental break, sounding almost Pink Floyd-esque with all it's churning, echoey guitars and heavy, tribal like drums. As the guitars begin to fade out, Zander solemnly sings the last lines of the song, summer days spent awake in the rain my solar wake is alive and in pain god, god, good godless goddess SOUNDS LIKE: Edited by user 28 April 2013 15:28:35(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified


3 users thanked niggajones for this useful post.		erich hess on 22/04/2013(UTC), kandii on 27/04/2013(UTC), Princess_Valentine on 29/04/2013(UTC)
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erich hess		#11 Posted : 22 April 2013 05:02:53(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Moderators, Registered Joined: 09/04/2010(UTC) Posts: 42,827 Location: representing the 954 Thanks: 21866 times Was thanked: 18088 time(s) in 10509 post(s)		erich:mr gray makes progrock for the rest of us,the unwashed masses. i love the man on a personal level,but avoid prog on a purely instinctual basis. lets face it,only zander can bellow like a bull getting it's balls removed via a broken jar.
		"I'm not saying its even a good thing to own a chimpanzee. But that's freedom, folks." Alex Jones.


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niggajones		#12 Posted : 22 April 2013 05:13:06(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered Joined: 08/06/2012(UTC) Posts: 3,401 Thanks: 362 times Was thanked: 739 time(s) in 493 post(s)		Zander: Ouch! - isn't that the title of an Acts of Hate song?



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erich hess		#13 Posted : 22 April 2013 05:19:03(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Moderators, Registered Joined: 09/04/2010(UTC) Posts: 42,827 Location: representing the 954 Thanks: 21866 times Was thanked: 18088 time(s) in 10509 post(s)		erich:you do it with style,my man. with STYLE! i think that is an acts of hate song,actually. knowing those crazy bastards,its based on an actual event.
		"I'm not saying its even a good thing to own a chimpanzee. But that's freedom, folks." Alex Jones.


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niggajones		#14 Posted : 22 April 2013 05:25:09(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered Joined: 08/06/2012(UTC) Posts: 3,401 Thanks: 362 times Was thanked: 739 time(s) in 493 post(s)		Zander: Oy, I hope not. At least, I don't think it happened to the singer, his wife seems to be pregnant. Maybe the bass player? I fear our question may go forever unanswered.



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erich hess		#15 Posted : 22 April 2013 05:35:35(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Moderators, Registered Joined: 09/04/2010(UTC) Posts: 42,827 Location: representing the 954 Thanks: 21866 times Was thanked: 18088 time(s) in 10509 post(s)		erich:bass player,pah! not a ball among the lot. karoliena:i sometimes have a pair attached to me.they are usually attached to someone else too.
		"I'm not saying its even a good thing to own a chimpanzee. But that's freedom, folks." Alex Jones.


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niggajones		#16 Posted : 22 April 2013 05:41:03(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered Joined: 08/06/2012(UTC) Posts: 3,401 Thanks: 362 times Was thanked: 739 time(s) in 493 post(s)		Rob: ba-dum-tss! Zander: I assume the balls are yours? Rob: you better believe it.



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erich hess		#17 Posted : 22 April 2013 05:47:59(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Moderators, Registered Joined: 09/04/2010(UTC) Posts: 42,827 Location: representing the 954 Thanks: 21866 times Was thanked: 18088 time(s) in 10509 post(s)		karoliena:well,actually they are mine.but i let rob hold onto them. he looks funny in swim trunks without them. erich:nothing like some good ol' ball talk on a sunday afternoon. karoliena:i find action are better than words.
		"I'm not saying its even a good thing to own a chimpanzee. But that's freedom, folks." Alex Jones.


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niggajones		#18 Posted : 23 April 2013 09:01:19(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered Joined: 08/06/2012(UTC) Posts: 3,401 Thanks: 362 times Was thanked: 739 time(s) in 493 post(s)		TRACK 3: Tell the Truth GENRE: Hard Rock, Progressive Rock Calm Storm's third track is the hard rocking "Tell the Truth," perhaps the most commercially accessible song on the record, mostly because of it's catchy but heavy riffs, Zander's utilization of his full vocal range, and the crushing wall-of-sound production. The song features multitracked choral vocals (all Zander's voice)and pleasing pop melodies hidden under the crunchy riffs. Quote: "Basically I was writing a bunch of heavier songs for another release (I have a million prospective records in my head right now. Most of them probably won't see the light of day) and in between these crazy blackened industrial deathgrind songs I was writing pop songs. But I can't just do a full on pop song, no, I have to dip it in all my personal influences. My main idea was to make a song that was hard and heavy but still poppy. Kind of like a dipped ice cream cone - underneath that hard chocolate, there's a sugary treat. That's a horrible analogy, so it's good that I'm in the music biz instead of the analogy biz." The song starts off with a very standard-sounding hard rock riff, but Zander's production makes it hit twice as hard as any other. ow! ow! ow! ow! ow! ow! ah, ah, ah! ah, ah, ah! The verses contain Zander singing over a reserved drum line and ethereal, echoey guitar lines. His voice is powerful but calm as he croons the lyrics, running, the only thing you can do running, from all the things behind you say it's not him, say it's someone else! say it's not him, say you care! say you want me, say you love me, now! say you'll always stay with me! say it! say it! say it now! The chorus is multitracked, sounding like a heavenly choir juxtaposed against the hard, simple riffs, please, just tell the truth just tell me the truth it's all i ask of you it's all i ask of you! stunning but you get that from your mother crying when i think you love another say it's not him, say it's someone else! say that it's me, he doesn't care! i don't feel good, feel like someone else, say you want to be together! please, just tell the truth just tell me the truth it's all i ask of you it's all i ask of you! is please just tell the truth! unless it hurts! The riffs seem to increase in intensity as they swirl together into a quagmire of chuggy licks and almost sinister synths as Zander screams intensely, ow! ow! ow! ow! ow! ow! ow! ow! ow! ow! ow! ow! tell the truth tell the truth tell the fucking truth! Zander plays a short but masterful solo, reminiscent of 80's shredders like Eddie Van Halen, Reb Beach, or Nuno Bettencourt, before shifting from the chaos of the bridge section to the calmness of the verse, bleeding all over your hands, you need it, but still you can't just ask, you said you loved me, said you loved yourself say you hate him, don't you dare say you love him, say it's someone else say you are my only goddess say you'll save me but just tell the truth! The chorus repeats until the song fades out, tell the truth tell the truth tell the truth unless it hurts! it's all i ask of you just tell the truth! tell the truth! tell the truth! unless it hurts! SOUNDS LIKE: Edited by user 28 April 2013 15:30:14(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified


4 users thanked niggajones for this useful post.		snap_itshannah on 23/04/2013(UTC), erich hess on 23/04/2013(UTC), stephaniewazhere on 29/04/2013(UTC), Princess_Valentine on 29/04/2013(UTC)
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erich hess		#19 Posted : 23 April 2013 09:12:13(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Moderators, Registered Joined: 09/04/2010(UTC) Posts: 42,827 Location: representing the 954 Thanks: 21866 times Was thanked: 18088 time(s) in 10509 post(s)		Erich: Zander is nothing short of amazing. He can do it all. Of course,his pulling off a skullet should have told us that. Erica: nina was in the analogy biz for quite some time.giggles. Nina: I was not,love! I never did that on film. Erica: on film being the key words. Nina:punches Erica in the arm. take it back! Erica:sorry,I don't take it in the backside! The two start wrestling around with nina eventually pinning Erica. Nina:admit it,you're lying! Erica: I admit I'm a little turned on,now. Nina:I know,it's hard not to be around me.
		"I'm not saying its even a good thing to own a chimpanzee. But that's freedom, folks." Alex Jones.


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niggajones		#20 Posted : 23 April 2013 09:17:50(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered Joined: 08/06/2012(UTC) Posts: 3,401 Thanks: 362 times Was thanked: 739 time(s) in 493 post(s)		Zander: pulls out videocamera and films the catfight this video is going to make me a lot of money, thanks girls



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