(Song notes below the player)

 

PREMONITION – This was the final track composed for “Angular Perceptions”. We had 9 tracks, so a 10th felt right, especially giving us the chance to include an intro. I decided to compose a track that was a synopsis of some of the other stand out melodies on the record. It kind of sufficed as a “sneak preview” of the record, and I appropriately called it “Premonition”. I gave the track its own melodic theme, and wove the other themes within it. This ended up being much more difficult than I thought. Rob and Derek then added their magic to it.

SACRED TREASURE – Musically, “Sacred” felt like a good vocal opener to me, as it seems to have most of the characteristic elements of Thought Chamber - a proggy slow 13/8 in the theme / verses; lots of space in those verses for some great drum & bass work from Rob & Derek; a melodic chorus; great vox from Ted in all ranges; good dynamics in general; and a solo section where Bobby really tore it up and where I was able to use a clean tone for a somewhat atonal solo. Lyrically, it is simply about a world traveller nearing the end of his life looking back and realizing what a “sacred treasure” his life has been.

A LEGEND’S AVALON – Musically, this sounds very “Euro” to me, but still proggy. I built the whole song around the chorus, and enjoy the flavor of the phrygian dominant main riff and verse as well. Lyrically, I enjoyed being able to use Edison, Mozart, and prog-esque / scientific metaphors in describing an imaginary place where the great minds of art and science dwell, and to tip my headstock to their contributions throughout time.

BALANCE OF ONE – Musically, “Balance” is one of the heavier tunes. It has a unique 5/4, a lot of elements of prog, and an almost funky solo section. I enjoy the melodic chorus as well. Lyrically, I am personifying two personalities of one person struggling and equalizing.

MR. QWINKLE’S THERAPY – I started writing this instrumental over 15 years ago when I lived in Ohio and kept chipping away at it. My manager, John Purdom, heard the demo several years ago and really thought I needed to pursue it, so I decided to put it on the Thought Chamber record. I added a solo section and Derek, Rob, and Bobby really made song grow teeth with their incredible playing. I realize this tune is wayyyy over the top, but it was simply a lot of harmless fun. For those who don't see the humor in it, get over it quickly, because Qwinkle will be in your face again on the 2nd record.

TRANSMIGRATION OF SOULS – “TOS” was an instrumental on my solo disc, “Distorted Views”, in 1999, which Rob & Derek played on. I had originally intended for it to be a vocal tune, so I wrote lyrics for this version, along with vocal melodies, most of which retained the melodies on the instrumental version. Lyrically, I chose the title / subject matter based on the musical Egyptian-esque scales used (more phrygian dominant) and using mythological references, I presented a fictional view of what this early Egyptian theory of reincarnation could be.

GOD OF OBLIQUE – I love this vibe. It is twisted and funky in a progressive way with strange dissonant chords to boot. And Rob gave it an even more progressive groove. Lyrically, it is about early mans’ discoveries in the amazing world around him and man’s “calling out” to God. Some of Teds' best vox on this one.

SILENT SHORE – I always welcome the chance to include slower etherial music on a recording. Ted is just great at delivering these kind of vocals, and I enjoy the lydian modal theme. It sounds “Beatle-esque” to me, possibly a combo of “Tomorrow Never Knows” and “Across the Universe”. The slow 5/4 gives it a more prog feel, even though it is such a smooth 5/4, you hardly notice. Derek did a great job playing a tasteful bassline and simulating a fretless. Lyrically, it is a vision of the perfect state of mind (without the use of harsh chemicals.)

ACCIDENTLY ON PURPOSE – This is yet another instrumental with much more of a groove. A really fun tune with more wackiness to it and lots of time sigs. My bandmates again played phenomenally here. Derek wrote a couple of way cool licks for the tune and played some great slap.

A MIND BEYOND – “AMB” was actually the first song Ted and I demo-ed, and still one of the stronger compositions on "AP", in my opinion. It displays a lot of dynamics and the middle section (which actually “swings”) has a crazy atonal lick that we divided up into an “ensemble lick” and then eventually played in its entirety. I played the piano outro, which featured the song's theme. Lyrically, it is a perspective towards the end of life of one’s influence on others and the sadness of having no real adulation from others while alive.