Breaking Through The Glass Liner Notes: 2014

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Introduction

Welcome! to the online liner notes for my album, Breaking Through The Glass: the first of planned quartet of mini-albums, all with their own unique sound. If you like what you hear, you are highly encouraged to purchase the album to add to your ever growing record collection. You'll be supporting local music, and ensuring that my two years of tireless work has paid off in the end. You can stream the entire album and/or purchase it right here - http://robweissmusic.bandcamp.com/album/breaking-through-the-glass

This album would not be possible without the consistent support of my family. In addition, a special thank you to Cisco, Kelsey, Josh, Cass, Noreen, Alex, Jeremy, Melissa, and any friend of mine who has been supportive of this project since its inception. Finally, a special thank you to Dr. Dennis Spencer, without whom, this project would have never happened in the first place.

Personnel -

Rob Weiss – Music, (guitar, bass, percussion, harmonica, lead/backing vocals, programing), lyrics, production, mixing, mastering.

Album Artwork -

Kevin Weiss – Album cover photograph (Taken at a show at Toad's Place on January 17^th, 2013).

Cisco Barahona – Album cover art design

Track #1 – Jumpstart

Recorded -

Basic Track – December 17 and 20, 2010, January 3, 15 and 18, 2011.

Additional guitar including guitar solo, and drum editing – March 18 and 19, 2013.

Vocals – May 6 and 9, 2013

Tambourine – July 28, 2013

Back Story –

My first album Turn Back The Years was officially released on November 30^th, 2010. Not even a whole month later, I began plotting my followup album. With no compass or planned route, I was completely winging it. The very first song begun was this album's intended opener called “Back To The Start”. I recorded drums, bass, two guitar parts and a sloppy temporary guitar solo. With no lyrical ideas in mind, and due to the failure on my part to progress much farther, I temporarily scrapped the song, and indeed, a followup album, for a good year and a half.

In 2013, Once Breaking Through The Glass was roughly halfway through completion, I dug “Back To The Start” out of the mothballs, gave it some fresh Pete Townshend-like rhythm guitar parts, a much better solo, and tweaked the drum track quite a bit. Now that I finally had lyric ideas in mind, I gave the song the new title of “Jumpstart” and this reinstated the song's status as an album opener. This song is the opening track for not just Breaking Through The Glass but the entire four mini-album quadrillogy, and I strove to convey the feeling of waking up on a hot summer's day, with no work, stress, or troubles on one's mind. Let yourself go, and enjoy!

Lyrics -

Wake up world, the show is about to begin.

This is your jumpstart, red hot adrenalin

There's so much to see, I'll be your guide

C'mon everybody, let's take a ride.

Chorus: (Look around), There's a whole new world to roam

(Get Around), So get out, and make it your own

Let yourself go and have some fun today!

Break through the glass, and see what's on the other side, (The other side)

No need to be afraid, there's no need to hide, (No need to hide)

Because once you're here, you'll never want to say goodbye

(Chorus)

This is only the beginning, we have a long way to go

Live it up, c'mon and have some fun, Come on and enjoy the show. (x2)

(Chorus)

This is your jumpstart, the show has begun!

Track #2 – Goodbye CT

Recorded -

Basic Track – April 6-9, 2013

Tambourine – July 28, 2013

Vocals – August 28 and September 6, 2013

Guitar solo – September 24, 2013

Backstory -

“Mystery Girl” may have been the very first original song that I recorded, way back in 2008, but what about the very first true song I managed to write? That would be 2006's “Bodyguard”. Due to the song's rather schmaltzy lyrics, It was never up for contention on Turn Back The Years. However, the music of the song, was too good to let go to waste. I just need a better lyrical topic than “Walking with someone back to their dorm”.

Flash forward to 2013, during a time period when many of my friends/acquaintances were leaving Connecticut, often for good, I was feeling rather glum. Out of this melancholy came a poem: “Nutmeg State Emigration Blues”. When combined with my original “Bodyguard” music, with a 1960's sunshine pop-inspired vocal arrangement, and with the new title of “Goodbye CT”, the song has gone on to become one of my most personal statements.

Lyrics -

Hey, where are you going? why are you moving away?

Heading west on a moving truck down the highway

Hey, why are you leaving? Isn't this the place you call home?

What will you find by taking the less traveled road?

Chorus: Please don't go away, don't leave me stranded and alone

You're moving out of the Nutmeg State and I wish I could come along.

Hey, how are you doing? Hope all is well with you

Having new adventures and doing whatever you want to do

Hey, please don't forget me, when you're a thousand miles away

I hope that you'll come back again someday!

(Chorus)

California, Colorado, everybody's leaving me!

(Verse 1)

Chorus 2x)

Track #3 – Lana Lea

Recorded -

Basic Track – November 15, 16, 19 and 20, 2012

Tambourine – December 15, 2012

Vocals – March 20, April 1, 3 and May 3, 2013

Guitar solo and additional intro guitar parts – April 8, May 2 and November 17, 2013

Backstory –

More often than I'd care to admit, it takes me ages to finish writing a song, let alone record it. So when the exact opposite happens, it is a pleasant surprise. “Lana Lea” was written as a composite of various people that have impacted my life over the past eight years. Because of the highly personal nature of the lyrics, I ended up rewriting and re-recording several vocal lines more than once.

I felt that Turn Back The Years contained relatively few straightforward songs. So for “Lana Lea”, I was aiming for a 1970's power-pop/New wave sound, along the lines of The Knack, Blondie, and Elvis Costello.

Lyrics -

I think it's time I laid it on the line

how I've felt about you all this time.

Because the best days with you leave a lasting mark

like the times you sang me songs and played guitar

But every time I want to be with you, you treat me in a different way

One day you're happy, then the next you're cold, so I never can find the right words to say

Chorus: Lana Lea (x4), won't you let me know

Lana Lea (x4), if this love will ever grow.

I want to work it out with you but you won't let me, I can't let you go it'll just upset me,

Ooh, Lana Lea, you're driving me wild.

Remember the time we were driving to the bar?

And you left me drinking beer in your freezing car.

I never thought you'd get so mad or even care

the day I shaved my beard and cut my hair.

But every time I want to be with you, you act in a different way

One day you're cherry, then the next you're gin, so I never can find the right words to say

(chorus)

Everytime I write a song about you, I always keep changing the lines

Cause every time you act so differently, that I can't decide if I want to make you mine.

Track #4 – Miss Money

Recorded -

Basic Track – September 4, 7 and 8, 2012

Vocals – January 22 and May 9, 2013

Additional guitar including solo – January 24, 2013

“Nickels” and “1,2,3, go” intro - May 6 and November 16, 2013

Backstory -

Back in 2010, I had few ideas on where to go with my second album. One exception to this rule was a song idea that later morphed into “Miss Money”. I wanted to write an abrasive and fast-paced number and give it a mock-fancy title like “Missus Knickerbocker”. I finally got around to making a rough demo of “Miss Money” as well as three other songs in the summer of 2011.

By 2012, I had enough ideas that “Miss Money” wound up being one of the first recorded songs for “Breaking Through The Glass”. Inspired by 1970's pub and punk rock, and with the ever dominant theme of financial troubles on the brain, I aimed for a raw and gritty vocal performance and one-take wonderful guitar parts.

Lyrics -

Miss Money's gone and left me, and she's left me with no dough, and I'm...

Getting to the point where I'm desperate and poor, and I'm wishing she didn't have to take it all!

And she's left me with no money, to even buy some clothes, and I'm...

Drinking shower water just to kill my hunger, eating stale bread, got no bed, and they took my refrigerator!

Pre-Chorus - Why did Miss Money have to go away?

Since she's been gone I'm slipping and I'm sliding into debt, and

I'm going broke (x4)

Chorus – She's gone away for good and she's kicked me to the curb.

Now I'm stranded and I'm cracking up and I'm pinching for a dime.

Now she's kicked me out of my house, 'cuz I couldn't pay the rent, now I'm...

Left out in the cold, had to sell my clothes, everything I'm wearing is torn and frayed!

Now I'm dancing for some nickels, and selling my soul for a dime, oh I...

Can't afford no shoes, now I'm barefoot, living on the street, blisters on my feet, they're mangled and bloody!

(Pre-chorus and chorus)

Miss Money's gone and left me, she's left me with no dough,

and I'm getting to the point where I'm desperate and poor, and

I'm going broke (x8)

Track #5 – Cookie Cutter

Recorded -

Basic Track including tambourine, piano, and homemade percussion – December 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13 and 15, 2012

Vocals – January 29, 31 and December 11, 2013

Harmonica – January 31 (solo) and November 16, 2013 (intro)

Minor drum tweaking – January 30, 2014

Backstory -

Musically, “Cookie Cutter” is one of my eldest compositions. The basic structure of the song was written around the turn of the century! Flash forward to some thirteen years later - Before I began recording Breaking Through The Glass, I made a list of seventeen songs I wanted to try and record. Wanting to strive for an even eighteen, I brainstormed the possibility of resurrecting this then-thirteen year old composition.

Now that the song was structured to my satisfaction and contained fresh lyrics, “Cookie Cutter” became a spiritual sequel to my anti-Corporate pop song “I Sold Out” from Turn Back The Years. This time around, I aimed for a more blues-rock influenced sound as well as far more scathing lyrics. Believe me, I mean every word I sing!

Lyrics -

You traded your piano, for a DJ,

and you gave up your guitar, for dancing on stage.

You sold your soul to stardom, chose money over fame,

now every singer that follows you, they all sound the same.

Your songs used to be unique and creative to the end,

Now everything you play, is 120 bpm.

Why put in effort when you can ride the freeway of chiche

With all the celebrity press, your record label's having a field day.

Goodbye to originality, hello to conformity

Chorus – I Think you're heading for disaster

Why'd you have to go and throw it all away

Stop erasing your identity, before you break down and you want to scream!

Shower your audience with glitter, to cover up your voice

Blast Those subwoofers so loud that it's ear shattering noise

Write a song with a catchy phrase and it's a top 40 hit

Who cares if it's listenable, just make it so they can dance to that shit!

We need a whole lot less disco, and a lot more rock and roll!

(Chorus)

Goodbye To originality, hello to conformity

(Chorus)

Track #6 – Gettaway

Recorded -

Basic Track – April 29, May 1 and 2, 2013

Tambourine – July 28, 2013

Vocals – February 14 and 26, 2014

Guitar solo – February 27, 2014

Backstory -

In the summer of 2011, I made a four track demo of some basic song ideas I'd love to finish. One of these was “Miss Money”. Another one of these ideas later became “Gettaway”. As it would turn out, the song had quite a bumpy road to completion. In fact, it almost didn't make the cut!

The glam/pub rock-inspired music track proved to be one of my most stress-free recordings I've worked on yet: One day for the drums, one for the guitars, and one for the bass. After adding some tambourine into the song, I ran into a dilemma: No lyrics, and no workable ideas! Despite a few possible song titles such as “Gimme a push” and “No motivation” floating around, I set the song aside, and nearly sent it to the scrapyard.

As fate would have it, I was inspired by real-life events to give “Gettaway” a set of highly personal lyrics. I wanted to convey the yearning of wanting to leave something behind that you used to enjoy, while still striving to keep the spirit of that greatness you once had alive and well.

Lyrics -

The tension's reaching critical mass, pretty soon we're gonna crash, (I need some)

Fresh air, green grass, big wide open space.

Everything's gone from good to bad, and frankly I'd be glad (To go a-)

-way for a-while, far away from here.

Chorus – (Get away) To a desert island

(Hide away) In a distant cave

(Break away) Cause it's getting me nowhere

Time I went along my merry way.

If things are going to stay the same, and nothing's ever gonna change, (Then I gotta)

Break out, drop out, leave this place behind.

Nothing I can say or do, will ever get through to you (So it's time I)

Left here, goodbye, sayonara, I'm gone. (Long gone)

(Chorus)

(spoken) – Don't take this the wrong way, but I can't stay. So long, goodbye...I'm moving on.

(Chorus x2)

Track #7 - Lady Blue

Recorded -

Basic Track – October 1 and 2, 2013

Acoustic intro – November 16, 2013

Vocals – December 5 and 10, 2013 and March 26, 2014

Guitar solo and additional lead parts – December 15, 2013 and February 27, 2014

Minor drum tweaking – March 14, 2014

Backstory -

As the summer of 2013 faded into autumn, I was all set to start mixing and mastering Breaking Through The Glass. With the exception of what would become “Breakaway”, I had six songs ready to go. Then one late September day, I got another creative spark, and the seeds for what would become “Lady Blue” were sown. I quickly set about recording what would become the last song to be started and completed for the album.

Lyrically, I was aiming for a story about a wanting to reach out and help someone who's life has spiraled downward. Since the song's completion, I've realized that these lyrics are a rather universal and they can apply to almost anybody who has experienced troubles in life, even me!

Lyrics -

She sits alone all by herself, she doesn't talk to anyone

Well I can't tell you why, but she has caught my eye, lady blue.

Once she loved the life she lived, she gave it all that she could give.

But now she'd rather cry, then to give it all a try, lady blue.

I want to help you, lose your shadow, and step back into the sun, lady blue.

She smells of whiskey and gin, she takes it straight no chaser, just to drown the pain.

Well maybe today, I can chase your blues away, lady blue.

Maybe I can bring back the light, that used to shine all around you.

Well what have you got to lose, let me shine away your blues, lady blue.

I want to know, if I can help you, to try and lose this pain you feel, lady blue.

She doesn't care (x2), she's happy living this way.

She's a loner (x2), doesn't need any company.

So why do I (x2), even bother to lend a hand?

Perhaps it's time I worked on being, a solitary man.

Lady blue, if you don't need me, then I don't need you, so why don't-cha, do what you wanna do!

Track #8 - Just About Done

Recorded -

Basic Track including guitar solo – July 2-6 and 10, 2012

Tambourine – December 15, 2012

Vocals – January 14 and 18, 2013

Additional rhythm guitar including surf intro – January 20, 2013

Backstory -

It all began here: “Just About Done” was the song that got Breaking Through The Glass, and indeed, the whole quartet of albums, off the ground. For the previous ten years of my life, I had experienced health problems and was nearly in danger of losing my life. Sometime between late June and early July 2012, I was finally given a complete clean bill of health and would be able to finally move past this rough stage of my life.

July 2^nd, 2012 marked 10 years since this health scare started. Rather fittingly, it also marked the day that I began recording a song inspired by this euphoric feeling of being free from all these past torments. I was in such a pumped up mood that I began formally assembling what was then, a planned double album. “Just About Done”, featuring a set of universal lyrics, was swiftly finished and initially released as a teaser in early 2013. It wasn't until a year later that I gave the song the honor of being the closing track on Breaking Through The Glass.

Lyrics –

Well I've had enough of being with you, and I couldn't face another day

You're like a fine poison to me, so why don't you go away?

For ten long years I've been dependent on you, and you've been like a leach to me

Well now it's packing order, now you're getting the boot, from now on let me be.

Chorus – Cause I think I'm just about done with you

I think I'm just about done with you

Get out of my life! I don't want you around no more!

Well you've given me migraines and I couldn't sleep, I'm surprised that I haven't gone grey

I couldn't live my life and relax, cause you wouldn't go away!

Yes after ten long years, I'm sick of all the crap, that I've had to face from you

Well this ends today, don't come crawling back, cause you and I are through!

(Chorus x3)