Summary.

The sound of “Storm Chaser” is dark and brooding, with orchestral elements to accentuate the syncopation and groove of the song. “Storm Chaser” is an eccentric song, akin to more a Radiohead experience, with a plethora of instruments coloring the mix and as usual my chorus of multiple vocal parts. In contrast to my other stuff, I would say this track really digs in on the hybrid style of production and songwriting. You’ll see what I mean when you hear the middle break part where the song deviates for a bit to explore the feeling and attitude of the song.

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Summary.

The sound of “Some Cage” is melodic and rich with texture. The writing is introspective and indulgent, in typical Living Machine fashion.  The subject matter in the lyrics is perhaps best summed up as dark and elusive while somehow still honest and familiar. Fans of artists like Chris Cornell and Jane’s Addiction will be satisfied with this track.  It is the perfect opener to a rather intense and hyper melodic album. Read more »

Summary.

The sound of “Parasite” is mellow and groovy yet with a strong rock vibe.  The song reintroduces the guitar+Reaktor sound prevalent on the Arm Chair Delusions recordings but in a more minimal way and as a sort of thread in the sound.  The refrain is haunting and intense as 8 harmonies lament the title “Parasite.”  Fans of bands like Sigur Ros will find something here for them while the choruses are far more edgy. Read more »

Summary.

The sound of “Fade” is glassy, layered, dark, and borderline avant-garde.  A well-produced song, it transitions dramatically between a haunting chorus and melodic instrumental sections, then backed up to an epic outro that is highly orchestral and compelling.  This is definitely a song that you can listen to several times and still hear new elements every time.

Release Info.

Fade was originally released on the Arm Chair Delusions album.

Related Video.

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Credits.

Music: Elijah Shepard
Lyrics: Elijah Shepard
Performance: Elijah Shepard (vocals, guitars, bass, programming, orchestration, piano, pots, pans)
Production: Elijah Shepard
Mixing: Elijah Shepard
Mastering: Elijah Shepard

Lyrics.

It will all fade – somehow

who knows better than I

It will all fade – somehow

make me whole again

Factoids.

The song was originally called “Descendant” when it was written.  At one point, it evolved to be called “Faded” before finally ending up with the title of “Fade.”  The sheer amount of revisions and alternate versions for this song is scary.  Some of the myriad of melodies for it may surface in the future in the form of other songs (TBD). I ditched the vocals for the verses and just made it a song with chorus vocals. This seemed to accentuate the indulgent nature of the song as the end of the track is a wall of sound with full orchestra and guitars as well as my indian/eastern style vocals during the outro.

Summary.

Like the title says, this song is an introspective trip full of melody and a funky groove, all blended together with a pseudo psycho feel.

Release Info.

This song was originally released on the “Arm Chair Delusions” album.

Credits.

Music: Elijah Shepard
Lyrics: Elijah Shepard
Performance: Elijah Shepard (vocals, guitars, bass, programming, orchestration, piano, pots, pans)
Production: Elijah Shepard
Mixing: Elijah Shepard
Mastering: Elijah Shepard

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Summary.

So sad but so common, this song is thoughtfully elusive.  It is about a relationship where each person realizes the other person is more in love with themselves.

Release Info.

This song was originally released on the ARM CHAIR DELUSIONS album.

Credits.

Music: Elijah Shepard
Lyrics: Elijah Shepard
Performance: Elijah Shepard (vocals, guitars, bass, programming, orchestration, piano, pots, pans)
Production: Elijah Shepard
Mixing: Elijah Shepard
Mastering: Elijah Shepard

Lyrics.

She was the sun
and he was the moon
they never had a chance

I watched them leave
like I watched them come and go

SHE WAS ALL HE KNEW SHE WANTED
BUT HE FOUND OUT TOO LATE
HE WAS ALL SHE KNEW HE WANTED
BUT SHE FOUND OUT TOO LATE

Each on their own unique path
Though they intertwine they’re still separate
We watched them join together
but in self defense they’ll hurt each other

I watched it die
as they died inside

SHE WAS ALL HE KNEW SHE WANTED
BUT HE FOUND OUT TOO LATE
HE WAS ALL SHE KNEW HE WANTED
BUT SHE FOUND OUT TOO LATE

So sad…but so common

Summary.

Epic guitars, lots of harmony vocals, and a lyrical groove bind this song together.  The sound is familiar yet distinctly Living Machine.

Release Info.

This song was originally released on the ARM CHAIR DELUSIONS album.

Credits.

Music: Elijah Shepard
Lyrics: Elijah Shepard
Performance: Elijah Shepard (vocals, guitars, bass, programming, orchestration, piano, pots, pans)
Production: Elijah Shepard
Mixing: Elijah Shepard
Mastering: Elijah Shepard

Lyrics.

Get in and drive
It doesn’t matter where we are when we leave
It only matters where we go

WHEN WE LEAVE
WE’LL START TO FIND OUR WAY
-inside

Its the thrill of the ride
The art of changing lanes
though we’ll never arrive
we keep finding scenery to call home

IF THE ENGINE IS MISSING, YOU CAN TURN THE KEY ALL YOU WANT BUT NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN. NOTHING EVER HAPPENS.

Summary.

“Hanging Around” is an introspective, relationship-focused song with a memorable chorus, served up with crystal textures intertwined with pensive thought and layers of vocals. The chorus lyric says it all: “this could be great or just a great mistake.”

Release Info.

Arm Chair Delusions

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Summary.

Release Info.

This song is currently awaiting to be released on the “FORLORN” album which is anticipated for early 2009.

Credits.

Music: Elijah Shepard
Lyrics: Elijah Shepard
Performance: Elijah Shepard (vocals, guitars, bass, programming, orchestration, piano, pots, pans)
Production: Elijah Shepard
Mixing: Elijah Shepard
Mastering: Elijah Shepard

Lyrics.

exposed like a bit stream and fragile but true-to-form
you can watch all you want but you’ll never see it
though spots on the picture may trigger thoughts this isn’t fiction

you can diffuse or reflect or color in seek to imitate it
but the shape that it takes is like water forced through pipes
unpredictable but calculated – and truly false -displayed but transparent

this is real
maybe not here
not for me but
somewhere else
this is real
maybe not for me but
for someone else

its dark at the edges
but its light in the center
just be patient
you’ll see it
and the crackle that sparkles through specks in the center
its warm tattered edges make truth feel like fiction

one line stolen but all lines borrowed
stretched like a pixel but never connected
illumination always creates shadows
its hard to accept what’s projected but not to reflect it

I wanted to feel
what the colors depict in pictures
I wanted to trust
what they tell me
I wanted to touch
what it shows me

this is real
maybe not here
not for me but
somewhere else
this is real
maybe not for me but
for someone else
this is real
maybe not for me but
for someone else

its dark at the edges
but its light in the center
just be patient
you’ll see it
and the crackle that sparkles through specks in the center
its warm tattered edges make truth feel like fiction

Its all too bright
but not brilliant like in pictures
time moves too slow
and there is more friction than fiction
still it makes me feel
unfortunate still
we can’t maintain this depth of field

this is real
maybe not here
not for me but
somewhere else
this is real
maybe not for me but
for someone else
this is real
maybe not for me but
for someone else

Factoids.