Comments on: New Detholz! demo – “Napoleon Tex”

By: choirgrrl

choirgrrl — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 22:57:19 +0000

Hey, Jim, we’ve got to talk! I’m interested to know more about what you’ve been observing at your church. Let’s grab a beer sometime and discuss. What I was observing at my last church gig was some pretty cool stuff. I was really impressed with my fellow choristers and found them to be very open-minded. I expect to find nothing less at my next church gig. I’ll let you know…Until then, Peace be with you, my brothers!

By: detholz

detholz — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:07:59 +0000

bp: Happy New Year… so have you vaulted over the precipice into the Magical Land of Fatherhood?

Actually, I think you hit the nail on the head, bp. I have internal conflicts now when a song isn’t catchy enough, or doesn’t grab people from the get-go. But I think there is a place for a song like this one on a record– as a transition between stronger songs or as a “deep cut.” (Hopefully not filler!) Anyway, well said.

To paraphrase an acquaintance of mine: “Once [you were] but the learner, but now [YOU] ARE THE MASTER.”

By: bp

bp — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:59:16 +0000

It’s not exactly the “hit single” from the record or anything, but it’s definitely more than just a filler track. I think the final “yea” or “nay” on this one will come once it gets put in the context of the whole record. Then you will know, my young padawan.

By: detholz

detholz — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 18:28:27 +0000

‘Bab: Well, I’m glad you get something out of it. Honestly, I’m not a big reviser– once a song is done, I almost never go back to it on my own. The band gave “Millionairess” a big thumbs down, so it will probably remain in carbon freeze forever, unfortunately.

Elaine: I have noticed a number of dingos at Maplewood of late. Dingos I don’t recognize… Glad you like it, dear. Anything I can do to distract you from important tasks. It will be my sworn duty as your spouse!

Jim: Yes, do come back and weigh in. Will it stand up to the multiple-listen test? How many licks does it take to get to the center of Napoleon Tex?

The band would completely change how this song sounds– and if they take a stab at it, will likely rearrange it as well, since the composition isn’t as locked down on the demo.

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 18:11:07 +0000

It does seem a little “Millionaires-ly” disjointed. I’m sure I’ll get used to it. It’s hard to think of what some of the full band versions of these songs sound like. I’m sure the whole band playing it takes a lot of the cut and paste arrangement sound out of it. Some really cool melodies going on. Give me a few days before I come back to rave about this one.

By: Elaine

Elaine — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 03:36:55 +0000

While admittedly a party with vested interest, my two cents are resoundingly pro-Napoleon Tex. Lyrically, this is one of the more clearly disturbing songs of late–disturbing in a catchy, tightly-written kind of way, of course–and, although it does touch on some nasty subjects (reminding me, once again, of that time you ate our baby and blamed it on a dingo), I enjoy the bit of juxtaposition with regard to the pseudo-upbeat melody.

Plus–and this is not to be taken lightly–it passed the all-important “will Elaine lose track of her place in the manuscript because the song is in her head?” test.

It passed, by the way. My work is suffering.

By: kebabdylan

kebabdylan — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 02:48:41 +0000

…touch. a very nice touch. (i like to pause during statement to make them more weighty – that or imitating the french knights from Monty Python).

I honestly think you need to revisit millionaress. I also listened to that one again recently and I really like about 75% of it.

By: detholz

detholz — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 02:08:19 +0000

‘Bab: “the ghostly keyboard is a very nice.”

Thank you for momentarily affecting an Italian accent for that sentence.

Yes, this one lacks the “Broadway” element that I think wrecks “Millionairess” and makes it into a silly, trippy junket through Munchkinland.

To paraphrase Nigel Tufnel from Spinal Tap: “Wait’ll you [hear the next inclusion of the Traitor Motive]! Very provocative, indeed!”

By: kebabdylan

kebabdylan — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 01:24:52 +0000

on first listen, I like this one. it is a little convoluted (ala millionairess) but I like convoluted and its doesn’t quite have the silliness factor that parts of millionariess had.

it’s also one of the more effective uses of the “traitor motiff”. on some of the songs that melody sometimes seems just thrown in. here its more subtle and evocative.

the ghostly keyboard is a very nice.