Marty's New Demo

[Cindy]

So has everyone listened to Marty's new demo, That's Life?

martycasey.com/music.htm


Post your comments in this thread.

[lhfan4life]

I have listened to it, i've added it to my My Space profile, and I just can't get enough of it. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!

[tinley]

It's fascinating to hear a work in progress and how the mood of the song changes with each version.

I first heard "That's Life" at the Hammer Cruise show in May 2007. When Marty introduced the song he talked about writing it in reaction to the culture shock he experienced when he came back to the US from a long stay in Mexico. For that reason, the song struck me then as being more cynical than what I was used to hearing from Marty. This was a man looking out at the world with jaded eyes.

I heard it next almost a year later in April 2008 when Marty and Bob performed it on a promotional spot on WGN. I don't know if Marty changed the lyrics in any way as he worked with it over the year, but this time the song felt more wistful about the whims of fortune than jaded about human weakness. Life is something that happens when you're not looking.

This new version has a more poppy feel than the earlier acoustic versions. The rhythm and baseline make it playful and upbeat and the wistfulness has given way to optimism. What a surprising turnaround from the cynicism I first heard in the song.

I loved all three versions...cynical, wistful, optimistic...very cool that he could take it in any direction. Makes me wonder if any song is ever more than an unfinished thought.

[cgs2007]

wow i love love love this song. its amazing!

[rockfan]

I really like this new version. I have heard the other versions, as well, but like the mix of this one .

[BBE]

I really like this! I'm glad he shared it with us, and thanks, Cindy, for letting us know.

[lesley]

Musically, especially in the guitars and bass, I hear flavors of the Silversun Pickups and I really like it!

[jillywilly65]

I think there's alot of John Lennon influence on Marty
as well as Tom Petty and I hear them in this song.
I Didn't get as excited about this one as much as" I See Stars".
I still love that song"I see Stars" and wish I could put That song on my Myspace profile.
It's nice to hear a softer side of Marty now and again.

[aussiefan]

Well, I have listened to this song MANY times thinking that it will grow on me and I will like it the more I listen to it, but sadly it just hasn't grown on me.
For some reason I find it a little boring, sorry! I know many people will not like my opinion but I have tried to like it but it just doesn't do it for me.

Unlike many of you other Marty fans I have never heard Marty live and I have only heard this one version of the song, maybe things would be different if I had the opportunities that you guys have had.

Now if we were talking about "I see stars" well I could rave on about that song forever, just LOVE it!!!

Helen.

[UandMe]

I like this song (a lot!) but I'm not sure this is the best version we can get from Marty. IMHO But it is songs like the ones he has posted there that keep me coming back even though I am not enamored by LA Guns.

Now, 'Just Go'.....

[keysunset]

Sept 13, 2008 20:44:16 GMT -5 aussiefan said:

Well, I have listened to this song MANY times thinking that it will grow on me and I will like it the more I listen to it, but sadly it just hasn't grown on me.
For some reason I find it a little boring, sorry! I know many people will not like my opinion but I have tried to like it but it just doesn't do it for me.

Unlike many of you other Marty fans I have never heard Marty live and I have only heard this one version of the song, maybe things would be different if I had the opportunities that you guys have had.

Now if we were talking about "I see stars" well I could rave on about that song forever, just LOVE it!!! [img src="martycasey.org/emoticons/heart.gif"]

[/IMG]

Helen.
[/quote]

Ah, Helen, I'll have to agree with you. This song doesn't "do" it for me, but ... who knows? Maybe if I had heard it live, or hear a different mix, I'll have a different opinion.

I totally agree on other song you mention ...

[tinley]

Sept 13, 2008 21:02:28 GMT -5 UandMe said:

But it is songs like the ones he has posted there that keep me coming back even though I am not enamored by LA Guns.

I had my doubts too, uandme, about whether LA Guns would be a great fit for Marty's voice. But after seeing them twice this summer, I was really blown away, not just by the band, but also by a bluesy vibe to Marty's vocals that I hadn't heard before. I can't wait to hear the new LA Guns songs. Here's how Tracii described them recently ~

Well,, Every song is very unique. They are all very emotional songs with
alot of vocal melody and hooks, The big guitars are GIANT SIZED,, Big Al Played most of the very solid rythm guitars and those I would describe those sounds as more modern. I also doubled the big rythms with a little more swagger to humanize the sound. The solos are very different for me than usual. I was able to spend days on building solos with harmonies and flavors and textures, I really paid attention to page, may and hendrix on this record stepping away from my more randy, eddie influence but there are few moments of extreme shred( Couldnt help myself ),, Martys vocals are unreal,,, So angry at times and then so sad other times but, always come across as real with no posturing attitude,,, there are a couple of striaght up party rock songs...

I am very proud of it and wish i could leak some tunes but, I cant yet.

[bostongirl]

I posted my opinion about this demo the other day and then decided I wanted to listen to it some more so removed the post. Now that I have listened to it many times thought I would throw my two cents in. I also have heard all three versions and think Tinley diescribed each perfectly.

I love this song, however, as Marty said it is a work on progress. I like where he is going with the song and think it will be really great once things get worked out a little more. I thought the vocals on the radio version were stronger. IMHO.

I also can't wait to hear Just Go with a band behind it. Although I just love it as is - one man, one guitar, one beautiful song.

[jillywilly65]

Yeah I listened a few times as well and it just never caught on for me. But that's okay. I don't like every song of every singer I like. That's what makes
us all unique. Heck I just have different tastes..haha
When I heard "I see stars" I LOVED it immediatley and couldn't get
enough of it. To each his own.

[BBE]

It just hit me what the sounds in the opening part of the music reminds me of--the Killers' original version of "Mr. Brightside".
It definitely has that vibe to it.

[HY]

Sept 9, 2008 21:28:27 GMT -5 tinley said:

It's fascinating to hear a work in progress and how the mood of the song changes with each version.

I first heard "That's Life" at the Hammer Cruise show in May 2007. When Marty introduced the song he talked about writing it in reaction to the culture shock he experienced when he came back to the US from a long stay in Mexico. For that reason, the song struck me then as being more cynical than what I was used to hearing from Marty. This was a man looking out at the world with jaded eyes.

I heard it next almost a year later in April 2008 when Marty and Bob performed it on a promotional spot on WGN. I don't know if Marty changed the lyrics in any way as he worked with it over the year, but this time the song felt more wistful about the whims of fortune than jaded about human weakness. Life is something that happens when you're not looking.

This new version has a more poppy feel than the earlier acoustic versions. The rhythm and baseline make it playful and upbeat and the wistfulness has given way to optimism. What a surprising turnaround from the cynicism I first heard in the song.

I loved all three versions...cynical, wistful, optimistic...very cool that he could take it in any direction. Makes me wonder if any song is ever more than an unfinished thought.

I heard it first at Hammercruise, too. I don't remember everything he said while introducing it, but I do remember what happened in his life while he was in Mexico - that's when Craig Rife died. I heard that song and didn't just see a "culture shock", but someone who was trying to make sense of what life throws at you sometimes. The ending did sound somewhat cynical that first time "Chin up, it's not that bad."

It has changed in tone over time - and does sound more positive - but I will always think of that first time when I listen to it.

I must admit, I loved it best when I heard LH do it at Hammerfest. I hoped that it would be on the next LH album.

But I'm glad he has recorded it.

Maybe someday it will be part of the Xavier project.

[bostongirl]

Nancy - I agree with you on the opening and love the vibe. I am no expert so do not know whether it is the production of it or it truly is just a work in progress. I think the vocals are stronger on the acoustic version. But I really, really love where he is taking this song.

And I am 100% on board with everyone about I See Stars and Just Go. Along with Cmon Baby and Maybe Tonight. Gee, I think we have a hit new solo album on our hands.

I would love to hear some of the other 30 recording that are getting dusty in his closet. I bet they are also amazing. ;D

[valerie]

I have listened to all the demos on here and I am quite sure there will be more undergoing changes for them . I never got to hear any of the songs mentioned here live so it was nice to read about everyones's experiences with That's Life . I would have loved to have stood in front of Marty while he sang Just Go or C'mon Baby . I like That's Life , and the fact that it represents the not so good in this world that we all seem to want to hide away from . It is , life .

Marty is stepping out of the box and leaving his comfort zone to explore new avenues of writing instead of just about the girl lost and I admire him for that . I have only heard the one version to this , but I have it playing on my Myspace profile . I look forward to the finished product .

So what's everyone up to this weekend ? Wish I could invite you all to my housewarming when I have it . I love my new apartment !!