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Without The Sun


by

Vic Holman

 Genre: Rock

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Description
I've been getting into remixing some of my songs. Some have just been minor detail work. And I won't repost them here.

Now this one goes back a bit over two years ago. Back then I would record one or two songs a week and not spend time on fine tuning. I hadn't listened to it in all that time and thought this could use some work. Well, it went beyond remixing eq's and such. there were a lot of doubling up of guitar tracks. So I had to go through everything to decide what to keep and what parts to throw out (quite a lot of regions where dumped in the process. The only that that i did re-record was the drums, I wanted them simpler and also to let the cheap bass that i played on this to come out more. It would of been a lot quicker to just re-record the whole thing. But in the end I figured to post this version due to too many hours working on it. I'll disable or delete the older version in a day or two.
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Lyrics
Without The Sun

I stopped counting stars when the clouds rolled in
got to dark to see
There in the darkness there was on light
seemed to be heading for me
Angels came on a wave of beams
seems they had a message for me

Chorus:
How can you see without the sun
The lights guiding the way
And those tiny lights you saw
as they drift away

Alien nation lost in a crowd
I was told about it all
The angels in silver and Klaatu
rewound the rise and fall
My mind was funneled out through space
there I came face to face

Chorus:
How can you see without the sun
The lights guiding the way
And those tiny lights you saw
as they drift away

I know I'm small but I saw it all
what will be will be
I waved goodbye to my silver friends
as they sailed in to the black sea
You and I will watch the world fade away to eternity

Chorus:
How can you see without the sun
The lights guiding the way
And those tiny lights you saw
as they drift away
Song Stats
Hits: 469
Comments: 55
Fans: 32
Plays: 71
Downloads: 28
Votes:
Uploaded: Sep 17, 2009 - 08:23:50 PM
Last Updated: Sep 17, 2009 - 08:23:50 PM Last Played: Nov 08, 2009 - 09:52:19 AM
Song License
Creative Commons License:
NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Creative Commons

Song Actions
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Hardware:
imac, ovation acoustic, Ibanez EW acoustic, Ibanez bass, Ibanez SA Electric, Epiphone DOT Deluxe electric, Digitech GNX2, BBE Sonic Stomp, Ibanez Tube Screamer, Shure 57 mike, m-audio keyboard & interface.
Software:
Logic Express 7 & Logic Pro 9
Comments
egobandit said 69 days ago (September 17th, 2009)
Vic
I dont remember this but its classic non the less I do the same thing with my older song seems we grow wiser and say oh yeah I could of done this or that. Im glad you done that!!!
Check out my latest song called when its love
Vic Holman said 69 days ago (September 17th, 2009)
Hey Tim
yeah, if only we knew then what we know now. luckily i've kept all the files. most of the older songs i have totally forgotten how they go and I'm sure the earlier ones need a massive overall... or the trash bin.
Check out my latest song called November
Dadai.2 said 69 days ago (September 17th, 2009)
Oh Vic....
well worth the time to remix, add, subtract, and post. This is just a ear-full of good music... guitar riches throughout. I love it dude. I love that acoustic guitar coming in soloing here and there... what a treat. And btw, knowing you don't see yourself as a vocalist (nor do I) your singing sits perfectly in this mix...

Maybe keep the old version (which now I must go back and listen to) for comparison sake and how your mixing skills have progressed.

Kudos Vicster... enjoyed here in S.B.

Jack
Check out my latest song called The Riverside (with Ed sloparts sitting in)
Vic Holman said 69 days ago (September 17th, 2009)
Thanks Jack
when i finally listened to the first version last week, my first thought was that the vocal part was good. that alone sent me to overhaul this puppy. But dang there is too many so i have to selective of what i dig up.
Check out my latest song called November
Parichayaka said 69 days ago (September 17th, 2009)
Intriguing with musical and lyrical depth
Very unique, confident and full sound. I have tremendous respect for anyone working with recorded instruments and the minor hickups in timing are well compensated by the tremendously creative structure of this track. Vocals carry the song effortlessly and the lyrics are just as interesting and involving. Glad you posted this, and if re-recording would have made this song perfect - fine, but I am enjoying this just as much!
Check out my latest song called f12
Vic Holman said 68 days ago (September 18th, 2009)
Thanks man
even though i thought about re-recording, there was something about the loose vibe that i liked about it. so i stuck with what was there and able to bring out some parts that got lost in the first version.
Check out my latest song called November
Ren-Tin-10 said 69 days ago (September 17th, 2009)
Love it!
WAAAAAY cool guitar solo! WAAAAAY cool everything!

Fav'd and DL'd.

Cheers,
Jim
Check out my latest song called Coventry Carol
Vic Holman said 68 days ago (September 18th, 2009)
Thanks Jim
I appreciate you getting into this song. Thanks again!
Check out my latest song called November
Feter said 69 days ago (September 17th, 2009)
Without The Sun
I cnt believe this sound came out of a computer
this should come through a cool groove as I m
enjoying the cover and the back linear notes !!!
a true classic gem ..good job with the mastering
its really super !!!! ...thnx alot for sharin !!!!
Vic Holman said 68 days ago (September 18th, 2009)
Thanks Feter
since I have learned a lot more about recording and mixing from the time of the earlier one, it would be a shame to let a few tunes go to waste.
Check out my latest song called November
Reggie_Pole said 69 days ago (September 17th, 2009)
No more sunscreen
Hey, Vic. Good song. Your vocals work very well with the lyrics and music. Nice solos. The acoustics in particular sounded great. That's quite a heap o' hardware you put to work there. There's one unusual chord you're hitting in there. Nice touch. Very well constructed tune and mix. The lyrics remind me of The House on the Borderland by William Hodgson.
Check out my latest song called Examination Dream
Vic Holman said 68 days ago (September 18th, 2009)
Thanks Reggie
true no sun screen just a lot of tin foil over the windows in space.
yeah a bunch of different instruments. i thought back then different tones would be the way to go.and i wouldn't have to keep retuning the same guitar for each track.:-)
Check out my latest song called November
Mike_Lynn said 68 days ago (September 18th, 2009)
Dig It
Very catchy song with food introduction & solo. Nice effort indeed. The melody of the verses is especially attractive. Cheers / Mike
Check out my latest song called Fragments (featuring Richard John)
Vic Holman said 68 days ago (September 18th, 2009)
Thanks Mike
I appreciate you checking this out. Thanks again.
Check out my latest song called November
bud said 68 days ago (September 18th, 2009)
I remember this one Vic -
nice remix - bringing the bass up was a good idea.
Check out my latest song called try not to think
Vic Holman said 68 days ago (September 18th, 2009)
Hey Kevin
I hardly had remembered this song until i was going through some old files and relistened to it. my first thought when i heard the old one was where's the bass, it was to close to the drum's kick. that was one reason why i redid the drums and made them simpler.
Check out my latest song called November
MarkHolbrook said 68 days ago (September 18th, 2009)
Hey Vic
Love the interacting guitars on this. I think the mix sounds pretty good, maybe a little bright as I found the strums to kind of grate on me after while.

Love the song though. It has a cool feel to it!
Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge
Vic Holman said 68 days ago (September 18th, 2009)
Thanks Mark
I'll recheck the strummed acoustics and taper off some top end. or the space designer reverb may be bright. I'll check.
Check out my latest song called November
ktb said 68 days ago (September 18th, 2009)
yes
Vic, this seems to track much cleaner than the original. I also think the chorus part is more bold and seems to stand out to a greater degree than the original recording. Great contrast. Less is more in this instance me thinks. well done
Check out my latest song called Texas stump
Vic Holman said 68 days ago (September 18th, 2009)
Thanks Steve
As I'm learning more I'm finding I can get a bigger sound with less. That was a big reason to send this through the chopping block.
Check out my latest song called November
lavalamp said 68 days ago (September 18th, 2009)
excellent sound
Klaatu, what a reference!

This has all the ingredients to be another tasty Holman tune.

Great idea to do some re-mixing

Dave
Check out my latest song called Googolplex Times Zero
Vic Holman said 67 days ago (September 19th, 2009)
Thanks Dave
klaatu was so misunderstood. he could knit a mean sweater

there are others that i need to take a look at when i have some down time.
Check out my latest song called November
Lennon714 said 68 days ago (September 18th, 2009)
Interesting
For the first second or two it sounds like it's going to jump in to a dance track, but then you get the Spanish flavored acoustic. I love all the textures in this. The clean solo in the last few seconds of the song in to the arpeggiated acoustic. The heavy chorus. If this song doesn't have it, you don't need it.
Check out my latest song called Anarchy, Inc.
Vic Holman said 67 days ago (September 19th, 2009)
Thanks Eric
the dancing spaniard takes a lot of sidesteps on the guitars. i appreciate the listen Eric
Check out my latest song called November
Skean said 68 days ago (September 18th, 2009)
Nice my friend
Always cool to go back and hear the progress you've done, as it is to adjust them... I don't think I have heard this one, so I'm lucky I have a better version now, DL,d thanks.
Check out my latest song called Let's Go Trippy
Vic Holman said 67 days ago (September 19th, 2009)
Thanks Kenta
when i first started recording songs on the computer 5 1/2 years ago i had not realized how much there was to learn on mixing. so it was worth it to go back and rework some of the old stuff.
Check out my latest song called November
Ed Hannifin said 68 days ago (September 18th, 2009)
I think I like simpler...
It's funny, actually; when I first heard Vic Holman music, I think I really got into the multi-multi-multi-tracked guitars and things... Now, having heard a lot of songs done that way, I find that the simpler, cleaner mixes and arrangements sound clearer and deeper, more three dimensional... There's more sense of front and back, where some of the 'fuller' ones sound wide but flat....

I really like the nylon string solo on this... sounds gorgeous... And some of those sounds in the background that are probably guitars but don't necessarily sound like guitars... Even stripped down, this is still a 'guitar heaven' kind of track....

Ed
Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)
Vic Holman said 67 days ago (September 19th, 2009)
Thanks Ed
I think we are on the same page. the wall had to come down.

with learning more on mixing and composition i find i can get away with less, like not doubling a lot of guitar tracks, even though that's what a lot of recording artists seem to do.
Check out my latest song called November
kassia said 67 days ago (September 19th, 2009)
angels came on a wave of beams
love the lyrics of this one and the melody is great, catchy and melancholy all at the same time. great stuff. i like the simpler drums. classic Vic Holman. love it.
Check out my latest song called Deep Majesty
Vic Holman said 67 days ago (September 19th, 2009)
thanks Shay
the beamed down angels and i appreciate you taking the time to listen, and klaatu too.
Check out my latest song called November
michael2 said 66 days ago (September 20th, 2009)
aha
the tweaker Vic makes an appearance to devour his young. great re-mix. This is one of those songs that really reminds me of the Lords of the New Church (it's your vocal sensibilities mixed with the grungy take on the 60's). outstanding.
Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)
michael2 said 66 days ago (September 20th, 2009)
this is
not a perfect example, but one of the only things i can find that show you what i mean:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr3u08x8038
Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)
Vic Holman said 66 days ago (September 20th, 2009)
Thanks Michael
yeah i can see and hear comparisons to L. N.C. on some songs i do. i hadn't seem that vid in ages, nice lead, thanks.

there are a few other older songs i have that i'm thinking about remaking, no reason to let them go stale.:-)
Check out my latest song called November
paul f. page said 66 days ago (September 20th, 2009)
Just SUPERLATIVE....
...in every way: very singable tune; intriguing lyrics; a VERY enjoyable vocal performance (that I can actually understand); clean backup band that doesn't obscure the vocals; and those tasty acoustic guitar solos!!! Niiiiice. In every way this is a beautifully written, recorded, and mixed track and I am so glad I found it.
Peace.
Paul
Check out my latest song called Double Etude
Vic Holman said 65 days ago (September 21st, 2009)
Thanks Paul
second time the charm on this re-edit i took out quite a bit so vocals and the remaining parts would set better in the mix.

Thanks again.
Check out my latest song called November
jiguma said 66 days ago (September 20th, 2009)
:)
Cool as usual, and typical VH production and playing (although I'm hearing some timing glitches, most noticeably a lag, in the drums - especially noticeable on the cymbals - maybe you meant to do that?).
Lovely acoustic sound.
N
Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)
Vic Holman said 65 days ago (September 21st, 2009)
Thanks Neil
extremely good ears you have. yes, the cymbals in particular are/were a little off in places. adjusted yesterday morn. due to how the rest of it was recorded quantatizing drums isn't possible. i hate that when that happens, that's why i almost considered doing it all over from scratch.

I have been remixing some other tunes. just minor tweaks. There She goes was one of them I do have you bass work much more noticable and up front. but i have no plans to repost it at this site.
Check out my latest song called November
lengold said 65 days ago (September 21st, 2009)
Are we there yet?
Great picture.
Classic Vic - glad you re-posted this. Enjoyed.
Cheers
Len

Check out my latest song called Dodgy Doughnut
Vic Holman said 65 days ago (September 21st, 2009)
Thanks Len
no we're not there yet. 2 more light years to go.I only reposted it because i ended up throwing quite a few hours into the re-editing on this song. the original had a wall of guitars going. it was time to tear it down.
Check out my latest song called November
tempie said 65 days ago (September 21st, 2009)
day the song stood still
love the organic latin type soloing in the intro to the verse contrasted with the alien lyrics. Also like the use of an old world type narrative - it could be about visiting new york from the old world or about visiting aliens from another planet. Accented by that spacey accordion sound. Groovy. love the drum fill prior to the chorus too.
Check out my latest song called Get Away with Murder Eyes (5XArms Cover)
Vic Holman said 65 days ago (September 21st, 2009)
Thanks Craig
it didn't even occur to me about different situations of discovery to a new land. but it does work. such a deep thinker you are.

spacey accordian sound is still a guitar done with a pitted slide rubbed across the strings. jimmy page never thought of that.
Check out my latest song called November
blinddogsky said 64 days ago (September 22nd, 2009)
cool
really like the spanish tinge on this. sounds like something you'd hear in a mexican western. love the big guitar hits
Check out my latest song called beat up comic books (remastered) w/michael2
Vic Holman said 64 days ago (September 22nd, 2009)
Thanks Ridd
now there's an idea a mexican western in space.
Check out my latest song called November
blaky smith said 64 days ago (September 22nd, 2009)
Cleaner...
Nice work Vic, I like it, I remember the original and I think this remix verse sounds more clear and very pro. You are not only a good musician, you are also a magician of sound...
Check out my latest song called Sur le sable (w Jiguma)
Vic Holman said 64 days ago (September 22nd, 2009)
Thanks Marc
i had not listened to this song for a very long time. when i got around to listening to it again recently, i knew it was time to fix it up for the better.
Check out my latest song called November
magnatone said 63 days ago (September 23rd, 2009)
Without the Sun
HOW did i almost miss THIS??? i'm loving your vocals here vic - your efforts to remix seem VERY worth it to these ears! always love listening to your wonderful music!
Check out my latest song called Symphonic Smackdown
Vic Holman said 61 days ago (September 25th, 2009)
Thanks Karen
some times it's hard to let an old song go without a face lift. some of the old ones are lining up.

thanks again
Check out my latest song called November
DWL said 61 days ago (September 25th, 2009)
Lovely acoustic work
I like the intricacies of your arrangements. Always something interesting going on and a great sound.

Cheers

Dick
Vic Holman said 61 days ago (September 25th, 2009)
Thanks Dick
as you know, it's the little things that make up the whole picture.
Check out my latest song called November
davisamerica said 61 days ago (September 25th, 2009)
leave them both Vic...
it is such an interesting thing to me to compare projects like this ... evolving mixes...re-works.... just a kick to watch and "hear" a great artist grow even larger in scope and ability. Nice track ...sounds fantastic. Here's to you Mr. Holman!
Check out my latest song called No Son(egobandit band)
Vic Holman said 61 days ago (September 25th, 2009)
Thanks Jack
the old one was up for several days. you missed it by "............" this much. it's not gone, just disabled. the original was a wall of sound. i think i like to hear the space these days. who knows it could be wall again for next year


Check out my latest song called November
DarkPlanet said 61 days ago (September 25th, 2009)
Intrigued
by the way you make your music, it is always detailed and well constructed.
I guess the original is down, tried looking for it...this version is just magnificent. I like the break between the verses, so many songs could benefit from that type of arrangement, The swarming guitar during the verse works really well. What guitar was used on this, sounds fender to me...

Sweet stuff! Dl'ed
Check out my latest song called Roll Your Bones
Vic Holman said 61 days ago (September 25th, 2009)
Thanks Tom
I had the original on line for a few days. i only disabled it a few days ago. there was maybe to much going on all at the same time. so a lot of areas got the axe to open it up quite a bit.

2 acoustics. my ovation shallow body acoustic did the acoustic solos. has a definite sound over other acoustics. the electrics were a ibanez SA, like a strat. and a epiphone semi hollow body 335 type of electric, mostly for rhythm stuff, if i remember right
Check out my latest song called November
Roxylee said 59 days ago (September 27th, 2009)
space western
I love this. The drums are just right to let everything else take front stage. you have such skill at playing-everything!

I smile to remember the name Klaatu- I watched that movie (The Day the Earth Stood Still) when I was a little kid and it was scary. But this song is fun to listen to. I love the chord changes and the lead guitar.


Check out my latest song called Sweet Grace
apod said 58 days ago (September 28th, 2009)
Super crispy - cool production
excellent guitar effects and a really sweet arrangement. Meet you in space sometime.
Check out my latest song called PODtoki (featuring Mystified)
Artist Info
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Name: Vic Holman
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I work as a creative/art director for a advertising agency in Spokane, Washington. I've been at this site for 5 years now. It's been one heck of a ride. I've also been fortunate to collaborate with Bud Streets of Dehli Everyday And... [see more]

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