Twilight of Innocence

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Written by Ric Albano Song Length: 7:02
Listen to the Song: Purchase the MP3:
[audio:TwilightOfInnocence.mp3]
Lyrics
Early on a Friday in May, dancing on a crest of a wave
I could feel the sudden crashing of cold water rush upon my shore
In the twilight of innocence, with curiosity pushed to turbulence
I’m bewildered by your passive hints
That soon you may not need me anymore

I shouldn’t anything distract me from anything
That’s going on this perfect day of leisure and play
These truly are the best of times, dream-scaped array
For five years we have built these stories brick day by day
Don’t let this end, don’t let it end

You may be the follower but you’ve got your own great mind
Open up your eyes and cherish
Everything that you will surely find
In a year or twelve you may not remember this quite the way that I do
But I’ll always remember you

You shouldn’t let anything distract you from everything
That’s going on this perfect day of bliss and fun
These truly are the best of times, cannot be out-done
Please don’t allow the trite to ever grow into distraction
To what you’ve got, you’ve got a lot

We left the beach as the dark patches advanced to hide the sun
Ran to the verge so we could witness this meteorological phenomenon
Caught two rainbows in a jaunty dance beneath the haunting clouds
In turn they tapped the gray water on either side
Like Heaven’s arms outstretched and grasping at the tide
Seagulls a-blaze in the bent light, a truly mystical sight
The night arrived with such harmony, embroiled forever in my memory

Later on the beach that day, I wondered just what you would say
If you could reflect back on this time right now along with us four
It is such a system we possess, the turning over of the vines
Although the world is a bit of a mess
Perhaps your judgement will be better than mine

Would you tell me that everything is a segue to everything?
That’s going on, that’s in our song
It’s what you’ve got, ready or not!

Heaven’s ambience is the crashing of the tide
Fades and echoes to the past as we commence our return ride
The day expired with such harmony, embroiled forever in my memory

It’s what I see when I retreat into the halls of my memory

Composition © 2004 Ric Albano
Publication © 2009, 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Composed on May 19, 1997
Recorded starting on September 10, 2004
at Silver Spring Subterranean
Produced & Engineered by Ric Albano
Mixed and Mastered in 2009
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Original Release: September 9, 2009
on Imaginary Lines 33

Performers
Ric Albano
Piano, Keyboards, Bass, Percussion, Vocals
Erik Trabert
Guitars

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: A song approached in a very unique fashion, with lyrics written in one afternoon on the beach in Virginia and music composed over several years on a living room piano. The song suffers from a bit from rough recording and untimely ending, as it originally went directly t the follow-up “Dawning of Decadence”. Still it posseses a unique charm.

Song Trivia
“Twilight of Innocence” is the oldest song in the Imaginary Lines collection both in composition date (05/19/97) and recording date (09/10/04), yet it was not officially released until the most recent Imaginary Lines album in 2009.
This song was originally intended to be the second part of a four part, 16 minute “Ocean Suite”, along with “The Old Man In the Sea”, “Dawning of Decadence”, and “Here On the Beach”. All but “Dawning of Decadence” were included as individual tracks on Imaginary Lines 33.
This is the only song on Imaginary Lines 33 written in the 20th century.

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The Old Man In the Sea

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Written by Sue Kovaleski & Ric Albano Song Length: 3:54
Listen to the Song: Purchase the MP3:
[audio:TheOldManInTheSea.mp3]
Lyrics
Another time, another place, geo-era so sincere
The perfect rhyme, the sweetest taste, another summertime is here
And we would go sailing into the ocean

From near and far our sundry clan would congregate upon these shores
And at our heart there was one man who gave us all and so much more
And he would go sailing into the sea

So deep, so dark, yet able to fathom
So many of life’s unpredictable tides
The sailor’s heart helped us navigate her labyrinth
And we’d never run aground with him by our side
He gave us time…

He marked the time with his routines and let us know that we each had
A quite distinguished ardency to heaven’s character he’ll add
Now that he is the current of the sea

Now that he’s gone she will never be the same
Although to her we’ll return to reflect on the bliss
To listen to her tide whisper his unique name
Reassures us someday we will witness
Another time…

Another time, another place, all destinations lead to here
The endless prime, the smoothest pace
The endless summertime, it’s clear
That he is now sailing upon this ocean

Composition © 2006 Sue Kovaleski & Ric Albano
Publication © 2009, 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Composed on March 17, 2006
Recorded starting on October 5, 2007
at Saturation Acres, Danville, PA
Produced by Ric Albano
Engineered by Bret Alexander
Mixed and Mastered in 2009
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Original Release: September 9, 2009
on Imaginary Lines 33

Performers
Janet Rains
Lead Vocals
Ric Albano
Keyboards, Bass, Vocals
Erik Trabert
Guitars
Ron Simasek
Drums

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: Janet Rains takes lead vocals for much of this song, which includes a simple melody and arrangement and a nice outtro guitar, with a unique fading mix.

Song Trivia
“He Was the Ocean” was a poem written by Sue Kovaleski about her grandfather, Paul Heckman. It inspired this song as was its original title.

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The Cup

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Written by Ric Albano Song Length: 4:18
Listen to the Song: Purchase the MP3:
[audio:TheCup.mp3]
Lyrics
Take this cup away from me
I have been blinded by what I cannot see
Can no longer recall whether I’ve breached the door
Can no longer predict if I’ll reach safe shores
Or was this just a one-time score?

I burned my heart on a much bigger stove
Got myself lost in the sea which I’d dove
But I still dance to tunes that only I hear
And I still flee from ghosts that only I fear
You’ve done your share of harm through the years

For when I was thirsty, you offered me salt
And when I sought refuge, you sealed up the vault
And when I asked questions, you spat out clichés
You bumbled the objectives then you bailed from the malaise

And now that you are exposed
You beg of me, may I finally understand?
That when you were weeping, I made a nice scapegoat
While chasms were deepening, you dug a deeper mote
And when you made statements they dissolved within a day
Save that solemn refusal to take this cup away

Take this cup away, take this cup away
Take this cup, away, away

Composition © 2006 Ric Albano
Publication © 2007, 2009, 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Composed on March 2, 2006
Recorded starting on April 13, 2007
at Saturation Acres, Danville, PA
Produced by Ric Albano
Engineered by Bret Alexander
Mixed and Mastered in 2009
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Original Release: December 27, 2007
on Imaginary Lines II
This Release: September 9, 2009
on Imaginary Lines 33

Performers
Ric Albano
Piano, Keyboards, Bass, Vocals
Ron Simasek
Drums

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: Perhaps the most regrettable song in the Imaginary Lines collection, this has several fine individual parts but never quite meshes as a cohesive “whole”.

Song Trivia
The title of this song was derived from line in “Gethsemane” in the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar.

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A New Religion

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Written by Ric Albano Song Length: 4:11
Listen to the Song: Purchase the MP3:
[audio:ANewReligion.mp3]
Lyrics
Dolphins flying in the sky, formations four by four
Yet no one seems to find this scene absurd
They’ve all been trained to say that this all existed yesterday
Or so they’ve heard, now they’re sure

Some cultivated visions fave morphed into this new religion
And no one dares to test its doctoral rule
Less they be ridiculed, evicted from the “Clique of Fools”
Through cruel avenues

The theorem is undisputable, the cause is undeniable
The burden is unbelievable to come
We’ve got to blindly act, before there is no turning back
Don’t be numb, beat them drums

The Reverend gave his sermon today
Then folded up his good notebook and on private wings flew away
Does he really believe that his words will sustain?

Dolphins marching on the ground, two by two, side by side
And those who don’t salute are forced inside
To be reeducated, corrected, and assimilated
With the tribe, the blessed tribe

The Shaman carved a new edict on the stone
For the tribe to follow religiously until those good souls regain the throne
This trumps every other thing that you’ve known

Composition © 2006 Ric Albano
Publication © 2007, 2009, 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Composed on August 25, 2006
Recorded starting on April 13, 2007
at Saturation Acres, Danville, PA
Produced by Ric Albano
Engineered by Bret Alexander
Mixed and Mastered in 2007
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Original Release: December 27, 2007
on Imaginary Lines II
This Release: September 9, 2009
on Imaginary Lines 33

Performers
Ric Albano
Piano, Keyboards, Bass, Percussion, Vocals
Ron Simasek
Drums

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: A methodic, mechanical beat sets the atmosphere for this ode on groupthink and intellectual laziness.

Song Trivia
The “dolphins flying in the sky” is a reference to a widely believed “scientific” study that claimed dolphins are more intelligent than humans.

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Believe

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Written by Ric Albano Song Length: 4:19
Listen to the Song: Purchase the MP3:
[audio:Believe.mp3]
Lyrics
So what’s the point of quiet charity if it won’t get you the gig?
They don’t forgive irregularities just because your heart is big
And why leave home with an atlas stone when a flask of pebbles might do?
This quite excessive sense of diligence
Offends my reasoned confidence in you

I do my best to view the world from deep behind these eyes
I draw my energy from sources not simply surmised

But what’s the point of simple clarity in such a complex universe?
Should we not strive towards more parity,
By ripping out the contents of your purse?

I steer my ship by ancient stars and hold the wind with poise
I grasp at every passing wave in a quest to find pure joys

Believe, believe
Believe, believe

So what’s the point of quiet charity if you don’t bag some esteem?
Complied reduction of this narrowly sliced time just seems obscene
And who would roam with an atlas stone…
When there are so many sights to see?
What’s the point of true contention,
When the scientific evidence has been decreed?

I beat my path with head held high and wisdom at my heels
I don’t pretend to know that this is how we all should feel

Believe, believe
Believe, believe

In a pinch and you’re on the run, will ye come undone?
If it’s a cinch just to follow the sun,
Why then fear of this unusual one?

Composition © 2006 Ric Albano
Publication © 2007, 2009, 2011 Cygnus Wave Music

Song Info
Composed on September 12, 2006
Recorded starting on September 14, 2006
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Produced by Ric Albano
Engineered by Ric Albano
Mixed and Mastered in 2007
at Cygnus Wave Studios
Original Release: December 27, 2007
on Imaginary Lines II

Performers
Ric Albano
Piano, Lead Vocals
Ron Simasek
Percussion
Janet Rains
Backing Vocals

Listener Guide
Grade

Analysis: One of the few songs from Imaginary Lines II which were preserved in original form, “Believe” is a lyrical debate on God, with the simple, sparse musical arrangement of just paino and top-end drums.

Song Trivia
The song was recorded just two days after it was composed and it is the only recording on Imaginary Lines 33 from 2006.

Animal Society live version of “Believe”

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