“Lorelei” is a very unique track in the Sinclair Soul collection, as a mosaic of bits and pieces recorded at various studios of the course of 20 years. The original demo was recorded at Cygnus wave Studios in 2004 and has remained the main backbone of the song ever since with bass guitar, “saxophone” and percussion elements remaining. In 2005, a new version was recorded at Saturation Acres but this version was ultimately determined to be too slow. More elements were added in 2009 for the release of Imaginary Lines 33 and in 2017, Ron Simasek transformed the track by adding some free form drums. A new guitar lead was recorded by Bret Alexander in 2019 and finally in 2024, Ric Albano added rhythm guitar, percussion and vocal elements to this final version of the track.
Lyrically, the origins of the song were strongly philosophical and political (see here for the story of the song’s lyrical origin). However in the Spring of 2018, some new lyrics were written and new lead and backing vocals were recorded by Ric Albano to complete this song’s long journey.
Listen to the Song:
Composed by Ric Albano on June 14, 2004
From the album Imaginary Cube by Sinclair Soul
Released on July 10, 2024
Musicians
Ric Albano – piano, synths, bass, rhythm guitar, percussion
Bret Alexander – lead guitar
Ron Simasek – drums
The eighth track on the album Imaginary Cube, this previously unreleased song was originally composed in 2004.
Lyrics
(It’s not Rooski! It’s an abstract facsimile of Rooski)
Within the crux of of this world to trade in loves and in hates
I search in vain for the guards who abandoned this gate
But should’ve known no good deed goes unpunished
In the end Lorelei had decided my fate
She put a curse on the purse strings attached to my home
Forever dooming my desire to explore, drift and roam
And so I cry bitter tears each and every night
And then suspect Lorelei’s silent hand in my plight
You don’t want it? You’ve got to have it!
And I insist that you grab it!
You don’t feel it? I have not chosen to reveal it!
Now go beg or borrow or steal it!
Shin deep in purple, processed, pure grape jelly
The bureau’s witch doctors demand more money
While Mr. Rooski charges that I’m a cheat
I won fair and square just accept your defeat!
So now I’m scorned by a wench who can’t pronounce my last name
And shattered my faith in the law to assign the right blame
But I can’t go back, all I can do is just proceed and maintain
In the face of what really should be Lorelei’s shame
You can’t feel it? Must be too heartless to deal with
Those oppressed and maltreated!
You won’t heal it? Then don’t complain when they congeal it!
There’s no applause for your defeat in it!
Knee high crimson, sticky, entropic, paste gold
All of the alchemists grow crusty and old
Far in the distance near a sparse country road
The folks sing and dance and tap their feet at the Fold
Where is the buzz when you need it the most?
Drowned by insipid anemic light toast
What will the bureau advance for today?
Some new facetious, ungrounded cadre?
Bitten by a dog whose bite was larger than his bark
And never again did I tread upon that street after dark
Eventually all will awake and the band will resume play
And never again will Lorelei lie, deceive or persuade
You don’t weep for it?
I think you’re damaged with deep-knit soulless, bottom-feeding wits!
You can’t show it? Then how can you be certain you know it?
You’re surely doomed yet to blow it!
Drowning in Honolulu Blue river tide
We knew the acrobats were doomed to collide
Poor Mr. Rooski took it hard when they died
A brand new despot outlawed Lorelei rants
And any other non-conformable dance
Soon all the people grew to dread this new stance
So I emerged from my cave once I saw my last chance
© 2004-2024 Ric Albano and Cygnus Wave Records
Track 9 of 27 from Imaginary Cube by Sinclair Soul (2024)
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