I have had the pleasure of enjoying music from the 50's to now, different genre, musicians past greats and now the present Clockwork Dolls. I truly enjoy your Blades In Autumn.
Lyrics: As he turned to go I could tell he was angry But I would not back down from what I knew to be right. To ask him to choose between honor and duty; To aid in my capture or abet in my flight. He knew of my plans, he knew I was leaving and it offered him the choice to remain or to fly. To stay in the place where he knew all the answers Or to face the unknown in the sky. He strode 'cross the grounds looking for isolation Skipping stones on the lake to clear up his mind. He was lost in the dark and the choice laid before him And whom to disappoint he could not decide. It was down by that lake that his father then found him And they sat in the silence and brooded a while. At last, he said "Son, I know that she's leaving. And I know, too, you're thinking of going along. I remind you a man isn't judged by his orders But the actions he takes and things he decides." He looked at his blade as it flashed 'cross the moon In that moment he knew what his future must be. No longer lost, he had made his decision. The freedom of choice had in turn made him free. (Counterpoint: Fly with me, forget the past. We can build the future in steel and brass.)
This is a beautiful song. It combines a classical, elegant form of singing with the modern instruments and music styles we see today. And the meaning behind the songs is really moving. This song encompasses the whole reason why I fell in love with steampunk in the first place.
Oh my Gooood, you are so welcome! It's also a compliment that's completely deserved - I really love the emphasis on storylines in your pieces, and your music is so pretty. The almost classical music instrumentals also completely fit the mood of the Victorian era - in general, everything is wonderful. Thank you for making such great music, and I hope you continue to do so!
Steampunk is more than an aesthetic or a genre of music or fiction. It is a subculture, and as such it has ample room for deviations from what some consider true Steampunk. To me at least, Steampunk is a celebration of the human spirit of innovation, exploration and adventure which can be so easily found in the nineteenth century A.D, but I myself accept many sub types of the Steampunk genre. So pardon me if I find arguing over what is and isn't steampunk to be petty at best.
Well, damn. This is...frankly, beautiful. Really, this song just epitomizes so much that is good about steampunk - instead of just tossing cogs and clocks at something and calling it 'steampunk,' this music takes the refinement and the elegance of the Victorian period and turns it into pure, auditory art. There is nothing shallow about this music; instead of focusing predominately on clocks and cogs, it focuses on beauty and humanity. This isn't music. This is poetry.
This is wonderful. ~ It's like a story unfolds in your mind while listening to it! I agree with the remarks of mistspinners. This kind of composition enriches the Steampunk genre and has the potential to carry you away to that kind of world.
@FaolanEnFaroth Truly 'tis beautiful. And my favourite Steampunk band, though my experience is shallow. Leaves me wanting for more of this subtle, gorgeous thing.
No, this is music at its best. It marches and trills, it builds and bursts forth in wondrous tune. It toys with emotions like a puppeteer manipulates the marionette.
Wow . . . just got into steampunk a few months ago when I discovered Abney Park. Then I heard Impartial. Then I found this. Now I cant get steampunk (or this) out of my head. Anyone else having the urge to go construct a gunship zeppelin? This combines the emotional rush of epic scores with the incredibly adaptable steampunk theme while telling an actual story instead of just throwing in senseless lyrics. Methinks I have a new favorite steampunk band. Now, where is that replay button . . .
@WildBuck007 and @LuminusDark: In a way you are both right. To quote the program for a steampunk event I attended recently, "The definition of steampunk varies from person to person. If you asked 100 'steampunks' to give you thier definitions of steampunk you'd get 100 different answers." Everyone has ther own view of what is or isn't steampunk and they're all linked into the subculture/genre of Steampunk by certain ideas and concepts that are the same/important for everyone's definition.
@LuminusDark Steam punk originally is the extension of a cultural aspect through time. In other words,fantasy has it the late eighteen hundreds, with the beginning of the industrial revolution did not follow economical circumstances : the population remaining low, there was no need for mass consumption,on the other hand, tools became much adapted to the craftsman's hand stance, and craftsmanship and science became very common. In this context,a wealth of style prevail,mainly inspired by that era
@Velvetspoonful by that era's basic materials...Since people do build their own devices,they decorate them alike...You'll see wood,brass,possibly other alloys,ivory...The music would be late classic, as in Ben Hounge's " Radcliffe's commission "...Basically that's as much as I can say.Of course,what happened in reality is this industrial revolution applied to mass reproduction of the species, mass industrial education, mass consumerism,it was really smart of course. Science also does prevail
Music = amazing Vocals = in my opinion they are very particular. Not everyone will like this sort of voice, but she's clearly a talented singer. I love her in this track, and in Impartial, but not necessarily in all the songs. Her voice is an acquired taste, and I think that's good: she doesn't have to be the typical popstar to sound lovely and enjoyable.
You know, the way the first verse is written, it sounds like he's bound by honor to aid in her capture and bound by duty to abet in her flight, which I think may be the reverse of what was intended ;)
I agree. What LuminusDark is sort of missing here is the 'anachronistic' element of Steampunk. Other than the lyrics, there's nothing really anachronistic about Abney Park's music. It sounds completely modern. (The costumes don't count; when you put on a CD or play an MP3, are you listening to the music a band is making, or are you listening to their clothing?)
It always irks me when people imply that only Victorian steampunk exists. *cough, pretty much everybody here, cough* Regardless, I really do enjoy these songs; it's refreshing to get a change from post-apocalyptic steampunk.
I would probably call Abney Park's music itself "industrial" or "grunge" rather than either "rock" or "steampunk." I wouldn't say music can be steampunk actually, the lyrics make the steampunk-i-ness because steampunk science fiction about an alternate past, and, therefore, a story. A band can be steampunk based on what they sing about. As in, if they sang about the Victorian era exactly as it was, they might have some crossover with steampunk and the same fanbase, but they wouldn't BE steampunk
Maybe they discovered steampunk overnight? I sorta did ... I had heard of it before but I had been reading a lot of 19th century French lit and wanted to write a story of my own and suddenly decided on steampunk ... Although it is partly marketing. However, while they probably gained a new crowd through this, they also probably lost some fans. I love the concept of that band and many of their songs, though not all. Some are, like WildBuck007 said, too metal for my taste
The other issue I have w/Abney Park is that they intentionally adopted the steampunk "ethos" after they were already an established band with a style, a sound, etc. etc. The deliberate (and overnight) change into a "Steampunk Band" just rings false to me. I'm not sure if it's because it seems pretentious, or cynical, or what, but it feels like a marketing gimmick to me more than anything else.
I have had the pleasure of enjoying music from the 50's to now, different genre, musicians past greats and now the present Clockwork Dolls. I truly enjoy your Blades In Autumn.
Lyrics:
As he turned to go I could tell he was angry
But I would not back down from what I knew to be right.
To ask him to choose between honor and duty;
To aid in my capture or abet in my flight.
He knew of my plans, he knew I was leaving
and it offered him the choice to remain or to fly.
To stay in the place where he knew all the answers
Or to face the unknown in the sky.
He strode 'cross the grounds looking for isolation
Skipping stones on the lake to clear up his mind.
He was lost in the dark and the choice laid before him
And whom to disappoint he could not decide.
It was down by that lake that his father then found him
And they sat in the silence and brooded a while.
At last, he said "Son, I know that she's leaving.
And I know, too, you're thinking of going along.
I remind you a man isn't judged by his orders
But the actions he takes and things he decides."
He looked at his blade as it flashed 'cross the moon
In that moment he knew what his future must be.
No longer lost, he had made his decision.
The freedom of choice had in turn made him free.
(Counterpoint: Fly with me, forget the past. We can build the future
in steel and brass.)
Thanks, Gandalf.
you are very welcome, Aether.
Thank'ee
I don't know about you, but for the counterpoint, I only hear "Fly with me" repeated multiple times, and not the rest of it.
This is a beautiful song. It combines a classical, elegant form of singing with the modern instruments and music styles we see today. And the meaning behind the songs is really moving. This song encompasses the whole reason why I fell in love with steampunk in the first place.
Thank you! Thank you very much
i was inspirated to write a dramatic play by your songs! Thanks for your art
this song is beautiful!
Oh my Gooood, you are so welcome! It's also a compliment that's completely deserved - I really love the emphasis on storylines in your pieces, and your music is so pretty. The almost classical music instrumentals also completely fit the mood of the Victorian era - in general, everything is wonderful. Thank you for making such great music, and I hope you continue to do so!
Steampunk is more than an aesthetic or a genre of music or fiction. It is a subculture, and as such it has ample room for deviations from what some consider true Steampunk. To me at least, Steampunk is a celebration of the human spirit of innovation, exploration and adventure which can be so easily found in the nineteenth century A.D, but I myself accept many sub types of the Steampunk genre.
So pardon me if I find arguing over what is and isn't steampunk to be petty at best.
Really nice piece!!...
That's the highest compliment you've recieved? You deserve far more...
Well, damn.
This is...frankly, beautiful. Really, this song just epitomizes so much that is good about steampunk - instead of just tossing cogs and clocks at something and calling it 'steampunk,' this music takes the refinement and the elegance of the Victorian period and turns it into pure, auditory art. There is nothing shallow about this music; instead of focusing predominately on clocks and cogs, it focuses on beauty and humanity.
This isn't music. This is poetry.
This is wonderful. ~ It's like a story unfolds in your mind while listening to it!
I agree with the remarks of mistspinners. This kind of composition enriches the Steampunk genre and has the potential to carry you away to that kind of world.
@FaolanEnFaroth
Truly 'tis beautiful. And my favourite Steampunk band, though my experience is shallow.
Leaves me wanting for more of this subtle, gorgeous thing.
No, this is music at its best. It marches and trills, it builds and bursts forth in wondrous tune. It toys with emotions like a puppeteer manipulates the marionette.
Wow . . . just got into steampunk a few months ago when I discovered Abney Park. Then I heard Impartial. Then I found this. Now I cant get steampunk (or this) out of my head. Anyone else having the urge to go construct a gunship zeppelin?
This combines the emotional rush of epic scores with the incredibly adaptable steampunk theme while telling an actual story instead of just throwing in senseless lyrics. Methinks I have a new favorite steampunk band.
Now, where is that replay button . . .
Спасибо вам, ребята!
@WildBuck007 and @LuminusDark: In a way you are both right.
To quote the program for a steampunk event I attended recently, "The definition of steampunk varies from person to person. If you asked 100 'steampunks' to give you thier definitions of steampunk you'd get 100 different answers."
Everyone has ther own view of what is or isn't steampunk and they're all linked into the subculture/genre of Steampunk by certain ideas and concepts that are the same/important for everyone's definition.
It is beautiful ^o^
Awsome
@LuminusDark Steam punk originally is the extension of a cultural aspect through time. In other words,fantasy has it the late eighteen hundreds, with the beginning of the industrial revolution did not follow economical circumstances : the population remaining low, there was no need for mass consumption,on the other hand, tools became much adapted to the craftsman's hand stance, and craftsmanship and science became very common. In this context,a wealth of style prevail,mainly inspired by that era
@WildBuck007 Exactly. Check out Ben Houge's " Radcliffes comission "...Very steampunk.
@Velvetspoonful by that era's basic materials...Since people do build their own devices,they decorate them alike...You'll see wood,brass,possibly other alloys,ivory...The music would be late classic, as in Ben Hounge's " Radcliffe's commission "...Basically that's as much as I can say.Of course,what happened in reality is this industrial revolution applied to mass reproduction of the species, mass industrial education, mass consumerism,it was really smart of course. Science also does prevail
Music = amazing
Vocals = in my opinion they are very particular. Not everyone will like this sort of voice, but she's clearly a talented singer. I love her in this track, and in Impartial, but not necessarily in all the songs. Her voice is an acquired taste, and I think that's good: she doesn't have to be the typical popstar to sound lovely and enjoyable.
You know, the way the first verse is written, it sounds like he's bound by honor to aid in her capture and bound by duty to abet in her flight, which I think may be the reverse of what was intended ;)
@Velvetspoonful in steampunk atmospheres, since there is the tool to today's perfection in artifact crafting...Basically that's it...
3:54 Best part
Thats the better steampunk music than the orginal steampunk music.
I really hope music as wonderful as this doesn't become "Hot Topic material", because seriously, Steampunk is too great.
I agree. What LuminusDark is sort of missing here is the 'anachronistic' element of Steampunk. Other than the lyrics, there's nothing really anachronistic about Abney Park's music. It sounds completely modern. (The costumes don't count; when you put on a CD or play an MP3, are you listening to the music a band is making, or are you listening to their clothing?)
It always irks me when people imply that only Victorian steampunk exists. *cough, pretty much everybody here, cough*
Regardless, I really do enjoy these songs; it's refreshing to get a change from post-apocalyptic steampunk.
I think the main point is good music and a good singer, sod what genre it is!
They have, in fact, replaced the vocalist since this was recorded.
Who else would choose honor over duty?
Saw them live at the SPWF last month.
Good stuff, they just need to polish their live act and they could really kick some serious arse out there.
I would probably call Abney Park's music itself "industrial" or "grunge" rather than either "rock" or "steampunk." I wouldn't say music can be steampunk actually, the lyrics make the steampunk-i-ness because steampunk science fiction about an alternate past, and, therefore, a story. A band can be steampunk based on what they sing about. As in, if they sang about the Victorian era exactly as it was, they might have some crossover with steampunk and the same fanbase, but they wouldn't BE steampunk
Maybe they discovered steampunk overnight? I sorta did ... I had heard of it before but I had been reading a lot of 19th century French lit and wanted to write a story of my own and suddenly decided on steampunk ... Although it is partly marketing. However, while they probably gained a new crowd through this, they also probably lost some fans. I love the concept of that band and many of their songs, though not all. Some are, like WildBuck007 said, too metal for my taste
The other issue I have w/Abney Park is that they intentionally adopted the steampunk "ethos" after they were already an established band with a style, a sound, etc. etc. The deliberate (and overnight) change into a "Steampunk Band" just rings false to me. I'm not sure if it's because it seems pretentious, or cynical, or what, but it feels like a marketing gimmick to me more than anything else.
great music horrible beyond measure vocals