The Reviews Are In

The Reviews Are In - MP3

Lyrics

We didn’t think it would be easy, we knew you only get

Out of something what you put into it

So we pooled our hearts and put our heads together

If I may say so you were brave beyond expectations long

After it was clear that something was wrong

This won’t come as a surprise but it’ll sting a little

The reviews are in

The reviews are in

Our love relied too heavily on special effects

The characters were too contrived, the setup too complex

We used up all the money on the violence and sex

And had no story

I would have nominated us for most optimistic pitch

Of a happy ending the likes of which

Would require disbelief beyond suspension

But in the end the thrills were fleeting; our public wanted more,

Like a leading pair they’d be rooting for

And although I’d give us points for trying, they’re not buying

The reviews are in

The reviews are in

Our love relied too heavily on special effects

The characters were too contrived, the setup too complex

We used up all the money on the violence and sex

And had no story

We’ll never work

We’ll never work

We’ll never work

In this town again

Music

Chords

intro:

G  G+  e/G  G+  G  G+  c

verse:

e   A   C   G
e   A7  a7  c
e   A   C   G
e   A7  a7  D

chorus:

G  G+  e/G  G+
G  G+  e/G  a0
a7     b7      C      Dsus4  D
a7/E   Dsus4/F#
G  G+  e/G  G+  G  G+  c

bridge:

G  b/F#  e  e7/D
C
D
e
A7/C#    A7
C
a0/D#    B7
C
c

Structure

A B A B C

Author's Notes

Gabe and I wrote this song together, via e-mail, in October and November of 2007. I wrote the chorus first, then Gabe wrote verse one. Then I wrote verse two, and Gabe revised a few lines. Then Gabe suggested the words for the bridge and I wrote the melody. Then we sat on the song for a while and agonized over a few word choices (inconclusively).

There is a lot wrong with this demo, but I think it at least captures the energy I'd want this song to have.

I don't think either of us knows exactly how to end it. Two choruses are enough.

DannyOBrien 14:22, 19 March 2008 (PDT)

Nice job on the demo, Danny! I just made the slight tweaks to the lyrics that we talked about. Now I'll be able to sleep at night. Seems like despite our reservations, the ending we chose has gone over pretty well. I like it in practice as well as theory, too.

Gabemcelwain 08:24, 26 March 2008 (PDT)

Comments

Fantastic!

1. I love the old record effect on the rhythm track.
2. The rhymes are all tight yet natural (I especially like "it'll...little," and of course the chorus).
3. The ending is brilliant: it sounds like a whiney/sappy line about the relationship but then it turns into a Hollywood cliche, ending the song decisively in the movie rather than break up world (which I find hilarious). The slow-down and then sudden click right back into tempo with the return of the intro is also amazing.
4. I like how the intro sounds spy movie-esque.

Dk 17:10, 23 March 2008 (PDT)

Brilliant! Deirdre and I burst out laughing when we listened to this song this morning. Here are my thoughts after about 10 listens. . .

1. The rhythm is great. It reminds me of something you'd expect to hear on a washboard, or played with spoons. It fits the song perfectly.
2. I like the way you are putting the emphasis on the wrong syllable. "something is clear" "The reviews are in" It's playful and completely out of character for Gabe.
3. I like the way you don't get the relationship/movie concept until the end of the chorus. "the reviews are in" part builds tension, and then the 2nd part of the chorus delivers the punch line. deirdre and i laughed out loud when we got to this part of the song.
4. The outro (bridge?) is great, and the perfect length. I'm a sucker for descending guitar lines. I love the guitar part that leads into the outro, and the chords are great there. Really great.
5. Lastly, I like the way the rhythm slows down/breaks down at the end, but then comes back in time.

Conorl 17:21, 23 March 2008 (PDT)

Thanks for kind words, you two! DK, thanks for noticing rhymes, I had to sweat for some of them! Conor, it's funny that you mention mis-emphasising of a few of the syllables, because you're right--I try never to do that. But in the rare case when I think I might get away with it, I bolster myself by remembering "I Say", in which the emphases are all over the place. It bugged me like crazy at first when the Passerines first started playing it, but I came around to it eventually. Point is, in as much as I'm able to let myself do it, I owe that ability to DK. Gabemcelwain 09:56, 24 March 2008 (PDT)