The Difficult Second
by Fearful Symmetry
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Streaming + DownloadIncludes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.Purchasable with gift card
$7 USD or more
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Compact Disc (CD) + Digital AlbumHoused in a Jewel case with full color 12 page booklet.
Recommended for fans of Magenta, Karnataka, Flamborough Head, Kaprekar's Constant,The Aaron Clift Experiment, Glass Island, and For Absent Friends
Includes unlimited streaming of The Difficult Second via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.ships out within 5 days$16 USD or more
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1. |
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Chorus
Mood swings and roundabouts
A silent drive to remove all doubt
Listen now, no second guess
I won’t say no, if you say yes.
Verse 1
A song too long, you crave an end
Time and a word in your ear offend
Chords collide, the melody’s weak
Wind-up lines in unkind critique.
Chorus
Mood swings and roundabouts
Away from silent screams and shouts
Leaving now, I think it’s best
I won’t say no, if you say yes.
Verse 2
Answers to questions not conceived
Found unbound in your make-believe
A lonely heart that wants to live
Reply for once in affirmative.
Chorus
Mood swings and roundabouts
A silent drive to remove all doubt
Listen now, no second guess
I won’t say no, if you say yes.
Verse 3
I’m on the edge, but don’t look down
A fall from grace, always runaround
Strike a chord and arpeggio
One last look and away I go.
Chorus
Mood swings and roundabouts
Away from silent screams and shouts
Leaving now, I think it’s best
I won’t say no, if you say yes.
Mood swings
Roundabouts
Mood swings
Roundabouts
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2. |
The Difficult Second
03:56
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3. |
Light of My Life
05:39
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Verse 1
Musical maestro, magical muse
Hazel-eyed angel, win some to lose
The flame that burns too bright
Seldom burns for long
Verse 2
When darkness fills me, you help me through
Alone on my journey, still I’m with you
The life we lived as one
Echoes in your song.
Chorus
Light of my life,
Time out of time
Still in my dreams,
With me forever.
Light of my life,
Time out of time
Still in my dreams,
We live together.
Verse 3
Visions of you, hammer my heart
Hearing your voice, I don’t fall apart
The flame that burns too bright
Seldom burns for long
Verse 4
I close my eyes, you’re not far away
You burn within me, brighter than day
The life we lived as one
Echoes in your song.
Chorus (rpt)
Verse 5
Bittersweet memories, a smile and a tear
Laughter and music, bringing you near
The flame that burns too bright
Seldom burns for long
Verse 6
Days turn to years, but never gets old
Recorded in time, the story’s retold
The life we lived as one
Echoes in your song.
Chorus (rpt)
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4. |
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5. |
Eastern Eyes
05:14
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Verse 1
Walk on hard road
Sands will cover your tracks
Written in dust
Bargains tainted by blood
Chorus
Somewhere there’s an answer
A future for the child
No more desert dances
Somewhere deep in Eastern Eyes
Verse 2
Keep faith, seek truth
Stop all building on lies
Drive out deceit
Bypass borders and flags
Chorus (rpt)
Verse 3
Shun hate, love life
Too soon it will have flown
The moment is now
Nothing’s written in stone
Chorus (rpt)
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6. |
The Song of the Siren
04:57
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Verse 1
My pain into the darkness flew,
From empty rooms that bore witness to
A lifetime of love,
That vanished in an instant
That left me alone,
Stone cold and distant.
Verse 2
On I rushed into the night,
’Til all the street-lights were out of sight
I ceased to run at last,
Alone with my sorrow
I vowed to leave the past,
Take hope for tomorrow.
Chorus
Won’t fear the night with hope in my heart
Hope is the light that shines in the dark. (rpt)
Verse 3
The night mist brushed against my face,
The silv’ry waters I knelt to taste
At rest my spirit lay,
On still-warm earth
Waiting for the day,
The sun’s bright fiery birth.
Chorus (rpt)
Coda
Won’t fear the night with hope in my heart,
Hope is the light that shines in the dark.
I won’t be undone,
Be on the run,
Hide from the sun in seasons
I’ll reach for the sky,
Don’t ask me why,
I’ll leave behind old reasons
I’ll right my own wrongs,
Sing my own songs,
Fight for the rights of strangers
I’ll seek out the truth,
Deny the uncouth,
Find my own way through dangers.
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7. |
Hope
05:36
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Verse 1
My pain into the darkness flew,
From empty rooms that bore witness to
A lifetime of love,
That vanished in an instant
That left me alone,
Stone cold and distant.
Verse 2
On I rushed into the night,
’Til all the street-lights were out of sight
I ceased to run at last,
Alone with my sorrow
I vowed to leave the past,
Take hope for tomorrow.
Chorus
Won’t fear the night with hope in my heart
Hope is the light that shines in the dark. (rpt)
Verse 3
The night mist brushed against my face,
The silv’ry waters I knelt to taste
At rest my spirit lay,
On still-warm earth
Waiting for the day,
The sun’s bright fiery birth.
Chorus (rpt)
Coda
Won’t fear the night with hope in my heart,
Hope is the light that shines in the dark.
I won’t be undone,
Be on the run,
Hide from the sun in seasons
I’ll reach for the sky,
Don’t ask me why,
I’ll leave behind old reasons
I’ll right my own wrongs,
Sing my own songs,
Fight for the rights of strangers
I’ll seek out the truth,
Deny the uncouth,
Find my own way through dangers.
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8. |
Sandworm
06:37
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Verse 1
Deep beneath the ancient sands,
Insinuates among the dunes,
Breeching surface, time to feed
Blind but lit by lambent moons.
Chorus
Victims are unknowing,
That rhythm gives intent
No arms exist to hold them,
And mortal flesh is rent.
Prophets they dissemble,
They subdue the beast
Rewarded for allegiance,
By sharing in the feast.
Verse 2
Monstrous serpent, terror form,
Providing power in its spice,
Where psychic promise is the draw,
Some take despite the grievous price.
Chorus (rpt)
Bridge
Sandworm -
Enthralled by its power,
Its promise devoured
This deep delving demon,
Will take you and crush all your dreams.
Sandworm -
Alone in its presence,
No choice but quiescence
Smothered and wretched,
No-one can hear your screams.
Verse 3
To avoid offensive fate,
Break your step, unrhythmic pace,
Hold your future in your hands,
Walk your own path, walk with grace.
Chorus (rpt)
Bridge
Sandworm -
Enthralled by its power,
Its promise devoured
This deep delving demon,
Will take you and crush all your dreams.
Sandworm -
Alone in its presence,
No choice but quiescence
Smothered and wretched,
No-one can hear your screams.
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9. |
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10. |
Warlords
14:49
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about
Fearful Symmetry is a studio based, London, UK progressive music project, originally created by cousins Suzi James and Jeremy Shotts.
The music crosses over several genres such as classic prog, rock, jazz, and symphonic.
From Suzi:
‘The Difficult Second’ track notes...
Among these diverse tracks in the sand, may you find familiarity, comfort, hope, joy, amusement. Experience the songs at face value, or seek the not-so-hidden contemporary stories, “'Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings”...
‘Mood Swings And Roundabouts’ - was something I overheard as I was pushing my trolley around the local supermarket. A couple of older fellows were catching up with each other, “So, how’s the missus?”, “oh, the usual - mood swings, and roundabouts”. I tied it into a jaunty song about separation - probably over one half’s particular taste in prog music.
‘The Difficult Second’ - about a faulty alarm clock. Also, the ‘second’ track :)
‘Light Of My Life’ - a lot of us will have been affected by deep personal loss in recent years - not just through Covid. For the musicians gone, we still have their music keeping them alive. There’s more to it, but that’s all I’ll say right now.
‘Shifting Sands’ - an instrumental with a Middle Eastern vocalisation from Yael that includes classic micro-tonal intervals.
‘Eastern Eyes’ - in a similar vein - difficult to build a future without a solid foundation. It takes courage and clear-headedness to ensure security and equality for succeeding generations.
‘The Song Of The Siren’ - Greek mythology, or is it? Sexual predators appear in many disguises. I originally wrote this for an ‘80s rock band that I was playing in at the time. It’s changed a bit since then.
‘Hope’ - when it seems we have nothing left, or the world seems to be in turmoil, twisting itself in knots, there is always hope.
‘Sandworm’ - I wrote this about 10 years ago as an instrumental, but added lyrics two years ago. And then the remake of ‘Dune’ was released. Big fan here.
‘Shukraan Jazilaan’ - another instrumental using middle eastern scales, among others. The original version got its first airing about seven years ago at a ‘special’ birthday party for my cousin Jeremy Shotts - who introduced me to Yossi Sassi (& the Oriental Rock Orchestra) and his musician friends, plus my galactic guitar mentor Daniel Weiss.
‘Warlords’ - an epic. This started many years ago and has been through many revisions since. I wrote it for a prog band I was in during 1975-1980 called Bazazz.
I designed the cover with clues to the songs - plus my kitchen clock and me sinking into the sands of time...
Website: www.FearfulSymmetry.rocks
Bandcamp: fearfulsymmetry.bandcamp.com/album/the-difficult-second
Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/3GR2o067mifk2qObx4luPf
Also on: Apple Music, iTunes, and other platforms.
The music crosses over several genres such as classic prog, rock, jazz, and symphonic.
From Suzi:
‘The Difficult Second’ track notes...
Among these diverse tracks in the sand, may you find familiarity, comfort, hope, joy, amusement. Experience the songs at face value, or seek the not-so-hidden contemporary stories, “'Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings”...
‘Mood Swings And Roundabouts’ - was something I overheard as I was pushing my trolley around the local supermarket. A couple of older fellows were catching up with each other, “So, how’s the missus?”, “oh, the usual - mood swings, and roundabouts”. I tied it into a jaunty song about separation - probably over one half’s particular taste in prog music.
‘The Difficult Second’ - about a faulty alarm clock. Also, the ‘second’ track :)
‘Light Of My Life’ - a lot of us will have been affected by deep personal loss in recent years - not just through Covid. For the musicians gone, we still have their music keeping them alive. There’s more to it, but that’s all I’ll say right now.
‘Shifting Sands’ - an instrumental with a Middle Eastern vocalisation from Yael that includes classic micro-tonal intervals.
‘Eastern Eyes’ - in a similar vein - difficult to build a future without a solid foundation. It takes courage and clear-headedness to ensure security and equality for succeeding generations.
‘The Song Of The Siren’ - Greek mythology, or is it? Sexual predators appear in many disguises. I originally wrote this for an ‘80s rock band that I was playing in at the time. It’s changed a bit since then.
‘Hope’ - when it seems we have nothing left, or the world seems to be in turmoil, twisting itself in knots, there is always hope.
‘Sandworm’ - I wrote this about 10 years ago as an instrumental, but added lyrics two years ago. And then the remake of ‘Dune’ was released. Big fan here.
‘Shukraan Jazilaan’ - another instrumental using middle eastern scales, among others. The original version got its first airing about seven years ago at a ‘special’ birthday party for my cousin Jeremy Shotts - who introduced me to Yossi Sassi (& the Oriental Rock Orchestra) and his musician friends, plus my galactic guitar mentor Daniel Weiss.
‘Warlords’ - an epic. This started many years ago and has been through many revisions since. I wrote it for a prog band I was in during 1975-1980 called Bazazz.
I designed the cover with clues to the songs - plus my kitchen clock and me sinking into the sands of time...
Website: www.FearfulSymmetry.rocks
Bandcamp: fearfulsymmetry.bandcamp.com/album/the-difficult-second
Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/3GR2o067mifk2qObx4luPf
Also on: Apple Music, iTunes, and other platforms.
credits
released July 15, 2022
Huge thanks to Jon Farley of ‘Checking For Echo Project’ for his assistance with plug-ins, mixing and mastering advice. Please check out his superb albums 'Life & Other Short Stories: Vol1 & Vol2’ at checkingforecho.bandcamp.com
Also, thanks to Pat Sanders of Drifting Sun fame for his additional valuable feedback, CD package design expertise, and assistance with CD replication services. www.driftingsun.co.uk
Vocal arrangements: Yael Shotts
Drum arrangements: Sharon Petrover
All words, music, and overall arrangements by Suzi James, with Jeremy Shotts contributing the lyrics of ‘Warlords part 4 - Battlestorm'.
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Thanks also to… the many radio show hosts who have featured tracks from Fearful Symmetry’s first album ‘Louder Than Words’:
‘Lancelot’ - TMB Radio/themusicalbox.com.ar, George & Nihal - Prog n Roll/justincaseradio.com, Paul Grunill - The Last Outpost/HFM 102.3, Shaun Geraghty - The Prog Mill/progzilla.com, Julie Sanchez - Prog Rock Nation/KTAL-LP, Bob Prigmore - Prog And Rock Show/Beat Route Radio, Stuffer White - Light Without Heat, Ron Marquiss - FNP/fridaynightprogressive.com, Eddie McFadden - Kiss That Prog/Listen Lanarkshire, Kevin Slaymaker - Between Two Worlds/crmk.co.uk, Larne Peters - Prog Alley/progalley.eu, Steve Pilkington - Saucerful Of Prog, Peter ‘Prog’ O’Neill - Check It Out/Epic Mondays/progrock.com, Emma Roebuck - Progzilla Radio…with apologies to anyone I’ve missed.
Not forgetting the reviewers: Bob Mulvey - The Prog Aspect, Didier Gonzales - Highland Magazine, Geoff Penn - Prog Planet, John Simms - flightoftheskypilot.blogspot, Paul Watson - All Things Prog Rock, Brent Everett, Bob Levoy - Oasis Entertainment…
Thanks especially to our new found prog family who have listened to our music, shared and promoted it. There are so many, but to name a few:
Mike Jobborn, Cheryl Griffiths, Nickie Harte Kelly, Alex L, Kevin Feeley, Tatsurou Ueda, Bob ‘Progbob’ M, Leo T, Harold/Dave, Dyanne Potter Voegtlin (Potters Daughter), David Tares, Colin Powell, Lucy S, Tony C, Rick Peuser, Alexandros, Johnny B, Amanda S, Trevor H, Nemo Dre (Future Feature/Dutch Progressive Rock), Roland W Craig, all the chatroom friends, aaaargh! I’m running out of space…
Huge thanks to Jon Farley of ‘Checking For Echo Project’ for his assistance with plug-ins, mixing and mastering advice. Please check out his superb albums 'Life & Other Short Stories: Vol1 & Vol2’ at checkingforecho.bandcamp.com
Also, thanks to Pat Sanders of Drifting Sun fame for his additional valuable feedback, CD package design expertise, and assistance with CD replication services. www.driftingsun.co.uk
Vocal arrangements: Yael Shotts
Drum arrangements: Sharon Petrover
All words, music, and overall arrangements by Suzi James, with Jeremy Shotts contributing the lyrics of ‘Warlords part 4 - Battlestorm'.
-------------------
Thanks also to… the many radio show hosts who have featured tracks from Fearful Symmetry’s first album ‘Louder Than Words’:
‘Lancelot’ - TMB Radio/themusicalbox.com.ar, George & Nihal - Prog n Roll/justincaseradio.com, Paul Grunill - The Last Outpost/HFM 102.3, Shaun Geraghty - The Prog Mill/progzilla.com, Julie Sanchez - Prog Rock Nation/KTAL-LP, Bob Prigmore - Prog And Rock Show/Beat Route Radio, Stuffer White - Light Without Heat, Ron Marquiss - FNP/fridaynightprogressive.com, Eddie McFadden - Kiss That Prog/Listen Lanarkshire, Kevin Slaymaker - Between Two Worlds/crmk.co.uk, Larne Peters - Prog Alley/progalley.eu, Steve Pilkington - Saucerful Of Prog, Peter ‘Prog’ O’Neill - Check It Out/Epic Mondays/progrock.com, Emma Roebuck - Progzilla Radio…with apologies to anyone I’ve missed.
Not forgetting the reviewers: Bob Mulvey - The Prog Aspect, Didier Gonzales - Highland Magazine, Geoff Penn - Prog Planet, John Simms - flightoftheskypilot.blogspot, Paul Watson - All Things Prog Rock, Brent Everett, Bob Levoy - Oasis Entertainment…
Thanks especially to our new found prog family who have listened to our music, shared and promoted it. There are so many, but to name a few:
Mike Jobborn, Cheryl Griffiths, Nickie Harte Kelly, Alex L, Kevin Feeley, Tatsurou Ueda, Bob ‘Progbob’ M, Leo T, Harold/Dave, Dyanne Potter Voegtlin (Potters Daughter), David Tares, Colin Powell, Lucy S, Tony C, Rick Peuser, Alexandros, Johnny B, Amanda S, Trevor H, Nemo Dre (Future Feature/Dutch Progressive Rock), Roland W Craig, all the chatroom friends, aaaargh! I’m running out of space…
license
all rights reserved
tags
about
Melodic Revolution Distribution Florida
Promoting independent music from around the world since 2004
discography
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May 2006 -
Oct 2010 -
Jul 2007 -
Sep 2013
contact / help
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