I've Met More Monsters (Than I Have Met Heroes)

A third track has been completed for the new e.p. It has a decidedly U2 esque sound, though it wasn't my original intention. I'm a huge Brian Eno fan and the ambiance he helped create on "The Joshua Tree" is phenomenal.

It was a challenge and a half to create this song and it's huge "WALL OF SOUND" chorus was a herculean task. There was countless overdubs, bouncing and panning whilst trying to figure out a higher harmony to the original guitar motif.

I wrote these words about 14 years ago and found them in an old sketch book. It was like meeting an old friend and the words are exactly what I was all about at that time. Angry, scared. embittered, heartbroken and still wrestling the tail end of puberty. It's fitting that this will share the e.p. with "Magpies...". The two tracks are yin and yang, subject wise so it makes a nice balance lyrically. You can listen to it HERE

I hope you enjoy it,
Phil,

Magpies & Rockstars PT. II

Told you I'd be back soon. This is a ballad I wrote around our wedding piece. The words have always been there and have been thrown into songs that they just haven't fit into, the vibe just wasn't there. I'm not keen on the vocal performance but have made plenty of attempts at it and this was the best of a poor lot.

But I'm pleased with the production. It's tight and punchy and the melodic guitar lead lines soar along with the ambient arpeggiated clean lines. It's just a pure and simple pop song, written in tribute to my better half. The words are simple, yet every one of them is true. To be honest it feels I've finally climbed a mountain or turned a corner so to speak. Creating music is normally second nature to me and yet it has been tough to pick up a guitar lately. Kudos to my youngest brother, James, who indulged me a spot of jamming yesterday which seemed to fuel this recording with a little vibrancy.
Thanks for reading.

You can hear it here: Phil McClean - Magpies & Rockstars PT. II

Goodbye philmcclean....

...music.com

Got your attention yet? Good!
Due to ongoing difficulties with my website provider who can't seem to sort out a simple domain error, I have decided to effectively retire the website. There is no point in paying for the service I expect and getting little or none to that effect. I am aggrieved at the loss of all the literal work I put in but it's not going to bring me down. I have also decided to drop the sequel idea to "Heresy" which was "Faith" as it was taking it's toll on me.

Basically I need to be in a certain place to write or create songs which are rather dark, especially of that ilk. It's not been a particularly happy year for myself or my family, and I find, as I immerse myself back into the story I created, I am going back to the same dark places I found myself earlier in the year. Places I hoped I'd never visit again. So I have begun a new journey, one which I was unaware I had already started. I am on a more positive path, with plenty to look forward to in the coming weeks and months. Autumn has crept in, my favourite time of year, and my music is taking a brighter route - filled with hope, wonder and non-stop dreaming! I will be uploading some new work soon, I know I've been away for a while but there have been plenty of distractions.....

Stick with me, I haven't left you. Keep the faith and watch this space. Thanks for reading.