"...Get a Stupid Answer"

Created in a week by The Cow Exchange (a.k.a. The Singing Answerman), between June 22 and June 29 2006

Choosing to do an AAW might be my worst decision ever. But here I am.

The concept: I had 1 week to write/record/produce a 35-minute album of music. The Songfight community agreed on a handful of rules, and suggested two handfuls of optional challenges (a.k.a. "Thingies"); I tried to do as many as I can. In addition to all of this, I used the "Yahoo! Answers" Web site as inspiration for each song. Throughout this album, you'll find me answering (and asking) questions through song.

Let me repeat: the album had to be done in a week (from start to finish), 35 minutes long, and I had to finish/release everything I started. That is why you find filler here.

You can jeer me on from the sidelines if you like.

Tracklist

Stream this Album (M3U)

Runtime: 35:50. Plat plays on all parts except where mentioned below. Thanks to Jeff G and Claire D for dropping in Wednesday for some jammin'.

1. 5 pounds in 3 days? (mp3, lyrics; 2:45)
   The only track that repeats its chorus in normal structure. Enjoy it while it lasts.
2. What does the expression "dropping the ball" mean? (mp3, lyrics; 1:01)
3. What will be four letters after "d i s c _ _ _ _"? (mp3, lyrics; 2:08)
   My first song ever to be chosen as a "Yahoo! Answers Best Answer". Yayyyiee! Ten bonus points. It also shows gratuitous use of pitch correction, which seemed to fit the genre at the time.
4. REALLY!!!! how r u? how is ur day going?? (mp3, lyrics; 1:19)
   Thingie #11: mentions "coffee". This is the first and only take I recorded, and I'm pretty happy about that.
5. Overstepping boundaries? (mp3, lyrics; 2:25)
   Thingie #3: has a drum solo. As usual, the solo was performed as a single "live" take, by playing through a keyboard. That's rock'n'roll.
6. What is phone sex? (mp3, lyrics; 2:07)
   Claire D on viola and clappin'; Jeff G on harmonica and tin whistle AT THE SAME TIME. Thingie #5: folk guitar rappin'.
7. Answermission Dance (instrumental) (mp3; 3:57)
   Thingie #6: has plenty of cowbell (but you'll have to listen closely for something panning like crazy in parts). Thingie #8: Has hand farts. A very Kontakt-heavy piece; the main riff loop comes with Kontakt's installation, but cut and applied with the crazies. Move over, P Diddy.
8. At work, when its hot, my sweat drips on hamburgers. Should I serve them anyway and not waste food? (mp3, lyrics; 0:15)
   Thingie #2: doesn't use notes C or F#
9. Why doesn't alcohol packaging show Nutrition Facts? (mp3, lyrics; 1:02)
   I asked this question! Figured I earned it. I get two points for each answer I supply, and it costs five points to ask a question
10. Can someone give me the IP address of www.yahoo.com? (mp3, lyrics; 1:27)
11. Can an ex-boyfriend take back a gift? (mp3, lyrics; 1:15)
12. What are some romantic date ideas? (mp3, lyrics; 1:40)
    Jeff G. on viola; Claire D. on bongos. Can you tell I improvised the lyrics and melody as I went? And that it was hours before the album was due? Yeah, I thought you could.
13. ... (featuring Claire) (mp3; 0:21)
    
    Thingie #10: bird sounds! Features Claire on the everything (melodic whistlin' and bird whistlin'). I love how my MP3 player's EQ visualizer dances as she whistles.
14. Unlibrarylike (instrumental filler) (mp3; 4:17)
15. HTML QUESTION! When making a form...? (mp3, lyrics; 9:34)
    A last-ditch effort to fulfill Thingie #1 ("in the dessert") and Thingie #4 ("passes mustard"), and of course to fill the last 9 minutes of time. Lots of gargling, in hopes to fulfill Thingie #9 (recording vocals "underwater"). Finished just under the buzzer, don't expect quality. Of course, if you made it this far in the album, your expectations are probably already sufficiently lowered. Way improv'd, with much room for improvement.

Other AAWers

Others who finished on time:

• Jolly Roger
• ...and someone else who doesn't want me to link to them.

Those who didn't quite make it, but have songs to show for it:

• <3
• Glenn Case
• BJam! (She posted her Highway, but you'd have to dig in the comments to find it).

Those who have waved the carrot but have not brought it within our ears' reach.

• Jim Tyrrell
• Niveous

P.S.: I changed "Twists" to "Thingies" because I am lame and forgot what the T stood for. So if you see something here that looks like a twist, IT'S NOT! IT'S A THINGIE!