I was just a little brother
when I had to become a man.
That night I slept by my mother
though I did not understand.
Slowly I became a martyr
who tried to save the damned.
But as my heart grew harder
I began to plow the land.
I’ve been working ever since.
I just keep working
like the work is heaven sent
I’ve been working
like on work my life depends.
So I’ll keep working
until my life ends.
I came home and you were crying.
You said that Peter died.
Well he climbed up a mountain
then jumped into the other side.
And I was with my sisters
the night when Terry passed.
But we are still a family
even after that shotgun blast.
I’ve been working ever since.
I just keep working
like the work is heaven sent.
I’ve been working
like on work my life depends.
So I’ll keep working
until my life ends.
She gave me her sickness
by kissing me on my mouth.
Now I feel so different
anytime I’m with someone else.
Yeah I though you were listening
but I was deceived.
This disease you were given
you were not meant to receive.
Don’t lose your grip
on what you’ve read
and what is just a myth
you made in your head.
I used to be so sick.
I was in so much pain.
I could not even pretend
that I would ever fall in love again.
Don’t lose your grip
on what you’ve read
and what is just a myth
you made in your head.
Don’t lose your grip
on what you’ve read
and what is just a myth
you made in your head.
Memories and nostalgia flood my mind.
I am suddenly reliving my whole life
behind my eyes.
So I put on a great record and wait.
I try to enjoy the sensation yeah.
In my mind I remember
how it used to be.
When I did not know
what would happen to me.
I remember
I remember
I remember how it used to be.
So I put on a great record and wait.
I try to enjoy the sensation yeah.
Put on a great record and wait.
Try to enjoy the sensation yeah.
Flying over the ground.
Looking out at the sky.
All the land is divided.
Highways cut through the earth.
Driving into thin air.
Grey clouds in the air.
Black smoke in the air.
The air is carbon monoxide.
Taking us for fools.
Making up their own rules.
Breaking our tools.
Wearing our insides
We’re on the inside.
Wearing our insides
We’re on the inside.
Wearing our insides out.
Shaking with a cold sweat.
Can’t forget what that feels like.
Shaking with a cold sweat.
Can’t forget what that feels like.
Driving into thin air.
Grey clouds in the air.
Black smoke in the air.
The air is carbon monoxide.
In the middle of the fight
they laugh when you’re right.
They want you to snap.
Say something you can’t take back.
Like…
Do you swear on your guardian angel’s grave?
They said the made a terrible mistake.
They said they didn’t know your heart would break.
They said that was the truth
but you knew it was fake.
And so you walked away.
Do you swear on your guardian angel’s grave?
They cheat.
They lie.
They ruin your life.
They kill.
They steal.
They will spy on you until you die.
They tried to talk you out of it.
But you would not have it.
Because you gave them everything.
And they took it and didn’t even blink yeah.
They cheat.
They lie.
They ruin your life.
They kill.
They steal.
They will spy on you until you die.
They cheat.
They lie.
They ruin your life.
They kill.
They steal.
They will spy on you until you die.
Alright.
I can’t rewind my life
but I look backwards and I find
that I remember trying to decide
what is wrong and what is right.
I drew a circle on my hand.
I drew a star on my hand.
And then I said out loud
What happens when I die?
Well a levy divides the sea and land
a wide divide between the water and sand.
And the horizon line is a thousand miles wide
stretches as far as my eyes can see.
Yeah yeah.
If you live like nothing phase you
then you’ve already grown old.
And if you don’t let life change you
well then your story has been told.
How many times has your life been lived?
Well a levy divides the sea and land
a wide divide between the water and sand.
And the horizon line is a thousand miles wide
stretches as far as my eyes can see.
Is everyone alright?
With everyone
is it alright?
Yes or no?
Is everyone here alright?
Yes everyone here will die.
about
In 2020, I began the final writing and recording process for an album of songs I started 10 years prior. Completed in 2023, “Wildfire Sky”, is the first of my albums to showcase my musical prowess. I wrote and performed all lyrics, melodies, rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass, drums, and organ. I then recorded and mixed everything in my own custom built studio. I also designed all the album workout, including liner sleeves and inserts. After completing the mixing myself, I had the album mastered by Metropolis Studios in London, the only step of the process where I had any outside help.
Wildfire Sky is deeply personal. I describe universal human experiences that are not often discussed, hoping listeners will relate to my music more strongly than with most mainstream music. By being vulnerable, genuine, and authentic, I am letting the audience into the parts of myself I can only share with the world through music. I wish is to give voice to the emotional core of my listeners, who may have been thinking or feeling something they thought was indescribable. I want people to know they are not alone, I see them, and I'm trying to provide some sort of relief. I hope you can connect and relate to these songs about mental health, climate change, the transformative power of music, and so much more.
Vocally, this album is straightforward and to the point. I know what I want to say, and don't hide behind excessive imagery or abstract creative language. On “Healing”, the second verse of “Sickness”, “Perfect Memory”, and “Guardian Angel”, the lyrics are literal. However, on songs like, “Oxygen” and “Wide Divide” the lyrics become more figurative and symbolic, opening up their meaning to the listener. The vocal melodies range from almost talk singing, like on the verses of “Healing”, to a near full belt during the bridge on “Oxygen” and the bridge on “Wide Divide”. The vocals are doubled only during the choruses, to create a huge open sound, designed to emphasize the importance of the lyrical content. This technique can be best heard on, “Wide Divide”.
The songs on the album are driven by detailed acoustic guitar rhythms. The guitar playing is dynamic, and ranges from hard down strokes, to intricate finger picking. During the choruses of “Healing”, the verses and bridge of “Oxygen”, and the choruses of “Guardian Angel”, the acoustic guitar is being pushed to its limits, to create huge chords that resonate immensely. During the intro and verses of “Sickness” and “Perfect Memory”, the acoustic guitar is soft and delicate, emphasizing each note creating the rhythm. On “Wide Divide”, the acoustic guitar plays the lead lines during the intro before the band kicks in, and the acoustic starts strumming the rhythm.
The electric guitar keeps the music moving forward with the perfect blend of technical and feel-based leads. The electric guitar also decorates the time between major transitions in each song. On “Wide Divide” after the final chorus into the ending, the electric guitar plays a descending melody of hammer ons and pull offs, guiding the listener into the final minute of music. The electric guitar is also used to build momentum into the choruses of each song, like on “Healing”. Interestingly, the electric guitar is almost never played when there are vocals, making plenty of space for uninterrupted solos. Most notably in the final moments of “Sickness” and “Guardian Angel”.
The bass has a thick and warm tone that fills out the low end on every song. The bass lines are simple and mostly follow the root note of the acoustic guitar rhythm. Keeping the bass lines simple, allow for the complex nuances of the guitar to shine, while adding much needed depth and body to the songs. This can be heard during the first verse of “Healing”, when the bass comes in at the same time as the vocals, and throughout “Perfect Memory”. Sometimes, the bass plays full chords to make the music heavier, like during the end of “Sickness” and the bridge of “Oxygen”. The bass has a stand out moment during the intro of ‘Wide Divide”, when it plays the main rhythm, while the acoustic guitar and organ take the lead. The bass and drums even have a brief solo moment at the start of “Guardian Angel”.
Also on the album, is a classic rock organ. The organ uniquely helps tie each instrument together, by adding a much needed electronic ambience. Similarly to the bass, the organ melodies are simple and mostly follow the root note of the acoustic guitar, as heard in “Healing” and “Perfect Memory”. However, the organ is in the high end of the mix, heard in the same frequencies as the cymbals. Playing the organ in the upper register greatly expands the tonal range of the songs, enhancing the polished and shimmering sound of the record. A great example of this is during the chorus of “Sickness”. There are also a few moments when the organ acts similarly to a subtle electric guitar lead line. This can be heard during the bridge of “Oxygen”, the choruses of “Guardian Angel”, and when the bridge ends on “Wide Divide”.
Last but not least, are the drums. They sound big, with a punchy snare and boomy kick. The toms have a deep wonderful thump, and the cymbals have a shimmering natural room reverb. The drumming is tight and minimal, like during the verses of “Sickness”. The drums frequently create a rise in tension before the choruses of the songs, by slowly opening the hi-hat, then going into a fast roll on the snare. “Healing”, “Perfect Memory”, “Guardian Angel” and “Wide Divide” are great examples of this technique.
The 10 years I spent making this album are clearly heard in the amount of thought, level of care, and attention to detail paid to each part of the records creation. These songs have the ability to connect with a deeper part of their listeners than most mainstream music. This record seems to know its listeners both public and private selves, their good and bad qualities, and their most cherished and troubled experiences. Some may not want to open themselves up to this feeling, but turn on the music, and it will guide you there willingly.
credits
released July 7, 2023
Written, Recorded, and Mixed
by Cooper Rosenthal
at The Red House
in Olympia, WA
Mastered by John Davis
at Metropolis Mastering
in London, England
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