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The Difficult Second

by Fearful Symmetry

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1.
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
2.
“I don’t want to alarm you, however, I…” (Instrumental)
3.
erse 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)
4.
(No lyrics)
5.
Eastern Eyes 05:14
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)
6.
Verse 1 Alluring seducer, Who leads you into danger, Dead at her feet - Death is no stranger. Sings such a sweet song, Beguiling and entrancing, It’s too late, Demons advancing. Chorus Won’t get out alive, No-one can survive The song of the siren Verse 2 Blood-red are her lips, So tempting and inviting, Eyes on fire, All senses exciting. Through wild illusion, She hides her potent voodoo Seen too late, She starts to consume you. Chorus (rpt) Bridge Sail away, or be trapped by the sound, Sail away, or your ship’s run aground. Verse 3 Devil incarnate, She’s dressed to make a killing, Honeyed voice, Deadly and thrilling. When she stops singing, It’s too late for running, Accept your fate, Your end-time is coming. Chorus (rpt) Bridge (rpt)
7.
Hope 05:36
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.
8.
Sandworm 06:37
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.
9.
(Instrumental)
10.
Warlords 14:49
I. Overture II. Stepping Out Stepping out to rustic muse Sons and daughters of the land Dance in laughter, find excuse Through reels and jigs for touching hand. Spring in step, as is the season Shadows shorten with each day Unknowing of the fall of reason Darker shadows ride this way. Stepping out, the dancers holding arms. Stepping out, the soldiers holding arms. Plans are drawn, troops preparing Bargains struck with traitors done War is coming, spoils for sharing Blades are sharp, and blood will run. Stepping out to battle cry A devil’s tune drowns the morn Grim the harvest neath the sky That gave no hint, nor could not warn. III. Warlords Mounted warlords with their henchmen ride, With their false piety, Forgotten notoriety, Believing that the right is on their side. See the soldiers marching evermore, Anonymous in battle, Like chain-mail cattle, Charging mindless into war. Overhead, the banners, gold and red - The focus of their pride, For which so many had died, For which so many more would soon be dead. The war of words finds no accord The armies stand their ground Drums and trumpets sound Signalling proceedings untoward. Overhead, the banners, gold and red - (Money and Blood) The focus of their pride, For which so many had died, For which so many more would soon be dead. IV. Battlestorm (lyric: Jeremy Shotts) Sword and arrow, death descending Fire storm frontal, flayed with flames Hawk-faced halberd gripped in gauntlet Forged by force that knows no shame. Fire in sequence wreaks, cry havoc Ranks in shredded comrade form Hand-held harrows plough the flesh Ball and blade in Battlestorm. V. Aftermath The victors cheer their gods of war. Behind their empty eyes, No pity therein lies, They left themselves at reasons door. Overhead, the banners, gold and red - (Money and Blood) The focus of their pride, For which so many had died, For which so many more would soon be dead. So many battles fought beneath a sun That’s seen so many slain, So many victories gained - When in the end, all life is done. (Money and Blood)

about

CDs are available to buy from fearfulsymmetry.rocks

For this second album, Fearful Symmetry co-creator and cousin Jeremy Shotts has generously stepped back to allow Suzi James to develop the ideas that were in progress prior to 'Louder Than Words' (2019).

Nevertheless, Jeremy has contributed lyrics to an epic (15 minute!) track, ‘Warlords’, has provided production feedback, as well as enthusiastic support, promotion, and his approval of the music as it emerged.

This second album carries the DNA, the philosophies of the first, with the continuing fusion of musical sub-genres, but without Jeremy’s William Blake-inspired lyricism. It’s fun, thoughtful, melodic, rocky, jazzy, symphonic, exotic - something for everyone.

Overall, though, the sound is still recognisable as Fearful Symmetry, especially with the return of Sharon Petrover on drums, and Yael Shotts again adding her beautiful voice and creative arrangements to 8 of the 10 tracks. Meanwhile Suzi does battle with guitars, basses, keyboards, mandolin, pennywhistle, multi-oud, e-violin, darbuka, riq, orchestral strings arrangements, on various tracks.

Track notes…

Among these diverse tracks in the sand, may you find solace, comfort, hope, joy, amusement. Experience it at face value, or seek the not-so-hidden contemporary stories, “'Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings”…

‘Mood Swings and Roundabouts’ - something I overheard as I was pushing my trolley around the local supermarket. A couple of older fellows 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’s particular taste in prog music.

‘The Difficult Second’ - about a faulty alarm clock. Also, the ‘second’ track (thanks Nickie!).

‘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, including 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, co-formed with Simon Drury, and joined by David Remmer, Bob Kemp, and Nick Halliwell.

And what made it so difficult?
For starters - Coronavirus lockdowns, family upheavals, remote recordings, learning to play a load of new instruments, and eventually getting laid low by Coronavirus.

Suzi James
15 July 2022

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'.

-------------------
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…

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Fearful Symmetry London, UK

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, world music, and symphonic.

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