Fortune's Face and the Canals of Venus (Rock)
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- KVRian
- 689 posts since 10 Apr, 2015 from Gaithersburg, Maryland USA
https://soundcloud.com/jeremycubert/fortunes-face
This song draws inspiration from the intriguing story of Perceval Lowell, a prominent 19th-century astronomer who played a significant role in inspiring works such as "War of the Worlds" by H.G. Wells and, arguably, the entire genre of science fiction. Lowell's fascination with the canals of Mars prompted him to acquire a telescope and embark on a quest to find similar features on Venus. In his observations, he perceived what appeared to be spokes on a wheel and confidently sketched them. However, due to an unfortunate error in using a very small aperture, Lowell unintentionally ended up observing the back of his own eyeball instead of Mars. Nevertheless, he spent his life steadfast in his belief that he had indeed discovered the canals of Venus. Special thanks to Tom Kraus for vocals and guitars!
Jeremy Cubert - keyboards, NS Stick, LinnStrument, Zendrum, Lyrics
Tom Kraus - vocals and vocal arrangements, electric and acoustic guitars, sequencer
This song draws inspiration from the intriguing story of Perceval Lowell, a prominent 19th-century astronomer who played a significant role in inspiring works such as "War of the Worlds" by H.G. Wells and, arguably, the entire genre of science fiction. Lowell's fascination with the canals of Mars prompted him to acquire a telescope and embark on a quest to find similar features on Venus. In his observations, he perceived what appeared to be spokes on a wheel and confidently sketched them. However, due to an unfortunate error in using a very small aperture, Lowell unintentionally ended up observing the back of his own eyeball instead of Mars. Nevertheless, he spent his life steadfast in his belief that he had indeed discovered the canals of Venus. Special thanks to Tom Kraus for vocals and guitars!
Jeremy Cubert - keyboards, NS Stick, LinnStrument, Zendrum, Lyrics
Tom Kraus - vocals and vocal arrangements, electric and acoustic guitars, sequencer
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- KVRAF
- 3339 posts since 19 Mar, 2008 from germany
I listened to "Fortune's Face" more closely.
I can say: I am surprised!
That's a great song. First of all, the compositional idea and its implementation
are the most important for me. And indeed: A great rock-pop composition
in a quite complex way. Both the instrumental part and the vocals are very
appealing - and also well mixed. Did you put all the drums together with the
Linn drum machine? If so - I'm amazed: Well done. The bass is also good: not
the usual 8th notes are played, but a melodically appropriate bass lick.
The melody even sticks - the song has "something". After a longer piano
middle part - probably the solo part of the song - the chorus part comes
back. Everything relaxed - with heavy guitar and rock organ - very
meticulously arranged.
Last but not least, I really like the idea of the text. It's not about the
usual heartache (although I'd like that too), but about the astronomer
Perceval Lowell - and his strangely magical observation.
Overall: Really good. The song isn't too long either (6:40), it keeps you in
suspense until the end.
I can say: I am surprised!
That's a great song. First of all, the compositional idea and its implementation
are the most important for me. And indeed: A great rock-pop composition
in a quite complex way. Both the instrumental part and the vocals are very
appealing - and also well mixed. Did you put all the drums together with the
Linn drum machine? If so - I'm amazed: Well done. The bass is also good: not
the usual 8th notes are played, but a melodically appropriate bass lick.
The melody even sticks - the song has "something". After a longer piano
middle part - probably the solo part of the song - the chorus part comes
back. Everything relaxed - with heavy guitar and rock organ - very
meticulously arranged.
Last but not least, I really like the idea of the text. It's not about the
usual heartache (although I'd like that too), but about the astronomer
Perceval Lowell - and his strangely magical observation.
Overall: Really good. The song isn't too long either (6:40), it keeps you in
suspense until the end.
free mp3s + info: andy-enroe.de songs + weird stuff: enroe.de
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 689 posts since 10 Apr, 2015 from Gaithersburg, Maryland USA
Thank you for the kind words and close listen! The drums were played in real time on a Zendrum MIDI controller (www.zendrum.com) using the Decades library from Toontrack in Superior Drummer 3 - the drums samples are really nice. I did some quantizing and fixing of bum notes here and there.
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- KVRian
- 653 posts since 29 Feb, 2004 from Toronto
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 689 posts since 10 Apr, 2015 from Gaithersburg, Maryland USA
Thanks so much!
- KVRAF
- 1941 posts since 18 May, 2021
Very cool track. Mix is solid. I did feel the master could use a little more punch. Nothing major, but the bass felt a little weak to me, and I also felt some of the upper mid voices(mostly in the piano and lead vocal) could use a touch of energy.
I did this while listening:

I did this while listening:

When the data is corrupt in the Desert of the Real, Beyond the Last Thought, where intuition reigns, is the solace that will embolden and strengthen the soul, giving hope once more to this age of failing technique. eassae.com
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 689 posts since 10 Apr, 2015 from Gaithersburg, Maryland USA
Thanks for the comments and suggestions and close listen! I will go back and check my settings in Ozone.
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 689 posts since 10 Apr, 2015 from Gaithersburg, Maryland USA
I made the adjustments to Ozone (link to Bandcamp below). I can't replace the Soundcloud file so the old master is still linked above. Thank you!
https://jeremycubert.bandcamp.com/track/fortune-s-face
https://jeremycubert.bandcamp.com/track/fortune-s-face
- KVRAF
- 1941 posts since 18 May, 2021
Sounds great, nice work.
When the data is corrupt in the Desert of the Real, Beyond the Last Thought, where intuition reigns, is the solace that will embolden and strengthen the soul, giving hope once more to this age of failing technique. eassae.com
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 689 posts since 10 Apr, 2015 from Gaithersburg, Maryland USA
Thanks for checking it out!