Discography
It’s About Time (2009)
- Moment of Honesty
- May I Dream
- You and I
- Week to Weak
- Saving the New Millennium
- Don’t Come Around
- Another Life Unfolds
- Destinies Unknown
- Brightness Turns to Gray
- Coming Home
- Passion
- As the Sun Sets Slowly
- SomedayBonus Track
- Empty Sometimes (Revisited)*Bonus Track
* Original version found on the 1993 release
Deviation: Last Chance to Fly
Members
- Tom Gebauer – Drums, Vocals
- Jeff Garrison – Guitars, Vocals
Produced, Engineered, Mixed, and Mastered by: Tom Gebauer
Music written: 1995 – 1997, 2001 – 2003
Music recorded: Autumn 2001 – Autumn 2003
All music mixed and mastered at:
Reaching Horizons Studio, Albany N.Y.
(July – September 2008)
Artwork and sleeve design by: Matthew J. Stellato
Released: January 13, 2009
New Empire Records 338428466-2
Moment of Honesty
Written & Arranged by:
Jeff Garrison | Tom Gebauer (1994)
Working Title:
#10
Through the writing process for the “Voyage Through No Time” release, each song was given a number for a working title.
Starting with #1, the number corresponded to the order in which it was written.
For the songs written after the release, we picked up where we left off and followed the same pattern.
So, why wasn’t “Moment of Honesty” referenced as “#11” as opposed to “#10” due to the fact that there are ten songs on the “Voyage Through No Time” release?
Levy brought “Memorandum” to the group with a title already in mind resulting in that particular track never being assigned a working title (number).
Commentary:
“Moment of Honesty” is the oldest track found on the “It’s About Time” release. It was the first song conceived after the “Voyage Through No Time” writing sessions in 1994. Since the first day I started to compile a track listing for “It’s About Time,” I always pictured this particular track opening up the album. However, I started to have second thoughts once the mixing process was completed. Garrison was working through a cold at the time the vocals were scheduled to be recorded. After a minor discussion, we decided to proceed; resulting in what I believe may be the weakest vocal performance on the release. Due to this fact alone, I toyed with swapping its track position with one of the other heavier tracks. “Saving the New Millennium” is an instrumental so that wasn’t an option. “Destinies Unknown” and “Brightness Turns to Gray” was my last option but I ultimately decided against it. I wasn’t about to separate the two tracks and I thought the pacing of the overall album would be off if I opened with two of the four heavier selections. Another disadvantage of starting the album with the pair would have been the shift in track position of “You and I” to number four. The same inseparableness exists with “May I Dream” and “You and I” and I didn’t want to throw off the subtle significance of the three “chimes” during the introduction of the third track.
Trivia Fact:
“Moment of Honesty” was the first and last song ever played live when the band performed under the name Mindscape.
Lyrics by: Phil Phoenix & Jeff Garrison
Coming soon
May I Dream
Written & Arranged by:
Jeff Garrison | Tom Gebauer
Working Titles:
#A, Mother
Commentary:
I took my first stab at writing lyrics with this one. When we began the recording process, Garrison only had the first verse competed when I asked if I could complete them. I contributed the second and third verses but was unable to find the lyric sheet when we were ready to lay down the vocal tracks. Garrison ended up writing the remaining verses on the spot and my lyrical contribution can’t be found on the release. Since then, I found the lyric sheet and thought I’d include them here.
Lyrics by: Jeff Garrison
Mother, may I dream
If only you’ll allow me
To see the things I might have seen
To laugh inside without a scream
Embrace the sun without fear
Retrace the steps that brought me here
To you, I can say
I thank me for who I am today
I can’t see your role in me
I saw my father in a dream
We went to war, we went to war
Looking back, it all seems clearer now
There's no more sorrow and fear
The worst is behind me, no time left to doubt
The words of my anger are empty shells now
For you, I can’t stay
I must leave, the time has come today
Oh no, I think they’re back again
The words of my anger are stronger again
Don’t ask me why, it depends on the time of my death
In reference to time, there’s no need to pretend
I’ll be back again
Mother, may I dream
If only you’ll allow me
To lift myself up from the past
An ocean of sorrow is ending at last
I can see light, there’s help and there’ love
The words of my anger are rising above
Alternate Lyrics by: Jeff Garrison & Tom Gebauer
Mother, may I dream
If only you’ll allow me
To see the things I might have seen
To laugh inside without a scream
Embrace the sun without fear
Retrace the steps that brought me here
To you, I did say
I thank me for who I am today
I can’t see your role in me
I saw my father in a dream
We went to war, we went to war
Father, did you say
You want me to stay far away
The things we’ve done and could have had
Some we’re good, but most we’re bad
The hurt inside begins to swell
I’m leaving now and wish you well
Oh no, I think they’re back again
The words of my anger are stronger again
Don’t ask me why, it depends on the time of my death
In reference to time, there’s no need to pretend
I’ll be back again
Mother, I must say
Can we together find a way
Through the clouds, past the mist
The path is long but I’ve got the list
Of things to say, thing’s to be done
So life is better, we both have won
You and I
Written & Arranged by:
Tom Gebauer | Jeff Garrison
Working Titles:
#8, 3 o'clock
Commentary:
“You and I” was the last song written for the release. A few subtle things to point out regarding this song:
- During the introduction, there are three bass chords played in time with the ticking clock. This was meant to symbolize the chimes of a grandfather clock.
- This is the third track of twelve, much like the third hour of twelve (3 o’clock).
- There is a return of “May I Dream” before the second chorus.
- If you’re a fan of the “Voyage Through No Time” album, you’ll notice a guitar part will sound familiar during a portion of the song after the second chorus.
Lyrics by: Jeff Garrison
Goodbye
So long I’ve waited, for you to come
An endless night, drowning there in the flood
Of ageless innocence then I guess
We can't wade forever
Chorus:
You and I can see – Forward to eternity
You and I will be – Drawn together by the winds of infinity
You and I believe – The truth lies in our destiny
Carry on, I had so much to say, still the words escape me everyday
And you stayed so far away
That my heart ached for one thousand days, and two souls still fall in the tower
To take us all
Repeat Chorus
We can’t wade forever
There’s nothing left to thrill me now
There’s no one left to show me how
To take us all
There’s no where left to run to now
There’s no way out so show me how
Repeat Chorus
You and I
The truth lies in our destiny
Week to Weak
Written & Arranged by:
Jeff Garrison | Phil Phoenix
Commentary:
Although only once, “Week to Weak” is one of only three songs included on the “It’s About Time” album that was performed live as Mindscape. This song was solely acoustic guitar and vocals until my contribution to kick it up a notch at the end. We preserved the original by recording the acoustic version of this song as well.
Lyrics by: Jeff Garrison & Phil Phoenix
Sunday morning arrived too early
Sheets of rain still wrapped around me
Scents of you still cling to these memories and I know
Somehow, sometime, something must change
Chorus:
From time to time – I’m falling down
From time to time – I lose myself
From time to time – And I’m asking myself
Am I real or just a memory?
Monday morning, a new direction
Not seeing your point of view
A mirror still holds your reflection, and I know
Sometime, somehow, stop thinking it's true
Repeat Chorus (twice)
Memory
Saving the New Millennium
Written & Arranged by:
Denis B Levy | Tom Gebauer | Jeff Garrison
Working Title:
Pick a Booger
Commentary:
All of the tracks were recorded for this song by late 2001. Being an instrumental, I wanted to round it out and find some audio samples to give it a theme. Garrison and I discussed some options and settled on the world affairs at the time. I started recording news broadcasts along with the President’s State of the Union address in reference to the United States, 9/11, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Although the samples didn’t make the album, these clips are included in a version of the song known as “The Patriotic Version.” Look for it as an exclusive download when signing up for the e-newsletter.
Don’t Come Around
Written & Arranged by:
Jeff Garrison | Denis B Levy | Tom Gebauer
Commentary:
Don’t ask me why I attempted to take the lead vocal on this one. “It’s About Time” is the first release where my voice appears at all. I didn’t even participate in the backup vocals on the “Beyond the Bounds of Infinity” album. Two alternate versions of this song exist, an acoustic and full band acoustic.
Lyrics by: Jeff Garrison
If you’re feeling lonely
Well, I’m feeling that way too
Maybe my words are cliched
I guess I borrowed something blue
Pre Chorus:
Maybe (If) you think the road's too long
Honey, you’ll find your way back home
Because it’s all up to you
Are you thinking of me
I guess I’m thinking that way too
Or are you busy thinkin’
That the world’s come down on you
Repeat Pre Chorus
Chorus:
You don’t come around no more
You spend you’re days behind, behind closed doors
And I, search for answers more and more
You don’t come around, you don’t come around no more
Repeat Chorus (twice)
Another Life Unfolds
Written & Arranged by:
Jeff Garrison | Tom Gebauer
Working Title:
#1
Commentary:
The laughter in the beginning of the song is provided by our special guest, Holly Garrison. She was three when it was recorded. This was one of the first songs I attempted to mix but then abandoned the project until years later. Very rough mixes of this song and “Saving the New Millennium” were floating around years before the “It’s About Time” release.
Lyrics by: Jeff Garrison
Never have I seen a light so beautiful
As the one I found in you
And I don’t know
For all I know is what I’ve been told
And we don’t talk much about it now today
And I wouldn't know what to say anyway
Pre Chorus:
And it seems to me we’ve lost some friends
But their thoughts alone we share
In my life I’ve learned enough to care
About the things that matter
Chorus:
So bring on all your crying
Some laughing, yeah, some smiling
Reflecting and exchanging
Some verbal rearranging
We’re standing on the brink
Of what we are and what we think
Another life unfolds
So now it seems to me we agree
That the better things aren’t better left unsaid
Don’t come undone
We’ve lost nor won
Someday we’ll see, it’s you nor me
It’s a road that’s out ahead of us everyday
And we wouldn’t know where to go anyway
Repeat Pre Chorus & Chorus
Repeat Chorus
Destinies Unknown
Written & Arranged by:
Jeff Garrison | Tom Gebauer
Working Title:
#14
Commentary:
This song originally had a keyboard introduction where Levy utilized a sound patch by the name of “Space Beast.” The introduction consisted of an eerie melody for about 30 seconds before the drums kick in.
This was the last song written in collaboration with the original Mindscape lineup. Diehard fans may have noticed that the working title for this song is “#14” and “#13” is never referenced. What happened to “#13?” “#13” was conceived during a writing session with Phoenix, Levy, and me. The song writing progressed well but was never completed. The work-in-progress was captured via a cassette recorder that was placed in the room, however, when it came time to start the recording process for the “It’s About Time” release, the tape (that’s right... cassette tape) was never found.
Lyrics by: Phil Phoenix & Jeff Garrison
I’ve walked an endless mile
I’d need you here to see me through
All I’ve kept inside me
And all I’d like to lose
There hasn’t been a single day that has gone by
I stand alone in silence, just to wonder why
Pre Chorus:
Someone to love, someone to hold me
Someone to care, destinies unknown
Chorus:
For so long I’ve traveled, miles of winding road
Through the hard times in life, many stories told
Written in a cold voice, I was left with no choice
And memories left to hold
And when there is nothing left I’d like to say to you
The feeling I’ve been exiled, would you feel it too
Repeat Pre Chorus & Chorus
Brightness Turns to Gray
Written & Arranged by:
Denis B Levy | Jeff Garrison | Tom Gebauer | Phil Phoenix
Working Title:
#12
Commentary:
“Brightness Turns to Gray” is the result of a true writing and contribution effort by all of the original members of Mindscape. The only other song that was contributed to in the same manner is “Lost...” off of the “Voyage Through No Time” album.
I thought about shortening the middle section a tad but I wanted to stay true to the original arrangement. I toyed with the idea of adding samples to help it along, but I never found the right fit.
Lyrics by: Phil Phoenix & Jeff Garrison
Though her heart might smile
Though her eyes gaze deep into a sadness
Still we walked away, we left her there alone, there alone
And alone she waits for me, and I know sometimes
She must believe that in her soul
I’ve gone away, gone away, yeah
Pre Chorus
Sins of time
Set me free
Chorus
I want to live – But not in some unreflecting void
I need to feel – Like a shooting star across the midnight sky
I need to live – But not in some unforsaken time
I need to change – Before the brightness turns to gray
One thousand miles, and so many years, so many tears
She must believe I’ve lost my soul, yeah
Repeat Pre Chorus & Chorus
Repeat Chorus
Coming Home
Written & Arranged by:
Tom Gebauer | Jeff Garrison
Working Title:
#2
Lyrics by: Jeff Garrison
Chorus
I’m coming home
I’m coming home again
I can not wait, there better be, another light left on for me
I’m coming home
Who are we?
Who am I to try to keep you down?
Who are you to say you feel the same?
When everyone else walks away there will always be a place for you here, with me
Repeat Chorus
What are we?
What am I to try to keep you down?
What are you to say you feel the same?
Whatever they do or say, home is always just a call away, for you
Repeat Chorus
Bridge
And if you feel that you need to run away from me
I am the one to lean to
To know that I will always love you
Where are we?
Where am I in life to keep you down?
And where are you to say you feel the same?
Where ever you may go, go through with renewed faith and love inside of you, still for me
Repeat Chorus
Repeat Bridge (twice)
Repeat Chorus
I said you know
Repeat Chorus
Passion
Written & Arranged by:
Jeff Garrison | Tom Gebauer
Working Title:
#6
Commentary:
I set out to make the timing on the second part of this song erratic yet not feel out of place. It’s an unpredictable pattern between 6/8 and 7/8 but doesn’t come across as disruptive.
Lyrics by: Jeff Garrison
Coming soon
As the Sun Sets Slowly
Written & Arranged by:
Jeff Garrison | Tom Gebauer
Working Title:
#7
Lyrics by: Jeff Garrison
Moments turn to days, clouds wander by
With the sun I open my eyes
To find the light is dimmer today, than a week ago
My spirit is a room with no view
I could not share or think to care, by some will of design
The sun has dimmed to my eyes
A particular interest or fading desire, in life and love
In truth or time
Chorus
As the sun sets slowly
I’ll close my eyes
I’ll close my eyes
I’ll close my eyes
I’ll close my eyes
As the sun sets slowly
I’ll say I say what you need to hear
Well then won’t you listen my dear
My dedication eternally, reflect yours first
before you accuse me of anything less than excellence
The days are outnumbered, the distance seems closer
And the mirror looks different every day
Memories fading, there’s no feeling anymore more
Where’s the beauty gone, the words, the sounds, the colors?
Repeat Chorus
I can’t smell the air
Can’t see the sunset
Can’t hear the songs
Can’t find my friends,
As I remember them
Someday [Bonus Track]
Written & Arranged by:
Denis B Levy | Jeff Garrison (1994)
Working Title:
#11
Commentary:
This song was almost lost. “Someday” (then introduced as “Grasslands”) is one of the two songs found on the “It’s About Time” release that was actually in the set list rotation when we performed as Mindscape. After searching through many audio cassettes of writing sessions and practices, I was unable to find a recording of this song. As the recording sessions were coming to an end for “It’s About Time,” Garrison had gotten his hands on a video recording of one of our earlier Mindscape live shows. And what do you know; “Someday” was captured on that recording.
I felt “Someday” possessed a different sound and overall vibe than the rest of the tracks on the album. It didn’t seem to fit well among the other tracks and I believed we had enough slower selections as it was. Ergo, it was placed at the end and labeled as a bonus track.
Lyrics by: Jeff Garrison
Feel the glow of candles and close the door
The light touches the air, I see your face
The glow in your eyes, it touched the sky, we stopped pretending
How am I supposed to answer?
Dream will show you the answer
Dreams will take you away
And I’m free until someday
Journey through the grasslands, touch my soul
The thought of you just crossed my mind
Air escapes to touch my soul
A view of you just crossed my mind
And I feel
Chorus
Someday, we can always leave behind
Like someone that doesn’t mind
Moving on, through the dreams that we share
Repeat Chorus (3x)
Someday
Someway
Someday
Someway
Someday
Empty Sometimes (Revisited) [Bonus Track]
Written & Arranged by:
Matt Rainville | Tom Gebauer | Phil Phoenix
Commentary:
During our first shows as Mindscape, we performed this song with Levy. He mimicked some earlier guitar parts that were lost during the transition from “What It Takes” to “Empty Sometimes.” I loved what he did and the sound of the keyboard integration. Unfortunately, we missed Levy on the latest recording, but we still utilized the idea. We kept the structure of “Empty Sometimes” but brought back some lost elements of “What It Takes.” The inclusion of this song on the “It’s About Time” release results in its appearance (in one way or another) on three of the four releases, each version of the song utilizing a different singer.
Lyrics by: Phil Phoenix
I found a ride, to a desolate town far away.
And though it’s not the best time, it’s the only time for me, can you hear me?
A lonely shadowed child entered the room,
all eyes turned to stare.
I turned away when I realized,
it was me twenty years ago.
Chorus:
“Wait by the door little one,
I will return in a while.”
Need I say, she never did what she said,
and no, I never forgave her.
Times will change, times will change,
and we’ll see that the truth was already released.
Looking back at the child, he begins to cry,
just like me, he feels empty sometimes.
Wipe away all of those dreams,
I don’t need to hear them calling me home.
I turned around to the child, and asked him why,
he turned to be me... she said
Repeat Chorus
Staring down at the keys below, I’m wondering why,
it sounds so empty sometimes.
Haunting images shadow the walls of days ahead.
A rocking chair confined the old man,
he’s whispering, I still don’t understand... she said
Repeat Chorus
Mother I’m feeling so empty sometimes,
but I know that you don’t understand.
So, brother I’m feeling so empty sometimes,
and I know that this world is our home no more.
Father I’m feeling empty sometimes,
twas as if God came and closed my door.