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Light Shows and Shadow Puppets (Double Album)

by Rachel Rose Mitchell

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TheBundke
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TheBundke I couldn't possibly choose a favorite track from this double feature of an album. From the powerful intro of The Witching Hour to the last refrain of Hey Alice, this music is just fantastic.
Veritas Unae
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Veritas Unae what a good collection of sounds for my ears let me listen to them forever. seriously, these renditions are top quality, and rachel creates some amazing soundscapes. Favorite track: Butterfly.
Stephen Challener
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Stephen Challener Rachel has a way of composing melodies which have real substance. She's only been getting better, and this album is another step forward in refining her abilities and identity as an artist. Favorite track: Conducting Shooting Stars.
Ecter
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Ecter There are albums that i "mostly like", listening to everything except two or three songs that i delete from playlist every time.
This is not this kind of album - i can safely take it to one of my long walks and listen to it from beginning to end, enjoying every minute of it. Favorite track: Lost Again.
Rednaxela
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Rednaxela This has got to be one of my favourite albums I've ever listened to. Also, as much as I loved "Where's Your Wonderland?", gosh... this just shows so much advancement from that. Every song is such a delight that's hard to pick a favourite. Favorite track: Light Up.
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1.
And so it all comes down to this. It all builds up to now. Saw none of it coming, but I don't know how. This is the only way it could have ended. We reached our finale sooner than expected. (In the witching hour...) What more can we do? We've tried all that we can while you place the blame squarely in the victim's hands. Watching us fall further than we could before, stubbornly saying "you got what you wished for." In the witching hour we turn to dust in front of you. We recollect the pieces and from them are born anew. In spite of all the good we've done, we are the monsters' prey. You shun the horrors we'll become and turn your heads away. It's been like this as far as we remember. Chocking on smoke, stepping barefoot on embers. In our paper fortress we wait until nightfall, the time when our mistakes burn what's left of our paper walls. In the witching hour we turn to dust in front of you. We recollect the pieces and from them are born anew. In spite of all the good we've done, we are the monsters' prey. You shun the horrors we'll become and turn your heads away. We put our endings before our beginnings but nobody's told us just what we are winning. We fight with our lives 'til we don't even have those. We fight with all we have but still nobody knows. In the witching hour we turned to dust in front of you. The pieces all were trampled, now there's one thing left to do. In spite of all the good we've done, we were the monsters' prey. You shun the horrors we've become and turn your heads away.
2.
It's been so long since we began. It seems so long ago that in the name of loyalty we started on our own. Answering the call of a house we once called home, we knew that we were right. What did we know? We swore that we understood this wasn't a game, but somehow we found ourselves fanning the flames. Those who cautioned and abandoned us, they were the same. I saw them turn away. It's easy to look back and say what we'd do if only we'd waited, if only we knew nothing in this world could make up for what we'd lose, the price we had to pay. Oh, what did we know? We gambled an unknown price. I don't know where I'm going, but I cannot stay here. The lights have gone out and it's over. Though we could ask ourselves "what have we done?" maybe our regrets are best left unsung. Wishing won't absolve us of all that we have won. And what scares me more than anything... If we would choose the past, we'd probably choose the same. Oh, what did we know? We gambled an unknown price. I don't know where I'm going, but I cannot stay here. The fires burned out and it's over. What happened to our guiding light? When did the dream decay? It's too cold out in the night when starlight melts away. We swore that we understood this wasn't a game but somehow we found ourselves fanning the flames. What we have lost we can never regain and I'm sorry. Oh, what did we know? We gambled an unknown price. I don't know where I'm going, but I cannot stay here. There's nothing left here now it's over. Oh, what did we know? We gambled an unknown price. I don't know where I'm going, but I cannot stay here. No life in your eyes. It's all over.
3.
Little Bird 04:31
You've felt the rain, but it couldn't drown you. It was nothing but drops on your head. You've stood against the winds that hound you and carry the names of the dead. If only you could soar away and feel the sunlight again. Poor little bird, you parrot their words in exchange for a comfortable cage. Pretending to be all they want to see, you're a player acting on their stage. You've heard it all. You know it off by heart. Automatically, you sing along. But nobody's there. You leave your head. The light's on, but nobody's home. Poor little bird, you parrot their words in exchange for a comfortable cage. Under their glares, you act unawares in the darkening light of the day. Open your eyes. Take in all you see and imagine beyond. The world is wide, more than you've ever known. So reach out and take it back. "Poor little bird!" is all that you've heard all these years, but guess who's still alive? Open the gates, it's never too late to dream past the days you've survived.
4.
Lost Again 04:14
I think we'll live, which is strange enough to think. Everyone was cheering to push us from the brink. We were entertaining. That was never cast in doubt but never mind about that. We were not meant to get out. When you've seen what we've seen, when you've done what we've done, when you've been through what we've been through there is nowhere left to run. Through the eagle's eye they watched us never feeling like the prey. Paying us all their attention. Taking everything away. I am not undamaged. No, that was never an option. Supposedly safe, but I'm lost again. I am not okay, that was always out of the question. But maybe, given time, I'll start to mend. 'Til then, I'm lost again. Like bandits on the run, we sought out anywhere to hide. Everything we've done was done so we could stay alive. They'll never understand the way the world looks from our eyes. How our own survival's just a consolation prize. When you've seen what we've seen, when you've done what we've done, when you've been through what we've been through there is nowhere left to run. Through the eagle's eye they watched us never feeling like the prey. Paying us all their attention. Taking everything away. I am not undamaged. No, that was never an option. Supposedly safe, but I'm lost again. I am not okay, that was always out of the question. But maybe, given time, I'll start to mend. 'Til then, I'm lost again. Sitting here as targets as the waves crash down upon our heads, hurling questions: "How did we manage to defeat our dead? Why aren't we smiling? This is our shining moment after all! Why are we cowering when we should be standing tall?" I am not undamaged. No, that was never an option. Supposedly safe, but I'm lost again. I am not okay, that was always out of the question. But maybe, given time, I'll start to mend. I am not undamaged. No, that was never an option. Supposedly safe, but I'm lost again. I am not okay, that was always out of the question. But maybe, given time, I'll start to mend. 'Til then, I'm lost again.
5.
I never wanted to say any of this to you, but you left me drowning by myself in this abyss. You said you'd never do this, but your words are hollow things. And I should've learned by now that you won't ever change the way you think and more fool I for believing that you might. Shall I polish your egos 'til they shine like diamonds and your dirt sticks under my fingernails? I'm so sick of the blows and I am done with trying for imaginary sentiment when all else fails. I give up! I give in! I was always on the fringe looking into your little circle. If I stay here there's no way for me to win so I'm leaving your vicious cycle now. It doesn't matter anymore, not like the way it did before and if I really cared I'd probably wonder if you'd notice that I'm gone. But if I were a betting girl, I'd bet you wouldn't. Was there ever a time you thought to think about me as a person, more than just your singing doll? Was it such a great crime to hope that you might care? I suppose it was. I know you never cared at all. I give up! I give in! I was always on the fringe looking into your little circle. If I stay here there's no way for me to win so I'm leaving your vicious cycle now. Have you ever imagined how the world might look from underneath your shoes to those you've trampled down? That's a rhetorical question, honey. Please don't answer. I don't want to hear your voice right now.
6.
Say I Matter 03:03
Look at me. Tell me, what am I to you? I'm not leaving until you tell me what I wanna know. Did I never shine bright enough for you? Couldn't you see me through the shadow? The shadow of another, of someone that I could not be. A shadow hanging over me. I can prove myself. I can prove myself to you. I promise you that I can do all I say that I can do. Just look me in the eyes and say I matter. Every effort seems to be too little now. I know who it is you want and it's not me. But this is not a ceasefire, this is not me giving up. Witness me change my destiny. The shadow of no other will linger over me. From shadows I call myself free. I can prove myself! I can prove myself to you. I promise you that I can do all I say that I can do. I'll help myself! Watch as all my dreams come true. Things would be different if I'd known that I am out here on my own. Don't tell me lies. Don't pretend that I matter.
7.
Stay 04:43
Look down and I see the road below me crumble. I'm falling down again. I was holding on so tight to hoping you would last the night but when the sun goes down the darkness has the final say. But this time, although it's the last time, you see me shaking, but I'll hold my head up high. I would give anything if you could only stay. I let myself be washed ashore so I won't have to float any more. I don't have the strength to swim against a raging tide. The waves, they crash against the rocks and amongst the noise I almost forgot to reach a hand towards you and to wish you a goodnight. But this time, although it's the last time, you see me shaking, but I'll hold my head up high. This feels too certain. Why is it so permanent? Though I know all too well this is the only way I would give anything if you could only stay. But this time I know it's the last time. You'll see me shaking but I'll hold my head up high. You won't find me stuck on what's behind me. I'll push myself from my knees and I'll face the day. But I'd still give everything if you could only stay.
8.
And so the story goes there's a world beyond the wall, but who would cross the only line that keeps us safe? And everybody knows there's no answers left at all. The pieces, smashed and scattered, blow back in our faces. But, if you'd like to, we could still inquire why all that we once had was lost in the fires and if there's a chance that we might find the reason, don't tell me it's not worth it! My feet disconnect from the ground. I look up as I crash down. No time left for wondering why. Just one moment and I'm falling like the sky. There's nothing we want more than what we don't have. If we had wings to fly, we'd long to touch the ground. The road to find those wings might not be the safest path, but who's heard of heroes sleeping safe and sound? Falling to pieces won't solve any problems and running from dangers won't stop any of them. If you turn and face them head-on then you might find you'd fly. My feet disconnect from the ground. I look up as I crash down. No time left for wondering why. Just one moment and I'm falling like the sky. So the story goes, there's a world beyond the wall. But who would cross the only line that keeps us safe? And everybody knows, there's no answers left at all, but if we never try, who's ever going to face it? My feet disconnect from the ground. I look up as I crash down. No time left for wondering why. Just one moment and I'm falling like the sky.
9.
overhead the colours change blue and orange in the sky overhead the colours change before i know it it all passes me by it's late at night i should be sleeping but i heard a noise outside my house i sit in the moonlight by the highway counting cars and if you find you need me i'll be here conducting shooting stars
10.
Butterfly 05:38
Fall to your knees So they overlook you Play along, they’ll move Onto someone new Save your complaints ‘Til they’re gone and won’t hear They’ll turn out the lights But you won’t disappear You used to fly so high, so high Can’t help but wonder why Butterfly, you’re beautiful You deserve your own picture frame Butterfly, you’re delicate It would be such a shame if you were to break Butterfly, you’re valuable They’ll take you home, they’ll keep you safe Formaldehyde ensures that you will stay the same Studying, magnifying what makes you tick Asking the questions that make you feel sick You don’t know how it ever went this far Running in circles to stay where you are You used to fly so high, so high Or was that just the lie? Butterfly, you’re beautiful You deserve your own picture frame Butterfly, you’re delicate It would be such a shame if you were to break Butterfly, you’re valuable They’ll take you home, they’ll keep you safe Formaldehyde ensures that you will stay the same Butterfly, you’re beautiful You deserve your own picture frame Butterfly, you’re delicate It would be such a shame if you were to break Butterfly, they’ll wound you and keep you Safely locked away Formaldehyde ensures that you will stay the same
11.
Carnival 05:29
Come see fun for all ages, the freaks in their cages. Had you worse luck, you might stand in their place. See the lights glowing, the thrilling knife throwing. Smile, point and laugh at the tigers restrained. Just for one night it's a cheerful retreat. We'll understand if you don't want to leave. 'Til you see the world turning without you. The merry-go-round has left you behind. You stand hollow and soaked through under the clouds and shattered street lights. You stay unmoving as you wait for your turn. If one thing is proven, it's that you never learned how to tell when it's over. Your carnival's gone forever. Forget about your pain. We live to entertain! Dear customer, we only want you to smile. Everything's fine, dear. You know we're all friends here. Stay all you like, we'll be here for a while. Lose track of time, ain't that always the plan? Lose track of the outside, yes, we understand! We can watch the world turning without you. The merry-go-round has left you behind. You stand hollow and soaked through under the clouds and shattered street lights. You stay unmoving as you wait for your turn. If one thing is proven, it's that you never learned how to tell when it's over. Your carnival's gone forever. Don't leave us behind. Never leave, we won't mind. We have all you could want, though we don't mean to gloat. What were you thinking when you were there sinking under the current, not trying to float? Flee from your fears far away from the light to the cracks in the window and maybe you might see the world turning without you. The merry-go-round has left you behind. You stand hollow and soaked through under the clouds and shattered street lights. You stay unmoving as you wait for your turn. If one thing is proven, it's that you never learned how to tell when it's over. Your carnival's gone forever.
12.
Toe the line. Find something new. If you never seek, you'll never find now tell me, where does that leave you? There's a silver lining somewhere in the sky. If you stare at the clouds it surrounds it'll pass you by. Are you willing to change yourself for everything you want? Are you gonna erase yourself to be something you're not? When your own imperfections cloud your mind, it stings, but if you don't try for yourself you're not gonna change a thing. There's a silver lining somewhere in the sky. If you stare at the clouds it surrounds it'll pass you by. Nothing's out of reach if you would only try. Does that scare you? Are you willing to change yourself for everything you want? Are you gonna erase yourself to be something you're not?
13.
The way I see it, there's nothing I can say to make this easier on you. You wanted answers, but now you've got your way you prefer miracles to truth. You're so very clever. Ain't that the gospel truth? And all the world's locked gates and doors swing open just for you. Just wait until you're eighteen and you're let loose on society. You'll show the world, you'll show them all the overnight success you're gonna be. You wannabe, you wanna be without the mess of trying to be. Did you really wanna hear "there is nothing you can't do," now you're responsible, what the hell is your excuse? Your old possibilities, you have thrown them all away. You can't believe your eyes, sore from crying over wasted years and years and years go by and you'll do anything but try to salvage something from the wreck and make somebody of yourself. The time's not right, and neither is the weather so you've got no choice but to pause all your endeavours. What's the use in trying if perfection isn't there? If it's not all the way, why bother going anywhere? I am sick of your excuses. Is that all you've got? Did you really wanna hear "there is nothing you can't do," now you're responsible, what the hell is your excuse? Your old possibilities, you have thrown them all away. You can't believe your eyes, sore from crying over wasted years and years and years go by and you'll do anything but try to salvage something from the wreck and make somebody of yourself. Waiting on that nonexistant perfect time to go has always been the perfect way never to try, the perfect way never to know. Did you really wanna hear "there is nothing you can't do," now you're responsible, what the hell is your excuse? Your old possibilities, you have thrown them all away. You can't believe your eyes, sore from crying over wasted years and years and years go by and you'll do anything but try to salvage something from the wreck and make somebody of yourself.
14.
Collateral 04:23
I tried to save you, but I guess we know how well that went. I tried to save you. Think of all the time I spent. I never wanted it to go so wrong. Everybody wants to win. I never wanted it to go so bad, but I couldn't fix a thing. I've shattered all that I've ever managed. I watched you fall, now you're collateral damage. I forgot what brought us here. You'll never know how much that took. I forgot what brought us here because I cannot bear to look. I shattered all that I ever managed. I watched you fall, now you're collateral damage in a rescue mission meant for you. I tried to help. That's all I wanted to do. You're better off without me. Look what I've done. I shattered all that I ever managed. I watched you fall, now you're collateral damage. And in the end, that's all that's left.
15.
You can look but you won’t find me. I am a face in the crowd. Go on send out your search party. You won’t see me standing there. Is it so surprising that you’re alone in this room? You’re the only face that you know. Everybody’s gone and that leaves nobody but you. You’re the only face you recognise. You might have known they’re waiting for you if you’d only opened your eyes. You can look but you won’t find me. I am a face in the crowd. Go on send out your search party. You won’t see me standing there. Masks on statue figures make it hard to tell what’s real, blank and white like empty pages. This forest of stone and clay hides everything that feels. You’re the only face you recognise. You can look but you won’t find me. I am a face in the crowd. Go on send out your search party. You won’t see me standing there.
16.
Belltower 05:37
I've been waiting here for a while now. What I'm waiting for, I don't know. They tell me to make myself comfortable. Whatever they say, this isn't home. Where the eagles soar, I can see it all, I can see it all. High in the Belltower that the snow surrounds. Someone mutters the warning, "Careful not to fall, careful not to fall". When your fingers graze the sky it's a long way down. Do these walls protect me or do these walls seal me in? No one tells me either way. No one tells me a thing. Here, where I'm locked away, I can see it all, I can see it all. High in the Belltower, vultures gather 'round. Walls echo the warning, "Careful not to fall, careful not to fall". When the birds watch as you fly it's a long way down. Watching the world from here I see everything. Nothing short of everything. High in the Belltower far above the ground. Someone's calling for freedom. I can hear them sing, I can hear them sing. Watch your steps around me. It's a long way down.
17.
Light Up 05:20
I used to understand you. No, that's misleading, I still do. You've always been so proud of this hurricane that follows you. You're demanding, outstanding, you're high above the rest and you love to let everybody know. And you're the Queen Bee and we'll see you're nothing but the best and you never let it go. It's never been in question whether you have got direction, but you need to stay grounded. It's for everyone's protection. You're laughing at this dance, but you don't understand the circumstance. I'm running out of reasons to give you another chance so light up. It's all about the pretense. It's all about the imaginary. It's all about the showmanship, so when you lose out you walk free. You're drowning in the ocean! You won't let anybody hear you shout. You know that if they heard you, they might just try to help you out. And you're outstanding, demanding that everybody sees you're the greatest liar still at large. And you're destructive, conductive to electricity and you CHARGE. It's never been in question whether you have got direction, but you need to stay grounded. It's for everyone's protection. You're laughing at this dance, but you don't understand the circumstance. I'm running out of reasons to give you another chance so Light up your darkened thoughts now. Look back upon all you've wrought now. Light up your darkened dreaming. Ignore the ghosts. Ignore their screaming. Light up your poisonous plans. Your fate is out of your hands. Yesterday won't come back to you so try to think things through. It's never been in question whether you have got direction, but you need to stay grounded. It's for everyone's protection. You're laughing at this dance, but you don't understand the circumstance. I'm running out of reasons to give you another chance. It's never been in question whether you have got direction, but you need to stay grounded. It's for everyone's protection. You're laughing at this dance, but you don't understand the circumstance. I'm running out of reasons to give you another chance so Light up your darkened thoughts now. Look back upon all you've wrought now. Light up your darkened dreaming. Ignore the ghosts. Ignore their screaming. Light up your poisonous plans. Your fate is out of your hands. Yesterday won't come back to you so try to think things through and light up
18.
Hey Alice 04:30
Hey Alice, where's your wonderland now that you're back on Earth? How does it look, now you've left it behind and crossed the stepping stones? Hey Alice, is it greener here or does it seem like dirt? Does it feel the same, can you say that you are happy to be home? The rabbit seems to call your name. You're late, so it's time to move. Oh Alice, you know it's your fate. Tick, tock. No time to lose. Did the mushrooms make you grow? Did the flowers say hello? Would Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee care to sing a song for me? Did you like your Unbirthday? Did the Cheshire Cat smile your way? Can you tell a raven from a writing desk? Was the Hatter's tea the best? Did you do as the Queen asked? Did you see through the looking glass? Hey Alice, do you want to play? The Queen's great (or so it's been said)! Hey Alice, can you play croquet? If you're good, you can keep your head. Did the mushrooms make you grow? Did the flowers say hello? Would Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee care to sing a song for me? Did you like your Unbirthday? Did the Cheshire Cat smile your way? Can you tell a raven from a writing desk? Was the Hatter's tea the best? Did you do as the Queen asked? Did you see through the looking glass? Hey Alice, are you here or there or somewhere in between? Hey Alice, would you ever dare to go back through where you've been? Hey Alice, time is running short. This can't take too long. Make a choice now. On which side of the door do you feel you belong? The rabbit seems to call your name. You're late, so it's time to move. Oh Alice, you know it's your fate. Tick, tock. No time to lose. Did the mushrooms make you grow? Did the flowers say hello? Would Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee care to sing a song for me? Did you like your Unbirthday? Did the Cheshire Cat smile your way? Can you tell a raven from a writing desk? Was the Hatter's tea the best? Did you do as the Queen asked? Did you see through the looking glass? The rabbit seems to call your name. You're late, so it's time to move. Oh Alice, you know it's your fate. Tick, tock. No time to lose.

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released February 14, 2015

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Rachel Rose Mitchell Melbourne, Australia

just a girl and her songs

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