| Imaginary Lines | |
|---|---|
Packaging Promo for Imaginary Lines I |
|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Genres | Rock and roll, indie rock, classic rock, progressive rock, Americana |
| Years active | 2004 – 2009 |
| Labels | CygnusWave (Independent Label) |
| Website | http://www.ricalbano.com/ImaginaryLines |
| Notable instruments | |
| Keyboards, Bass, Drums | |
Imaginary Lines is a studio music project that was originated, composed, and produced by Ric Albano. It was initiated in 2004 and yielded two full-length albums, Imaginary Lines I, released on October 10, 2005, and Imaginary Lines II, released on December 27, 2007. These two albums were eventually combined with twelve additional tracks and released internationally as Imaginary Lines 33 on September 9, 2009.
Contents |
Originally from Hazleton, Pennsylvania, Ric Albano began writing and performing in high school and eventually received professional training in sound engineering and production. An ongoing, experimental recording project called RAREx was established by in 1987, with Albano playing all instruments, providing all vocals, and composing all songs. Over the course of nine years, RAREx would yield more than 300 semi-professional analog recordings, but none would ever be officially published.
During a multi-year hiatus from music performing and production following the dissolution of the RAREx project in 1996, Albano composed several piano instrumentals on the upright in his living room. Most of these grew into lengthy, multiple-key pieces that explored multiple styles and genres. Eventually lyrics were added and these compositions slowly grew into deep, philosophical numbers that would become the earliest Imaginary Lines songs.
The title itself came from the original title of what would ultimately be renamed "One". This song was the central hub around which a "concept album" idea was being developed by Albano. The concept was to expose and satirize the absurdity of established identities, stereotypes, words, and phrases in contemporary. "politically correct" society. Subsequently, several more songs were written to accommodate this "concept".
After relocating to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 2004 and establishing a small home studio, Albano recorded a 14-song demo using all electronic instruments and multi-tracked vocals. He sent this demo to several Pennsylvania recording studios and received the most interest from Saturation Acres Recording Studio in Danville, PA.
Recording for what would become Imaginary Lines I began on April 7, 2005, with Albano on bass guitar, keyboards, and vocals and former Badlees Ron Simasek on drums and Bret Alexander on electric and acoustic guitars. As production evolved, the album was refined into a more traditional format, with half of the original demo songs cut and a couple of more pop-oriented songs composed to complete the nine track album. Still, the album maintained much of its philosophical depth and complex composure when it was released on October 10, 2005.
Following the apathetic reception of the first album, Albano decided to write simpler, more pop-oriented songs for the follow-up. Much of the writing for Imaginary Lines II and the anticipated Imaginary Lines III took place in 2006, with no production until Albano returned to the studio in the spring of 2007. Ultimately, Imaginary Lines II was released with a nearly-absurd bare-bone arrangement that included only bass, drums, keyboards, and vocals. As this second phase drew to a close, Albano decided to abandon the idea of a third, stand-alone (Imaginary Lines III) album in lieu of a massive, 33-track compilation to complete the project.
Imaginary Lines 33, released on September 9, 2009, is the length of three traditional LP albums (although the hard copy will be on two compact disks). It is logically divided into three distinct sections:
Section 1 (Disk 1, Tracks 1-8) consists of previously unreleased material
Section 2 (Disk 1, Tracks 9-17) is the original Imaginary Lines I in total (with a few very minor edits)
Section 3 (All of Disk 2) is an enhanced, remastered version of Imaginary Lines II that includes some excluded tracks (16 in all versus the original 12) and added production and instrumentation to most of the original tracks.
The final (new) songs for Imaginary Lines 33 were composed in 2008, with recording continuing through the summer of 2009.
Musically, Imaginary Lines is an eclectic mix of classic rock-n-roll mixed with influences of pop, rock, jazz, blues, and americanna driven by piano-led pop melodies that expand with complex arrangements. The influences range from The Who to Pink Floyd to Paul McCartney to Rush, with many variations in between. Listeners have compared Imaginary Lines to disparate, established acts ranging from Genesis to Phish as well as the pop-rock sound of the later seventies.
The songs were primarily composed on (electronic) "acoustic" or electric piano with drums, bass guitar, and vocals added later. Although many songs contain guitar parts, these are mainly "lead" arrangements with few use the guitar as a "rhythm" instrument. Some tracks include various keyboard voicings in minor roles, while many included double-tracked, harmonized, or multi-part vocals.
Imaginary Lines I
Released October 10, 2005
All songs by Ric Albano except where noted
| 1 | The Phoenix |
| 2 | Good Friday |
| 3 | Perfect Light |
| 4 | Lorelei |
| 5 | 33 Flames for Mary (Albano/Simasek) |
| 6 | Anthem |
| 7 | Donovan's Dread |
| 8 | Peace |
| 9 | One |
Imaginary Lines II
Released December 27, 2007
All songs by Ric Albano
| 1 | The Fool's Overture |
| 2 | She Said |
| 3 | Keep Doing What You Do |
| 4 | The Last Man to Walk Alone |
| 5 | You Sure Were Fun |
| 6 | 33 Shots at Louie |
| 7 | Believe |
| 8 | A New Religion |
| 9 | The Cup |
| 10 | Naked |
| 11 | Here On the Beach |
| 12 | Long Way Home |
Imaginary Lines 33
Released September 9, 2009
All songs by Ric Albano except where noted
Disk 1
| 1 | Crimson, White, & Indigo |
| 2 | Sister Josephine |
| 3 | Welcome Home |
| 4 | Duece |
| 5 | Princess of Pearl Avenue |
| 6 | 999 Escape |
| 7 | Tommy's Got a Gun (Hunter/Albano) |
| 8 | Ashes |
| 9 | The Phoenix |
| 10 | Good Friday |
| 11 | Perfect Light |
| 12 | Lorelei |
| 13 | 33 Flames for Mary (Albano/Simasek) |
| 14 | Anthem |
| 15 | Donovan's Dread |
| 16 | Peace |
| 17 | One |
Disk 2
| 1 | The Fool's Overture |
| 2 | She Said |
| 3 | Keep Doing What You Do |
| 4 | The Last Man to Walk Alone |
| 5 | You Sure Were Fun |
| 6 | 33 Shots at Louie |
| 7 | Believe |
| 8 | A New Religion |
| 9 | The Cup |
| 10 | The Old Man in the Sea (Albano/Kovaleski) |
| 11 | Twilight of Innocence |
| 12 | Dawning of Decadence |
| 13 | Here On the Beach |
| 14 | Naked |
| 15 | Half Hearted |
| 16 | Long Way Home |