(EDIT: If you've already read this post, you don't have to read it again. Just scroll down to the eighth post. That's the new one.)

I've noticed that certain bands have put things on their albums that are rather unusual. It's not really "music", per se, although it may have musical bits here and there, but it's not random noise either. It's just sound. I find it to be quite enjoyable if it's well done. The first band that I know of to do this was The Beatles, with the White Album's "Revolution 9". Other bands that have done things like this (although with quite different styles) are The Braindead Monkeys with Moist & Meaty's "Fish Tacos" (and probably other stuff too, but I've listened to very little of their catalogue) and grindcore band Anal **** with Everyone Should Be KILLED's "When I Think Of True Punk Rock Bands, I Think Of Nirvana And The Melvins" (although, granted, most of A.C.'s catalogue really is just random noise that sounds really bad, not to mention unsuitable for easily offended people). I really like the idea that not all listening material has to be musical or have a coherent message.

So I decided to create one of my own.
My creation: Life In A Fish Tank! (Click the link, then right click the X on the left side of the screen and Save Target on Windows (if you're on a Mac, do the Mac equivalent) but don't click it.
It's an audio file, but it's not music, so don't expect music. This is an experiment in creative, carefully planned sound.
There should be sound the whole way through (there's about 2.5 seconds where it's really really quiet, about ten seconds in, but don't worry about that), so if there's ever actual silence besides that point, tell me. Most people don't seem to have trouble with it though. Your sound settings should all be about even (i.e. don't crank the bass or treble, or put it all the way down) to get the full experience. There are quiet parts and loud parts, so don't put your volume too low or high.

Instruments (in order of appearance):
Voice, with echoing applied
Microphone Hitting Monitor, with echoing applied
Bass guitar, sped up and with echoing applied

I'd like to know what people think of it. So far, most people I've shown it to liked it, but it's really such an unusual thing that many probably won't appreciate it. Please don't download it more than once though, as I have very limited bandwidth. Save it to your hard drive, and then listen to it.

If you like it, feel free to share it, as long as the Title, Artist, Album, Composer, and Comment fields stay intact (they should say "Life In A Fish Tank", "The Almighty Doer of Stuff", "http://placeofstuff.250free.com", "Vincent Camley", and a message saying it can be shared if the track info stays intact, respectively).

This post was last modified: 12-24-2005 09:28 PM by TheAlmightyDoerOfStuff.

Come on people, be brave! Listen and comment! I won't mind if you don't like it, really. I know it's a very unusual thing, sort of like abstract art in a way, and not everyone will like this sort of thing. I just want feedback, be it positive or negative.

Anyway, I improved it a bit. I removed the layer of hiss from under the bass track, so the blublublub comes through better and it jsut generally sounds better now. Just follow the instructions in the previous post to get to the file.

Could do with higher quality samples, but good
http://www.soundclick.com/rapedyoungminds

have a listen

I don't have a Soundclick ID and frankly I don't trust the site enough to get one. Is it something similar to what I did?

Incidentally, I also made one called Mr. Q's Mindrape, but listening to it is like having your mind raped, so I won't post it here.

You don't need a soundclick ID to just listen (in lo-fi), and as for not trusting them enough - you don't need any personal information

Oh, okay.

*listens*

AAAAH THE HORROR MAKE IT STOP IT BURNS

It's just a big long stretch of a single, highly unpleasant noise. At least there's a little variety in LIAFT. Granted, Mr. Q's Mindrape is also rather unpleasant, but it was intentional.

Noise does tend to sound like noise
I'm guessing you only listened to the valley - try paradox

Okay, I've got some more stuff, which can be found at http://placeofstuff.250free.com/songs.html
Please save them to your computer before opening them, so you don't have to download them more than once. I don't have much bandwidth on that site.

I've already explained what "Life In A Fish Tank" is, but I'll explain what the sounds are supposed to be, since people seem to enjoy it more when they know what it is. First, you hear the bubbling of the oxygen thingy and the quiet hum of the water heater. Then someone taps on the glass. This causes a particularly strange fish to go nuts and start singing (that would be the sped-up bass). Eventually he calms down and the track ends.
I believe I posted an image to go along with LIAFT in my thread in the Art forum, if you want to see it.

After that is "Mr. Q's Mindrape", which I've also already explained, but will give a little background info. Mr. Q is a face. A strange, evil face. He comes up with strange conspiracy theories and ideas. He also likes torturing people. Mindrape is what he does to people who piss him off. Not exactly pleasant.

Then there is "Well, That Was Cacophonic". It is, as the name implies, cacophonic. For those who don't know what cacophony is, it is loud, jarring, dischordant sound. This track was created to serve as an alarm for those people who are immune to regular alarms. Be careful with this as it might blow crappy speakers if the volume is up too loud.

After that is "Three Internet Geeks Arguing While Driving In The Rain". This one is straightforward, and by far the least chaotic of the works I made up to this point. It contains the sounds of rain, a simulated car motor, and a conversation. It's actually kind of relaxing, at least until near the end.

The last one is actually music (Gasp!). It is called "God Damn Snow". It contains several catchy bass lines, drums, and a man complaining about having to shovel snow. I just finished this one today. I made it on a synthesizer.

Again, the URL is http://placeofstuff.250free.com/songs.html . Please only download them once, because I have very little bandwidth. I hope you enjoy at least one of them.