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Fireships

by Andrew Vladeck

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    4) Bonus track: A dance-folktronica remix of "It's Time" by Matt Katz-Bohen
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1.
Long Shadow 04:17
I went away to get my blood changed Had my wires a-rearranged You might think that I’m acting strange It’s just me acting tough I fired a shot right through the floor The circus ran straight for the door You ask me what I did that for I guess I had enough Flying cars and ricochets Not a soul escapes unscathed You might think those were the days They’re best left to the past Bodyguards in the hall playing chess How I survived is anyone’s guess But when you’re a cat with one life left You learn to move real fast A long shadow - follows me around A long shadow - after the sun goes down What I gotta do to prove to you If you only knew how I made it through This long shadow Blinds are drawn and the deadbolt clicks Those dirty dogs’ll rip you to bits All that funky junkie shit You just ask my mates I still got my ring and my broken tooth I can take your piss and spit the truth The dope and the cops may have served some use That’s open to debate The wind in the trees sounds like a car The headlight sun ain’t very far You gonna stay right where you are Or hitch a ride A long shadow - follows me around A long shadow - after the sun goes down What I gotta do to prove to you If you only knew how I made it through This long shadow This long shadow This long shadow
2.
I quit my job, and I’m on the lam, I’m a burning man On 95 and I’m heading south, like a punch in the mouth You were born on a Friday I was born on a highway so I know how it feels To be drifting around To be more lost then found I’m going down I’m going way down, But I’m going down fighting I’m going down I’m going way down, But I’m going down fighting I cast my lot when I flunked the test, ya told me I’m blessed, and I told you you’d find A southern belle at the marble bar, polishing stones with the fire she wore You were born in a heat wave I was born in a cold grave so I know how it feels To be stuck in the ground, To be right with the world I’m going down I’m going way down, But I’m going down fighting I’m going down I’m going way down, But I’m going down fighting You were born on a Monday I was born on a runway so I know how it feels To be right in the way do you know how it feels? I’m going down I’m going way down, But I’m going down fighting
3.
A mound of broken stars
 A pile of dusty sparks
 A stack of glowing coals 
A thousand shattered disco balls
 The skyline looked like all of those things
 We sat by the river as the city sparkled to life,
 The cherry bomb sun sank, we squinted and stared, 
And speechlessly spoke Step up, come down, my friend
 How many times we go ‘round again
 Step up, come down, my friend
 What do you say –
 Let’s make this moment stay
 We’re living a dream - living the dream, 
 Living a dream - living the dream A dried-up river bed
 A faded scar
A derailed train 
The spine of an old book
 My lifeline looked like all of those things 
The sun so hot it made us sweat, The air so cold we could see our breath, 
We inhaled pink clouds of the sunset, 
 As it swallowed us Step up, come down, my friend
 How many times we go ‘round again 
Step up, come down, my friend
 Come down today
 Let’s make this moment stay
 We’re living a dream - living the dream, 
Living a dream - living the dream All the dust will return to dust
 All the blessed, yes, and all of the cursed
 All the meek and the mighty shall fall
 So let’s make this day, the brightest of all A stand of cluttered tombstones
 A blurry neon billboard
 A sparkling Atlantis
 An exquisite, speckled canvas
 The future looked like all of those things
 A man on the pier pulled a fish out of the black water
 He wrapped it in a newspaper and placed it beside me
 It was still moving
 The headlines on that paper made no sense at all,
 And made all the sense in the world Step up, come down, my friend
 How many times we go ‘round again 
Step up, come down, my friend
 What do you say – 
Let’s make this moment stay
 We’re living a dream - living the dream, 
Living a dream - living the dream
4.
Gush 03:40
It always starts this way a splendid repartee I’m dazzled by the cunning things you’ve said You’re clever, sharp, astute I’m stunned, awestruck and mute Romantic notions cloud my head I’m drunk on conversation My mental machinations Make it hard to hear I try to concentrate But in my altered state My muddled mind ain’t very clear It’s not that I’m ignoring you It’s not that I’ve better things to do I’m afraid you might think me rude ‘Cause my mind turns to mush In vain I watch your pretty mouth and I gush Lulled by your dulcet voice I haven’t any choice To a dreamland I am sent I shake to attention To figure which direction The conversation we were having went But then I get distracted Your long eyelashes Like a butterfly You see me blankly grinning You lost me at the beginning To deny that would be a lie It’s not that I’m ignoring you It’s not that I’ve better things to do I’m afraid you might think me rude ‘Cause my mind turns to mush Girl, you make my foolish heart gush It’s not that I’m ignoring you It’s not that I’ve better things to do I’m afraid you might think me rude ‘Cause my mind turns to mush In vain I watch your pretty mouth In vain I watch your pretty mouth In vain I watch your pretty mouth – and I gush
5.
Fantasy 03:36
Oh the glossy pages of magazines Where life can really be all it seems Gilded people with silver spoons Socialites sleep all afternoon You dream of gala affairs and award nights Midnight dinner by candlelight Laughter and joy, meant to be yours Yet bouncers make you wait at the doors Your sad heart haunts – Your stoned soul wants – Your greedy groin needs – Your bleak blood bleeds – Why should this fate befall a soul like thee When everyone else is a VIP It’s a mistake or a cruel joke Are you meant to hang from a velvet rope Your sad heart haunts – Your stoned soul wants – Your greedy groin needs – Your bleak blood bleeds – Fantasy, can’t you see it’s All you need, lord help me, Fantasy, it’s all you need You’ve friended the friends of their friends that’s your trick All for to find your way into their clique They’ll wine and dine you in their own homes Paparazzi won’t leave you alone Your sad heart haunts – Your stoned soul wants – Your greedy groin needs – Your bleak blood bleeds – You can’t appease – Down on your knees – Fantasy, can’t you see it’s All you need, lord help me, Fantasy, it’s all you need
6.
I run my fingers through the knotted grass of Prospect Park Down the path where we lost ourselves after dark I see your silver smile as morning sparkles through the leaves With dirt under your fingernails and grass stains on your knees Come back to me, come back to me. I see your slender fingers as you twist the pocketknife The silver dagger dances in the full moon’s shiny light You push me against a willow and you sweetly swear to me As you reach over my head and carve our names up in that tree Come back to me, come back to me. No it just don’t feel right - I’d wait all night I’ve waited all my, waited all my life The Williamsburgh Bank Tower off 4th Avenue You see me climb to the top and wonder what I’m gonna do Yeah all your neighbors see me waving high above your block As I take out a wrench and turn the time back on the clock Come back to me, come back to me. As long as our names are carved way up in that tree You’ll always have a piece of me Cause it just don’t feel right - I’d wait all night I’ve waited all my, waited all my life Come back to me, come back to me, come back to me Cause I can’t help coming back to you
7.
It’s six in the morning and I’ve caught a buzz Some drink from heartache and some drink because The pressures of the job got me reaching for a cup No one can be certain we won’t be breaking up I’m a man on a mission, I need steady nerves I know the earth ain’t flat, I’ve seen its curves Give me one for the road, one more for the climb I’m a man on a mission, and it’s Countdown Time I got motion sickness, I could really use a nurse The cabin spins around me, behind me spins the earth Kill the rocket boosters, we’re on cruise control We’ll make a tiki bar out of the console I’m a man on a mission, I need steady nerves I know the earth ain’t flat, I’ve seen its curves Give me one for the road, one more for the climb I’m a man on a mission, and it’s Countdown Time We all shared a dream, one day we would fly Raise one small shot for man, one giant toast to all mankind Then I see flashing lights, behind me is a cop He asks if I’ve been drinking, and why I didn’t stop He says step out of the car, son, and show me some ID But it’s hard to walk a straight line in zero gravity I’m a man on a mission, I need steady nerves I know the earth ain’t flat, I’ve seen its curves Give me one for the road, one more for the climb I’m a man on a mission, and it’s Countdown Time
8.
I need to see your luring hands Your wild eyes to understand I need to see your crude hair curl Clip the ribbon and it unfurls I need to see for myself I need to feel your urgent skin To fathom the mood you put me in I need to feel my hand yours in The fever that lies therein I need to feel for myself Words escape me There's nothing I can say Words escape me They easily slip away I need to hear your earthy voice To realize I have no choice I need to hear your mortal song To right the night where I went wrong I need to hear for myself Words escape me There's nothing I can say Words escape me They easily slip away The only words I've found Make these sounds Words escape me There's nothing I can say Words escape me They easily slip They easily slip They easily slip away Slip away Slip away
9.
Carried Away 03:48
I guess that’s all, I guess that’s it You set your mark, said I was it But I won’t sit and be, as you come for me How good it feels to be on the move Further and farther away from you The sun breaks through, as you see me leave This train is going, moving fast My thoughts are flowing, moving past Moving on at long last I’m finally carried away Carried away – and I am gone A breeze blows through the boxcar door Saying you won’t worry me no more I hear your footsteps slowly fade Oh, to glide - to ride these rails As your darkness slowly pales This long veil I have torn away   This train is going, moving fast My thoughts are flowing, moving past Moving on at long last I’m finally carried away Carried away – and I am gone I am gone, long gone To right what you got wrong I am gone, long gone Carried away I feel your breath on my neck I wake up in a cold, cold sweat The past is your cruel gift to me This train is going, moving fast My thoughts are flowing, moving past Moving on at long last I’m finally carried away Carried away – and I am gone I am gone I am gone I am gone
10.
It's Time 03:31
The Big Dipper rots in the cosmic sink Cassiopeia lies in the drink and Orion’s in trouble with the law so I think it’s time, it’s time Con Ed came in and turned off the juice I could complain but it ain’t no use Ma Bell called in to declare a truce it’s time, it’s time I'm half-asleep and fully-awake Genuine and totally fake In top-form and horrible shape it’s time Unplug the stars Unplug the stars I need to sleep, I need to rest, I need the world up off my chest, it’s time Well, the moon stares cold like a cataract Planets lined up for the final act Achilles heel tears up the track It’s time, it’s time The pin-striped deacon stole my wife The factory foreman fired me twice The school nurse sure did treat me nice it’s time, it’s time I’m haggard and hungry so wrong I’m right Starving and stuffed so dim I’m bright I keep confusing morning for night It’s time Unplug the stars Unplug the stars I need to sleep, I need to rest, I need the world up off my chest, It’s time, it’s time
11.
Everyone’s waiting For the starting gun Everyone’s longing For something or someone Blind to the present Lost to the past Fearing the future It’s coming down fast Now your precious moment’s past Your race is run Here we come on our mad dash We’re chasing the sun Arms are folded Feet are tapped Brows are furrowed Fingers are cracked You can’t distract us With your sticks and your guns You can’t detract us You’re over, you’re done Now your precious moment’s past Your race is run Here we come on our mad dash We’re chasing the sun A parade is a long line A whistle means it’s quitting time Your rodeo’s on rewind Your jukebox spits out dimes Old man pausing at the top of the stairs Cowboy rolling smokes outside Times Square Dead man blind to the mourners’ stares Lovers lay on the grass without any cares If I was a brakeman I’d throw the switch I’d ditch this train over the railroad bridge Down in the river past Parchman’s Farm Baptized in the black waters’ arms Now your precious moment’s past Your race is run Here we come on our mad dash We’re chasing the sun We’re chasing the sun We’re chasing the sun
12.
All We Got 03:30
The real pride, the big pride, is having no pride, So speak your mind, just let it out Your wheels finally leave the ground Soaring high over town Demons take their best shot To shatter your hopeful thoughts Atheists in foxholes pray  In love and war it's all the same Send a proud soul to their knees Make an atheist believe Oh, keep your mind from spinning Oh, you are finally winning  So don’t you stop Oh, let’s keep this room from spinning Oh, let’s start at the beginning and give it all we got All we got The real cool, the big cool, ain’t caring for cool Forbid the wolves to plague you with doubt You break and bust and snap the chain That bound you to your old refrain A house of cards a house of pain Burns to the ground but you remain Remind yourself to breathe deep There’s one way out and no retreat Snatch victory from defeat Join them singing in the streets Oh, keep your mind from spinning Oh, you are finally winning  So don’t you stop Oh, let’s keep this room from spinning Oh, let’s start at the beginning, and give it all we got All we got The real game, the big game, is playing no games So let truth reign, quit messing about All we got, give it all we got All we got, give it all we got All we got, give it all we got All we got, give it all we got
13.
Tell me your vitals and income range Level of ed., threshold for pain To separate the whey from the chaff Please include a photograph Peruse a profile easily Take La Belle Dame Sans Merci A man’s income with a woman’s looks Do you like the way she cooks the books Whoever you think you are I’m sure that you are over-par The blondes are lying or they’re dying their hair, but my guess is All you really need is just a passing knowledge of the sexes Men yearn for a soul mate Women want the occasional thrill Swapping truths about our dreams We’re all playing a slot machine I been to London and Berlin You should see the shape I’m in Who said “seek and ye shall find” Didn’t know that love was blind Whoever you think you are I’m sure that you are over-par The blondes are lying or they’re dying their hair, but my guess is All you really need is just a passing knowledge of the sexes You can share intimate truths But it will be of little use Traits that draw a big response Won’t be a big surprise I been round the world and back again I found no love but lots of friends Maybe I’ve been trying too hard Now I’m standing in my own backyard Tonight I’m gonna take my time Have a drink and write this rhyme And who knows, maybe someone dear Will hear my song and draw me near Whoever you think you are I’m sure that you are over-par The blondes are lying or they’re dying their hair, but my guess is All you really need is just a passing knowledge of the sexes Yes and all you really need is just a passing knowledge of the sexes
14.
The Big Dipper rots in the cosmic sink Cassiopeia lies in the drink and Orion’s in trouble with the law so I think it’s time, it’s time Con Ed came in and turned off the juice I could complain but it ain’t no use Ma Bell called in to declare a truce it’s time, it’s time I'm half-asleep and fully-awake Genuine and totally fake In top-form and horrible shape it’s time Unplug the stars Unplug the stars I need to sleep, I need to rest, I need the world up off my chest, it’s time Well, the moon stares cold like a cataract Planets lined up for the final act Achilles heel tears up the track It’s time, it’s time The pin-striped deacon stole my wife The factory foreman fired me twice The school nurse sure did treat me nice it’s time, it’s time I’m haggard and hungry so wrong I’m right Starving and stuffed so dim I’m bright I keep confusing morning for night It’s time Unplug the stars Unplug the stars I need to sleep, I need to rest, I need the world up off my chest, It’s time, it’s time

about

Andrew recorded in Brooklyn with producer Paul Loren’s virtuosic contributions and numerous drop-ins by talented friends including legendary composer David Amram. “Come Back to Me,” with its playful pennywhistle, chirpy guitar grooves and rollicking drums, contrasts with enchanting quiet moments, as in the haunting ballad “Carried Away,” written with Sydney Wayser (Clara Nova), who also sings on the track. There’s the cheeky candor of “Passing Knowledge of the Sexes,” mostly guitar, percussion and voice. And sometimes they’ll just knock out a rocker like “Going Down Fighting” (written with Dave Doobinin) with Vladeck cranking out some satisfyingly sizzling guitar.

"Gush" & "Countdown Time" (written with Adam Levy) are winners in the Great American Song Contest
"Chasing the Sun" won the Vox Pop Award as part of the Occupy This Album compilation for the Independent Music Awards.
Previously “The Songs You Inspire” won First Place (AAA) in the International Songwriting Competition and Vladeck was voted NYC Artist of the Month in The Deli Magazine.

credits

released April 21, 2015

Words and Music by Andrew Vladeck except:
Countdown Time by Adam Levy & Andrew Vladeck
Carried Away by Andrew Vladeck & Sydney Wayser
Going Down Fighting by Dave Doobinin & Andrew Vladeck
Passing Knowledge by Andrew Vladeck & The Honey Brothers

Produced by Paul Loren at The Five & Dime Recording Society
Mixed by D. James Goodwin; Mastered by Scott Hull at Masterdisk
Digital Album Cover Photo by Michael Arthur
Digital Book Design and Physical Album Artwork by Abbey Ley

MUSICIANS:
Andrew Vladeck // Guitars. Banjos, Vocals
Paul Loren // Vocals, Keys, Percussion, Bass on Fantasy, Come Back to Me
Jason Lawrence // Drums
Chris Buckridge // Bass
Lauren Balthrop // Vocals
Tim Luntzel // Bass on Words Escape Me, Living the Dream
David Amram // Flutes
Marika Hughes // Cello
Skye Steele // Violin
Jake Bernstein // Beats
Additonal Vocals:
Adam Levy // All We Got, Countdown Time, Fantasy
Sydney Wayser // All We Got, Carried Away, Fantasy
Dave Doobinin // All We Got, Come Back to Me, Going Down Fighting
Dan Posner // Going Down Fighting, Gush, Long Shadow

“Toe-tapping tunes & heavenly harmonies in our debut from Fireships.” ~ Daytrotter

‘Come Back to Me,’ sounds like an indie campfire jam, with a sing-along chorus and a convivial mood making it an ideal invitation for the Fireships LP. Existing somewhere between indie rock and folk revival, Fireships have offered up a promising start.” ~ PopMatters

“Vladeck’s “veteranness” matched with his bandmates awesomeness make for one singular takeaway: it’s a carefully crafted, fun record.” ~ Huffington Post

“Dreamy and cerebral, but with enough punch and melody to make themselves digestible and addicting, Fireships have influences from all across the board, based on both geography and era. And no matter which area of the folk-rock spectrum they are exploring, there’s a certain amount of strange and ambitious energy which makes them likable. Consistent in the right ways, with restless minds, Fireships manages to carve out a little breathing room for themselves in the currently crowded roots scene.” ~ Leo Weekly

“Fiery alt-folk… finely crafted, tuneful, passionate music.” ~ The Big Takeover

“Purely a joy to listen to. Their playful yet smart lyrics combine with brilliant instrumentation to make this one you need to grab… a wonderful album.” ~ Independent Clauses

“Vladeck allows himself to be overwhelmed with beauty… The result is a thoughtful layering of gentle plucking, West African rhythms, soaring harmonies, and electric pop hooks. Each song belies an earnest longing that remains with the listener long after the final hooks have receded back into the clouds.“ – Breakthru Radio

“The perfect blend of Midwestern thoughtfulness and New Yorker gruff.” ~ The L Magazine

“Accessible and anthemic, Fireships are also as cutting edge as rock bands get these days… you could call it Americana chamber pop… Andrew Vladeck writes fearlessly populist, Dylanesque narratives, and the band gets gritty with some pretty straight-up highway rock from time to time.” ~ New York Music Daily

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Andrew Vladeck Brooklyn, New York

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