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© 1999
A. Thomas Tran
A. Thomas Tran
| 01 | Cold April Showers | piano | 6:20 | 5.1MB | [mp3] | [video] [notes] |
| 02 | Green Room | noise | 0:10 | 0.1MB | [notes] | |
| 03 | It Used To Be 2.0 | jungle | 4:12 | 3.7MB | [notes] | |
| 04 | The Burden of Freedom | noise | 0:13 | 0.1MB | [notes] | |
| 05 | Worthless | techno | 2:31 | 2.3MB | [notes] | |
| 06 | Faithless Society | trance | 4:32 | 3.6MB | [notes] | |
| 07 | I Walk Alone | acapella | 5:19 | 4.3MB | [notes] | |
| 08 | May's Song | piano | 1:24 | 1.1MB | [notes] | |
| 09 | Jumped In | hiphop | 7:05 | 5.7MB | [mp3] | [notes] |
| 10 | Opportunity | piano | 6:31 | 5.2MB | [mp3] | [notes] |
| 11 | Foreverbox | musicbox | 0:27 | 0.4MB | [notes] | |
| 12 | Faithless Society 2.0 | breakbeat | 4:51 | 3.9MB | [mp3] | [notes] |
| 13 | Precious | guitar | 6:05 | 4.9MB | [notes] | |
| 14 | Cold April Showers (Instrumental) | piano | 6:20 | 5.1MB | ||
| 15 | Opportunity (Instrumental) | piano | 6:33 | 5.3MB | ||
| 16 | May's Song (Instrumental) | piano | 1:25 | 1.2MB | ||
| 17 | Let Me Rise | vocode | 0:33 | 0.4MB | ||
| or download the COMPLETE ALBUM | ||||||
| 18 | Faithless Society (2003 Reason Remix) | trance | 8:12 | 7.5MB | [mp3] | |
Getting Experimental
This is my first and only solo album, produced during the summer of 1999 while attending UCLA. You can tell I was dabbling in all sorts of genres. I think it was the more simple piano-based tunes that have withstood the test of time.
Production Notes
Produced by A. Thomas Tran
Graphic Artwork by Trai Trang
© 1999. "Mindfeed: Phase B" released on April 18, 1999. All rights reserved.
Graphic Artwork by Trai Trang
© 1999. "Mindfeed: Phase B" released on April 18, 1999. All rights reserved.
01 · Cold April Showers
© 1995-99. A. Thomas Tran
A big thanks to Stan Pham for using this song in his beautiful short film, About You, Love
the times you whispered to me "i'm so glad you're mine" · prove how favored i was to have the stars shine aligned · mmm i need you to know my affections grow · and i promised you my devotion's true · the gentle thought of your voice turned sorrow to joy · that sweet giggle of yours stirred the deepest part of my soul · in search for a pearl as perfect as you i journeyed away · but sudden showers had cast my sail astray · and i can't find my way · i'm lost in yesterday's cold april rain · help me find back my way · i'm lost in yesterday's cold april rain · so i sing out the words to the songs that we shared · (can you make out these words) · its all i do to keep holding on to my hope (and after all this time) · when maybe one day the tears clear i'll find you again · i wonder where you'll be i'll redeem this piece of you you've left in me · will you hold me close beyond these water falls out here · when the greyness disappears · but i unclose my eyes · i'm lost in yesterday's april rain · help me find back my way · i'm lost in yesterday's cold april rain · and i can't find my way · lost in yesterday's cold april rain · help me find back my way · lost in yesterday's cold april rain
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A big thanks to Stan Pham for using this song in his beautiful short film, About You, Love
the times you whispered to me "i'm so glad you're mine" · prove how favored i was to have the stars shine aligned · mmm i need you to know my affections grow · and i promised you my devotion's true · the gentle thought of your voice turned sorrow to joy · that sweet giggle of yours stirred the deepest part of my soul · in search for a pearl as perfect as you i journeyed away · but sudden showers had cast my sail astray · and i can't find my way · i'm lost in yesterday's cold april rain · help me find back my way · i'm lost in yesterday's cold april rain · so i sing out the words to the songs that we shared · (can you make out these words) · its all i do to keep holding on to my hope (and after all this time) · when maybe one day the tears clear i'll find you again · i wonder where you'll be i'll redeem this piece of you you've left in me · will you hold me close beyond these water falls out here · when the greyness disappears · but i unclose my eyes · i'm lost in yesterday's april rain · help me find back my way · i'm lost in yesterday's cold april rain · and i can't find my way · lost in yesterday's cold april rain · help me find back my way · lost in yesterday's cold april rain
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02 · Material · Green Room
© 1999. A. Thomas Tran
Open your mind. Don't ever be so blindly faithful toward a belief that it covers your eyes from seeing any other possibility or opportunity. Take a chance on exploring the uncertainty. Don't ever let it slip from your mind that everything has potential, no matter how little or insignificant the amount.
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Open your mind. Don't ever be so blindly faithful toward a belief that it covers your eyes from seeing any other possibility or opportunity. Take a chance on exploring the uncertainty. Don't ever let it slip from your mind that everything has potential, no matter how little or insignificant the amount.
Top
03 · It Used To Be 2.0
© 1998-99. A. Thomas Tran
This song addresses the pain of being forced to let go of yesterday while desperately trying to come to terms with living tomorrow.
it used to be the song of a siren across a single city could be heard by lock and key it used to be the box was a secret of childhood good times never to open until the twelfth of never until forever and left behind the hand i used to hold so blindly a hand i used to press against mine so profusely that beads of sweat would collect between but no one gave a damn because giving a damn about little potatos like that wasn't what love was about love was the way it used to be the way i left myself behind forgetting my conscious mind and trying to give up independence for the reason that it was a showing of understanding and compassion but now somehow i wish i didn't turn myself into a weak child with the fog cleared up am i grown up enough to drive alone yes where have the birds gone now or is it a matter of where i've flown somewhere along the line they forgot to tell me that i wasn't supposed to feed when they looked so famished and that i had to provide the right amount no more no less because if you fed too much they'd be taken and fly away and if you fed too little then they would want another and me no longer it used to be you always wanted to spoil them but never wanting to moderate yourself well listen now the next batch you find you will keep your secrets and spill enough beans for them to love you back for what you have but remember the lesson learned and never give too much a damn about the teeny beanies because that wasn't what love was about no one is going to tell you so keep your eyes open it's your car but not your highway to doodle with it used to be that april showers would bring mayflowers but what do mayflowers bring what will they bring what will they bring
Top
This song addresses the pain of being forced to let go of yesterday while desperately trying to come to terms with living tomorrow.
it used to be the song of a siren across a single city could be heard by lock and key it used to be the box was a secret of childhood good times never to open until the twelfth of never until forever and left behind the hand i used to hold so blindly a hand i used to press against mine so profusely that beads of sweat would collect between but no one gave a damn because giving a damn about little potatos like that wasn't what love was about love was the way it used to be the way i left myself behind forgetting my conscious mind and trying to give up independence for the reason that it was a showing of understanding and compassion but now somehow i wish i didn't turn myself into a weak child with the fog cleared up am i grown up enough to drive alone yes where have the birds gone now or is it a matter of where i've flown somewhere along the line they forgot to tell me that i wasn't supposed to feed when they looked so famished and that i had to provide the right amount no more no less because if you fed too much they'd be taken and fly away and if you fed too little then they would want another and me no longer it used to be you always wanted to spoil them but never wanting to moderate yourself well listen now the next batch you find you will keep your secrets and spill enough beans for them to love you back for what you have but remember the lesson learned and never give too much a damn about the teeny beanies because that wasn't what love was about no one is going to tell you so keep your eyes open it's your car but not your highway to doodle with it used to be that april showers would bring mayflowers but what do mayflowers bring what will they bring what will they bring
Top
04 · Material · The Burden Of Freedom
© 1999. A. Thomas Tran
I believe that truth is absolute, that there's only one ultimate truth. With the infinite questions and incomprehendable possibilities, to adamantly believe that one has found the truth without exploring other potential truths is to take the first step towards living a lie. Never give up the endeavor for truth. Never stop questioning what you believe. Whether the answer pains or pleases you, you're going to be one answer closer to reality.
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I believe that truth is absolute, that there's only one ultimate truth. With the infinite questions and incomprehendable possibilities, to adamantly believe that one has found the truth without exploring other potential truths is to take the first step towards living a lie. Never give up the endeavor for truth. Never stop questioning what you believe. Whether the answer pains or pleases you, you're going to be one answer closer to reality.
Top
05 · Worthless
© 1997. A. Thomas Tran
Each year at Independence High School (San Jose, CA), members of the Chinese Club put on a huge cultural play. They're written, acted, directed, and produced by students alone. When I saw the play in 1996, I thought it was unbelievable. I wanted to contribute somehow, and the next year I got my chance. The play was called "Chains." It was an emotional play about a sexist father who was an asshole to his daughter, beat his wife. But he nurtured his son Jimmy. It was "Tradition" that women were worthless. Tradition was passed down to Jimmy and in one scene, Jimmy was saying "girls are just like pieces of gum: you chew on them, you suck out their juices, and spit them out when you're done--and that's what I plan to do with Tracy." Of course Tracy's brother is upset with Jimmy's disrespectfulness, and they get into a fight. When Jimmy finally pins down Tracy's brother, a silhouette lights up depicting an image of Mom being beaten by Dad. Jimmy and Dad strike their already beaten victims and shout, "You're worthless, worthless..." Worthless was written to be synchronized with this fight scene.
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Each year at Independence High School (San Jose, CA), members of the Chinese Club put on a huge cultural play. They're written, acted, directed, and produced by students alone. When I saw the play in 1996, I thought it was unbelievable. I wanted to contribute somehow, and the next year I got my chance. The play was called "Chains." It was an emotional play about a sexist father who was an asshole to his daughter, beat his wife. But he nurtured his son Jimmy. It was "Tradition" that women were worthless. Tradition was passed down to Jimmy and in one scene, Jimmy was saying "girls are just like pieces of gum: you chew on them, you suck out their juices, and spit them out when you're done--and that's what I plan to do with Tracy." Of course Tracy's brother is upset with Jimmy's disrespectfulness, and they get into a fight. When Jimmy finally pins down Tracy's brother, a silhouette lights up depicting an image of Mom being beaten by Dad. Jimmy and Dad strike their already beaten victims and shout, "You're worthless, worthless..." Worthless was written to be synchronized with this fight scene.
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06 · Faithless Society
© 1996-97. A. Thomas Tran
"Let me rise above the faithless society, no longer will they conceal my pristine entity." (Hoang Le) Hoang and I agreed to write a song together. Even though we never finished a final recording of the song, we were fortunate to be able to perform it at two functions before our friendship faded. I owe him a lot for having faith in me. Faithless society was my first complete electronic song. My own feeling behind this song was that one day I will rise above all the people who kicked me around in life and treated me like shit.
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"Let me rise above the faithless society, no longer will they conceal my pristine entity." (Hoang Le) Hoang and I agreed to write a song together. Even though we never finished a final recording of the song, we were fortunate to be able to perform it at two functions before our friendship faded. I owe him a lot for having faith in me. Faithless society was my first complete electronic song. My own feeling behind this song was that one day I will rise above all the people who kicked me around in life and treated me like shit.
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07 · I Walk Alone
© 1996-97. Words by Hoang Le. Music by A. Thomas Tran.
i walk alone as the rain washes me away · gently disguising the tears flowing down on my face · my body sways with the stream beneath · like a river i flow out to the sea · midnight will open a gateway to an endless bliss · a star's twinkle shall guide my body within the gentle mist · the sun shall rise by dawn's silk kiss · still i seek as the seasons shift · let the emptiness recede as i drift away · let me hold a hope to mend my soul · let the sadness disappear as i drift away · let me hold a hand that won't let me go · i walk alone with the towering timbers asleep · a delicate flower surrounded by giants will weep · moonlight gives more than a chance to cry · unveils a path where memories will hide · the tattered flower conceives my dismay · it cries my tears and i cry its pains · reaching and hoping it begs me to stay · but it's forgotten its roots are its chains · alone again · i tread the path · let the emptiness recede as i drift away · let me hold a hope to mend my soul · let the sadness disappear as I drift away · let me hold a hand that won't let me go
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i walk alone as the rain washes me away · gently disguising the tears flowing down on my face · my body sways with the stream beneath · like a river i flow out to the sea · midnight will open a gateway to an endless bliss · a star's twinkle shall guide my body within the gentle mist · the sun shall rise by dawn's silk kiss · still i seek as the seasons shift · let the emptiness recede as i drift away · let me hold a hope to mend my soul · let the sadness disappear as i drift away · let me hold a hand that won't let me go · i walk alone with the towering timbers asleep · a delicate flower surrounded by giants will weep · moonlight gives more than a chance to cry · unveils a path where memories will hide · the tattered flower conceives my dismay · it cries my tears and i cry its pains · reaching and hoping it begs me to stay · but it's forgotten its roots are its chains · alone again · i tread the path · let the emptiness recede as i drift away · let me hold a hope to mend my soul · let the sadness disappear as I drift away · let me hold a hand that won't let me go
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08 · May's Song
© 1996. Vocals by Amy Tran. Music + Words by A. Thomas Tran.
and when she's gone little boy does she know · lovely things pretty dreams half asleep in his pillowy midnight he plays her a song · the sweet smell of perfume is still warm · in his head he is hoping in wonderland somewhere his dreams might be true · that she misses him too
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and when she's gone little boy does she know · lovely things pretty dreams half asleep in his pillowy midnight he plays her a song · the sweet smell of perfume is still warm · in his head he is hoping in wonderland somewhere his dreams might be true · that she misses him too
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09 · Jumped In
© 1997. A. Thomas Tran.
Jumped In was another song written for "Chains." (described in track 05) During the first scene, Jimmy obnoxiously pumps Jumped In out loud on his stereo, as his sister is trying hard to study in her room.
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Jumped In was another song written for "Chains." (described in track 05) During the first scene, Jimmy obnoxiously pumps Jumped In out loud on his stereo, as his sister is trying hard to study in her room.
Top
10 · Opportunity
© 1996-99. A. Thomas Tran.
Everyone gets the feeling sometime - that feeling where you want to give up on yourself and let go of your life. Opportunity was written for someone who was ready to give up. I saw it, she had so many things going for her, but she never bothered to pay any attention to what was before her eyes. She kept her mind set on what she didn't have. Opportunity was a reminder that there were many things to live for.
More recently, UCLA VSU Vietnamese Culture Night 2000 used Opportunity for an introduction scene, where Vietnamese immigrants were obstructed by an invisible fence wall until the younger generation discovers a hole in the wall and steps through it.
opportunity · knocking at your feet · you turn and weep · this is not the way · recollect your dreams · forget this game · face the ocean · fix your mind in motion · don't you see the seas · windows open · shattered hearts unbroken · won't you take the lead · opportunity · knocking at your feet · you turn to weep · time will ease the pain · but the past won't be erased · learn from mistakes · face the ocean · fix your mind in motion · you don't see the seas · shutters open · shattered hearts unbroken · you won't take the lead · i don't think you're aware--their green eyes fixed on your soles standing there · you've seen the days pass by · they're not the same without your smile--will you toss it all away · opportunity · knocking at your feet · you turn and weep · soak in all your fear · clear away the tears · for sorrow sears · face the ocean · fix your mind in motion · don't you see the seas · windows open · shattered hearts unbroken · why won't you take the lead · i don't think you're aware--their green eyes fixed on your soles standing there · you've watched the days pass by · nothing's the same without your smile--will you toss it all away
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Everyone gets the feeling sometime - that feeling where you want to give up on yourself and let go of your life. Opportunity was written for someone who was ready to give up. I saw it, she had so many things going for her, but she never bothered to pay any attention to what was before her eyes. She kept her mind set on what she didn't have. Opportunity was a reminder that there were many things to live for.
More recently, UCLA VSU Vietnamese Culture Night 2000 used Opportunity for an introduction scene, where Vietnamese immigrants were obstructed by an invisible fence wall until the younger generation discovers a hole in the wall and steps through it.
opportunity · knocking at your feet · you turn and weep · this is not the way · recollect your dreams · forget this game · face the ocean · fix your mind in motion · don't you see the seas · windows open · shattered hearts unbroken · won't you take the lead · opportunity · knocking at your feet · you turn to weep · time will ease the pain · but the past won't be erased · learn from mistakes · face the ocean · fix your mind in motion · you don't see the seas · shutters open · shattered hearts unbroken · you won't take the lead · i don't think you're aware--their green eyes fixed on your soles standing there · you've seen the days pass by · they're not the same without your smile--will you toss it all away · opportunity · knocking at your feet · you turn and weep · soak in all your fear · clear away the tears · for sorrow sears · face the ocean · fix your mind in motion · don't you see the seas · windows open · shattered hearts unbroken · why won't you take the lead · i don't think you're aware--their green eyes fixed on your soles standing there · you've watched the days pass by · nothing's the same without your smile--will you toss it all away
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11 · Foreverbox
© 1998. Melody by May Chen. Construction + Recording by A. Thomas Tran.
Foreverbox is a music box, over two years in the working from dream to conception to design to failure to redesign to failure and to failure again... and to, at last, a reality. Foreverbox was a dream that I thought I could never reach. But it was a dream that came true. The arrangement is based on the melody from "Forever" by May Chen.
I wrote an article on how I made foreverbox, and posted it on my UCLA web server in 1999. It was a wonderful success that generated enormous response from music box hobbyists worldwide. The article has been published in magazines and journals, most notably the Mechanical Music Digest. Read it for yourself at http://www.unity303.com/musicbox
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Foreverbox is a music box, over two years in the working from dream to conception to design to failure to redesign to failure and to failure again... and to, at last, a reality. Foreverbox was a dream that I thought I could never reach. But it was a dream that came true. The arrangement is based on the melody from "Forever" by May Chen.
I wrote an article on how I made foreverbox, and posted it on my UCLA web server in 1999. It was a wonderful success that generated enormous response from music box hobbyists worldwide. The article has been published in magazines and journals, most notably the Mechanical Music Digest. Read it for yourself at http://www.unity303.com/musicbox
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12 · Faithless Society (303 Faithless 2.0)
© 1998. Words by Hoang Le. Music and Vocals by A. Thomas Tran.
This is the track that most closely identifies with the theme "Mindfeed."
i lay beneath my leaves of shattered dreams · they decay my skin and leave me to bleed · i nourish the blades which have no life · can ever there be a time i will respire · emptiness swells heavy in my heart · and thirsts for pleasures are dry from my tongue · the bond with oneself has fallen apart · can i pick up the pieces to become one · let me rise above the faithless society · no longer will they conceal my pristine entity · only through myself have i commenced to apprehend · how this broken frame can be drawn back together again · let reality transcend to contrive my needs · awakened alive and anewed is my destiny · let me rise above the faithless society · no longer will they conceal pristine entity
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This is the track that most closely identifies with the theme "Mindfeed."
i lay beneath my leaves of shattered dreams · they decay my skin and leave me to bleed · i nourish the blades which have no life · can ever there be a time i will respire · emptiness swells heavy in my heart · and thirsts for pleasures are dry from my tongue · the bond with oneself has fallen apart · can i pick up the pieces to become one · let me rise above the faithless society · no longer will they conceal my pristine entity · only through myself have i commenced to apprehend · how this broken frame can be drawn back together again · let reality transcend to contrive my needs · awakened alive and anewed is my destiny · let me rise above the faithless society · no longer will they conceal pristine entity
Top
13 · Precious
© 1999. Words by Amy Tran. Music and Vocals by A. Thomas Tran.
the warmth was precious anytime we were together · the sweetest flowers could not compare to what was forever · crossing paths we broke the chains of trivial admiration · and brought ourselves to a level where we could appreciate adoration · our love was like a fairy tale; so sweet so real so true · but I forgot that endings are what fairy tales must come to · then one night it seemed my dreams would come to a conclusion · when she suddenly began to cry adding to my confusion · she turned herself away from me so i could not see her face · and i could softly hear her say "the world is a lonely place" · the warmth was precious anytime we were together · the sweetest flowers could not compare to what was forever · then one night it seemed my dreams would come to a conclusion · when she suddenly began to cry adding to my confusion · she turned herself away from me so i could not see her face · and I could softly hear her say "the world is a lonely place"
Top
the warmth was precious anytime we were together · the sweetest flowers could not compare to what was forever · crossing paths we broke the chains of trivial admiration · and brought ourselves to a level where we could appreciate adoration · our love was like a fairy tale; so sweet so real so true · but I forgot that endings are what fairy tales must come to · then one night it seemed my dreams would come to a conclusion · when she suddenly began to cry adding to my confusion · she turned herself away from me so i could not see her face · and i could softly hear her say "the world is a lonely place" · the warmth was precious anytime we were together · the sweetest flowers could not compare to what was forever · then one night it seemed my dreams would come to a conclusion · when she suddenly began to cry adding to my confusion · she turned herself away from me so i could not see her face · and I could softly hear her say "the world is a lonely place"
Top