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Retrossance

by Mikey Mason

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1.
We’d spent 15 years on this planet, Didn’t know if we’d get 15 more. We had Headbangers Ball on our MTV And A Nightmare on Elm Street 4 We had a friend with a car and a fake ID Gettin buzzed on Boone’s Farm wine But we were up in our rooms playing D&D Losing all track of time And we were blowing it up at the movies With Die Hard and Young Guns We were joking around at the mall food court Cracking up everyone Or we were looking for someone to skate with While George Michael sang Faith Friday night, 1988 We were the few who knew of the Morris Worm We had Windows 2.0 We had Holy Grail on VHS And everyone shouting quotes And the mall was the place where we all would go To be seen with all our friends With a learner’s permit and a set of wheels The party never ends… We were rocking it out at the concerts With Ozzy and the Crue Or we were cruising the strip or the circle Just looking for something to do Or we were hovering out on the sidelines Til the DJ said all-skate Friday night, 1988 And we were holding on to our everything, with a handful of friends and our dreams Looking for something we can’t define, not knowing what anything means, Saying I’m not bad, I’m just drawn that way, watching Super Mario run, Waiting for life to kick some ass, cause we’re all outta bubble gum… And we were blowing it up at the movies With Die Hard and Young Guns Joking around at the mall food court Cracking up everyone We were looking for someone to skate with While George Michael sang Faith Friday night, 1988 We were rocking it out at the concerts With Ozzy and the Crue Or we were cruising the strip or the circle Just looking for something to do Or we were hovering out on the sidelines Til the DJ said all-skate  Friday Night, 1988
2.
Oh no. I had too much to drink last night. Too much to think last night. A feeling that things aren’t right. I don’t know… why everything has to change. Why everything’s new and strange. Like everything’s pre-arranged… Maybe I could Wash my hands and talk about the weather. Close my eyes and fall asleep forever. Ask the world if we’ll get back together, some day…  Oh no. I think that the problem’s mine When everyone else seems fine I’m back at a starting line. I don’t know… Why do I feel less than? If I could just see the plan… Maybe I’d under stand… Maybe I should… Wash my hands and talk about the weather. Close my eyes and fall asleep forever. Ask the world if we’ll get back together, some day… Some way… Oh no. I had too much to drink last night. Too much to think last night. I don’t know…
3.
Olly olly oxen free, what the hell is wrong with me? Every time I get the chance to make it right it comes out wrong and I don’t really understand, nothing ever goes as planned, Every time I talk it seems a new hello becomes so long and Maybe I won’t make it any better, but maybe it just can’t get any worse Maybe I can put it back together, maybe all my blessings are a curse As my tongue… Moves at the speed of dumb… It’s been a while an awkward glance, a stupid smile a second chance But somehow we both know that I am gonna screw this up again A mumbled word under my breath, it’s overheard and a misstep That same old look that your eyes get when you have had enough and then Maybe I can’t make it any better, but maybe it just can’t get any worse Maybe I can put it back together, maybe all my blessings are a curse As my tongue… Moves at the speed of dumb… I know that I could just apologize again… And maybe I could get another second chance… But we both know the situation that we’re in… How long until I get us right back in this dance? Maybe I can’t make it any better, but maybe it just can’t get any worse Maybe I can put it back together, maybe all my blessings are a curse As my tongue… Moves at the speed of dumb… Yeah my tongue… Moves at the speed of dumb… Yeah  my tongue… Moves at the speed of dumb.
4.
Cake 03:47
We shamble toward the break room with Monday morning blahs A tiny shred of hope inside our darkened souls because We all have heard the whispers; confections we can thieve We stumble from our cubicles in search of sweet reprieve And shifting through the mass of worker drones left in our wake We zero on our morning quarry: cake. Give me that frosted, sweetened, serotonin moment of reprieve Give me that sugar rush full of endorphins making me believe That I can make it though this black and blue existence where I yawn And maybe break on through the color world beyond. No one likes you Brenda, and no one likes you Bob No one cares about your kids or stupid friggin job We don’t care ‘bout your outcomes, don’t care about your praise Or the idea that you stole from someone else to get your raise We all sing Happy Birthday with all the joy that we can fake… But the only thing we came here for is Cake. Give me that frosted, sweetened, serotonin moment of reprieve Give me that sugar rush full of endorphins making me believe That I can make it though this black and blue existence where I yawn And maybe break on through the color world beyond. Shuffle through the doorway maybe half a second late Slowed down by the traffic flow of coworkers with plates I feel my heartbeat racing, the madness as it comes My eyes fall to the empty mess of frosting smears and crumbs… Then like a honey badger I start grabbing at their plates I don’t care about anything but cake. Give me that frosted, sweetened, serotonin moment of reprieve Give me that sugar rush full of endorphins making me believe That I can make it though this black and blue existence where I yawn And maybe break on through the color world beyond. I just need cake I just need cake Give me my cake
5.
Another day of selling all my time,
Of showing up for someone else’s problems.
Another day where I can’t speak my mind,
Of wondering if this is hitting bottom? The minutes and the seconds creeping by,
Shackled here by bills and mouths to feed.
And even though my day has gone awry
A five o’clock solution’s all I need.
That timeclock revolution comes and suddenly I’m free… Let’s fake some memories. Let’s go somewhere that no one’s seen,
Where we’ll still have never been when we get home.
Let’s fake some memories, Step into a different scene,
Somewhere we could never get to all alone.
So close your eyes and don’t think twice
Just grab your books and grab your dice, Let’s fake some memories. Sitting here surrounded by my friends,
Feeling part of something more than real.
Stepping into someone else’s skin
In tales of magic spells and flashing steel
Where legends come to life and where new worlds will be revealed… Let’s fake some memories. Let’s go somewhere that no one’s seen,
Where we’ll still have never been when we get home.
Let’s fake some memories, Step into a different scene,
Somewhere we could never get to all alone.
So close your eyes and don’t think twice
Just grab your books and grab your dice, Let’s fake some memories. Defying explanation, more than hype or exclamation,
It’s inspired collaboration through a game we love to play.
So much more than fighting dragons, all these worlds that we imagine
All these things that never happened feel as real as yesterday…
Let’s fake some memories. Let’s fake some memories, Let’s go somewhere that no one’s seen
Where we’ll still have never been when we get home
Let’s fake some memories, Step into a different scene
Somewhere we could never get to all alone.
So close your eyes and don’t think twice
Just grab your books, let’s roll some dice, Let’s fake some memories.
6.
Kind 04:46
Tall or  short, young or old,
Cool or warm or hot or cold
Center stage or unseen
Black or white or somewhere in-between  

I don’t care who you are, as long as you’re kind,
You’re the kind of person I need in my life.
Whoever you are, as long as you’re kind,
You’re my kind of person. I want you to know
If you’re kind, you’re my kind.  

Big or small, strong or weak
Left or right, brave or meek
King or Queen, he or him,
She or her, or they or them.   I don’t care who you are, as long as you’re kind,
You’re the kind of person I need in my life.
Whoever you are, as long as you’re kind,
You’re my kind of person. I want you to know
You’re my kind. You’re my kind when you stand up for what’s right…
When you give your hand to those who’ve stumbled, fallen in the night.
When the fire of your compassion keeps the flame of hope alight…
You’re my kind. You’re my kind…  First or last, in or out,
Far or near, lost or found
East or west, north or south
Bold or shy, soft or LOUD   I don’t care who you are, as long as you’re kind,
You’re the kind of person I need in my life.  
Whoever you are, as long as you’re kind,  
You’re my kind of person. I want you to know  
You’re my kind.
You're my kind.
You're my kind.
Stay kind.
7.
Regalia 03:39
Been working over, candle’s burning at both ends And somehow I still can’t enjoy the dividends I just need something more to rise above it all It’s time to give my fairy godmother a call Sometimes you need to look good, It’s not enough to be good Even though the inside’s all that counts I wanna be a Princess, A sorceror’s apprentice I’m gonna need a long cape and a crown I need regalia! Give me regalia! Regalia! I need regalia! Another Monday morning, landed in the rough I might be doing fine, but it’s still not enough There’s something more to life, a subtle state of grace When the right wardrobe puts a smile back on your face Sometimes you need to look good, It’s not enough to be good Even though the inside’s all that counts I wanna be a Princess, A sorceror’s apprentice I’m gonna need a long cape and a crown I need regalia! Give me regalia! Regalia! I need regalia! When I need confidence that I don’t feel at all I do a costume change and jump back in the brawl Sometimes you need to look good, It’s not enough to be good Even though the inside’s all that counts I wanna be a Princess, A sorceror’s apprentice I’m gonna need a long cape and a crown I need regalia! Give me regalia! Regalia! I need regalia!
8.
When the sun goes dark and when the skies begin to fall... And the dead are rising from the grave... When the seas are boiling and the moon is red as blood... Where do we turn when we need saved? Where you gonna run to then? Who ya gonna call? Winston Zeddemore... He's not in it for fortune or fame. Just a guy there to save the day For minimum wage... Winston Zeddemore. More than a guy with a proton pack, more like the guy you want at your back On Judgement Day. He's got the tools and he's got the talent, too... And he's on call both day and night. For a steady paycheck, he'll be there to believe you. And the shit he's seen will turn you white. His job is so not worth eleven five a year! Winston Zeddemore... He's not in it for fortune or fame. Just a guy there to save the day For minimum wage... Winston Zeddemore. More than the ghostbuster who's black, more like the guy you want at your back On Judgement Day. Mic check test, Jumpsuit pressed, Someone asks if you're a god, SAY YES! Got a caddy w/ my gear in the back, Who'll save the day? Bet on black. 6th seal poppin, graves unlockin, Old gods back on the scene need stopping, Grab your stick HOLDING Heat em up SMOKING Make 'em hard READY-- THROW IT! Winston Zeddemore... He's not in it for fortune or fame. Just a guy there to save the day For minimum wage... Winston Zeddemore. More than a guy with a proton pack, more like the guy you want at your back On Judgement Day.
9.
There’s a little devil sittin’ on my shoulder There’s a little monster swimmin’ in the bog                        There’s something howling deep in the forest Always lock your windows when we get fog Ahhhh, all these open graves Mutants living in the caves There’s a sleepy little town in the middle of nowhere. Of nowhere. There’s a creepy little town it’s the source of terror. All terror.  Not the kind of place you wanna be out alone But this sleepy little creepy little town is my home There’s a nameless, faceless thing crawling down from out of the hills There’s a prehistoric prophecy on the verge of being fulfilled Everybody down in the village likes to gather at the general store Talk about the screams coming from the mansion and comparing our mysterious open sores… There’s a sleepy little town in the middle of nowhere. Of nowhere. There’s a creepy little town it’s the source of terror. All terror.  Not the kind of place you wanna be out alone But this sleepy little creepy little town is my home There’s a necromantic circle out beyond the standing stones You can find it easy, you just follow all the scattered bones Don’t let the witches coven see you out by the abandoned well, cause They might seem sociable but no one’s ever lived to tell us… There’s a sleepy little town in the middle of nowhere. Of nowhere. There’s a creepy little town it’s the source of terror. All terror.  Not the kind of place you wanna be out alone But this sleepy little creepy little town is my home
10.
Overextended under paid and overworked Overexhausted, over spent and over irked Over and over and over again Over the edge and under my skin… But I’ve still got one fuck left and you can’t have it One solitary fuck that people snatch at all the time I’ve got just one fuck left and you can’t have it I gave all of my other fucks away now this one’s mine I gave you all the fucks I might’ve had for me to give I’ve just got one fuck left I’ve got just one fuck left I’ve got just one fuck left And this one’s mine! I’ve got just one fuck left And this one’s mine!

about

For Lloyd.

My eleventh full-length studio album, this is very much a product of the pandemic, with most of the songs coming to fruition in 2020. What I wanted was to evoke a simultaneous sense of rebirth and of nostalgia for the days before we were quarantined, a Retrossance. There’s nostalgia here, and a quiet hopefulness. There’s an energetic, almost frenetic restlessness and energy, some dark, quirky humor, and some frustration-fueled aggression. I hope you enjoy it.

The recording, mixing, and mastering of this album was made possible through the support of my incredible Patreon patrons, especially Robin Abess, Randy Brown, Jon Haight, Les Howard, Brian Jackey, Jeremy Jackson & Jennifer Lewis, Josh Logan, Michael Khandelwal, Stephany McNulty, Scot Mealy, Ame Morris, Amy Stuart, Scott & Melanie Wienhusen and John R Woolard. I can’t begin to express how grateful I am for their support.

You should consider getting new music every Monday for as little as $1/month by supporting me at patreon.com/mikeymason - every single one of these songs were posted there as a demo first...

credits

released May 1, 2021

All music by Mikey mason except:

Bass Guitar on “Sleep Forever” provided by Chuck Parker (Word’s Okayest Bassist!)
chuckparker.bandcamp.com

Lead Guitar on “Sleep Forever” and “Let’s Fake Some Memories” provided by Trent Wilson (Big Damn Heroes, Transylvania)
bigdamnheroes417.bandcamp.com
transylvania417.bandcamp.com

Keyboards on “Sleep Forever”, “Speed of Dumb”, “Cake”, Let’s Fake Some Memories”, Kind”, and “Winston Zeddemore” provided by Sean Faust.
seanfaustmusic.com
seanfaust.bandcamp.com

Lead Guitar on “Speed of Dumb” provided by Corwyn Bellavich.
https://corwyn.bandcamp.com/
youtube.com/CorwynsWorld

Double Bass on “Kind” provided by Braxton Ballew of Valentine Wolfe.
valentinewolfe.com
valentinewolfe.bandcamp.com

Lead Guitar on “Regalia” and “Winston Zeddemore” provided by Sean Smith.
harlequinsshadow.bandcamp.com

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Mikey Mason Indianapolis, Indiana

A nationally touring performer with hits like She Don’t Like Firefly, Best Game Ever, and Opposite of Cool, Mikey Mason is a ball of contagious enthusiasm who makes songs about role-playing games, video games, sci-fi, fantasy, cats, and the general experience of being a geek. He’s been heard on nerdist.com, SyFy, TheFuMP.com, and Dr. Demento, and is a truly must-see event each time he performs. ... more

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