Where did the title Two Sigma Blues come from? The phrase was taken (with permission) from an article by Dennis Overbye in the New York Times regarding rumors of discoveries in astrophysics. Two Sigma is a statistical term of measurement of the variability in a set. In the context of the album, Two Sigma Blues represents trying to make a set of songs stand out from the crowd... something away from the mean, but very noticeable and appealing. Two Sigma Blues is a tongue-in-cheek dig at my own work, something that sticks up enough above the crowd to (hopefully) be interesting, but statistically probably won't be high enough to really have an impact. Synopses Bled - A haunting examination of the loneliness inside a fading relationship combined with a highly-polished composition driven by acoustic rhythms, bold and edgy vocals and harmonica. Unfallen - A testament to standing fast in the face of adversity. An acceptance of one's mortality with dignity and grace, and an understanding of the relationships and experiences in life that make it worth living. Skinny Seventeen - A story about a young man who falls in love with an older woman set to a Zeppelin-esque heavy blues accompaniment. Slide guitar leads into distorted harmonica solos and Robert Plant type vocals. Intro/ABE - A song written for my wife, using her initials as the verse chords and parts of the lyrics. It begins with a classical guitar introduction that leads directly to an indie-rock type ballad. Penitention - An examination of faith from the point of view of those without. A harsh look at issues with organized religion, set to a very aggressive hardcore/blues track. The song was recorded in drop C# to let the low notes growl in diametric opposition to the higher register vocals. Lost in the Sentiment - A song about breaking free from a co-dependent relationship and the thought process that persisted before the liberation. The song opens with a soft 12 string guitar intro and moves into a more progressive bridge with a violin solo, then returns to the 12 string in the outro. Paper Tiger - Looking at who we are when we lose that feeling of invincibility from our youth. Paper tiger holds up a mirror to those that cling to their childish things or who cannot move past what they once were to who they can be now. Tierce de Picardie - A classical piano piece and an attempt as a musician to evolve past my comfort zone of guitar, bass and vocals. Set in B major, and working from piano and then an accompanying classical guitar, violin and flute, the piece serves as an introduction to Covets the Sky (as the classical guitar returns in the next piece), and ends with a Picardian third. Covets the Sky - The story of someone who is wandering through the banality of uninspired vocation but exalting the relationship with their partner through appreciative eyes. The song works through a variety of chord changes and contains a soft saw synth solo in the bridge. Remembrance - A jazz song playing with chromatics and key changes that talks about enjoying past memories and exploring them through music. A light piece discussing the enjoyment of playing and writing for the sake of playing and writing and nothing more. A saxophone accompanies the guitar and piano through the chorus and the key modulation in the end.
