Title: House of Cards

Challenge: Use of a Breakdown

*There are two breakdowns in this song. I wasn't sure based on the wikipedia definition if it had to break all the way down to just percussion, with no melodic instruments, but some definitions said that, so the first breakdown goes all the way down to just drums at about the 1:35 mark; originally I had drums and bass, but I cut the bass to be certain for the challenge on this one. The second breakdown cuts back to just drums and one guitar at the 3:30 mark.

This song was especially tough for me to do, since I was travelling and in a hotel room for most of the week, so all of the guitar work is done on a traveler ultralight acoustic guitar with a piezo pickup, including the "bass", which is the self-same instrument with a pitch-shifter an octave down. Strings added on the airplane flight home. Keys added Saturday night, along with vocals, but I have a brutal head cold with cough, and these were by far the toughest vocals I think I've ever tried to power through and track; a lot of my range was only intermittently available.

All that said, I think at least the back half of this song slays. If it ends up as my swan song, it's been a fun ride, and I'm pleased with what I managed under the circumstances. I hope you all enjoy it. *

-------------------------------------------------------
MechaKarp

House of Cards - Lyrics
------------------------------------------------------

5/4 "take 5" beat descending C, B, A#, A
--------------------------------------------------------

I'm stacking my next defense
Another day I've failed to fail
Cut the skin so insignificantly
Blood too unimpressed to bleed

A whisper missile, blow this house down
Words filled with acid, eat up my paper town
Trembling fingers, prop the corners of my frown
As the level rises, is it too late

[[6/8]]

To drown? G#

[[The breakdown is here, all the way to just drums, then built back up]]

Cuz this house of cards is gonna fall
I've been pushing so hard, but can't hold up the walls
Will it be easier in death?
"til then I'm still holding my breath....

[[Back to 5/4 part]]

The sun came up today again
If my eyes don't open, does the day still begin?
My smile still shines, but I heard a crack
Deep in my skull, from these cursed cards I stack
Would it be too inconvenient for you if I never

[[6/8]]

Came back? G#

[[Second breakdown is here, drums and guitar, then built back up]]

Cuz this house of cards is gonna fall
I've been pushing so hard, but can't hold up the walls
Will it be easier in death?
Until then I'm still holding my breath....

[[Solo]]

Cuz this house of cards is gonna fall
I've been pushing so hard, but can't hold up the walls
Will it be easier in death?
Until then I'm still holding my breath