The Audio of Being
Encyclopedia
The Audio Of Being was the fourth album released by the Canadian
rock group Matthew Good Band
in 2001. It was the last release from MGB and included the two singles "Carmelina" and "Anti-Pop". The album was certified Gold on March 14, 2003.
Dave Genn
referred to the process as "taking a long and painful shit", however people always misquote Dave when he says this. The quote was referring to the process of making ANY record, not specifically the making of The Audio of Being. Front-man Matthew Good
was very ill during much of the sessions. The tension between the band continued to grow and even caused Genn to leave the band only to return a short time later. Ultimately, the band reached the breaking point shortly after the album's release and parted ways, although Rich Priske
stayed on as the bassist for Matthew Good's subsequent solo career. Although it is widely believed that the band breaking up was a turbulent and almost violent occurrence, Matthew Good has stated that, although it was less than amicable, it was not nearly as bad as the rumors suggested.
and stated he felt that there are some good songs on it (specifically noting "Sort Of A Protest Song"). In fact, for his 2nd cross-Canada tour in 2004 Good played "The Rat Who Would Be King" and "The Workers Sing a Song of Mass Production" live for the first time ever, as well as "Carmelina" and "Advertising On Police Cars." Songs from The Audio of Being were also rearranged for Rooms, the second disc of In a Coma
, and played on Good's 2006 acoustic tour.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
rock group Matthew Good Band
Matthew Good Band
Matthew Good Band was a Canadian alternative rock band formed by Matthew Good that existed from 1993 to 2002. The band consisted of Good , Dave Genn , Ian Browne and Geoff Lloyd from 1995 to 1999...
in 2001. It was the last release from MGB and included the two singles "Carmelina" and "Anti-Pop". The album was certified Gold on March 14, 2003.
Recording of the album
The recording of this album was reported to be very stressful for all members of the band. GuitaristGuitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Dave Genn
Dave Genn
David Robert Madison Genn is a musician and a member of Canadian rock group 54-40. Genn was born in Vancouver, British Columbia on 2 March 1969.-Matthew Good Band:...
referred to the process as "taking a long and painful shit", however people always misquote Dave when he says this. The quote was referring to the process of making ANY record, not specifically the making of The Audio of Being. Front-man Matthew Good
Matthew Good
Matthew Frederick Robert Good is a Canadian rock musician. He was the lead singer for the Matthew Good Band, one of Canada's most successful alternative rock bands in the 1990s, before dissolving the band in 2002...
was very ill during much of the sessions. The tension between the band continued to grow and even caused Genn to leave the band only to return a short time later. Ultimately, the band reached the breaking point shortly after the album's release and parted ways, although Rich Priske
Rich Priske
Rich "Rock" Priske is a Canadian musician born in Vancouver, British Columbia. He has long been active in the Vancouver music scene, and has played bass and/or written songs for DSK, ShoCore, Bif Naked and Real McKenzies, and others. Priske is most widely known for playing bass guitar and...
stayed on as the bassist for Matthew Good's subsequent solo career. Although it is widely believed that the band breaking up was a turbulent and almost violent occurrence, Matthew Good has stated that, although it was less than amicable, it was not nearly as bad as the rumors suggested.
Mixed feelings
Matthew Good has often harshly criticized the album in interviews, claiming to be very dissatisfied with the result. However, Good later discussed the album on his blogBlog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
and stated he felt that there are some good songs on it (specifically noting "Sort Of A Protest Song"). In fact, for his 2nd cross-Canada tour in 2004 Good played "The Rat Who Would Be King" and "The Workers Sing a Song of Mass Production" live for the first time ever, as well as "Carmelina" and "Advertising On Police Cars." Songs from The Audio of Being were also rearranged for Rooms, the second disc of In a Coma
In a Coma
In a Coma: 1995-2005 is the title of the Matthew Good "best of" album, featuring both his solo work and work from the Matthew Good Band.-Details:...
, and played on Good's 2006 acoustic tour.
Special Editions
Three different packages were released, in black, white and grey. Each included a special booklet with the CD case that had lyrics to all Matthew Good Band songs to date. The words "kept", "in the" or "dark" appeared on the spine of the jewel case depending on the colour, which would line up if all 3 were put together. "Help us get rid of the Matthew Good Band" appears on the hubs of the discs.Track listing
All tracks written by Matthew Good, except where noted.- "Man of Action" – 7:01
- "Carmelina" – 4:16
- "Tripoli" – 4:39 (Good, Genn)
- "Advertising on Police Cars" – 7:08
- "I, the Throw Away" – 3:09
- "Truffle Pigs" – 4:47
- "The Fall of Man" – 5:03 (Good, Genn, Priske, Browne)
- "Under the Influence" – 4:32 (Good, Genn, Priske, Browne)
- "The Rat Who Would Be King" – 6:47
- "Anti-Pop" – 4:08
- "The Workers Sing a Song of Mass Production" – 5:21
- "Sort of a Protest Song" – 6:33
Miscellanea
- "Carmelina" contains lyrics which refer to the shooting of Joan Vollmer AdamsJoan VollmerJoan Vollmer was the most prominent female member of the early Beat Generation circle. While a student at Barnard College she became the roommate of Edie Parker and their apartment became a gathering place for the Beats during the 1940s, where Vollmer was often at the center of marathon, all...
by William S. BurroughsWilliam S. BurroughsWilliam Seward Burroughs II was an American novelist, poet, essayist and spoken word performer. A primary figure of the Beat Generation and a major postmodernist author, he is considered to be "one of the most politically trenchant, culturally influential, and innovative artists of the 20th...
and his subsequent flight to Mexico to escape possible detention.
- "I, the Throw Away" contains lyrics which were once a part of another unknown song, which was written prior to the release of Beautiful MidnightBeautiful MidnightBeautiful Midnight is the third album released by the Matthew Good Band and the follow-up to the band's 1997 album, Underdogs.The album produced four successful singles and music videos, "Hello Time Bomb", "Load Me Up", "Strange Days", and "The Future is X-Rated"...
. Good liked the final verses, including them in his October 1999 manifesto, and retained them for this song.
- "Truffle Pigs" contains the final lyrics "Jenn, I'll bring them to their knees" which are a reference to his future wife (and now, ex-wife) Jennifer Meischl. These lyrics are not included with the others in the liner notes.
- "Truffle Pigs" and "Anti-Pop" were added after the initial recording session for the album. This was done at the suggestion of the record label, which was concerned that the record lacked any marketable singles. This quote, taken from Facebook, talks more about Anti-Pop:
There an interesting story behind that song actually. The record company, I had already delivered that entire record to the record company. They use this whole back-channeling system cause the Matthew Good Band was a very political band. We actually weren't all friends to begin with. It was a super political situation, everyone was always trying to basically fuck everyone else over at the exact same time, and I would just puke all day. And my record company called my management who called Dave Genn who said "oh you have to write a hit for the record". So I tried to write the worst song I could possibly come up with. And then you know, in true fucking major record company fashion, they put it on the record. That's how stupid record companies are.
- Known b-sides for The Audio of Being include "Pony Boy" and "All Together". The former was originally recorded during the demo sessions for Good's previous album, Beautiful MidnightBeautiful MidnightBeautiful Midnight is the third album released by the Matthew Good Band and the follow-up to the band's 1997 album, Underdogs.The album produced four successful singles and music videos, "Hello Time Bomb", "Load Me Up", "Strange Days", and "The Future is X-Rated"...
. Good has stated his preference for this original demo version of the song, on which only he and former band member Ian Browne were players. When it was re-recorded for The Audio of Being, Good's friend, musician, and fellow Vancouverite Holly McNarland performed backing vocals. "All Together" was, up until a month before its release, included on the official tracklisting for The Audio of Being, being placed between "Anti-Pop" and "The Workers Sing a Song of Mass Production" but was cut because Matthew Good felt that having it on the same record as "I, The Throw Away" was redundant. In 2003, "Pony Boy" and "All Together" were leaked onto the internet by an unknown party. "Pony Boy" was later remixed (removing McNarland's vocal tracks and changing the piano track to a higher octave), and officially released on 2005 compilation album In A Coma:1995-2005In a ComaIn a Coma: 1995-2005 is the title of the Matthew Good "best of" album, featuring both his solo work and work from the Matthew Good Band.-Details:...
, while "All Together" was remixed and released as an iTunes bonus track included with pre-orders of the compilation.