Morris Madrone | Album One | 11.19.20
“The best debut album I’ve heard in years” - Some Random Guy on Twitter
Under The Moon
“Under the Moon” is Madrone’s homage to an earlier age in rock'n'roll, where lower sultry tones and beatnik guitar ruled the airwaves. The song's structure, vocal style and production are heavily influenced by the sounds of Johnny Cash, Elvis and Chris Isaak.
“As an artist, I never aimed to write and release songs in this old Americana style. I would only sing these low open tones to warm up my vocal chords. But, time and time again I would find myself drifting into that low tone lane during writing sessions. Not being one to force my songwriting into a particular genre, I began to embrace the old style… It can be heard in other songs like “Forgiven,” and “Runaways.” It’s kind of become a cornerstone sound of mine.” - Morris Madrone
Cruel Love
“Cruel Love“ is another Madrone medley of pop hooks, blue vocals and jazzy hip hop beats. The song expresses the sorrow of a man who discovered his love has been unfaithful.
“I never intended to put this song on the album. I wrote it in summer of 2020 a month after starting the mixing process on my first 6 songs (the original album was originally going to be a 6 song EP). But, I performed it for a few friends and they simply loved it. So I quickly recorded it at my apartment (I literally sang it with a towel over my head to reduce feedback from my none sound proof environment) and threw it on the album last minute. Now, it’s my second most popular song.” -Morris Madrone
Won’t Forget This
“Won’t Forget This” is an up tempo classic rock banger about two young strangers having an unforgettable night together. Essentially the story goes like this: they meet on the dance-floor at a bar, start Frenching outside on a bus stop bench, bail to an “old inn by the wharf,” sneak into the pool for a skinny dip, end up getting a room…. you can figure how the story ends. The songs production and classic rock styles are inspired artists such as CCR, David Bowie, The Beatles, Van Morrison and Counting Crows.
“Fun fact, the guitar solo is this track is the only instrumental riff I didn’t perform on the album. The solo I had envisioned for the track was just out of my league. Happens chance my audio engineer, Daniel Krieger of Konscious studios, is a ripping guitar player… He had it down in an hour….. guy’s a legend.” - Morris Madrone
When Love Gives Way
“When Love Gives Way" is a keyboard slapping, snare tapping, sexy soft rock jamboree. Like a lot of Madrone songs, this track is all about making love sooo grab your partner, pour a tall glass of vino and make it happen. Musical inspiration from this song oddly enough comes from Elton John (the original the main wurlizter riff was played on piano), The Doors, and Chis Stapleton. It’s the only song on the album that has a little country music spirit in it.
“I had a very tough time recording the vocals to this track. I was never satisfied with any of the takes and I must have recorded it over a dozen times. I almost cut the it from the album because I felt I wasn’t doing the song justice. But, Daniel Kreiger, my legendary audio engineer assured me I was completely in my head about it… now the song is a fan favorite. “ - Morris Madrone
Dezzie
This old-time piano sing-along carries a humbling story of an immigrant making her way in the U.S. Inspired by storytelling songs of Elton John, Billy Joel, and Cat Stevens, this track upholds the principle in classic rock songwriting. However, Madrone adds a twist of urban beats for a fresher take on the production.
“When I was younger, my family and I would drive down to Mexico with a non-profit to build homes for impoverished families outside Tijuana. It’s an incredibly rewarding and life changing experience I highly recommend to all. As a 10 year old kid, I remember waiting in the hour long boarder line back to CA, watching the local kids juggling on top of barrier polls and tapping on car windows. I always wondered how many of them would hustle their way out of there to have a better life. “Dezzie” is essentially that story. Hopefully it’s an inspiration to people who are living or have lived on the boarder of poverty.” - Morris Madrone
Our Love
Get some tissues ready, this piano ballad is a real tear jerker. Like all classic love songs, “Our Love” is a little sappy and tad cheesy, yet simple and powerful. Madrone’s shows vulnerability in this piece (a common characteristic in good love songs) and with light raw production, he leaves room for his voice carry a heavy emotion.
“Personally, I think this is one of the better songs on the album, however, it’s often overlooked by most fans. It’s definitely not an everyday listen but blast this in the car when you’re feel a love, or play it for a fist dance at a wedding… it’ll hit” -Morris Madrone
Mexico
Inspired by the envy of a friend who set sail around the world, Madrone coped by writing this a romantic getaway tune about sailing down the coast of Mexico. From high falsettos, to roaring belts, to rapping- this song is truly a unique showcase of Madrone's versatility as an artist.
“This track is definitely a fan favorite. My close friends can’t get enough of it and that’s mainly because the popular rap lyric: “… and every other night I’m going baja on your chacha.” Which due to popular demand, I ended up trademarking.” - Morris Madrone
Fun Fact: the track consistently changes temp throughout the song, ranging from 62bmp to 78 bpm.
Forgiven
This orchestral rock ballad is what as Madrone calls, "an experiment gone right." It's an emotional piece about forgiving one's self for mistakes made in past. There’s a common misconception the song discusses adultery but, the lyrics are actually express the joy of getting in trouble as a kid. How people reminse and relish stories of childhood shenanigans, even ones that don’t end well.
“I can’t believe this song made it on the album. When I first starting writing and singing through the creation of this piece, I always thought, what the hell am I creating. “Forgiven” has this opera vibe to it and it’s hard for me to take the song seriously when I sing it- I’m a little embarrassed by it hahaha. Pretty much up until we starting mixing the track I had little faith it would make the cut. But, once it was complete it sounded amazing. Now, it’s a Madroner cult favorite.” - Morris Madrone
Woman
It's a simple song about how the love of woman can bring immense inspiration into a person's life. The song draws inspiration from artist such as Eddie Vedder, Led Zeppelin and CCR.
“Woman” is not necessarily a love song. I improved the song during a writing session and kept the majority of the lyrics I ad libbed… So the meaning is up for interpretation.”- Morris Madrone
And You’re Gone…
Last but definitely not least, "And you're gone." This soulfully experimental track takes listeners through 3 stages of a breakup. The resentful separation (represented in the 1st and 2nd verse), the unethical spiral to numb the pain (represented in the drops and 3rd verse), and the eventual strive for betterment (represented in the outro). With powerful rock vocals and deep house production this song is a truly unique journey.
“This is another song that almost did not make the cut. While I producing it wasn’t sure I could blend all the crazy elements together. But, once again, my engineer Daniel said I was in my head about it. Now, it’s a Madroner cult classic.”- Morris Madrone