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Indestructible Voices

by Dean Landew

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Full-color outer package, made from 100% Green Forestry Practices board, with complete song lyrics and studio photos on black-and-white insert.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Indestructible Voices via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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1.
The times are tough And the pain’s too real To make it through the day you need a heart of steel And even if you win It’s someone else’s gain But together we can make it through the darkness and the drivin’ rain I head downtown Then I wait in line The chill of bein’ jobless at a quarter to 9 It’s hard to stop believin’ that it’s all in vain But together we can make it through the darkness and the drivin’ rain I fought for more Now there’s so much less That’s just the way it’s got to be for now I guess It takes apart your dignity It’s inhumane But together we can make it through the darkness and the drivin’ rain Sound recording and song: © ℗ 2011 DRL Records Song publishing: © 2011 DRL Music, ASCAP Unauthorized reproduction of this recording is prohibited.
2.
I got the call on Friday Then I walked in the room The man behind the desk was like a vision of doom And all he had to say was that the business was broke And everything we worked for It was all up in smoke I sat there in shock There was nowhere to crawl How can workin’ so hard lead to nothin’ at all? I felt like I’d been hit by somethin’ right in the face The man behind the desk had been reduced to a trace It started sinkin’ in and then I rose to my feet But all I really felt was just a sense of deceit The building was cold Busted lights in the hall How can workin’ so hard lead to nothin’ at all? I wandered through the parking lot My eyes turnin’ pink I wondered how my job could just be gone in a blink I went to make a call but then I hung up the phone And deep inside my heart I’d never been so alone I’ve always felt proud Never useless or small How can workin’ so hard lead to nothin’ at all? Sound recording and song: © ℗ 2011 DRL Records Song publishing: © 2011 DRL Music, ASCAP Unauthorized reproduction of this recording is prohibited.
3.
I took a little walk in my beautiful town But somethin’ in the air had changed A bitter wind was blowin’ and the leaves were all brown Our hopes had all been rearranged   And everywhere I looked in my beautiful town The streets were nearly dark as night But deep inside my heart in my beautiful town I swore that it would be alright I took a little walk in my beautiful town There wasn’t any morning sun I wondered would we always have to feel so down I wondered could we come undone   Chorus. I took a little walk in my beautiful town I wandered past an empty space I told myself we’d never do the dance of a clown We’d always wear a fearless face   Chorus. Sound recording and songs: © ℗ 2011 DRL Records Song publishing: © 2011 DRL Music, ASCAP Unauthorized reproduction of this recording is prohibited.
4.
I dreamed that I would walk someday in crimson fields of clover But that was then before the crash that made me start all over And everywhere I turned, I’d find another bogus savior I had to leave that crazy town and all its cruel behavior I’ll somehow find a future even though I’m so much older And meanwhile if you need my help Just lean here on my shoulder I headed out to see the West Those canyons deep and noble I thought I’d find some peace out there But life just seemed immobile Some problems interfered about the time that things got cozy I looked around for comfort For a sunset warm and rosy I’ll search until I can’t go on and everything gets colder And meanwhile if you need my help Just lean here on my shoulder Now all my dearest long-time friends They’re breakin’ down like rubble I never thought I’d live to see such sad and painful trouble Aurora struggles daily Then there’s Theo’s aged appearance I’ll think of them as heroes for their gutsy perseverance I’ll keep on pushin’ forward just as long as embers smolder And meanwhile if you need my help Just lean here on my shoulder Sound recording and songs: © ℗ 2011 DRL Records Song publishing: © 2011 DRL Music, ASCAP Unauthorized reproduction of this recording is prohibited.
5.
Haze Of Dawn 03:47
We ended up here in a backwater town I can’t forget the day that took me all the way down And now I have to dig for whatever I got I never thought they’d treat me like a have-me-not But that’s the way it is when you’re livin’ on fumes It’s me, my son and daughter in these rock-bottom rooms Now everybody says that at least I found work But someday I’ll escape from the mud and the murk I’m steppin’ outside in the haze of dawn I’m pushin’ through the pain ‘til our troubles are gone The scenes of the future, they’re ours to be drawn I’m steppin’ outside in the haze of dawn I woke from a dream, it was quarter to four The wind from the hills slammin’ hard on my door The sky was so dark and the moon was so dim I cursed the day I started doin’ business with him I sat on my bed and I pulled on a shirt Another day before me in the weeds and the dirt The kids were asleep and the coffee was cold I thought up a plan, something simple and bold Chorus. I stared at the news, there was nothin’ to see The same old reporters on the same old TV If justice is real, he’ll be jailed one day They’ll lock him up forever, throw the key in the bay But as for right now, I’ll be bidin’ my time I know it’s gonna be such a merciless climb I’m keepin’ to myself while he’s out livin’ large They’ll all get the message when it’s me in charge Chorus. Sound recording and songs: © ℗ 2011 DRL Records Song publishing: © 2011 DRL Music, ASCAP Unauthorized reproduction of this recording is prohibited.
6.
Hey Mr. Landlord It’s just about nine And out where you’re livin’ I guess that you’re fine You must be out sailin’ and catchin’ some fish I call for one reason Just grant me this wish Please Mr. Landlord We just need a break We’re livin’ on food stamps Not dinin’ on steak Please Mr. Landlord We’re tryin’ to cope We’re down but not out We ain’t givin’ up hope My kid, he’s in grade school I packed up his lunch Some bread with some cheese and this cheap purple punch I never believed it could happen this way I’m scroungin’ for change just to get through the day Chorus. I give you this promise I want no free ride I’ll pay back each penny I won’t sneak off and hide And here in the meantime We’re doin’ our best We’re keepin’ our heads up We’ll get through this test Chorus. Sound recording and songs: © ℗ 2011 DRL Records Song publishing: © 2011 DRL Music, ASCAP Unauthorized reproduction of this recording is prohibited.
7.
Poverty Line 02:52
I’m dyin’ for some work but now the work isn’t there It all dried up to nowhere, somewhere off in the air And maybe far away, they’re out uncorkin’ some wine But over here we’re up against the poverty line We’re lockin’ out the swindlers, pushin’ back on the swine We’re fightin’ just to keep above the poverty line We’re hangin’ tough, there’s got to be a positive sign We’re fightin’ just to keep above the poverty line Now who could see it comin’ No one ever explained But all I know is every day my pockets are drained We live our lives with honor Never wanted a shrine So how’d we wind up here around the poverty line Chorus. My family’s gettin’ nervous They can’t hide what they feel They stare at those potatoes that we’re callin’ a meal But more and more It seems like there’s a darker design The hurt down here is real at the poverty line Chorus. Sound recording and songs: © ℗ 2011 DRL Records Song publishing: © 2011 DRL Music, ASCAP Unauthorized reproduction of this recording is prohibited.
8.
Little cabin near the desert sand Ancient mountains risin’ up so grand Life was easy, now the hard times rule How’d my home become a banker’s tool Bigger powers than I understood Talkin’ fancy, they were all no good Never thought that it could be this way All I worked for simply gone that day Now I’m searchin’ in the evening light Lookin’ out for brighter stars tonight Now I’m searchin’ in the evening light Gonna find a way to set things right Mrs. Hill, she came to say goodbye Held me close beneath that autumn sky Wished me luck no matter where I went All I heard was just a sad lament Packed the car and then I left that town Still in shock the way it all went down Hit the highway for a long long ride No direction, only hope and pride Chorus. Took me weeks, I went from coast to coast Callin’ people who I loved the most Some were missin’, others just moved on Then I finally reached my good friend John Seems that things had turned him downside up All he had was just this ragtag pup As for me, I’m on the road again Need the courage of a million men Chorus. Sound recording and songs: © ℗ 2011 DRL Records Song publishing: © 2011 DRL Music, ASCAP Unauthorized reproduction of this recording is prohibited.
9.
I went to get the mail just to see what was there These heartless debt collectors Now they’re all in my hair My unemployment’s runnin’ out It’s down to a speck I’m hangin’ by my nails on my vanishing check Vanishing check, vanishing check It’s all we got to get beyond this nerve-wrackin’ trek Vanishing check, vanishing check We’ll somehow make it through I’ll get this chain off my neck I called my local office and they gave me some sass I walked to town five miles I can’t pay for the gas And even if I could My Chevrolet is a wreck They got me where they want me with my vanishing check Chorus. I went back home at five o’clock It’s all such a shame The rich keep gettin’ richer That’s just part of the game But what about my family Now it’s all hands on deck That ink keeps gettin’ redder on my vanishing check Chorus. Sound recording and songs: © ℗ 2011 DRL Records Song publishing: © 2011 DRL Music, ASCAP Unauthorized reproduction of this recording is prohibited.
10.
I worked some crazy hours hangin’ onto my store I had to shut it down, there’s no one here anymore And somehow we’ll survive, we won’t just sit and be numb We’ll do a victory dance when the good times come We won’t be down on our knees, under anyone’s thumb We’ll do a victory dance when the good times come We’ll all be standin’ so tall, we’ll be bangin’ the drum We’ll do a victory dance when the good times come I gave it all I had and I won’t feel ashamed But now they say that I’m the one who oughta be blamed We’ll pay no mind to vicious words wherever they’re from We’ll do a victory dance when the good times come   Chorus.   We went through all our savings Now we’re sellin’ our clothes The same old shoes and socks are all that’s warmin’ my toes We’ll make it out alive, they’ll never call me a bum We’ll do a victory dance when the good times come   Chorus. Sound recording and songs: © ℗ 2011 DRL Records Song publishing: © 2011 DRL Music, ASCAP Unauthorized reproduction of this recording is prohibited.

about

This album was initially conceived as an epic narrative, centered around a singer/songwriter who rambles across the U.S. looking for work. Along the way, he meets an assortment of unknown people on the margins of society. The stories he hears inspire him to write about these people and give them a voice.

Reflecting this sweeping approach, the original musical direction of the album was very broad, covering a wide range of American styles and influences including blues, country, rockabilly, rock and roll, jazz and pop. About two dozen songs were written for the album, and many musicians were involved.

After months of recording the album under another title, it seemed too ambitious and too diverse, and it lacked a unified sound and feel. Nearly all of the recording that had been done up to that point was shelved. A small group of musicians was brought in, and the sound of the album crystallized into what you now hear.

New songs were written, all as first-person stories focusing on the day-to-day struggles of ordinary individuals and families. The album took on a darker and more intense character, about people who are determined to survive in the face of financial adversity and indignity. This includes income problems and narrowing opportunities, bad business deals and bureaucracy, and joblessness and home loss.

The album was re-named “Indestructible Voices,” after the protagonists of the songs.

credits

released August 16, 2011

Written, arranged and produced by Dean Landew
Engineered by Reed Taylor at Lofish, NYC
Mixed and mastered by Craig Randall for Bucky Boy Productions, Murrieta CA

Phil Bloom: drums
Jeremiah Furr: rhythm guitar
Dean Landew: vocals, piano, organ, bass, lead and rhythm guitar
Tristen Napoli: trumpet on “My Beautiful Town”
Miguel Weissman: harmonica
Mark Wixom: acoustic bass on “My Beautiful Town”

Photography: Dorothy Shi
Website/CD Design: Lyn Nierva/auntie momo designs

Bucky Boy (1997-2011)
A rescued and adopted dog and beloved friend to all

Sound recording and songs:
© ℗ 2011 DRL Records

Song publishing:
DRL Music, ASCAP

Unauthorized reproduction of this recording is prohibited.

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Dean Landew New York, New York

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