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Antikythera Mechanism

from Sumna Dyskoteka by Butch Ross

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about

I was once challenged to write a song about one of three objects 1. A shovel with broken handle 2. A Lantern and 3. The Antikythera Mechanism (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism) I decided to use all three terms.

The Antikythera Mechanism is a complicated device of cogs and gears working very much like an old watch, but even more complicated. So I decided that like the Mechanism, the song would consist of things going around things. So I recorded pot lids rolling on the floor, and all kinds of things that made circular revolving sounds for the basic tracks. The bridge is the basic track slowed to half-speed.

Similarly with the lyrics, I wanted them to relate to each other. So the first verse is repeated in the 2nd verse as the response to the 2nd verse lines and the 3rd verse relates to the other two etc.

The song is about the pointlessness of trying to talk to people who won't let their minds be changed away from some BS they heard on television. An early draft has the line "you can't reason with them/as corroded and corrupted as the Antikythera Mechanism"

The instrument at the end is a "Gaida", which is the Bulgarian version of the Bagpipe. It's essentially an inverted goat. Arvo Pärt makes an appearance too.

lyrics

A shovel with a broken handle
A lantern lacking any candle
Words misspelled by vandals
Another manufactured scandal

Chorus
Computers at the bottom of the sea
Some things just shouldn't ever be
No way that you can reason with them
Antikythera Mechanism

Can't shift the S#!t that still abounds
(A shovel with a broken handle)
Can't make 'em take a look around
(A lantern lacking any candle)
Can't see the wring on the wall
(Words misspelled by vandals)
Can't see anything at all
(Another manufactured scandal)

repeat Chorus

Is there anything we can do?
{Can't shift the S#!t that still abounds}
(A shovel with a broken handle)
Are there any choices we can choose?
{Can't make 'em take a look around
(A lantern lacking any candle)
Is there anything that can be done?
{Can't see the wring on the wall}
(Words misspelled by vandals)
Are there any answers from anyone?
{Can't see anything at all}
(Another manufactured scandal)
Anyone?!?!

Chorus with additional lyrics
(All reason is lost)
(A season of cost)
(is coming)

Bridge
in a world where there's no truth
only lying
is there really any use
in trying?

Let it go
Let it go
Let it go
Let it go (c'mon! lets get down)

credits

from Sumna Dyskoteka, released March 3, 2023
Br: Piano, Dromba, "Bass" synths and samples.
Arvo Pärt: End Piano
Kaba Gaida: Atanas Todorov

license

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Butch Ross Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga multi-instrumentalist and mountain dulcimer maestro Butch Ross has tackled everything from Radiohead to Bach and come away with a renewed appreciation for what the humble dulcimer is capable of. His music is born from his respect for its abilities, a respect born from the years he's spent prying apart its pieces and discovering new sounds where none existed before. ... more

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