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A Slowly Dawning Realization

by The Umbrella Puzzles

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

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    Includes unlimited streaming of A Slowly Dawning Realization via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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1.
Some might say: "The pain won't go away" But never forget, some slip through the cracks All the signs keep pointing right through mine Sometimes it seems it's all in the mind There's something you do for me I could never understand There's something you do for me Making me better The night is bleak and no one wants to speak You toss and you turn, there's nothing to learn A loud bell rings that covered everything But there is a voice that slipped through the cracks There's something you do for me I could never understand There's something you do for me Making me better Finding out my clock is ticking I'm still sinking
2.
What's the matter? Is it only Monday? The rain is falling, I can't find my way I follow the road and hope it leads me to you I need a helping hand to get me through Take a look around and state the obvious The world crumbles, what a mess it's been I follow the lights, find comfort in the sun Your ardent face, I hope to see it soon When I turn my head Heard the things you said Found hope and more What keeps me off this sinking ground? The town is dull and I can't hear a sound The gust blows, it drags the scattered sand I follow the wave and hope it brings me to you I need a gentle hand to guide me through When I turn my head Heard the things you said Found hope and more What keeps me off this sinking ground?
3.
Hey, would you open up your door You know that there's a storm You see all the people running 'round Oh what's the use? Please let me lie down on the sheets You know I'm weary and I'm weak Is it something to ignore? I don't keep the score Something seems so off again But I just don't know Hey, would you stop that noise I hear You know I think it's just pastiche All my friends they like this sound Can't stand them around Please let me catch my breath I'm beat, I've been huffin' and puffin' 'round I don't like to take the blame Throw caution to the wind Something seems so off again And I just don't know Something seems so off again And we just don't know
4.
I start the morning with a yawn I sip my cup and wait for dawn Living life like this, you feel as if it's bitter There's something sweet you can't ignore The years they seem to stroll along You candy coat it in a song Living days like these you feel they won't get better There's something sweet you can't ignore Please don't change anything It's beautiful, it's wonderful Please don't change anything It's perfect as it stands I find comfort in the calm The simple things I get them done Living life like this, you feel as if it's bitter There's something sweet you can't ignore Pleasure and pain The sun and the rain Won't go in vain Please don't change anything It's beautiful, it's wonderful Please don't change anything It's perfect as it stands
5.
Take the shelter off my head I'd like to feel the warmth It's cold for fifteen days Hold the ordinary things Take grasp of everything You left them all unseen We'll be alright Everything's just fine Everyone knows it Turn the noise down coz it lingers The moon it glows, it shines Your smile it always glimmers Hide your reveries in mine You know that I don't mind Let's not leave these behind We'll be alright Everything's just fine Everyone knows it If you take it in stride Take the bad things aside Would you take a stand or walk the same old line?
6.
Soak in all the beautiful feelings you take for granted Keep what you've been given and don't ask for any spare Careful on what you alter coz you might slip and falter Taste it, you won't regret it There's magic in everything Stop you worries they go all day long That's when everything goes bad and wrong Don't you worry bout a thing Sail through the crystal waters This can't get any better Take in that wonderful light Don't lose all the dreams in sight Stop you worries they go all day long That's when everything goes bad and wrong Don't you worry bout a thing
7.
Tell me what's on your mind I can't stand you fooling around Feeling so uninvited My poor soul, has it ended? Tell me what's on your mind Take a look around A silent voice, I hear no sound Feeling so sentimental Your own words seems so gentle Tell me what's on your mind Feel so ripped apart, I am shivering Forgetting the lines that I've been shouting Feeling shot down, I am bleeding This could be the worst time Tell me what's on your mind I can't stand you fooling around Feeling so uninspired My old soul, worn and tired Tell me what's on your mind Feel so ripped apart, I am shivering Forgetting the lines that I've been shouting Feeling shot down, I am bleeding This could be the worst time
8.
When the morning hits The fog clouds the scene, hiding the stream When the night comes near The lights you can't find they're all inside Pack your stories, the souvenirs and things You might need them for another day When the stars come out It dazzles my mind, opens my eyes When the skies turn black I can't tell the time, should we turn back? Pack your stories, the souvenirs and things You might need them for another day Find our hideaway Slip through the maze A stone's throw away Pack your stories, the souvenirs and things You might need them for another day
9.
Clear As Day 02:59
A flare strikes the hillside near the bay Silence paused and then the people stopped to play There's no time to look It's clear as day A light glides along the mountain ridge Worried about the weight you take to cross the bridge There's no time to waste It's clear as day Tears roll from you eyes Take it all in It'll be over soon A wild wind begins to change its course The leaves are drifting closer to the East and North There's no time to look It's clear as day Tears roll from you eyes Take it all in It'll be over soon
10.
The landscape of the town is panoramic Away from the din and noise, the busy streets It may be simple as it looks, it's captivating The dazzling backdrop shines, lights up the evening I dream of it all the time A slowly dawning realization

about

After the acclaim afforded to the eponymous The Umbrella Puzzles EP in 2019, the extra time afforded by lockdown enabled Ryan Marquez (Sodajerk, Apple Orchard, Golden Teardrops etc) to release the project's debut (and quite possibly the last...) album by this particular project.

Twisting dry, twanging riffs, that jangle despite a definitive sense of dulcet, Marquez has a unique sound that is shrouded in perfect pop melodies and absolute indie chic.

Reviews/Comments:

"Greatness often lies in simplicity : "A Slowly Dawning Realization" is an album written and played almost completely by Ryan Marquez. It's a little lo-fi and DIY production, but with a huge potential, that is hard to find in any recent one-man band release." - Going Underground/Italy

"Listening to Ryan's jangling creations on his newest release it seems to us that he has been well and truly inspired. The songs on A Slowly Dawning Realization are lo fi, but definitely a thoughtful, finished product. Mid-tempo twang and jangle, but with plenty of drive and bounce, it is a very pleasant listen that rewards repeated listens." - When You Motor Away

"Ten new, addictive songs about dreams, realities and frailties. Delicious jangle pop. It’s Perfect as it Stands in particular is a great track, but that title actually sums up the album quite well." - Add To Wantlist

"One of the greatest albums I have heard in a long long time. They just don't make them like this anymore." - Jim Rao (Orange Cake Mix)

"A wonderful debut and a hugely enjoyable listen." - Colours Through The Air

" This new album is chock-full of jangly ear worms.” - Pop Geek Heaven

"First cut “Slip Through the Cracks” is one of those hazy/lazy, Teenage Fanclub-esque pop tunes while the guitar playing on “Something Seems Off” sounds like pure Pavement." - Daggerzine

"The Umbrella Puzzles — Ryan Marquez of Richmond CA — create deceptively simple-sounding songs that will seriously stick in your head. ‘Slip Through the Cracks’ appears on the new Umbrella Puzzles album, A Slowly Dawning Realization. I’ve never listened to an Umbrella Puzzles track without immediately pressing the replay button." - Reverb Raccoon

credits

released February 26, 2021

All songs written, played and recorded by Ryan Marquez

Backing vocal on track 1 by Lei Marquez

Recorded at home between June and November 2020

Mastered at Boring Spaghetti Headquarters

Graphic design by Manny Gallo


Special Thanks to my wife, Subjangle, Manny. This one's for my pal Casio.

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The Umbrella Puzzles Richmond, California

Lo-fi Pop from East Bay, CA.

AKA Ryan Marquez

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