I've been writing songs for about fifteen years on and off. Right now definitely off. I moved into my apartment and was unable to do artwork since I really didn't have space so I picked up the guitar and decided to try to record some songs so that my son might know I wrote a few.  I probably have 40 songs pretty much done but here are a few of them.  They are what they are!

About the Recording

ALL I COULD DO: These songs were done as part of an internet contest called the rmpchallenge.  See rmpchallenge.com. The goal is to record ten songs in a month. Every year in the month of Feb people try to write and record their album. I had my songs pretty much together. But with any artistic endeavor there where edits and changes.  I struggle to record the stuff and used garage band from the Mac to try to fix levels and add an effect. Only the track walking straight really had something added to it. Great experience overall and I probably would never have finished this album although almost every song has some noticeable error in it.

STOP SIGNS AND RED LIGHTS: this is the first ten songs from my overall project, "the artistic suicide" which is my goal to end my music ambitions.  I want to make some recording of my 60 songs and be done with it.  Here is the second album getting to 20 done. 

Review on RMP Challenge

Artist: R Bargdill

Album: All I Could Do

This is one of those albums where I want to put every song in the end credits of my 1990s coming-of-age movie. I listened to this album sitting alone in my room, and I think that’s the way to do it. It’s chock-full of clever, yet generally simplistic lyrics, in that way most of my favorite gravely voiced singer-songwriter’s songs are. Bargdill is at his best when he’s not taking himself too seriously.

That being said, it’s very lo-fi. I read R Bargdill's liner notes, and he mentions that he’s recording most of these songs live on Garageband. Consequently, the mix is by no means “polished,” and don’t expect much more than a single guitar and vocal here. This style suits some songs more than others. He’s a little rough around the edges, but there’s enough here that makes me excited to hear what R Bargdill brings to the table next year, after another whole year of messing with the capabilities of Garage Band, and exploring his own style.

Stanzas Unrelated - Lo-Fi in that way that makes me want to hear what it would sound like with a full band. That’s a compliment.

Betty Please -- Love this title, and love the simplicity of the chorus. Goes a little long but what can you do?

Over that Hump -- Uh oh, a break up song! Least favorite, methinks, a little whiny for my tastes. Love the title though.

Never Been Better -- In contrast to Over That Hump, he’s now never been better! The strumming pattern is similar to the one before, repetitive again

How Far Must I Fall - Big fan of this one. Love this title, love these lyrics, Gets a growl in his voice that the way I think it should be. This might be my favorite.

Two Men -- I like where he’s going with this one. A Tom Waits influence is pretty clear here. He’s approaching that “grizzled cookie monster” voice that Waits does so well. Sounds like he aged 40 years while writing this one.

After the Bomb -- I like this one, though the vocals are a little hard to hear. When I did hear them, they made me chuckle. I have a feeling this would be the hit of the R Bargdill Unplugged special.

Ships in the Harbor -- Would like more vocals, less guitar on this one. A solid tune, just not my favorite.

Walking Straight -- New guitar tone! I like it. Most of the other guitars were similar in tone, except for this one. It’s a refreshing and surprising change.

Love Me No More -- Great album closer. This is one of my favorites. Sounds like he aged another 40 years since “Two Men.”

Thanks a lot for putting this out there! I had a blast listening.

-Carrie.