“The title of the album accurately prepares any listener for a mix of emotional folk, lo-fi, pop/hard rock acoustic/electric styles that reflect the writers’ current lifestyle challenges and observations” - Paul Louis Villani
Pieces of An Eclectic by Paul Louis Villani, aka "The Beast," is a roller coaster of emotions in the form of an album that vividly describes the musician's past and present story as well as the world. With bluesy ballads and guitar-driven melodies, the Australian rocker showcases his raw musical talent to seamlessly harmonize with his thoughtful songwriting. Villani's soulful vocals and classical guitar playing truly shine on various tracks such as the hard rock, true life inspired "Once Again". Another standout song is the atmospheric "Behold the Sacred Cow," a uniquely beautiful tribute to the artist's late father.
Pieces of an Eclectic (Released 2020) - Album Notes
All songs (unless otherwise stated) are written, performed and recorded by Paul Louis Villani.
The Album:
Be prepared to be taken on an emotional roller coaster ride where the only source of truth is reality without softening filters.
The Songs:
Track one: Before I Go
A week in the life of someone who cannot stand being themselves can be torturous. Add into the equation someone who is trying to help but being let down time after time. The end result is separation for the sake of clarity and stability, perhaps leading to an end of unity. So be it.
Track Two: Attract What You Reflect
There are many times during the course of life where we wonder why we are surrounded by what it is we cannot deal with. Often, as humans, we blame everyone else for our current status and environment. Most of the time, what surrounds us is what we’ve attracted by our own actions and our words. Remember the only person you are in control of is you, therefore, if you are reflecting things such as positivity and control, then with a bit of patience and resilience, these things may also surround you in ways that you never thought possible.
Track Three: Reach for Heaven
Question everything. Unless you question everything, how do you grow and learn? The world is full of under achievers just waiting to reach for heaven. Easiest thing to do is join them and do nothing and achieve nothing. Heaven (obviously a metaphor for death), is the end of life for every human, so how do you want to live?
Track Four: Fade Away
A track written in the late nineties by a younger, less hopeful man, at a time when things that were important to him were falling apart. Not equipped with any real maturity as yet (as disappointing as it is to admit that about a 27’ish year old), the lyrics describe the feeling of losing faith, hope and ambition, thus finding the simplest resolution being to just fade away and hide from everything.
Track Five: Be the One
Surround yourself with addicts, vagrants and other miscreants and guess what… you end up being exactly like them. Deep within your soul you know that what you’re doing is wrong but changing is just too hard. Is it within in you to “Be the One”? Do you have what it takes to stand up and be the change? Are you going to give your life the respect that it deserves and stop continuously making the wrong decisions when you are equipped with enough intelligence to make good choices? Well… are you?
Track Six: Once Again
Mental Health and my lack of understanding about it is challenging. At times I feel like I’m surrounded by it and I struggle to deal with others conditions and current unbalanced emotional state. I go from having complete empathy and understanding, to having no patience and complete doubt about the legitimacy of what is being experienced. This may be too honest of a statement for some to endure but it is the truth. I sometimes feel like I’m being pushed into having a mental health crisis by dealing with other peoples mental health issues. Honestly, I am so confused by this issue that I find it very confronting and hard to deal with. I’ve still got a lot to learn.
Track Seven: Until Love Found You
It is very human to want to feel emotionally and physically connected with another human being. Love is the word we use to describe the feeling of achieving that connection. The journey to find that other human and make that connection is never predictable but when it is experienced, it is definitely worthwhile!
Track Eight: Sacred Cow
A song about my Father.
Dad passed in 2005 due to complications associated with Leukemia. Apart from the usual sadness and mourning that ensues such an event, it was in times of reflection during the years the followed that I found peace and a greater understanding of what an amazing human Dad was. I’ll take this moment to highlight his ever present sense of humor because if he was here and we had the chance to discuss this song, I’m sure he would breeze over the lyrical content and just ask me, “Why are you calling me a cow?”
Track Nine: Drive
One of the things I love to do in life is to go on a road trip! This song manifested by day dreaming about taking off in an unknown direction and just living the moment without care, responsibility or time restraints.
Track Ten: Only Angels Have Wings (Unedited Take 3 Guitar Track)
The Blues. Not a genre I gravitate to very often (in writing) but it is a sound, a feel and a history I respect and am inspired by. The reason for all the extra “guitar track take 3” info is because I wanted to pay my respect to the Blues by doing the entire guitar track in one take without overdubs or edits. This way the listener could hear all the nitty-gritty nuances that go into a live-style recording of a guitar. Yes, this means that the listener gets to hear mistakes, clunky notes, poorly bent strings, pick-up switch changes etc. So, why take 3 I hear you all asking? Well, I played so poorly on Take 1 that I deleted it immediately and played a completely wrong chord about 17 seconds into Take 2, therefore, Take 3 is what you get!!
Track Eleven: Love is Like Cyanide
Reflecting on a life and all that has been experienced (and is nearing 50 years upon this beautiful earth), one does have many memories to recall. Not all memories are grand and not all memories are pleasant. Love yields many experiences. Those experiences are worth going through, not just for song writing purposes but to allow us to know when you’ve got something worth holding onto, forever.
Pieces of an Eclectic – Song Lyrics
Track one: Before I Go
Monday was a panic attack
until Tuesday came along
Wednesday was sedated
hoping that Thursday would never know
Friday having palpitations
knowing Saturday would ask it why
Sunday just confused all of existence
So it pretended to be doing fine
Can you remember a time
when everything just went to plan
only you at the center of it all
with everyone at your command
Now aspirations are diving
there's no chance of ever denying truth
And as my reins fall from your grasp
is there anything you'd like to say (do)
Before I go
Monday was a fool
always hoping that Tuesday would set it free
Wednesday was a broken bar stool
while Thursday was just therapy
Friday was complete devastation
but Saturday was fun to be
Sunday doesn't have the strength to stand
let alone to breath
Track Two: Attract What You Reflect
Shes got a lot of love
Keeps me believing
Shes got a lot of love
Sometimes changes with the seasons
She made a fool of me, still I stay
From you I cannot defend
You’re the kryptonite in my dramatic end
So I tell her that
You attract what you reflect
So I tell her that
You tear down what you neglect
She came today
Made her peace then showed the way
She came today
Brushed her hair to the side
I thought this was just a phase
She’s the perfect storm
Lightning and thunder
Yet I’m the complicated one
With limitations and useless expectations
Too bad about your dreams
They are as futile as they seem
Too bad about what you need
You’re not as useful as you’ve been
So I tell her that
You attract what you reflect
So I tell her that
You destroy what you neglect
She came today
With just a smile took my cares away
She came today
Wiped the tears from my face and
washed her hands of my pain
Track Three: Reach for Heaven
Where do you go?
When I have nothing left
Inside it’s droll, nothing but pettiness
Just wait a while we might end up surprised
Clearly evolved, now you can summarise
Join in my song, words will
become the light
Shining away, shining both
yellow and white
Never opposed a singular
thought is clear
I wonder out loud just why it is
that we're here
Just waiting to reach for heaven
Why do you run faster than everyone?
And why don’t we care where in the race
you’ve come
Ashamed of it all blindly we dine tonight
Feasting our eyes on your pain
and our delight
Join in my song, in victory we are as one
The louder we cheer
the better you seem to become
Black is the sky, black is a place to hide
Black becomes right
In black we find our white
Track Four: Fade Away
Hello to you my friend
we meet again
it’s just me I see
I’d like to hide away
can’t face my shame
It keeps me sane.
Take me home
where I am free to roam
On my own, take me home.
Would you like me to explain
the difference between life and living in pain
It’s not my choice for if I was wise
I’d like to change all around me
Lost my resources, must fade away
Lost all my causes, must fade away
Lost all my choices, must fade away
Lost all my voices, must fade away
Can I help you with anything
what a fool am I
can’t even help myself
I’d like to change my scene
for a different perspective but I know
I’d just get confused
Would you like me to express
my inner light
it's called happiness
yet I'm a failure at everything I’ve been
but that’s just me
I was hoping that you wouldn’t see
Track Five: Be the One
You wake only when the Vampires call
Your eyes are heavy when the
peace dove spreads its wings
You wake only when the strays wanna play
unholy games
Your eyes want to close
when they really need to see
One night becomes two
Time never to be returned
Life clings to its worth
Life cries out to be heard
Two nights become three
The years are now surmounting
Life choking with each breath
Life yearning for respect
Drown the sounds created by reality
Ignore momentary happiness,
you can always get more
Align the strays so they slur the same
Lifes Vampires will help you thrive
within the blur
I'm waiting
I'm waiting
Patiently
I'm waiting
I'm waiting
Still waiting
'Cause you're gonna
You said you're gonna
Be the one
Be the guide
Be the one stuck to my side
Be the one
Be the voice
Inspired by your new found choice
Be the one
Don't be denied
You're the treasure of our pride
Be the one
Yeah be what shines
When there's darkness be the light
Drown out what persists of an existence
and ignore whatever dignity remains
The bar room strays will consume
all of your inhabitations
Like Vampires they suck the hours away
Be the one
Be the guide
Be the one stuck to my side
Be the one
Be the voice
Inspired by your new found choice
Be the one
Don't be denied
You're the treasure of our pride
Be the one
Just be sublime
When there's darkness be the light
Track Six: Once Again
Here I am, once again, all alone
Can’t take my eyes away from my phone
I’m not shy, I can’t hide, special needs
It’s hard to rise from wounded knees
Here I am, once again, all alone
One more pill takes me back to Thunder Dome
When I rise, no one cries, I am free
I want to be inspired
And I want you to take me higher
Here I am Face down on the floor
Forgot the reasons I existed for
Middle class, second hand, I’m reprieved
Once again
I’m in need of you my friend
Once again
You are nowhere to be found
Once again
I’m alone inside my head
Hell Once again…
Here I am, once again, all alone
Ghosted by all those I’ve known
Dignified, medicate me, I thrive
Each breath I take is one you denied
Here I am, once again, on my own
You see no change but I think I’ve grown
In my mind there’s a world no-one sees
I want to be inspired
And I want you to take me my higher
Here I am, once again, on the floor
Feels like I’ve been here before
Never mind, my decline, on repeat
Track Seven: Until Love Found You
I pretend that I like you
I pretend that I’m just like you
And yet we are souls apart
Forever alone
I’m inclined to ignore the signs
I’m inclined to read between the lines
I’m a sermon just waiting
Just waiting to happen
The world changes everyday
As we pass each other’s way
Our eyes are not so sure
What it is we’re looking for
And I know I still desire
‘Cause love burns while I’m alive
And love was surely lost
Until love found you
I believe things are meant to be
We can’t change the biology
Just like two ends of a candle burning
The savior the pauper
The savior the pauper
Track Eight: Sacred Cow
Time on the offensive
The journey comprehensive
Somehow, you’ve made it
through the wastelands
Defy the course projected
To negativity subjected
Survive to make a stand
The object of our affection
Was never about perception
Always led without demands
You left a path to follow
A path to end our sorrows
For this we were never quite
prepared
He Hears the words that
were unsaid
The painful truths of bitter ends
A life that’s come undone
A prayer for the kingdom come
A lifetime lived according
to their plan
A simple strategy of man
Ten years from now
Behold the sacred cow
Our roles are all revolving
Your teachings
embraced evolving
I wasn’t aware of
what was to come
Time now becomes defensive
Has lost its pure objective
Sands through the hourglass expires
You battled hard,
you lost and won
You searched for light
within the setting suns
All now Just a haze
Numbered were your days
The soul that kept us all so well
Complicated by corrupted cells
Ten years from now
Behold the Sacred Cow
Track Nine: Drive
Turn the key
Unlock the doors
The engine warms
Ease the seat back
Strap yourself in
Light up whatcha rollin'
Take your shoes off
Place your naked feet
upon the dashboard
Windows down
Accelerate
And let the sunshine embrace you
Let's Drive
Out past the edge of town
Like it's been waiting
Waiting for you
Let's Drive
Until there's nothing we recognize
Like it's been waiting
Waiting for you
Sunglasses
Playing games with
Unknown Horizons
The steering wheel
Our only guide
along this freeway of chances
Broken bottles of drunken fools
Chime like church bells
From the backseat
With every mile we leave behind
A brighter smile you seem to find
Tranquility enhances
Let's Drive
Out past the edge of town
Like it's been waiting
Waiting for you
Let's Drive
Until there's nothing we recognize
Like it's been waiting
Waiting for you
Let's Drive
No destination in our minds
Like it's been waiting
Waiting for you
Let's Drive
And find the best years of our lives
Like it's been waiting
Waiting for you
Track Ten: Only Angels Have Wings (Unedited Take 3 Guitar Track)
Wasted
On a Saturday night
Wake up in the morning and its Wednesday
The doorbell rings
Your friend's at the front door
You're in no mood for company
So he brings five more
And you wonder if tomorrow you'll see the light
And you wonder if tomorrow will see you right
I thought I was her one and only lover
I gave her all I had to give
Then the girl ran out of love for me
"Cause she thought she belonged
In someone else's dreams
There she left me
Standing in the rain
And a sad song
Only brings back the pain
Only Angels have wings
Only Angels can fly high
Only Angels can sing that certain lullaby
Don't cry
Don't cry
Track Eleven: Love is Like Cyanide
Worthless anticipation
Slave to manipulation
Hung by the noose of expectation
Love is like cyanide
Sleepless existence
Anxiety is persistent
Confusion is malignant
Love is like cyanide
Scars won’t fade from severed desires
Rapture, a blessed curse
Like a moth to the fire
Welcomed in Hell is the savaged soul
Love is like cyanide
And the moments you treasure
Are taken away
No longer to see light of day
Every act of faith is betrayed
All you want
Turns to dust
Yes it does
Album Review from Germany - February 2020
Album review from USA
Once Again - Fourth Single from the Album "Pieces of an Eclectic"
Reach for Heaven - Second Single from the Album "Pieces of an Eclectic"
Fade Away - Third Single from the Album "Pieces of an Eclectic"
