Deconstructing Year Four: Spectre of the Gun

​This was the last of the four songs I wrote for Year Four. As it was, I had a bunch of musical ideas laying around that I thought might turn into a song. It was just bits and pieces here and there, much like the incomplete western scenery that dominates this episode. In a way, all those fragmented pieces were very much a reflection of the props and atmosphere of Spectre of the Gun. Nothing complete or whole. There were things that I thought might make a great intro, nice bridge or a killer chorus; but all rudimentary and mere pieces. I did finally notice, however, that they were all in the same key. So what did I do? I crammed them all together and made this song.

Musically, I was drawing from my favorite guitar-driven melodic punk influences such as Superchunk and “New Wind”-era 7 Seconds. Lots of hooks in this one, and it’d be a fun one to sing along to.  This was a challenge to learn as a whole band, as there were so many chord changes and different parts. But once it locked in and clicked, it became really fun to play live. It was also a challenge to record and mix, as I was really trying to find the right guitar sounds and get it really meaty and powerful. Hopefully, it does that.

​Lyrically, I drew upon the major themes of the episode in my usual, classic, non-specific vagueries. I somehow wanted to work in the name of the O.K. Corral, but it never really fit well into the lyrics I was writing.  However, I did manage to say the word “Okay” a whole bunch. So that’s got to count for something, right? RIGHT?

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Okay.

Five Year Mission
Year Four
Spectre of the Gun
Written by Noah Butler