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Open Mic Nights, Empty Bottle Mornings

by Mike Maimone

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1.
Not Waitin' Around Words & Music by Mike Maimone (c) 2005 The lights are on in Cleveland, I like that building right across the street. From the 26th floor I'm looking down, that would be quite a fall. Well lately I've been wondering if life's too short - or long. And, do these windows open, or do I have to smash one out? I'd soar like snowflakes dancing 'round the nighttime sky so high And drift down to the square drink 'til I'm not there hop a train to anywhere... when I forgot how to care (I say) I'm not waitin' around, I'm not waitin' around I'm just trying to bide my time. I'm not waitin' around, I'm not waitin' around I'll be getting by just fine. Now would you please step to the side, you're blockin' the TV. And they're about to preview the next episode. The sun is up in Portland, I need a new head, this one is killing me. From the edge of my bed I'm looking down; that would be quite a fall. Well lately I've been wondering just what's right and wrong. And what the hell did i do last night, 'cause this is not my room. I drove all night with Cali' sounds ringing in my ears and crashed down on the shore woke up and drank some more I walked the ocean floor makin' my way to Singapore I'm not waitin' around, I'm not waitin' around I'm just trying to bide my time. I'm not waitin' around, I'm not waitin' around I'll be getting by just fine. Now would you please step to the side, you're blockin' the TV. And they're about to preview the next episode. [x2]
2.
Aiming the Guns at Fate Words & Music by Mike Maimone (c) 2008 Her smile is painted on a teardrop canvas; she don't wanna be the reason we're calling it a night. But she's a carnival packed up for the winter. Yeah, and we can see the frost forming on brightly colored rides. She don't talk during their song, no she don't talk during their song. These days, nobody seems to talk about him but in the shade of the old oak tree we ain't forgotten So you set the cruise control, I'll guide the wheel we're aiming the guns at fate and we're dragging him home We're dragging him home. The night is hangin' on a pindrop moment while the melody's taking our memories for a ride. Last call for alcohol, that's it tonight yeah, but we can't complain - he's got us feelin' more alive We don't talk during their song, no we don't talk during their song. These days, nobody seems to talk about him but in the shade of the old oak tree we ain't forgotten So you set the cruise control, I'll guide the wheel we're aiming the guns at fate and we're dragging him home We're dragging him home. [repeat chorus]
3.
Mile 102 03:55
Mile 102 Words & Music by Mike Maimone (c) 2007 I think I know you, I know I've seen your face... The rest stop at mile 102 behind the coffee shop sandwich case. You said you only drink it black; I kinda like your taste. Woke up from a 90-mile-an-hour nap happy to be alive One more cup of coffee should get me through the rest of the drive I know it's been a couple days, and we're about 1,000 miles away But maybe one day I'll get back to mile 102 to hear you say "Do you want anything else with your coffee? Try a slice of meaning in your life." I said, "Now there's a strange suggestion, but somehow girl I think you've pegged me just right." And I need you around, I'm losing higher ground, I'm losing higher ground. And I don't want to come down, but I'm losing higher ground, I'm losing higher ground. Woke up from a 17-year nap to realize that I'm alive. Never thought a stranger would be the one to wake me up inside. But girl you poured a wiser cup of coffee and since I left I'm haunted by your eyes Now we're back, we're back to being strangers But if I had you here with me I know I just might get it right And I need you around, I'm losing higher ground, I'm losing higher ground. And I don't want to come down, but I'm losing higher ground, I'm losing higher ground.
4.
All My Love 03:55
All My Love Words & Music by Mike Maimone Featuring Jodi Rosenthal of Lying Delilah (c) 2005 She's my baby with the blackberry hair often catch her with a far away stare I say "Baby, what's so special out there, won't you come down to earth with me? "Hey there Mike, you ought to give it a try. You're too serious most of the time. Hold my hand, you know, and show me that smile, won't you come out to space with me?" Whoa - people say we both gone crazy Whoa - we just lie in bed for days and days and oh - (s)he's got all I lack I give'er all my love she's givin' it back There's candle light in your crystal eyes I wanna stay up here and watch the sun rise So comfortable now with our clothes cast aside I wanna come out to space and see I gotta tell you, baby, how much you mean. You came into my life and then you changed everything you're the reason why I reach for my dream so won't you come out to space with me.
5.
She's Avoiding Mirrors Words & Music by Mike Maimone (c) 2008 She's avoiding mirrors but she looks so good in dresses I fight her negativity and shower her with yesses Why she's so self-conscious, well it's anybody's guesses I try and tell her she looks fine, but it's just a waste of time... We live in a place where the sun sets before it's risin' While businessmen ruch off to work in suits and power ties, in underneath the covers we're not lettin' the sunshine in. I think we gotta make some cash; she thinks we outta make a dash I knew this day was comin' but I didn't think it'd happen so fast. I'm swinging from an anchor, an anchor in the sky. Forgot my fear of heights, now I'm way too high. She's my blue balloon, she floats along the ground, and when I get too high I know she'll bring me down, bring me down. She loved Rodeny Dangerfield in Caddyshack 2, see I don't think she knows that he wasn't in that movie. We argue about it in her parents' jacuzzi. We could find that shit online, but we'd rather waste our time. She's avoiding mirrors cause her looks can be deceiving sweet as frosty freeze or tasty treats all in the evening but every morning tells me she's been thinking about leaving I knew that it could never last So much future in our past I knew this day was coming but I didn't think it'd happen so fast I'm swinging from an anchor, an anchor in the sky. Forgot my fear of heights, now I'm way too high. She's my blue balloon, she floats along the ground, and when I get too high she can always bring me down, bring me down. I knew this day was coming but I didn't think it'd happen so fast... I knew this day was coming but I didn't think it'd happen so fast.
6.
Prizefighter (free) 04:18
Prizefighter Word & Music by Mike Maimone (c) 2008 My God it's late, honey where you been? Before she could lie, it's already forgiven It's written so plainly in her eyes I've read this before - it always ends in her smile She never loved me but she never tried And he never lover her until she was mine It ain't my fault my heart is so hard it's covered in bruises and battlescars; these are hardly the marks of a prizefighter. Yeah, well it ain't my fault is such a stupid phrase usually said by the one who's to blame I step in the ring and I let down my gloves I'm throwing the fight 'cause I think I'm in love. Her pillow's cold, even colder than before she called out a name I couldn't ignore. Maybe with time, growing up will prove to be the difference between experienced and used. She doesn't love me but i wish she would try just thinking 'bout leaving is making me tired. It ain't my fault my heart is so hard it's covered in bruises and battlescars; these are hardly the marks of a prizefighter. Yeah, well it ain't my fault is such a stupid phrase usually said by the one who's to blame I step in the ring and I let down my gloves I'm throwing the fight now isn't that love? It ain't my fault my heart is so hard it's covered in bruises and battlescars; these are hardly the marks of a prizefighter. Yeah, well it ain't my fault is such a stupid phrase soon as it's said, well I know i'm to blame I step in the ring and I let down my gloves I've thrown every fight when I think I'm in love.
7.
Don't Place Your Bets On Me Words & Music by Mike Maimone (c) 2008 I light another cigarette just to watch the smoke as it floats away. It's takin' your words with it, I'm not listening to a thing you say... So don't place your bets on me, I'm losing again. It creeps up from my stomach like 11 whiskey sours with the greasy egss at 4am we hungrily devoured. I'm just your bloody mary, my love's the hair of the dog But my kiss is temporary, you head'll pound when I'm gone. Don't place your bets on me, I'll lose it again. I'm laying my cards down, I'm cashing it in. Don't place your bets on me, I'll lose it again, and take what's left for me to go through it again... The afternoon it grumbles in and punches the clock and I shuffle to the kitchen, too hung over to walk. I get the shakes over coffee just thinkin' of you and on an afternoon like this I wonder who's using who. Love it comes and goes, it's got me feelin' old, got me feelin' sick. Like waiting with a plastic bag, wishin' my dog would hurry up and take a shit. I pick it up every time, but I respect myself a little less. Wonderin' how long it'll be 'til I've been in everybody else's mess. Don't place your bets on me, I'll lose it again. I'm laying my cards down, I'm cashing it in. Don't place your bets on me, I'll lose it again, and take what's left for me to go through it again...
8.
Never Lonely Again (free) 04:54
Never Be Lonely Again Words & Music by Mike Maimone (c) 2008 Well I'd like to invite you to see me though I don't think that he'd like you here. But all the late night train rides we spent side by side I admit, I still hold them dear. Do you still have our picture in your bedroom? At the bar you were holding my glass so I could pour you a shot from the bottle you brought got me kicked out, thrown on my ass. Well I'll never be lonely again. I'll never be lonely again. I'll hope and I'll pray that by my dying day I'll be rid of your memories and then I'll never be lonely again. We can fall out of love without warning as we rush to create more past. Because life's an old Chrysler somehow chugging by and we're burning, yeah we're just the gas. When I talk to God I don't ask for much, too ashamed, for I know I've sinned. And while I'd appreciate the chance to walk through heaven's gate hell'd be fine; hell, I'd be with my friends. Well I'll never be lonely again. I'll never be lonely again. 'Cause I don't like to pray and I've made my mistakes So either I'll just reach the end Or I'll never be lonely again When I talk to God I don't ask him for much Too ashamed, yeah I know I sin And while I've appreciated the mess we've created Every love and every life has to end Now I'll never be lonely again
9.
Bulletproof 02:39
Bulletproof Words & Music by Mike Maimone (c) 2008 Cmaj7 I hit the bottle but the bottle's hittin' back these days I might as well be drinkin' turpentine. G (add 4, 6) You pay for what you get, but I got nothin' left except taxes, debt, fees, penalties and fines. Cmaj7 The lights are buzzin' and the coffe tastes like mud, I need to find a happy place where I can hide. Go out for a smoke, paperwork is such a joke but no one seems to laugh when I miss deadlines. We're all gonna die some day. No need to borrow time. Find something you love and let it kill you. Find something you love and let it rip your fucking heart out. Find something you love and let it kill you. You gotta have a broken heart my friend to be bulletproof. Ever since I was 17 everyone's been telling me happiness is doing what you love. But it's all chemical so get down from your pedestal; happiness is the right mix of drugs. We're all gonna die some day. Who do I owe for mine? Find something you love and let it kill you. Find something you love and let it rip your fucking heart out. Find something you love and let it kill you. You gotta have a broken heart my friend to be bulletproof.
10.
Things I Remember Words & Music by Mike Maimone (c) 2005 Sometimes you have to walk a mile to realize you've walked a mile too far. And sometimes you have to try awhile to realize you've been trying too hard. I don't really know where I want to go, but at least I know where I ought to be. I hear it’s snowing back at home. The only frost out here is in my ice box. And sand just doesn’t crunch beneath my feet Like when we looked at Christmas lights on our street. Couldn’t have known I’d miss the cold But now it’s just one of those things… Those silly little things I remember And more important ones I forget Well life just changes so quickly, Now memories are all that I have left. They’re all good to me. Yeah, they’re all good to me. You laughed so hard when I slipped on the sidewalk, So I got up and pushed you in the snow. Mom, she was yelling from the front porch, “Kids come in or you're gonna catch cold.” And dad’s sorting mail at the table, Dinner smelled so good from the stove. But now I’m wading in the ocean. All these thoughts get lost in the waves. And there’s no more beers in my ice box Cause I’ve been getting wasted here for days. All I really want this Christmas Is just to know what I really want. Those silly little things I remember And more important ones I forget Well life just changed on me quickly, Now memories are all that I have left. They’re all good to me. Yeah, they’re all good to me.
11.
Each New Place Words & Music by Mike Maimone (c) 2007 That same old neon sign I've passed 1,000 times. A late-night beacon of grease for hungry passers-by looking for a release. I signal and check behind it's the end of another line. It's just about time for peace on my weary travelin' mind, finally. But a closer look I'll never take; don't want to see the sign is not exactly the same. As far as I know it's never changed, but baby those lights bring me a little bit of home in each new place. Everybody's working for a solution. Trying to figure shit out on their own. Put it all together, it's one big confusion. Nights I pray I'll change... and find a better place to call my home.

about

"Accountant-Turned-Piano-Man Mike Maimone comes on strong with his debut album. Maimone's unique blend of bluesy piano rock is frenetic and enthralling, as he pounds the keys with unparalleled energy. His voice is harsh, smoky, and distinctly his own, with a raw sound that is captivating. His songs are incredibly tight and well done – in fact, there's not a bad song on here. He blends ragtime enthusiasm with a manic rock sensibility, creating timeless songs with a solid structure. His words are alternately charming, depressing, and hilarious, vaguely reminiscent of Harry Nilsson.

I was really impressed with this CD. Maimone's classic, old-timey piano sound is delivered with an unmatched energy. It's quite apparent when listening to his music that he wrote what he wanted to write – he's not catering to anyone or trying to be anything other than himself. This "Reformed Accountant" has definitely found his calling, and I will look forward to seeing what he does next. "
- Beeb Ashcroft, Indie-Music.com

"Maimone demonstrates a sublime sense of optimism about everything from love, to vice, to suicide, to Caddyshack II (not necessarily in that order, but come to think of it, probably in that order) in story songs that tattoo their way upon a listener's consciousness. And following his Carter-era muses, the lush production (with fearless forays away from piano man territory) seems to imply that Maimone belongs in an era when people actually bought good music."
- Rocktober Magazine, Issue #46

"This Midwestern Mike sounds like Randy Newman with some Tom Waits, Graham Parker, Elton John, Doctor John, and Professor Longhair. Too raucous R&B/ragtime to be a piano bar star - he's too scratchy-voiced and proud to play Billy Joel's "Piano Man" - the superlative-fingered, aggressive Maimone and bassist and drummer pump out jump 'n' jive with aplomb, panache, and abandon. Hey, the bottles of the LP title, evoking many bleary-eyed A.M.s of Gordons or Jim Beam, didn't empty themselves! And for a guy not long out of Notre Dame, he sounds like he's twice his age and has been thrown out of bars the world over for breaking beer steins and shattering shot glasses. I'd drink with him - "For all my friends!"
- Jack Rabid, The Big Takeover Magazine

credits

released September 15, 2008

Brian Aiken - Bass
Darren Garvey - Drums
Mike Maimone - Piano, Wurlitzer, Rhodes, Hammond organ, Vox organ, pump organ, harmonium, glockenspiel, synths, percussion, vocals, production
Manny Sanchez - Recording engineer, mixing
Jodi Rosenthal - vocals on Track 4; All My Love

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Mike Maimone Los Angeles, California

Pianist, singer/songwriter & producer.
Co-founder and frontman of Mutts.

Buy CDs/Tees at www.mikemaimone.com/buy-stuff

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