Overview
I was too busy packing for my 2000-2001 Mini-Tour to celebrate the revolutionary Starter Kit's one year anniversary.  It had been several months since I graduated from college and three years since I released my little-known first CD (Don't ask.), when I finally decided to get serious about this whole music thing.  I remember walking into the Whiteheads' kitchen and saying, "Nathan, I think I'm ready to do a CD."  After finding some time and friendly funding, we were off.

The idea was simple: capture the "full visions" I had for these songs I had long been performing.  Even when I was part of the Southpaw Jones Aggregate, we were only a trio, and though my cohorts were talented, we couldn't fully express my imagination's sounds in a live setting.  I wanted it all, and nothing short of the E Street Band could satisfy my thirst for variety and power.  Turns out they were booked, so we turned to studio magic to bring my visions to life.

The definition of studio magic?  Nathan and I spending hours in the Eggplant dominion, trying every guitar in the house, learning new instruments, and patching to perfection.  Once Paul Spivey laid down some beautiful drum kit work, it was pretty much a two-man project.

This is a starter kit for both the listener and the artist, as it was my first extended experience in the studio.
 
Having More Fun

This opener is simply a cocky pop song about life-long competition.  Some measure success by money, relationships, accomplishments;  I try to guage life's value according to fun.  How much fun do I actually pack in to my schedule?  Admittedly, not much, but that's all going to change tomorrow.
 
Her Heart's in Alabama

A song for my sister's wedding in 1998.  The story of her love for a state and a man therein.  At this point, the words are completely inaccurate, as she now lives in Houston and I've moved to Los Angeles.  The emotion still rings true, though.

One Mistake

A fairly straightforward and worthless rock song about the fragile nature of relationships.
 
Communist Girlfriend

Ah, yes, this is actually a parody of my own song called "Atheist Girlfriend."  As with most novelty songs, my audience quickly lost interest in the cheeky word play of the original, so I decided to completely rework it.  A third version may even pop up someday.  Geriatric Girlfriend, anyone?  Anyhow, there was no single inspiration for this tune, although I've always been attracted to Marxist leanings.  The drum sound on the CD is the original click track designed only to keep my timing accurate.  I loved it so much during playback that we left it in, much to my co-producer's chagrin.
 
Straightaway

Here lies a song about idealism and youth in the key of C.  A lesser songwriter's "Born to Run," if you will.  I don't know that I believe it anymore, but it's still fun to play.  This recording features one of my few attempts at a guitar solo.
 
White Boy Blues

One of my proudest moments as a satirist, and one of my most misunderstood songs.  This is something of a tribute to my father, who has long lamented the current "persecution" of the white man.  I think we white males would have to go through quite a bit more hardship before we can start feeling sorry for ourselves.  The song is a tounge-in-cheek expression of the jealousy I feel toward other races and groups who can actually awake in the morning with an inherited, meaningful reason to get up and fight the good fight.  What natural enemies pose a threat to the suburban white man in the year 2001?  Sun burn?  Credit card debt?  Wine coolers?

Another Place

The result of a college freshman crush.  I love one-on-one conversation, especially when I'm getting to know someone, but I could never get this particular girl alone.  When I finally got to know her, I discovered how truly normal she was.  Luckily, I birthed the song before that point when she was a beautiful enigma and I was entranced.
 
Soup du Jour

Originally titled "One Hit Wonder," this fast-pased, genre-bashing romp has caught the ear of many a radio-weary listener.
 
Girl From the Country

I just wanted to write a sad, sad ballad, so I did.  People always ask me if it's a true story, and I honestly don't remember.
 
Surgery On Our Love

This jazzy number goes way back.  It's just a collection of medically-themed puns, really.  Unfortunately, I can't perform it without a bass player.
 
Antique Mall

I forced myself to choose between the lesser of two evils here:  Consumerism or Technology.  Consumerism won out, obviously, as I spend a few minutes praising the all-American shopping mall.  Since I wrote it, the Dot Com Revolution has seen its progress come to a screeching halt, while a new breed of mega-malls is spreading its seed across the heartland.  Interesting.

To Be Someone

Here's one of those songs that entered the studio a simple boy and came out a full-grown man.  It makes a nice autobiographical closer, and I'm quite proud of it.
 
No One Cares (Bonus Track)

Hey, how'd this get on here?

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