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Moppets of Awesome

by Brato Useba

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1.
King Cat Reflex 02:17
lyrics
Yesterday I was sitting on my throne, when a guy came in through the tall doors, and he walked on the red carpet all the way up to me. I was a little startled, and I dropped my coffee cup. I'm a little clumsy that way, but I caught it right away. And they call me King Cat Reflex, they call me King Cat Reflex, they call me King Cat Reflex, cause I catch the mug before it hits the floor. King Cat reflex, they call me King Cat Reflex, they call me King Cat Reflex, cause I catch the mug before it hits the floor. The other day I was sitting looking at my shoes when a guy came in, he wanted to advise me to make war, but I had just dropped my scepter, but before it hit the floor I caught it again. They call me King Cat Reflex, they call me King Cat Reflex, they call me King Cat Reflex, cause I catch things before they hit the floor. King Cat Reflex.
2.
Come back 03:46
lyrics
I'm actually quite by myself here, I'm actually quite by myself. I hadn't noticed that this happened, I guess this happens in the world. Now and then I get some close love, and moments that I really like. But those are so very fleeting, and they're not really yours and mine. So when you're back, then we should have some of these moments for ourselves, because that is what I want, for you to come home, Mademoiselle. Come back, come back, come back, come back, come back, come back. Come back, come back, come back, come back, come back, come back. But for now you're across the ocean, far away and out of reach. But I long for you to be here, and not on some Irish beach! So I'm looking forward to the day when you are coming back, and then maybe we can have those moments of love that I lack. Come back, come back, come back, come back, come back, come back. Come back, come back, come back, come back, come back, come back. Without you, my love, I have no-one to come home to. The house is dark and cold and silent, and at night I find myself scared of the shadows of the night, the creaking of the wood, the rustle of the vinyl siding; and I stay up late and play the guitar and sing with the night birds, who with me call for your return. Come back, come back, come back, come back, come back, come back. Come back, come back, come back, come back, come back, come back.
3.
You can't be whatever you want to be 04:04
lyrics
As you grow older, please keep this in mind: you can't be a fighter pilot, if you're blind. People tell you otherwise but they forget, you see: you can't be whatever you want to be. You can't be whatever you want to be, you can't be whatever you want to be. If you come from money, this might not apply, for money opens doors and buys you the easy way. But you could be a lawyer, dentist, truck driver or clerk, cause if you don't come from money, you're gonna have to work. A valid plan is probably to work with what you've got, take a look at yourself and find out what you're good at. Ask yourself what kind of person do you want to be and what's important to you in this society. You can't be whatever you want to be, you can't be whatever you want to be. You can't be whatever you want to be, you can't be whatever you want to be. The world that we all live in is based on capitalism, which means you have to employ practical pragmatism. The market does not care what you dream to be, look at where you're gonna be and pick something they need. I'm not here to discourage you from pursuing your dream, if you got the will and goods, pursue it by all means. It takes talent, luck and hard work for a dream to provide, until then you'll be writer, artist, rock star on the side. You can't be whatever you want to be, you can't be whatever you want to be. Solo! If you're good with numbers, you can be a mathematician. If you've got charisma, you can be a politician. If you've got discipline and balance, be a ballet dancer. If you are patient and a genius, you can cure the cancer. You can't be whatever you want to be, you can't be whatever you want to be. You can't be whatever you want to be, you can't be whatever you want to be. There's nothing wrong with being a convenience store clerk, carpenter or waitress, teacher, garbage man at work. You can't be whatever you want, that much is true, so be the best you can be, cause you can only be you.
4.
39 years 03:21
lyrics
I'm thirty-nine years old, I'm almost forty now, I check the oven three times when I leave the house, and when I reach the road I sometimes turn around, cause I can't recall if I put the garage door down. Old, I must be old, I must be old! Of almost forty years I've been married for ten, the love is going strong, we've got no children. It can't be reproduction, life must be about us and what we make of it, I guess the time is now. Old, I don't feel old, I don't feel old! Forty is coming up, yes it is on its way. I've got my small routines I stick to everyday. Sometimes I think of my folks, where to go from here, I'm turning into them with every passing year. Old, I must be old, I must be old! I'm thirty-nine years old, I'm sort of halfway there, do I go active or decide that I don't care? It might hold together for some more forty years or crumble down the drain because of greed and fear. Old, I'm not that old, I'm not that old! I'm thirty-nine years old and I yet have to peak, there are people twice my age who aren't yet antique. Last week I introduced VHS to some kids, the radio runs Britney Spears under their classic hits! Old, I must be old, I must be old! Old, I'm not that old, I'm not that old! Old, I don't feel old, I don't feel old! Old, am I old? I am not old!
5.
You stand tall in the face of adversity 03:08
lyrics
You don't curl up, you get back up. You don't quit, you see right through the bullshit. You party and dance with the best of them, and when the storm comes you're prepared to face it. You don't back down, you just keep coming! You don't back down, you just keep coming! You don't back down, you just keep coming! You don't back down, you just keep coming! And if your every bone were broken, you'd keep crawling and clawing! And if your every bone were broken, you'd keep crawling and clawing! And if your every bone were broken, you'd keep crawling and clawing! For love! And you stand tall, and you stand fiercely, and you stand tall in the face of adversity. Yes, you stand tall, yes, you stand fiercely, in the face of adversity. You turn your fear to power. You turn your fear to power. You turn your fear to power. You turn your fear to power. Your moral compass never wavers. Your moral compass never wavers. You don't back down, you just keep coming! You don't back down, you just keep coming! You don't back down, you just keep coming! You don't back down, you just keep coming! For love! For you to call in sick you'd have to call in dead. No matter what is coming, you get back up and keep going. You're vicious, you're stubborn and you keep holding on to what you're fighting for like a terrier with a bone! You don't back down, you just keep coming! You don't back down, you just keep coming! You don't back down, you just keep coming! You don't back down, you just keep coming! For love!
6.
I'm hardcore 03:12
lyrics
I'm hardcore, but soft on the outside. I grew up on the East German West side. It was a hard life. Only once a year bananas and never any Marmite. I'm hardcore. I'm hardcore, here in Pictou County: The promised land, ruled by industry. I don't give a fuck cause I got TV, and I like to believe what people tell me. Hardcore, oh so hardcore. I'm hardcore, hardcore, so so hardcore. I've got a bunch of Ho's in my SUV, it's a brand new to me Ford Explorer XLT. I got it on credit, cause that's the way it goes, and having lots of credits fucking wows the Ho's. I wear my pants cut off below the knee, I wear brand name socks that you can't see, cause they end below the ankle, baby. I'm hardcore. Hardcore. I'm hardcore. Oh so hardcore. I'm hardcore. Oh so hardcore. I've got the gold chains and the diamond bling, and every minute the cash goes Ka-ching, cause the people keep coming through the door, cause I'm the hardcore clerk in the convenience store. It's a slam-dunk baby and overkill, I got the fat stacks to pay my wife's telephone bill. I got the mad skills to re-freeze peas, and when I sit on a chair I bend at the knees, ah! Cause I'm hardcore. Hardcore. Oh so hardcore. I'm hardcore. Hardcore. Hardcore. Time for a solo. Rock that flute! I'm hardcore. I am on pizza delivery, cause I'm ice cold, I killed for the recipe, cause believe me, when I say that it's all in the sauce, baby! My baseball hat I wear backwards only. I wash my junk like my mother showed me. I got a wad of cash that I can flash, I got a nodding Elvis on my dash. I'm funky, like a dead raccoon, dead in a puddle in the shadow of the moon. I'm killer, like a pendulum, like a dried out discarded piece of gum, I'm master and I'm Brainiac, I rock this jam like a heart attack, I'm hardcore!
7.
Don't fall under their spell 03:45
lyrics
They put coconut oil in the health food section, even though it is basically vegan lard. They say Nutella is super healthy breakfast action, but the toast it's on is the healthiest part. They don't mention rain forest, that had to make way for palm oil fields, you say that's so far away! You like your almond milk, cause it's healthy and hip. It takes a ton of fresh water to make a single glass ship! Guard your own emotions, and don't believe the hype, most of what they tell you are fabricated lies. They just want you to buy the product that they sell, they don't offer happiness, don't fall under their spell. They want to reach your heart and touch your soul, so you'll love their product and think it's cool. They aim to link their stuff to your memories, because they want to be a part of your identity. But they're just corporations, after your dough! They don't know human value, they don't know love. They don't care about you, they don't have a heart, but you have one, you don't have to take part. Guard your own emotions, and don't believe the hype, most of what they tell you are fabricated lies. They just want you to buy the product that they sell, they don't offer happiness, don't fall under their spell. You've got brand name sneakers and a brand name sweater, cool stuff, you paid big money, does it make you feel better? Now you walk around as human advertising, thinking that's quality, but you're not realizing, that you exchanged your hard-earned cash for stuff a kid sewed together in a dump in Bangladesh. Don't keep going like this, have a break and think! In capitalism, you have to question everything! Guard your own emotions, and don't believe the hype, most of what they tell you are fabricated lies. They just want you to buy the product that they sell, they don't offer happiness, don't fall under their spell.
8.
The meaning of life 02:34
lyrics
If I were to break it down, if I were to remove all those tiny screws, all those tiny screws... If I were to take it apart, and held it to the light, I would surely find, I would surely find: The meaning of life, the meaning of love, I would know what it's all about. The meaning of life, the meaning of love, I would know what it's all about. If I were to scrutinize all the nuts and bolts, and turn them on their heads, and turn them on their heads... If I were to classify what I observe inside, I would surely find, I would surely find: The meaning of life, the meaning of love, I would know what it's all about. The meaning of life, the meaning of love, I would know what it's all about. It doesn't matter anyway. I mean, so many people have already written books about this stuff and didn't get anywhere. The thing is, just surround yourselves with colorful round pillows and symmetrical designs, to get joy out of it, cause in the end it's all about right now and love and life is the same anyway. The meaning of life, the meaning of love. Who cares what it's all about? The meaning of life, the meaning of love. Who cares what it's all about? The meaning of life, the meaning of love. Who cares what it's all about? The meaning of life, the meaning of love. Who cares what it's all about? It's all about right now.
9.
World-renowned watercolor artist 05:47
lyrics
This is the story of Olive. When Olive was little, she just liked to swim, explore the shades of blue and green. Down by the bottom, where the sunlight was dim, and up, where the bright burning sun could be seen. When Olive grew older she found he loved to paint, and an artist she grew up to be. Her brush didn't tremble and her eye was true. They called her Georgia O'Keeffe of the sea. Her famous works were painted in oil, and her works were hailed supreme. She searched for a way so it would not dispel, for water colors were her dream. (And everyone said) Some dreams are just not meant to be (no matter how bad you want it). It is not possible, you see (to do watercolor underwater). Some dreams are unattainable (it is time to be a realist). A fish like you can never be a world-renowned watercolor artist! But Olive was stubborn and refused to give up. She knew: whenever something seems impossible, there are at least 20 different ways to make it happen. She just had not found them yet. She continued to pursue her dream, and as the years passed she faded away from fame, and she became but a tale to people, who spoke of her as of someone who had lost her way, and how it sad it was, because: Her famous works were painted in oil, and her works were hailed supreme. She searched for a way so it would not dispel, for water colors were her dream. (And all the other fish said) Some dreams are just not meant to be (no matter how bad you want it). It is not possible, you see (to do watercolor underwater). Some dreams are unattainable (it is time to be a realist). A fish like you can never be a world-renowned watercolor artist! But then there was an exhibition of brand new watercolors by Olive, the painter! The world was taken by surprise. Yes, she painted this one with extendable arms, and that one wearing an oxygen-mask. And this one she painted in an isolation glove box, and that one in an underwater studio with air locks! Her famous works were now water colors, and her works were hailed supreme. She had found a way so it would not dispel, cause water colors were her dream. (And everyone said) Dreams are always worth dreaming (no matter how unattainable they seem)! It is possible, you see (to do watercolor underwater)! Dreams can totally come true (believe me, because this is proof)! Because even a fish can be a world-renowned watercolor artist! The end.
10.
Blueface McGee 02:45
lyrics
I walked into the room where I thought my wife would be. But when I turned the corner, oh, oh, what did I see? It wasn't her there in her chair, it was Blueface McGee, looking like a Voodoo mask straight from New Orleans. Blueface McGee haunts your dreams, dances 'round the fire where the night birds scream. Blueface McGee is coming for you, eyes, they burn with magic and the face is very blue. My wife had been replaced by this Blueface McGee. I thought I'd make the best of it so I said: excuse me, you seem very magical, are you like a fairy? How about three wishes that you will grant me? Blueface McGee haunts your dreams, dances 'round the fire where the night birds scream. Blueface McGee is coming for you, eyes, they burn with magic and the face is very blue. Blueface said step closer and I did hesitantly. See that washcloth over there? Please hand it to me. I did and Blueface shifted shape right in front of me, and said it's spa night in this house, don't you see?
11.
You're the same and more 02:21
lyrics
Everything that you know is different now from before. You are not what you were. Life is not what it was, it's different now from before, life is not what it was. Yet despite all this change, you're still the same at your core. You're still the same and more. Something's now in your life, that you did not ask for, it is now in your life. Sometimes it knocks you down, with overwhelming force, sometimes it knocks you down. Yet despite all this change, you're still the same at your core. You're still the same and more. Yet despite all this change, you're still the same at your core. You're still the same and more. Still the same and more. Still the same and more. Still the same. Still the same beautiful human. Still the same beautiful human. The same beautiful human.

about

After years of not recording anything I happily took advantage of having the house to myself for a couple of weeks in the summer of 2018. There was a pile of ideas and half finished lyrics to dig through and some new equipment to get the hang of. I even bought a new-to-me electric guitar off of a guy in a Wentworth parking lot, because I couldn't get the right sound distorting my trusty acoustic guitar (something that had worked quite well on previous recordings). The title sort of established itself after I read somewhere that "moppet' is a term to describe a a "small endearingly sweet child". Little fledglings, I thought, just like my songs.

credits

released September 15, 2018

Written & recorded by Brato Useba, in WB, Nova Scotia, in August 2018.

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Brato Useba Nova Scotia

I like to write songs. I record them.

Dress sharp. Support the artist @
bratouseba.dizzyjam.com or
bratouseba.threadless.com

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