(In other words don't email me comparing this to your cupcakes alternate ending fics!)
You can find the embed after the break!
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This is a fully vocalized, 20 minute song all about Pinkie Pie's slow descent into insanity. I usually don't post anything even remotely related to Cupcakes outside of it's little corner on the blog, but this is definitely impressive, so I think I can let it slide.
(In other words don't email me comparing this to your cupcakes alternate ending fics!)
You can find the embed after the break!
Something Broke: The Continuing Tale Of Pinkie Pie and Ponycide by George Desroches III Share This!
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179 comments:
*cries*
ReplyDeleteWoah... -cuddles Pinkie-
ReplyDeleteSad Pinkie makes me wish I could hug her.
ReplyDeleteSo... Happy Pinkie is best Pinkie
Okay... I'll only listen to it once somepony tells me it has a happy ending.
ReplyDeleteOkay this is pretty epic. About half way through right now, and there is a BLUES SECTION!
ReplyDeleteI first heared this during toastbeared.since then it has become my favourite song. Thanx tarby gor this masterpiece
ReplyDeleteOne word.
ReplyDeleteEpic.
I love this fandom.
Holy horseapples...
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough, that song has the exact same theme as the next part of the fanfic Seth is referring to, lol.
ReplyDeleteYEAH! George! Keep up the awesome work brony!
ReplyDeleteOh hello my song, nice to see you here with your own post. o.o
ReplyDeleteNeedless to say, this was, at the very least, unexpected. enjoy! xD lmfao
Also, is there any way to change my name on this thing? <.< I'd like it to read "Tarby" instead of my real name haha
Those parodies of "Art of the Dress" and "Cupcakes" are unbelievably freaking brilliant. So many chills. Ahhhhhhhhh, I can't stop listening back over it!
ReplyDeleteWell, I sat and listened through the whole piece. And whoa. This is very well made indeed. Especially considering how long it is.
ReplyDeleteThis also reminded me of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, for some reason. Maybe it's his voice or something Or how it's specifically done. Makes me think musical.
Anyhow, very nicely done.
I couldn't stop listening to this since I first heard it last week. Hahaha.
ReplyDelete@Octavia
ReplyDeleteThe inspiration behind the spoken word parts was the Criminologist from RHPS. and thanks!
It kinda reminds me of the askpinkamina tumblr...and since I LOVE that tumblr to bits, this song is now officially in my permanent playlist - FOOOOREVER! :P
ReplyDeleteGood stuff - I love a little dark now and then! <3~
....
ReplyDelete...wow.
@Octavia
ReplyDeleteExactly! This would make a great musical.
"Now you take a nap" (16:50ish) *chord*
ReplyDeleteO.O I was starting to get over the disturbing part too....
Noo Pinkie! We love you! You have nothing to be sad about <3
ReplyDeleteI've been laughing at this for five minutes straight, just because I'm so amused that somebody would do this. And I'm not being derisive at all here, this is wonderfully absurd.
ReplyDeleteJust finished, and it was pretty awesome. Perfect inspiration, too...
ReplyDeleteholy shit. that Art of the Dress part... creeeeepy. REALLY wish it was its own individual song!
ReplyDelete.....I hate you.
ReplyDeleteYou should not bring emotion and "Cupcakes" together, it feels horible! Can't you at least use your epic music skills to create a song that dosen't talk about the most horible fanfic My Little Pony has? Fuck...
@Viraus
ReplyDeleteI'll be honest, this is the best comment I think I've received for it yet. xD
Reminds me of something one of Mike Patton's projects would make, which is nothing but awesome.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't make out the lyrics and narration at times, is it possible to hang a transcript somewhere on the internets?
ReplyDelete@Delichon
ReplyDeletethe entire transcript is on the soundcloud page, just click the link below the embed.
@BalaklavaPony
ReplyDeleteScratch the above comment, THIS IS THE BEST COMMENT I'VE RECEIVED. probably ever.
Honestly this is fantastic, its like Sweeney Todd, except with ponies!
ReplyDeleteListening to this, all I could think about was askpinkamina…and I loved every second of it. My hat goes off to you.
ReplyDelete@George DesRoches
ReplyDeleteHahaha, thanks, I'm glad you didn't misunderstand it, I'm seriously overjoyed that this is even a thing.
Especially the dark reprises of Stitching it Together and Cupcakes, that was pretty brilliant.
Now I really just want someone to go through this and pick out all the homages and influences here, it sounds like the kind of thing that's just stuffed with 'em. There's some Rocky Horror Picture Show and Pink Floyd, definitely.
Highly enjoyable. The vocals worked best when they were extreme (the lo-fi production on them worked well), in my opinion, but that could easily just be my taste. Some of the orchestrated elements weren't so nice, but the rest ranged from fine to great. The metal-ish sections were kinda simplistic and I sort of felt like they might have benefited from a more funeral or drone doom sound - still fairly simple to play, but much more intense and memorable. Overall, though, it's as I said: highly enjoyable, and equally ambitious. Good job.
ReplyDelete@George DesRoches you sir, are a god
ReplyDeleteAh, my need for metal is satisfied.
ReplyDeleteOf course doom metal would have been preferable, but 'tis a start.
There was a part in there that reminded me of Red Hot Chili Peppers. That made the whole song for me XD
ReplyDeleteReally like how the song picks up on Art of the Dress and Cupcakes. Quite an intense piece of work, that.
ReplyDeleteShit, this gets its own post?? Of course it does. It deserves it.
ReplyDeleteI'm scared to click because of the description, should I listen if cupcakes still hurts?
ReplyDelete@Flutterfan
ReplyDeleteThe way I'd describe it, it's a psychological thriller as compared to a full out gore flick. I hate cupcakes, but the idea of what could actually bring pinkie to that level was fascinating, so it's not very gory (a few references to blood, but besides that it's a LOT more tame than the actual fanfic).
If you liked REPO: The Genetic Opera, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Sweeny Todd, or anything along those lines, I think it's safe to say this'll be right up your alley
@Flutterfan it's worth it.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds, to me, as though Rick Wakeman was doing the music for REPO! The Genetic Opera, had ponies on the brain, and did this to get them out of his head.
ReplyDeleteExtremely well done, and this is coming from someone who has nothing but some form of contempt for Cupcakes. As a result of that I enjoyed the closing segment with Rainbow least of all, but that's entirely due to the subject manner and has no bearing on the excellent execution.
Oddly enough, I'm actually quite a fan of Ask Pinkamina Diane Pie, so I'm thinking that I don't mind psycho murderer Pinkie as long as it's not major characters she's taking down. Oddly picky, I know, but there it is.
But yeah, 11/10 on this. 10/10 for the actual song, and a bonus point for actually making something based off cupcakes that I somehow was able to enjoy.
So glad this is Out Of Character. I wouldn't have ever liked the show if this really was pinkie's mentality. From the snippets I skimmed through I can see Gore fans will like this. I mean, reworking the lyrics of Art Of Dress to being bloody is definitely something I won't hear in its entirety.
ReplyDelete@Tsitra360
ReplyDeleteYou're really misreading it. Its not gore, like honestly its fantastic. You're missing out by not listening.
Oh, God...
ReplyDeleteI kept imagining that "Ask Pinkamena Diane Pie" Reddit during it.
Very Well made, fun way to spend 1/3 of an hour.
this needs a video...
ReplyDeleteor requires one.
ReplyDeleteThis is beyond EPIC!!! You just turned something horrible into something amazing!
ReplyDeleteHO...LY... SHIT...
ReplyDeleteThis was brilliant. Cupcakes is its own oddity, but its existence did 2 great things. The Precious Rainbows Alt Fanfic (and I am someone WHO HATES fanfics with a PASSION, and I LOVED IT) and now this AMAZING BEAUTIFUL Prelude. I want to see this synbced with video or something.
The Whole Art of the Dress and Cupcakes song big was... oh god... SOOOO good. Her telling Rainbow she's gonna die. Its SOOO amazingly creepy, with the PERFECT MOOD. This may be the single best thing posted on this whole blog. Its phenominal. A Fucking Plus Plus
Wooooah. I got shivers down my spine at this. Really good, though! For how long it is, I thought it would get boring halfway through, but was I wrong.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant work!
SRSLY. video plz.
ReplyDelete@George DesRoches
ReplyDeleteHah, REPO was the other musical it reminded me of. Then again, Cupcakes all together makes me think REPO.
@Tsitra360 I hate to be that guy, but the song is the process that gets pinkie into a mentality where cupcakes is plausible. at the beginning of the song, and for three segments of it actually, the pinkie pie I describe is the lovable pinkie pie we know from the show.
ReplyDeleteIf merely gore fans like this song, I failed my goal in writing it. No offence to gore fans, but I didn't write it as a gorey song, I wrote it as an explanation, a prologue, for a story that quite frankly is preposterous. I used my fascination with psychology and my love of music to try and give a logical and plausible explanation to a story which, going by every element of the show, is nearly impossible, in a manor which wasn't too grim. I mean, the song was inspired musically by Frank Zappa and musicals xD
I'm not gonna try and shove something down your throat; it's not my place, and I don't want to be the one to turn you off of the show. But trust me when I say, this isn't the cupcakes people have come to know and fear. If it was, I would have named it "Cupcakes", or some variation of that.
OH MY CELESTIA... I don't even know what to say.. I am affected...
ReplyDelete@Matt Dusza
ReplyDeleteThank you for mentioning A Precious Rainbow like that! I'm the collaborator for that series (except for the shipping parts, I ship FlutterDash, lol), and it's awesome to hear the fic mentioned. I'm totally gonna show Miles your comment copypaste.
And your comment motivates me further to get the next part out the door ASAP, as I'm co-writing it. :D
my heart almost burst, well, never listening to THAT again, it was excellent to be honest, you have incredible skill and musical mastery, but I'M TERRIFIED. Also, at the "now you take a nap" I cackled like a mad man, almost woke up my family.
ReplyDeleteWay to take a ridiculous and widely hated fan-fic and make some brilliance. This is seriously awesome. It's really well written and played, and the talking bits between movements remind me of "The End".
ReplyDeleteI love this. A lot.
@Flutterfan
ReplyDeletealso, I just had A LOT of trouble getting up and going to the restroom because of this, in other words Dude, that's creepy!
I never post twice but WOW... I know this wasn't the intention but I am in more horror than I was after reading the dang fic... Either way, this was brilliant.. It felt like an epic. Something like Queen and Pink Floyd mixed with MLP.
ReplyDelete@Ace2401
ReplyDeleteha no prob. Like I said. I HATE fanfics. I have been in many fandoms for different shows, and something about fanfics always rubbed me the wrong way. I have nothing against those that read them or write them, but it was not my thing at all, and wanted no part of it.
Though Cupcakes being what it is to this community, i obviously read it after trying to stay away from it (honestly, because it was a fanfic, not because of the subject matter) And after reading it, I was linked to precious rainbow, and my mind was absolutely blown with how it took the continuation of it. So much passion, and such great delivery.
Its still the only fanfic ive not only tolerated, but liked, and im in love with that side story world. The Wonderbolts Interlude, the Lyra Sidestory, i love it. While Im kind of bummed that the next, and possibly final chapter is going a shipping route, especially same-sex shipping (even more than fanfics, i am not a fan of shipping, unless its for a flat out joke. PS and no, im not a homophobe. infact, i am a very strong supporter for gay rights but thats way offtopic) i will still read it just because of the world its in.
So yes, give Miles my best on the future, and tell him i want to see more of this world, and good luck yourself with yours! I look forward to it.
And yes i know this got long, but since PR is related to cupcakes, its not being posted on ED, which is a HUGE SHAME by the way, so im taking this opprotunity here to talk about it, cause there probably wont be another time or another place
@Derpypaws
ReplyDeleteIt was more terrifying because you read the fic I think, the reason I was shaking the whole time and almost had a heart attack was because I read it and had an idea of where this was going.
@FlutterfanYou're right on... But Even though it's still got those images reeling through my mind, it shows so much credit towards the way this was made. It was my fault for ever reading Cupcakes, and I've never been so discomforted by music, but gosh it's an exciting feeling.
ReplyDelete@Derpypaws
ReplyDeleteI agree completely! It was musical genius wasn't it? Too bad I'm trying not to laugh like a psychopath right now, weird reaction to a feeling of terror eh, unintentionally giggling at the ghostie.
@Matt Dusza
ReplyDeleteI was the same way with fanfiction before too, I never liked it before ponies and now not only am I reading it, I'm writing it XD
I think I can let you know that shipping is not a major part of the next part of the story, it's just a little bit since AppleDash is already a couple. No, the next part of the story os our own interpretation of Pinkie's decline into madness. I'm actually working on it right now.
Wow. I felt pressure on my chest while listening to the part where she starts making the cupcake. Why did I read "Cupcake" in the first place :|
ReplyDeleteBut this is very good! The music changes the mood of the song and you could actually FEEL the song. Very unique indeed
@Matt Dusza
ReplyDeleteOh, and it won't be the last story, but we will be taking a break from the main story line. I probably will however write some of my own side stories for it, including finally getting around to finishing Living the Dream, lol.
AMAZING...that's all that needs to be said.
ReplyDeleteI would have commented how awesome this is but I think all has been said already, so long story short: very good job, 10/10
ReplyDeleteam.. i the only one who couldnt make out what he was singing??
ReplyDelete@RainPinkiePie
ReplyDeleteIf you click the link under the song it takes you to a place with the lyrics.
Jesus god damn.
ReplyDelete@Bejoty
ReplyDeleteI thought i was the only one. I havent by a song like that in a long time
Poor pinkie, a slow descent is never fun :(
ReplyDeletewhen i went insane, it was more like doing a leap of faith from assassins creed.
Shit man. Pretty dark stuff
ReplyDeleteAs said above I got a really distict Rocky horror show feeling through a few pars in there but overall pretty awesome
mind you though i didn't hack people apart.... or do anything violent apart from helping some friends in a bar fight or schoolyard brawl or two. being insane really has its advantages. Confidence is one thing.
ReplyDelete*shivers in a corner, rocking forth and back*
ReplyDeleteCupcakes. Cupcakes.
It's back.
I'll never get rid of it.
It's always here. Lurking in the shadows.
*wraps hands around his head*
MAKE IT STOP !!!
I want my happy innocent ponies back !!!
George, you magnificent bastard! I loved it. We need more progressive.
ReplyDeleteI love this style of music. Great song.
ReplyDeleteThat said, why does everyone torture the poor ponies?!?!? This show is supposed to make me happy Q.Q
this brings back memories of cupcakes. excuse me i must vomit now. *vomits* ok now that that's out of the way... this makes me think kind of myself without the violence. my own descent into madness if you will. albeit, i do not have the same triggers, but i could probably become a pinkamena at a moments notice.
ReplyDelete@Apsuenbwyfer11 oh really? your insane too? i have the same kind of confidence. although i think i have driven myself to insanity just by thinking really...
ReplyDeletecupcakes? what th-
ReplyDelete...
This is amazing!
There were several points in this where I thought I was listening to the Halo soundtrack. And the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
ReplyDeleteMy Little Rush?
ReplyDeleteBy Celestia, that was the most awesome thing I've EVER, EVER, EVER listened. Not intending to listen to it regulary though(or read Cupcakes),because well... Let's say the tense moments made me more than psychologically hurt.
ReplyDeleteThe most creeping part was the "happy" pre-ending though. Just. Absurdly. Creepy.
Now that I have listened this couple of times already I need to add one comment more:
ReplyDeletepart VIII. Hide The Body (Art Of Distress) has the best use of orginal music that I have ever heard in this community.
Someone give this guy a medal of something, He managed to turn an overrated gorefic into something far more beautiful. (creepy and dark but still beautiful).
10:13
ReplyDeleteIs that skull kid from Majora's Mask?
@Marfikent I agree, that type of ominous-orchestral-march thing is one of my favorite types of music anyway, and this pulls it off spectacularly.
ReplyDeleteJeez, you've got me freaking praising something that's partially Cupcakes. You deserve a freakin' medal.
Right around the middle, it almost seemed to have been a part taken straight out of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde or something...
ReplyDeleteThis whole thing though was...odd.
That was absolutely terrifyingly awesome. The analysis of Pinkie's descent into madness was just... indescribably amazing. I have no words... or at least, no words that I'm willing to share in a public medium. Well done, sir, you've broken my vocabulary.
ReplyDelete*insert swearing about how great this is*
Woah. Seriously, this epic is well... EPIC!!! I was getting loads of different influences: Pink Floyd - The Wall, The Who - Tommy, Jeff Wayne's musical version of The War of the Worlds and even a bit of early Genesis. Fastest 20 minutes of my life :D
ReplyDeleteThe Art of the Dress part is the best thing I have heard from this fandom (tied with For the New Lunar Republic).
ReplyDeleteYou are a genius man. PLEASE make a longer version of that part, or its own song, with the same lyrics or something different. ALL MY MONEY.
Okay, honest critique time:
ReplyDeleteGoing in, I got a bit of Dream Theater vibe, which is excellent. The spoken word sections, however, killed the flow a bit for me, I think the transitions could have been handled better. Instrumentally, everything is great except for the metal bits, they were too simple and didn't feel quite epic enough.
Overall, though, it was very well done, and now you've got me wanting to do my own :P
The vocals were a bit too quiet and hard to hear in some places, but that's my only major complaint.
ReplyDeleteI loved the Art of the Dress section, and the reprise of the 7/8 section was great too. The melody was cheerful, but the odd time signature adds a touch of "madness" to it.
The Art of the Dress part was amazing, sent shivers up my spine. I trimmed that part out with Audacity and threw it into my WMP playlist. An actual seperate version of it would be incredible though, just saying. :V
ReplyDeleteMy compliments to the maker.
Yay~ It has my favorite line from the story! "Why do they call it a hacksaw?" *twitch*
ReplyDelete@Arteus Funny you should say - I did exactly that, as well. Using the same programs and everything.
ReplyDelete@George DesRoches
ReplyDelete>REPO
Yessssssssssssssssssss
I've already showered this song with praise on YouTube (where Tarby posted a vid promoting the song and linking to it). It is delightfully demonic, fun, and chillingly cool.
This is in my opinion one of the best things produced in this fandom so far. So much variation in the style of music, and so long. And yes, it gives me shivers at some points.
ReplyDeleteSome parts really plays with my feelings, the Art of Distress, for example.
ReplyDeleteAnyone else reminded of Operation Mindcrime from Queensryche?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Tarby is getting his own post, but how could people possibly be listening to this several times over? This song caused me physical pain when I listened to it the first time. (I unconsciously pinched myself throughout some parts)
ReplyDeletealso...
GEORGE H. DESROCHES III AND TARBY ARE THE SAME PERSON. GET IT RIGHT.
^
Everyone read the part in all caps please.
while this is far from the worst music made by the fandom and you showed incredible technical skill with the music your voice doesn't fit well with the insane and heavy parts and i kinda got booted from my immersion
ReplyDelete@Girugamesh_
ReplyDelete"Is that skull kid from Majora's Mask?"
I think I was busy crying (I'm joking... but I was definitely on the verge) when I listened to this part but yes. I remember the IRC had the same question during the sync listen last Saturday and the answer was yes This is from Majora's Mask. Either that or I dreamt this song up or atleast hallucinated during it.
@Facelessguru Well it WAS made by the same guy who did Ballad of Autumn Dreams. Completely different styles.
ReplyDeleteTHIS! IS! EPIC! and extremely grimdark.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, sh*t got real at 16:35
ReplyDeleteVVVUUMMM VUUMMM VUUUMMM VUUUMMM VUUUMMM VUUMMM VUUMMM
ReplyDeleteThose sounds in the opening were the first thing that gave me chills.
I was kinda dissapoint at the slow-metal areas. o3o Metal and Slow just don't go together.
"And ended up in a rainbow factory" HAH! That was good...
ReplyDeleteI'm only about 5 minuets into it and have to say, this is very good! I'm loving this! Nice job!
I will never be able to recover from this song, never, never, never.
ReplyDeleteI hate the fanfic cupcakes but this song is epic, and also I do think that would drive anypony or person to do that maybe..
ReplyDelete@Overkillius then i'll just have to tuck this away with shadow of the day under "failed experiments"
ReplyDelete...Sweet Jesus have mercy, that was beautiful. It definitely had that REPO vibe to it - first thing that came to mind, actually.
ReplyDeleteIt was verse 5 that really brought me into the song, as I was having trouble hearing the spoken dialogue. The music and vocals were pretty much lacking at this point.
Then the descent into madness began. I could literally reel a video into my head as Pinkie started to snap. It wasn't until Art of Distress did it all come into full view... I was really engrossed, watching Pinkamina at work, and at the end, mutter to herself about vengeance against Rainbow Dash - staring at the blood-caked knife with fire in her eyes.
Then~ the spoken dialogue and "voice-acting" broke me out of the immersion. :< I'unno, it SEEMS appropriate, but those parts always put me off. Maybe it's your voice conflicting with my mind as I try to listen to it in their voices... oh well.
Regardless, you are remarkably talented, and hope to see your future work. Maybe even a revamp of this one, eh?
Damn it! I had killed my temptation to read cupcakes, banished it to the depths of my mind and put in a cage in the place I banished it to!
ReplyDeleteAnd now... now this! You've unlocked the monster's cage. I hope your happy, you bastard.
(It was really good, but still, FFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUU-)
Why does this song make too much sense?
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one who is reminded somewhat of the protomen from this song?
ReplyDeleteThat was incredible. Bravo man. Bravo.
ReplyDeleteI know im not the only one that wants a music video of this.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one who wants a pony-Amnesia crossover? Rainbow Dash as Daniel and Pinkie Pie (in this case Pinkamina) as Alexander? I'd love it!
ReplyDeletePinkie Pie = Party Pony. Pinkamena Diane Pie = PTSD Disaster Pony
ReplyDeleteThis is excellent. I wish I could have understood the vocals better throughout the song, because the lyrics were so well written. Totally worth 20 minutes. :3
ReplyDeleteI was nearly moved to tears, at the sheer awesomeness of this. This is truly a feat: Its filled with musical talent, story, and even musical references to the show. They've given me more than I could have possibly subconsciously asked for, I'm charmed.
ReplyDeleteReminded me of REPO: The Genetic Opera. This is one of the coolest things a brony has ever done in my eyes
ReplyDeleteIs there a version with louder vocals?
ReplyDeletelove this cant stop listening to this since i heard it
ReplyDelete@George DesRoches YES!, somepony else likes Zappa after all these years!
ReplyDeletelol, is there lyrics up anywhere? My headphones are terrible so I was missing words here and there. But overall I loved it so much!
ReplyDeleteI normally never get involved in anything cupcakes related... but this is extravagant. Amazing work brony, you created a masterpiece.
ReplyDeleteThis is the single greatest thing to come out of this fandom. I am in awe.
ReplyDeleteThis made me sick, probably not gonna listen to it again but it was very well done.
ReplyDeleteI was really hungry before I listened to this, but now... the Art of Distress part killed me. Not tired any more either.
ReplyDeleteA Pinkamina rock opera, for lack of a better way to describe it? I'll give it a listen.
ReplyDelete*20 some minutes later*
Holy....
Criminy, I've got chills here (particularly in the send-offs of Art of the Dress and Cupcakes - first time I listened, I physically cringed when it shifted into the Cupcakes part). The lyrics are a little hard to pick out during some of the rock sections, but I have to compare this to... hmm....
Actually, the Protomen strikes me as the closest comparison, particularly given the ongoing plot, the shifts in musical genre, that it's based off a pop-culture phenomenon, and the narrative segments.
Final comment: I think my favorite part is how it ties everything in Pinkie's descent together. Starting it out in Sonic Rainbow was something I hadn't thought of.
And ending it with the same happy, cheerful musical motif it started with was a nasty little twist (okay, so *now* it's the final comment.)
This is, mildly put, skilfully done. I can't even begin to express how much I enjoy this masterpiece of a fandom work. As much as I enjoyed reading 'Cupcakes', no doubt due to my black heart, this piece blew the story away. I relish the musical translation of Pinkie Pie's descent into insanity.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do realise that this is a bunch of actual musical works, but in my case, it makes in no worse.
I've always been fascinated by not only Cupcakes, but the amount of material that has come out of that little evil fanfic, though I've been unsure about how much I really liked it.
ReplyDeleteThis has cemented my opinion that I love it. I'm a sucker for longass songs, and this is twenty minutes of pure musical joy.
I don't know if I can say anything about this piece that has not been said, I can only relate how it affected me, physically.
ReplyDeleteChills, most certainly, but tears and sorrow as well. I know that by the end of the "story" I had to physically unclench my hands, as I had gripped them together in front of my chest as I listened... they are still shaking a bit even now.
Awesome, though as someone else said, I don't know that I would listen again. It was... beautiful, but in a way that I don't think I'd care to repeat.
Was a bit hard to hear the words at times, but the song was very well made throughout.
ReplyDeleteBut I can't enjoy/like the content, not because it's gore, but due to the lack of logic and lore/canon break. (Also, the part where he goes "since she came out of Cloudsdale"? Cloudsdale is a pegasus "city/school", Pinkie is a earth pony, she could almost impossibly have gone there. Also, judging by her childhood, she was likely home-schooled.)
And the mentally crossover just doesn't work too well, since if she aims to make ponies happy, then by making ponies "sadface" (honestly forgot what Pinkie calls non-happy ponies xP) she aims to make others happy conflicts within itself. It would technically work for quite a while, but soon the amount made "sad" would be towering over the ones made happy. (Althou yes, applying logic to a mental breakdown might seem a bit thick haha)
The one part that does make sense in either case however is the fact they are vegetarians, so cupcakes made out of meat would not go well in their digestive system, so here as well it falls short for me. Her cupcakes would not manage to be delicious. (She could possibly cover the flavor with lots of ingredients, but it would still cause distress. (Unless she like, had 1 g in every 100 g or something like that ratio.
But yeah, as a whole: Great effort, but I just can't buy "Pinkie's decent", since it clashes against her "never being able to make them smile again" concept. I can see her torturing/"etc" sure, but for Pinkie, that's where it's drawn for me.
I hope the half-complaint made some sense, didn't aim to rant, just point out a few things.
I both want a music video/art to go with this SO MUCH. At the same time I want visual images of this story to never ever exist.
ReplyDeleteQuite the issue. While you debate it, I'm going to listen again.
Have to admit it. While I don't exactly love zee Cupcakes, this was... scarily good. And while the premise/story doesn't 100% hold up as Kim above mentioned, this is still very well done.
ReplyDeleteSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD.
ReplyDeleteA masterpiece.
Well, I'm impressed. Rather surprised, too.
ReplyDeleteI went into this not quite knowing what to think about it. I almost stopped listening early on; it just wasn't clicking with me, and I couldn't imagine sitting through it for twenty minutes. I don't remember at what point I decided to keep listening, or why, but I did. I listened to the whole thing, read some of the comments here, and then I listened again, and again. I just spent an entire hour listening, transfixed, to a Cupcakes rock opera. That right there is impressive.
On my first listen, my impression was mixed. I loved some parts, hated others, and missed the bulk of the story due to the low volume on the vocals (and, I confess, partly due to playing solitaire while I listened).
Second listen, I gave it my full attention, and caught most of the words, though a few parts were still unintelligible. I'm not sure what changed it for me, but the parts I hated the first time around had grown on me. Maybe it was just that I managed to see the whole picture this time, how each piece fit together.
Finally, I listened one more time, reading along with the lyrics this time. I didn't intend to listen to the whole song again, meaning just to read the garbled parts, but I got carried away again.
So here I am. Somehow I've turned around from nearly hating this song to loving it. I was skeptical, but you won me over. Well done, Tarby. :)
@Kim
ReplyDeleteI believe the line you're referring to is:
"For the first time since Cloudsdale, Pinkie genuinely smiled ..."
It's not implying that she went to school there, but rather referring to the incident in Cloudsdale (seeing the sonic rainboom again and recalling childhood trauma) that set off her mental breakdown.
@Epesi
ReplyDeleteAh, I see, if that was the context, it does make more sense. But like I said, the oratory parts of this is very hard to follow much of the time.
And regarding her trauma, revelation/epiphany and personality, I could see her as a "Batman" so to say. Cupcakes doesn't get it, but I could see her "cupcakes" Gilda for example. Since as stated "She only wants to make ponies smile". So taking out ponies such as Twist wouldn't fit in with that, if you want to take her foalhood into consideration. "Disposing" of bad ponies and other sentient creatures of Equstria? Much more likely as it both reduces the frowns they spread, and the smiles she creates by doing so.
Listened to this driving home through pitch-black country roads after a party...certainly kept me awake!
ReplyDeleteNot sure what I can add to what's already been said, but I certainly enjoyed it. Good job.
Reminds me of the Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence, and some other Dream Theater stuff. I Identify with Pinky in most of the respects of her regarding her paranoia.
ReplyDeleteVery nice
I was pretty iffy on the idea of a "Cupcakes" rock opera- a twenty minute ballad by some young guys about a magical pink horse plunging into the depths of insanity, and turning into a cannibal psychopath? I've read tons of grimdark fics, and the whole idea still sounded silly to me.
ReplyDeleteBut wow, I got to say, this is probably the best thing to come out of Cupcakes.
I loved all the songs: from the Rush(?) inspired opener, to the interpretations of the show's music (especially the take off Art of the Dress), to the menacing industrial/metal at the climax; the lyrics were great, and the story was suspenseful, emotional and delightfully twisted in the way that Cupcakes wishes it was.
The only problem I had was with the singing - now don't get me wrong, these guys did a spectacular job on that too- but the non-narrative parts, where Pinkie is acutally supposed to be talking/singing out loud take me out of the story. In a perfect world, there'd be a female vocalist alongside the male talent.
ha...haha...HAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHA
ReplyDeleteoh god so much emotions... I don't know what to feel.
I tell ya, grimdark stuff is the best thing this fandom gave us.
hehhehe
The upbeat opening and closing segments made me blanch- in a very good way. I also loved the ambiguity as to who she killed during the nighttime sequence (or maybe I'm just too oblivious to notice who it was). Top quality stuff!
ReplyDeleteis it time to go into shock yet?
ReplyDelete@Colegate55 No, you're right, I never reveal
ReplyDeleteAnd to the person (Kim i believe it was) who was commenting on pinkie going against her core personality traits, by killing off random ponies, let me remind you that, by the point that she does it, she has had a complete mental breakdown. The morning after losing her cool and killing off the pony, she cements her sociopathy after taking pleasure in subjecting the customers unwittingly to cannibalism. At this point, the pinkie we know from the show is pretty much dead, or at the very least changed enough that making ponies happy doesn't matter nearly as much as it used to. Even before that, I make it perfectly clear that pinkie has become paranoid of everypony around her, and i tried to imply (though i might not have gotten that across too well) that, during the part before Art Of Distress, pinkie starts to become convinced that everypony has been using her and her willingness and desire to make them happy to their advantage.
"What am I to say? Who will listen anyway?
No one's there for me! No one takes me seriously!
I give and give, and they all use me..."
After that, pinkie could give two shits about whether somepony is happy.
As for the victims i list, I imply that they're of an opportunistic nature:
Twist is a filly. She's young, sorta naive, and has an affinity for sweets, so it's not hard to believe that she was hanging around sugar cube corner, and was MORE than happy to help pinkie out when asked.
Holli Dash (also known as tutti fruity by most fans), cloud kicker, and the other, unnamed ponies were all attacks of opportunity as well. They were just random ponies that pinkie happened to get a chance to snag. As i say in the song, they were "Practice" for Rainbow Dash, who, in her mind, is the person who caused all of these traumatic memories and paranoia to resurface (which, you also need to realize that paranoia and rationality tend to not go that well together. In fact, I'd go so far as to compare them to oil and water.)
To everyone else, I'm almost at 9000 listens. As soon as I get over 9000, I'm gonna start working on remastering the song as well as writing up a full length release based upon it (to the person who compared it to Dream theater's Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence, I actually got the idea for the release-length part two from the album before, Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory).
And, as I've said before, THANKS SO MUCH GUYS XD
@Unknown Sorry. This is tarby. XD Google doesn't like me that much, so it won't display my name anymore and I don't know how to fix it
ReplyDeleteWell, a total mental breakdown is a valid argument, but even most murderers sticks to their core ideas, just very twisted outlooks of what they originally were. My main "meh" over the whole thing is as said the whole, heavy cupcakes reference, since as someone stated in ponibooru a while ago: It is very worked out by now. And I personally never really understood cupcakes too well, mainly since "Why Dash?".
ReplyDeleteI don't mind reading/seeing her getting hurt, killed or even molested, but from a perspective, Twilight would be a more logical victim, she has questioned Pinkie the most, openly have disproved of many of her shenanigans and ignored her when she wanted closure and/or possibly comfort etc. Just my imo, but I think a "snapped" Pinkie would be more likely to chain ponies up and throw them parties, since then they would HAVE to appreciate them, stay and talk with her afterwards, like Twilight nor any other of her "so called friends" ever did. She'd MAKE them into her perfect friends.
I can see why using cupcakes as a template thou since well, it's like using the national anthem or something, very few has not heard it, and it's widely recognized, althou not very interesting to hear again. And as said before: No harm meant, I know you put allot of time and effort into this. I just like to speculate loudly and toss general assumptions around :P
Althou the "ponies can't eat meat" argument is still valid.
And on a random note, I find it quite silly with those that compares "Rocket to in/sanity" to be a "counter weight" to cupcakes. It's almost like a follow up of it, but instead of physical, it's mental trauma. Instead of being tortured by Pinkie, she is tortured by what she did to Pinkie. But eh, I just like when things keep a nice "equal" overall, balance or what to call it.
But ah, overall, any version is about as plausible: psycho, loony case, dream, depressed, rapist, etc or a mix of mentioned. Althou if you'd have picked her as the 5'th option, you would not have allowed it to be published haha.
But would actually be interested with more of these, or a "follow up". I know Fallout: Equstria would have likely been awesome... althou it is likely a bit tooo epic to convert into this heh ^^'
@Kim I reached 9000 listens this morning, and I started working on an outline of a full release. Btw, thank you :P you gave me a plotline. As i said, the rainbow thing was because she was far from rational, as her already existant sociopathic tendencies mixed with paranoia and culminated in a mental break (and because the song was meant to be a prologue to the story, i wasn't planning on taking any liberties that i didn't have to). But with the continuation, I'm planning on typing up any and all loose ends that my song left.
ReplyDeleteAlso, because of the number of requests I've received, I'm taking Hide The Body (Art Of Distress) and making it a single of sorts, extending it a little bit with lyrics that'll also coincide with the following part.
GUYS. This is tarby. Something broke is 5 downloads away from reaching the 1000 download limit
ReplyDeleteTwo things.
1. OMG THANK YOU GUYS SO FUCKING MUCH XD
2. I'm gonna try and find a way around this. As soon as I do, I'll post a video about it on my youtube (http://www.youtube.com/user/TarbyRocks)
@Unknown
ReplyDeleteYou, thanking us? Preposterous! It is us who should be thanking you for such an amazing masterpiece, such a finely crafted story of descent into the darkest depths of a pony's psyche. The emotional discharge alone of a single listen to this musical tale was enough to cement it's very proper place into my all time favorite works of the pony fandom. You're just reaping the scrumptious, ripe fruits of well-deserved recognition you sowed on the exact moment you finished and published such a grandiose piece.
Also, I am verily looking forward to this extended solo release of Hide the Body (Art of Distress), which I have no qualms in admitting is my absolute favorite part of the whole song. Seeing this announcement has made me exquisitely excited. To quote the immortal words of Nietzsche's tale of the Demon of eternal recurrence: You are a god and never have I heard anything more divine!
Please, do keep up the awesome work, Tarby.
@Unknown
ReplyDeleteThank you man! That single will be epic. Btw it would be nice if you keep the Cupcakes part after Hide the Body, that was a greate ending.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI did this in just under a week. It was written for a weekly "Toastbeard" competition. That's part of the reason why i'm so shocked it got as big as it did xD in my mind, it was half assed, so I could finish it in the amount of time given
ReplyDeleteAUGH. I keep coming back for more, reading the new comments, then telling myself "don't you dare click that you know what happened last time". I haven't listened again but I REALLY want to. My fascination with insanity says "YES!" and the rest of me is all "NOPE"
ReplyDelete@Unknown
ReplyDeleteI did? Well, at least I did something of use today then haha xD
And I know it is a plausible thing to happen, it's just a bit worn out as mentioned. (It's sad that even a "stereotypical emo" Pinkie would be more original than cupcakes. But ah well, despite the template you started to work from, you managed to scrape the grime of it and make it manageable :P
Also, tbh, I'd rather see Rarity doing said song, after all: Add some frustration, a breakdown later (likely caused by work, Spike or Pinkie xD), and you'd have a perfectly fine "Fine, if I can't FIND my perfect stallion, I just have to CREATE him". (nothing against the song, it has an intriguing flow too it, sticks original, yet clings to the canon feel of it.
I think insane Rarity would be an interesting plot. It could be based on the dress making episode and maybe she doesn't take the other ponies' criticism so kindly and snaps. I keep imagining her killing them and stitching them up, taxidermy style, then making them wear her dresses. She could even adopt them as separate personalities and talk to them.
ReplyDeleteI dunno, I just think it'd be pretty creepy-awesome because I don't think we've seen Rarity lose it completely in the show. Fluttershy lost it, Pinkie lost it, I just want to see Rarity lose it. She seems to usually be the most composed and calm in most situations so her going nuts would be quite the story
@I'm a shark and @Kim
ReplyDeleteI tossed around the idea of an insanity series, having each of the ponies collapse into insanity (wanted to do Twilight and Applejack the most, to be honest, because nobody really focuses on them losing it. Twilight gets really stressed and applejack pushes herself more than she should, but neither are really cases of "insanity"). The issue is that they couldn't be cannon with each other, especially now that i've done pinkie pie, and i've already promised people and started working on a full release of a part two of the pinkie pie story.
...I have my work cut out for me. This is gonna be fun! xD
I can't wait for the extended "Art of Distress". That bit is one of the creepiest things I've heard. I think that slowing it down really made it hit hard. It gives you more time to think about what she's thinking as she kills that first pony. If you'd left it as upbeat as the original it simply would not have as much impact.
ReplyDelete*crying* and applauding. excellent job! i loved it, and it freaked me out. yay
ReplyDeleteWould be interesting to see tbh :P
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm randomly finding myself doing a "similar" thing with AJ atm, not that she slips into insanity, but that she is bucking some kneecaps. Mainly to give people sumit else then cupcakes to discuss about... for a few days at least hopefully xD
The art of the dress part at 12:00 is just freaking insane.
ReplyDeleteSOUNDCLOUD Y U NO LET ME DOWNLOAD!!!
ReplyDeleteThis song, is beautiful. The build-ups leave a lasting affect on me, specifically Hide The Body (Art Of Distress) and really love this part
ReplyDelete"Everypony loves our main confection
(Make them cupcakes)
So sweet and tasty
(Cupcakes)
Don’t be too hasty
(Cupcakes)
And if they like them
(Cupcakes)
Then I’ll still make them
(Cupcakes)
I trust nopony
(Cupcakes)
They all are phony
(Cupcakes!)
I know my target
(Cupcakes)
I’ll never forget"
With each iteration of the word "Cupcakes" in that above section I get these chills and they're only reinforced by the amazing rhythm and lyrics that make that part up.
Another one of my favorite parts is the part where Pinkie gives Dash the drugged cupcake and says, "Now, you take a nap." The silence that surrounds that text as its spoken really lets that part hit hard.
It's really difficult for me to not go through the whole thing and point out each and every part that makes this an outstanding song.
The wait for the newer version of this that you're working on will be an excruciating one to say the least.
Every art of the dress cover I hear reminds me of this now, fantastic. I especially liked the conjecture on the underlying causes of Pinkie's madness. This disturbed me WAY more than Cupcakes did
ReplyDeleteHey guys, Tarby here. Just so you know:
ReplyDelete1. Art Of The Dress was released as a single on soundcloud. You can find it here: http://soundcloud.com/mistarleadguitar/artofdistress
2. I released Something Broke as an EP, separated into individual tracks on my new bandcamp: http://tarbyrocks.bandcamp.com/ Choose your own price (as low as nothing)
@Kim
ReplyDeleteRegarding the issue of ponies eating meat: I'm no veterinarian, but I'm guessing small amounts of meat could be digested without much problem, and for the cupcakes to pass as such they would have to contain very small amounts.
I think it's worth mentioning that real horses can't vomit, either, and yet baked bads make ponies do just that. There's also Pinkie's brief mention of hot dog eating contests, just to make things extra confusing.
Of course, most importantly, there's the fact that these are magical, rainbow-colored talking ponies we're talking about. :P Being capable of eating meat would be one of their more believable traits, really.
@Epesi
ReplyDeleteActually , they can't really, their digestive system doesn't allow it. It's like someone being allergic to peanuts eating peanuts with the "It's just a little bit of peanuts..." logic. But yeah, having veeery small traces could work. Otherwise they'd still make them rather sick.
And that I knew of, but these are magical pastel colored equines as said xP
She did mention that yes, but she also stated that their diets are completely vegetarian. Thus likely hinting towards vegi hot dogs (which in their world would just be hot dogs)
So currently in my PoV of what I've seen and heard, they can't eat meat without suffering the consequences.
And yes, I do take stuff like this too seriosly xD
Why haven't I commented?
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh. This piece is so effin'-tastic!
Its an opera, its genius. Effin' chills man. It gave me chills.
The Art of Distress is such a good climax.
Why can't I stop listening to this... Oh Celestia! How did it get onto my iPod!?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteKinda late into the comments on this, but I must admit, this song is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThe first time I heard it was on a podcast by accident, while tired, late at night, alone in the back of a car trying to catch a quick nap. I literally had no idea what I was listening to and threw off my headphones out of fright.
I later found the song and listened to it to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. It is perfectly awesome horror.
Kudos
FINALLY. I saw this once, but couldn't find it again.
ReplyDeleteCupcakes is best alternate universe.
ReplyDeleteBuckin' awesome...totally needs a video...
ReplyDelete@johnlmonkey
ReplyDeleteOf course it would be an awesome musical! I would love to see this animated!
This is the brony version of something King Diamond would write, and King Diamond kicks ass!!!
ReplyDelete