Reality Is My Play Thing (Double Album)

by Phi Yaan-Zek

supported by

Steve Lawson I have no doubt that come the end of 2018 this will be in MANY people's best of lists. An extraordinary album that weaves something unique out of a musical tapestry that includes Zappa/It Bites/Gentle Giant/Vai/Genesis/Keneally and a whole lot more. Complex without being overly twiddly, hummable even when switching time signature and key every bar (!!) You need to hear this. Favorite track: Abigail's Place.

more...

	/

Digital Album
Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

£12 GBP or more

You own this
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
Double CD in 6 panel full colour digipack with 20 page colour booklet, including additional artwork, photos, lyrics and production credits.

Includes unlimited streaming of Reality Is My Play Thing (Double Album) via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 2 days

£16 GBP or more

You own this
Full Digital Discography Full Digital Discography

20

releases

Get all 20 Phi Yaan-Zek releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%.

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Field Trip EP, Interdimensional Garden Party, The Quiet After The Drums, Deep Roots Fuzzy Shoots, Restful Spaces - Volume One, Holotropic Guitar - 20th Anniversary Edition, Ley Lines VI: Malleable Mechanism, Ley Lines V: Mighty Morphin Tower Rangers, and 12 more. , and , .

Purchasable with gift card

£89.63 GBP or more (25% OFF)

You own this

1.	So The Story Begins 00:38	info	buy track
2.	Abigail's Place 04:59 video	lyrics	buy track
Beyond the starry meadow Where the Moon meets the Sun Seven Sisters gather To welcome everyone A circle from the Heavens Divided into five Discard your fig leaf And step through to feel alive - feel alive We’re going, we’re going, we’re going, we’re going to Abigail’s Place Yes we’re going, we’re going, we’re going, we’re going to Abigail’s Place (x2) - Abigail’s Place The Maiden with her flowers The Hunter with his bow Pointing to the pathway To where the river flows A garden of the ages Lights dancing everywhere The finest jewels of feeling There for us to share - us to share We’re going, we’re going, we’re going, we’re going to Abigail’s Place Yes we’re going, we’re going, we’re going, we’re going to Abigail’s Place (x2) - Abigail’s Place I fly UFOs… I fly UFOs… I fly UFOs… I fly UFOs… I fly UFOs… I fly UFOs… I fly UFOs… I fly UFOs… Feel alive - feel alive We’re going, we’re going, we’re going, we’re going to Abigail’s Place Yes we’re going, we’re going, we’re going, we’re going to Abigail’s Place We’re going, we’re going, we’re going, we’re going to Abigail’s Place Yes we’re going, we’re going, we’re going, we’re going to Abigail’s Place - Abigail’s Place (x2)
3.	Down From The Mountain 04:48	lyrics	buy track
Hiding - from everything I’ve ever left unsaid When regret - can easily be a prison cell Open up - to elements that will stimulate The sun's out - so why still choose to hibernate Coming down from the mountain You can live life again Give up the isolation Don't get stuck in your head Coming down from the mountain Decide what you want to be The heartache gives you the focus To change your reality - change that reality Exploding - like fireworks under the skin My senses - are trying to take it all in A time to - throw all care to the wind My high horse - has taken off a galloping Coming down from the mountain You can live life again Give up the isolation Don't get stuck in your head Coming down from the mountain Decide what you want to be The heartache gives you the focus To change your reality - change that reality Out of my head - you take me out of my head Feeling good instead of dead Out of my head - take me out of my head Feeling good instead of dead It all opens up when you jump off the edge Coming down from the mountain You can live life again Give up the isolation Don't get stuck in your head Coming down from the mountain Decide what you want to be The heartache gives you the focus To change your reality - change that reality - change that reality
4.	Me, The Doorway And The Metasequoia Glyptostroboides 01:00	info	buy track
5.	Kindling 04:30	lyrics	buy track
Rekindle the fire That childhood desire Life was your play thing Each feeling had wings They came to deceive Selling their bitter sweets A state of decay Moulded to their way Living someone else’s life Wed to regret, clothed in sorrow Have to change don't realise Can't postpone it till tomorrow A life of control The troll has his toll Feed fear to the herd What's normal is absurd You're losing the pulse Your dreams become dust Can't lie to yourself Inside Is your wealth Living someone else’s life Wed to regret, clothed in sorrow Have to change don't realise Can't postpone it till tomorrow Programs to over ride A spark inside Potential energy You're more than you seem Rekindle the fire Your childhood desire A stick for the pile To find that lost child Living someone else’s life Wed to regret, clothed in sorrow Have to change don't realise Can't postpone it till tomorrow
6.	Frequency Calling 05:16	lyrics	buy track
No signal - seems broken Your messages - forgotten So borrow - this radio And allow your - dreams to flow Ever fearing - hidden danger Interference - makes us strangers These horizons - oceans apart Destination - always takes me to my heart Aah, haah, haah - your frequency’s calling Aah, haah, haah - your frequency’s calling Small labels - small boxes It leaves me - unconscious We’re shrinking - please say when You’re head’s full - of spam again In your smile - time moves slowly All the while - you do know me Interactions - from afar Destination - always takes me to my heart Aah, haah, haah - your frequency’s calling Aah, haah, haah - your frequency’s calling Aah, haah, haah - your frequency calling Aah, haah, haah - this frequency’s calling Dreaming sunshine - by your side Recognising - we can't hide Strong attraction - where you are Destination - always takes me to my heart Aah, haah, haah - your frequency’s calling Aah, haah, haah - your frequency calling Aah, haah, haah - your frequency’s calling Aah, haah, haah - this frequency calling
7.	Fanfare For The Magnetically Challenged 00:17	info	buy track
8.	The Magnetic Victory 05:59	info	buy track
9.	Break The Ice 04:05	lyrics	buy track
Sometimes I feel I wanna cry Let it out with a sigh No matter how hard I try It always stays stuck inside My confidence went on holiday And left a note for me to say I'll be back when you learn to trust Cos you create your own bad luck And I'm the tin man from Oz Looking for the heart he's lost Wanting to take the risk But moments are always missed I’m frozen to the spot The land that time forgot Turned my back on life Trapped in low fahrenheit And I gotta do anything just to break the ice Colder when I look away Never let you have a say I’ll pretend you’re unattainable When I'm the one who's unavailable Make of it what you will The cure’s in a sugar pill Things don't always click I know Learn the lesson and let go And I'm the tin man from Oz Looking for the heart he's lost Wanting to take the risk Moments are always missed I’m frozen to the spot The land that time forgot Turned my back on life Trapped in low fahrenheit And I gotta do anything just to break the ice Found a coin in my shoe today Must be a sign not to loose faith No need to pay for each step I take It’s no big deal to make mistakes And I'm the tin man from Oz Looking for the heart he's lost Wanting to take the risk Moments are always missed I’m frozen to the spot The land that time forgot Turned my back on life Trapped in low fahrenheit And I gotta do anything just to break the ice Yes do anything just to break the ice
10.	The Ocean Within 01:00	info	buy track
11.	Wondrous Self 04:36	lyrics	buy track
This stone I throw into the ocean Connecting the dots, she's there in feeling Each wave reveals the hidden places Inner landscapes that she embraces Come back to me Like to dream it again you see Come back to me Oh what's the secret Love to feel it Love to know it Everything Opening to that Wondrous Self Wondrous Self Wondrous Self Wondrous Self Catching the clues, edge of my vision Your language has new, many new dimensions Dissolved by a smile into the Ether How can I talk by keeping silent? Come back to me Like to dream it again you see Come back to me Oh what's the secret Love to feel it Love to know it Everything Opening to that Wondrous Self Wondrous Self Wondrous Self Wondrous Self Come back to me Like to dream it again you see Come back to me Oh what's the secret Love to feel it Love to know it Everything Opening to that Wondrous Self Wondrous Self Wondrous Self Wondrous Self
12.	Subtle 04:12	lyrics	buy track
Keep your head in the clouds Emotions underground It’s solitary confinement While standing in a crowd Bombarded by their choices Become desensitised Have to close my eyes to feel what's real Beneath the fear and lies It hides in the subtle It hides in the subtle Crossfade into twilight The sandman hits his mark There's a calling sign upon the door For the glowing ones who pass A faint haunting melody Lingers in the air The clocks all stop and fall apart Sparks appear from nowhere It hides in the subtle It hides in the subtle It hides in the subtle It hides in the subtle All activity ceases Conformity starts to wake The reality police will tell you That what you saw didn't take place It hides in the subtle It hides in the subtle It hides in the subtle It hides in the subtle
13.	Sapphire Bent 01:06	info	buy track
14.	The Killer Of The Spontaneous 04:56	lyrics	buy track
Got me armour-plated But inside I'm so frustrated With rusted ball and chain I'm hostage to this hidden pain Who took out all the fun? This heaviness kills momentum Easy to play it safe But all that's left is empty space Meet the killer of the spon-t-t-t-taneous The killer of the spon-t-t-t-taneous Who wants to pay the fine? When bureaucrats run the mind Act out what they want Rubber stamp each response Indulge in some Tourette’s Grated cheese melts the best It’s PC overload Who's gonna play the scapegoat? Meet the killer of the spon-t-t-t-taneous The killer of the spon-t-t-t-taneous Gotta find a way To break out of automatic And know how I really feel... Gotta find a way To break out of automatic And know how I really feel... Meet the killer of the spon-t-t-t-taneous The killer of the spon-t-t-t-taneous The killer of the spon-t-t-t-taneous Meet the killer of the spon-t-t-t-taneous Gotta find a way To break out of automatic And know how I really feel... Gotta find a way To break out of automatic And know how I really feel... Gotta find a way To break out of automatic And know how I really feel... Gotta find a way To break out of automatic And know how I really feel...
15.	Threads 03:55	lyrics	buy track
Aah gently weavin’ Back and forth I go Mmm spin another yarn With new clothes to show Spend my moments A picking at the holes Until there's nothin’ Nothin’ left at all If I was honest for just one time You would see through my disguise There would be nowhere left to hide I feel these threads tuggin’ deep inside, intertwined, my hands are tied What say, you today? Pins and needles Stimulate the skin These snagging feelin’s Unravelling at will I’ll spend these moments Picking at those holes And still there's nothin’ Nothin’ left at all If I was honest for just one time You would see through my disguise There would be nowhere left to hide I feel these threads tuggin’ deep inside, intertwined, my hands are tied If I was honest for just one time You would see through my disguise There would be nowhere left to hide I feel these threads tuggin’ deep inside, intertwined, my hands are tied, so no more lies, let's get wise, explore the skies, feel new highs, win first prize, kiss your thighs, and then decide? What say, you today?
16.	Poliphilo 01:01	info	buy track
17.	Alive 03:46	lyrics	buy track
Here and now is all Bounce back from the fall Circumvent my head A new world to invent Wanna be alive Gonna dive into this feeling Wanna be alive Its time to wake up screaming Wanna be alive Gonna dive into this feeling Wanna be alive Kick start my very being, being, being Turning into a zombie I got to find the real me And ooze into the zone Embrace my flesh and bone Wanna be alive Gonna dive into this feeling Wanna be alive Its time to wake up screaming, screaming Wanna be alive Gonna dive into this feeling Wanna be alive Kick start my very being, being, being, being, being, be! Wanna be alive Gonna dive into this feeling Wanna be alive Its time to wake up screaming, screaming Wanna be alive Gonna dive into this feeling Wanna be alive Kick start my very being, being, being, being being, being, being, being being, being, being, be!
18.	Reality Is My Play Thing 05:16	info	buy track
19.	So The Story Continues 00:36	info	buy track
20.	Inner Navigation 07:20	info	buy track
21.	Dragonfly Medicine 03:43	info	buy track
22.	Valencia Orange 00:35	info	buy track
23.	Eleven Wandering Mystics 04:57	info	buy track
24.	Bold Apparition 03:10	info	buy track
25.	The Oz Factor 01:01	info	buy track
26.	Le Fétiche Du Toit 01:13	info	buy track
27.	The Jumbleberry Fiddlestick Folly 04:38	info	buy track
28.	Anthem For A Breakaway Civilisation 01:24	info	buy track
29.	Beneath A Canopy Of Susurrant Stars 04:15	info	buy track
30.	Subterranean Empires 05:17	info	buy track
31.	Cryptic Terrestrials 01:30	lyrics	buy track
“Imagine a gravity wave similar to the electromagnetic gravity wave that the Earth produces. The technology has existed for a long time to phase shift that wave, so that it will work against the natural gravity wave of the Earth. One of the many offshoots of this knowledge is the production of a craft capable of generating its own gravitational field. Being inside such a field doesn't exactly shield you, but fundamentally you are in… and this may be a rather strange way to say it… but it’s almost a different realm.”
32.	Also Sprach Die Kiwi 01:06	lyrics	buy track
And the kiwi fruit said: “We’re delish, Eat us today, We’re part of the fabric, With which you can play.”
33.	One Of The Weirdest Things Just Happened... 03:28	lyrics	buy track
Next saved message, received today at 5:45pm: “Alright Phi, it’s Matt here, just thought I’d give you a quick call. One of the weirdest things just happened! I can’t make any sense out of it cos er… Just I’m stood out in the cold at the moment, freezing my bollocks off, near Avebury, underneath this little copse of trees and er… Coming back from work and I saw these two stars, that looked really weird… And then um… I saw these other couple of stars I didn’t recognise. I got out of my car and this, just this huge black object just went over the, glided over the top of my head… It was kind of cylindrical or disc shaped, which is big black object with two little lights on each end. It just went right over my head, it didn’t make any sound at all. Didn’t (have) no winker light, it wasn’t a plane, I don’t know what the fuck it was. It’s just… totally crazy and I just wanted to er share that with you really cos er it’s so weird. One of the weirdest things just happened. I can’t make any sense out of it. I’ll give you, might give you a call back sometime. I was just… anyway, I wanted to speak to someone, stood in the middle of a field at the moment looking at the night sky. I’ll try and catch you a bit later. Hope you’re well. OK take care mate, bye.” To return the call at your normal call rate, press hash.
34.	Don't Detune 00:58	info	buy track
35.	Solar Heart Connect 07:38	info	buy track
36.	Reality Is My Strange Thing 15:41	info	buy track

about

This expansive double album of genre-bending progressive tracks unites Yaan-Zek with a bunch of his long-time friends who happen to be a collection of the world’s most respected and revered instrumentalists. Reality… sees the continuation of Phi’s 15 year collaboration with global drum superstar Marco Minnemann (Steven Wilson, Aristocrats). Virtuoso keyboardist Lalle Larsson (Karmakanic, Anderson/Stolt) has a connection to the Phi’s story that runs even deeper, having worked with him since the early 90s. Rounding out the core band are Zappa band legend Mike Keneally on keyboards, vocals and guitar, and bassist-to-the-stars Bryan Beller providing the signature lowend presence that has underpinned records and tours by Satriani, Vai, Dethklok and The Aristocrats for the last two decades.

Recorded in the UK and Southern California Reality Is My Play Thing is an exhilarating blend of the intricate-yet-accessible west coast rock of Frank Zappa or Steely Dan together with a distinctly British off-kilter eccentricity (XTC, Gentle Giant, Cardiacs) married to the sweeping cinematic grandeur of Steven Wilson or even John Barry. The 11 year gestation has yielded an epic project - the core double album (expanded to a triple album for the special edition!) has two distinct halves - one disc is vocal and the second mostly instrumental. Maintaining a balance between accessibility and at times intense instrumental complexity, the entire set has a deeply cohesive feel that rewards deeper listening.

‘Music has its own timing’ says Phi, ‘I mean I have been releasing other albums since my last solo album Solar Flare in 2005’. There’s two albums as part of Marco Minnemann’s Normalizer Project, and 3 albums with Ley Lines, an improvising prog-fusion trio with IQ/Frost* drummer Andy Edwards and bassist Steve Lawson.

“Going against a world of instant gratification, this album needed the time to develop and gestate into something unique and beautiful. It’s about having the patience to let something evolve naturally. Besides I’m still working on albums I started over 20 years ago now!”

Available as a download in multiple formats, including high resolution 96k 24bit wav files, plus double CD and triple disc set editions.

credits

released June 21, 2018

Phi Yaan-Zek - vocals & guitar
Marco Minnemann - drums
Bryan Beller - bass
Mike Keneally - vocals, keyboards & guitar
Lalle Larsson - piano, electric piano & hammond organ
Ola Olsson - trumpet & flugelhorn
Murphy McCaleb - bass trombone
George Sleightholme - clarinet & bass clarinet

All music and lyrics written by Phi Yaan-Zek

Mixed by Phi Yaan-Zek at Sci-Phi Studios and Sylvan Studios

Mastered by Tim Debney at Fluid Mastering

Produced by Phi Yaan-Zek

Catalogue Number: AOWDL007

license

about

Phi Yaan-Zek UK

Join in the playful otherworldly psychedelic prog jazz fusion musical adventures of Phi Yaan-Zek and his band of merry mutant music making friends.

contact / help

Contact Phi Yaan-Zek

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account