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Bumper Book of Mystery Stories

by I Am The Manic Whale

supported by
Christophe
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Christophe Beautiful melody, great music.
Musique complexe. difficile de faire plus riche. Tous les morceaux sont excellents. Favorite track: Ghost Train (part 1).
Mills
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Mills I Am The Manic Whale’s triumphant fourth album “Bumper Book of Mystery Stories” deftly navigates and overcomes the challenges inherent to the concept album: combining clever storytelling and thematic delivery with an engaging musical presentation.

Full review: millstreampark.com/i-am-the-manic-whale-bumper-book-of-mystery-stories-2023-album-review/ Favorite track: Nautilus.
paliojen_black
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paliojen_black I love this! The true art of story telling through music... Favorite track: Ernő's Magic Cube.
Eleventh Earl of Blah
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Eleventh Earl of Blah An excellent album that embraces the storytelling traditions of prog with gusto. The music is quirky, exuberant, rich in childhood nostalgia, and expertly performed. Hard to pick a favourite, but that joyous homage to Rubik's Cube just edges it for me, over the Jules Verne-inspired "Nautilus". Favorite track: Ernő's Magic Cube.
dankpeth
dankpeth thumbnail
dankpeth The kind of goofy, lighthearted, and fun prog that hooks you immediately, yet still slowly grows in your mind over time, surprising you with its depth. Amazing! Favorite track: Nautilus.
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  • Get the CD album and the book for a bargain bundle price of £20.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Bumper Book of Mystery Stories via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days

      £20 GBP or more 

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Packaged in a gorgeous deluxe cross-shaped digipak, with ten panels of beautiful artwork finely crafted by Sarah Joy (Random Panda) and with full album lyrics, credits and sleeve notes in a 24 page booklet. This is the version of the album you need to have!

    Pre order now for delivery on or around July the 7th
    Images show a mockup of the artwork.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Bumper Book of Mystery Stories via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days

      £12 GBP or more 

     

  • Book/Magazine

    CLIMB ABOARD THE GHOST TRAIN…

    …where each stop will bring you to a new, terrifying tall tale.

    Medical premonitions… vivid dreams… a musical instrument which renders its listeners catatonic… a curious invention capable of changing your thoughts… mysterious connections between the past and the future…

    The fourteen short stories within these pages have been lovingly crafted by the members of I Am The Manic Whale to accompany the Bumper Book Of Mystery Stories album. Some are inspired by folklore and historic events; others are so fantastical that they can surely only be true… together they form a brand new compendium of mind-bending mystery accompanied, of course, by just a small drop of humour.

    Join us - allow your very face to be startled and your mind befuddled at every engaging turn on a thrill ride where laughs, goosebumps, shudders - and perhaps the occasional nightmare - come fully guaranteed.

    200 page paperback book containing 16 short stories written by the band.

    -Not final artwork-
    ... more
    ships out within 3 days

      £10 GBP or more 

     

  • T-Shirt/Shirt

    It's a lovely burgundy-coloured tee shirt with the album title logo emblazoned loudly across the front.
    You want one.
    YOU WANT ONE!

    Please note that our office team won't be able to post out tee shirts until Monday 7th of August due to holidays.
    ships out within 3 days

      £15 GBP

     

  • Chose a song that you like and a member of I Am The Manic Whale (to be allocated at random) will have a stab at recording you an acoustic style cover version of it. Song must be under 5 mins. We're not recreating all of Supper's Ready for you!

      £100 GBP or more 

     

  • One member of Manic Whale will chat with you on Zoom for up to 60 mins.
    If you like, we can offer you an instrumental lessons. Michael, Ben and John are all music teachers for realz.

      £100 GBP or more 

     

  • We will come to your house
    We will bring acoustic instruments (and keyboard)
    We will sing several songs
    We will go away again afterwards (we promise)
    If you are more than 100 miles away from London, could you drop us a message first?
    We might still be able to do the concert, but may need a bit more for travel costs.
    4 remaining

      £400 GBP or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

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

      £8 GBP  or more

     

  • Bumper Snare Head of Mystery Stories PRE ORDER

    Grab one of the snare drum heads used on the actual recording or I Am The Manic Whale's Bumper Book of Mystery Stories. 2 available. We will all sign it for you.

    Sold Out

  • Bumper sticks of mystery stories - PRE ORDER

    Get your hands on a pair of Manic Whale drum sticks that were used to record the Bumper Book of Mystery Stories. We will attempt to sign them for you, though drum sticks are quite small.

    Sold Out

1.
Since you ask me for a tale of such horror ‘twill curdle your very blood Since you ask me for a fantastic mystery that will befuddle your mind Since you ask me for rip-roaring adventures both to excite and amaze Since you ask me for surprises you can not explain Climb aboard - this is the scariest ride you’ve ever had Climb aboard - you might not survive or you might just go mad Climb aboard - we’ll take you to places you don’t want to go Climb aboard - it’s not really an option, you can not say no (you can’t say no) Each stop will take you around and about to another mysterious place Each stop will take you to a fresh new mystery that surely will startle your face Just sign right here so we can be sure you can’t claim that you haven’t been warned I can see it’s already too late as you’re climbing on board Climb aboard - there’s horrors galore they’ll make you terrified Climb aboard - don’t bring your children, do not bring your bride Climb aboard - we’ll take to places you don’t want to go Climb aboard - try as you might you just can not say no
2.
Patient AB 06:08
Please don’t be afraid at the sound of my voice I know it must be shocking to hear me in your head My friend and I we used to work at the hospital for children And we would like to help you oh, we want to help you oh To show you that we can be trusted to help No doubt you think you’ve gone mad (you have not gone mad) Review these three pieces of new information You could not have known before (you’ll see we’re sincere) Please take our advice as soon as you can There is something very wrong and you need treatment now Go to this address and ask for a scan, your brain is inflamed And the people there can help you, they have skills to help you We’re sorry that you’ve heard the worrying news They’ve found a malignant mass (try not to be scared) We’ve heard that you’ve been recommended for surgery - and we agree (we warned you because we cared) We’re so pleased that we could be able to help you… goodbye
3.
How long did you stand upon that bridge Wondering if what you saw was true? How long did you know you’d have to wait Before a second dreamer came to you? Tired from many days you’d walked the road to the middle of London Town (you’ve been standing there three days now) He gave the clearest vision of the buried treasure he had found In your Swaffham garden ground Dreamer you’ve been walking so long on your own Hope grows stronger still though you’re worn to the bone Let the family laugh and the onlooker groan There’s a dream that a fortune couldn’t buy How long did you dig that flipping hole? Did you think you’d finally lost your mind? You’d walked every mile back home again from the middle of London Town (didn’t even notice the miles) Your backyard forever blessed the town that watched you following your dream (following your dream) You literally followed your dream! Dreamer you’ve been digging so long on your own Faith was stronger still though you’re worn to the bone Let the family laugh and the onlooker groan There’s a dream that a fortune couldn’t buy Never take for granted the time you can afford Look at all you’ve learned in the miles that you’ve toured Now you’re home again to see its old glory restored It’s a dream that a fortune couldn’t buy Dream on my dreamer And your dream came true It’s a dream that a fortune couldn’t buy
4.
Six from the left and two down, back in the study won’t you Push on the wooden panel to find the space behind Reveal the secret lever that opens up the floor In the forbidden bedroom, back of the walnut wardrobe Press top right in the corner, squeeze in the space behind Swing back the board that opens into a hidden door Iron staples in the rock face, some are rusty watch your step Hold the torch between your teeth to keep your hands free As we descend into the darkness Where will this secret passage lead us? (the adventure has begun) Into the ruined light-house or down the wreckers' way? (time for subterranean fun) Where will this secret passage lead us? (where will it take us to?) While there’s a story to be told, wait for adventure to unfold Adventure will unfold Back at the Dolphin Hotel, climbing the creaking stairway Right up into the attic, inside our secret room Who has the rusty key that unlocks the secret door? Found a box of ageing papers, some are letters some are maps Will we find the hidden clue that opens up the casement? We descend into the darkness Where will this secret passage lead us? (the adventure’s underway) To an old castle on an island unexplored? (time for subterranean play) Where will this secret passage lead us? (where will it take us now?) There’s still a story to be told, and the adventure will unfold Adventure will unfold Free wheeling down the hillside, knapsacks on our backs (the dog can barely keep up) No adult supervision for several weeks on end (we’ll stop for choc-ices soon) Watching birds and trailing strangers, we’re lost in the catacombs Crack another ginger beer, organise a rescue and be True to each other, whatever happens always… It’s the end of the adventure, escaped the crooks and foiled their plot Sandwiches and hard-boiled eggs, until this time next year when we descend into the darkness Where did the secret passage lead us? (the adventure is all done) Up to the lonely farmhouse and down to smuggler’s cove (no more subterranean fun) Where did the secret passage lead us? (where did it lead us to?) And now the story has been told and the adventure has unfolded right before your eyes I hope the ending came as a surprise Was it a surprise?
5.
It’s true that no-one’s boy is ever only just a boy but you had a wisdom even so And no-one’s time is only ever theirs alone but you knew so much of long ago (It should all have been so innocent) Could it be no-one’s life is only ever just their own? You were so excited on that day by ancient Roman digs It was just as though your eye saw pathways into worlds gone by But I couldn’t ever work out just how (If they never led us to the old place would you even know the things that you knew?) Through your life (who is the wonderboy?) Gateways into worlds gone by (coming to us through time?) That nobody would have known about now (coming to us through time) Nothing I (who is the innocent?) Could do about the way you cried (born with an ancient mind?) Begged me to take you away from the past you All but forgotten, family island stroll Hearing the story, tapping along the hollow walls you give a name (Is this some macabre game?) No-one’s seen behind that cave (David don’t you dare) Tell me why be so insistent? David don’t you dare (You knew who was in that cave) David were you there? (How come you were so insistent?) How could you have known all the signs on the tiles for your brothers’ names And the walls lived behind the exhibits of ancient graves all this time bore your code It should all have been so pure and new But your eye (who is the wonderboy?) Saw pathways into worlds gone by (coming to us through time?) And we could have never worked out just how (coming to us through time) Through your life (who is the innocent?) Gateways into former times (brought here with history’s mind?) That nobody could have known all about now (brought here with history’s mind) Nothing I (who is the wonderboy?) Could do about the way you cried (come here to us through time?) When I couldn’t tell what made you cry out from your mind Pathways into worlds gone by that nobody could have found out about It’s true that no-one’s boy is ever only just a boy But mine had a story even so
6.
Nautilus 13:42
i. The captain takes us down Away from the world, away from the noise The quiet, the dark, the joyous isolation Leaving behind the land that has burned him Leaving the system that took everything from him Brooding beneath the waves, stewing under briny tides His rage fermenting in the ocean depths and he just can’t forget Belabouring there in self-imposed exile Escaping terrestrial civilisation Dwelling inside his darkest emotions Shunning society as he roams the sea (roams the sea) Absorbed in marine research (he must distract himself somehow) Finding new worlds that none have seen A voyage of science and discovery and exploration The external lights have attracted a schooner But he’ll take them on: the world’s best harpooner Leads them a chase over leagues of wild water They think they’re fighting an oversized narwhal Drags them beneath the waves (we’re going to need a bigger boat) They will surely be drowned But just at the last moment they are pulled inside the metacular hull of a submarine ii. A journey of discovery At wonderful speed one hundred feet beneath the surface The captain shows us round his ship (it’s all his own creation) Although we’re prisoners something of the beauty of these sights makes us feel quite free (electrically powered submarine) The captain smiles “dive the boat, it’s time” he cries Will we ever see the land again? As we explore the long sunken vessels and coral formations A crazed cetacean waves hello (hello) Perhaps we will discover a giant sea-weevil or a new kind of zoophyte Perchance we might find what became of Atlantis (transatlantic telegraph cable) The captain speaks “set all of the controls due south” “Let’s go where none have gone before” The vessel dives and ploughs its way beneath the ice We’re heading right down to the pole iii Under the ice We tried to tell him we don’t think we’ll get free We tried to stop him but the ice refreezes behind us and now we’re stuck inside (instrumental) iv The Nautilus vs the giant cephalopod (instrumental) v. Escape from the maelstrom We’ve escaped from the ice, escaped from a giant squid Can there be anything left to escape from? The captain has spied a war equipped vessel From his own country and he’s going to take it down The engines roar with power (there has to be another way) We have set a collision course Aiming for their hull we ram it at mighty speed Timber and man dragged down (I don’t see how they can survive) But the captain sinks deeper Into his black despair as evil takes hold of him and embraces him The captain cries “almighty God, enough, enough” It’s time to take this to the depths Into the maelstrom the submarine is slowly dragged He’ll take us with him to our deaths Time to be free from the madness of this maniac We make a break for the escape We launch the skiff and row with all the strength we have Just as the nautilus is pulled inexorably down, down, down, down
7.
It was born from an inspired mind Stimulated by fine-art and design The professor who used his time To build the cube To help students understand First constructed with wood and rubber bands The invention was in his hands They made the Cube (We love Ernő's Magic Cube) Innovation of creation Designer and visionary Science, maths and problem solving technology An Ideal Toy for world-wide acclaim And they changed nothing other than the name Everything else stayed just the same About the Cube Now God’s number has been construed Thirty six years of processing time proves That all you need is just twenty moves To solve the cube (We love Ernő's Magic Cube) Three dimensional rotation So much possibility Variation, transformation through space and time Forty-three quintillion combinations on the Cube Lots of algorithms to help you to get in the mood Yes it’s hard, but once you start there’s no way you’ll put it down (Twist the hexahedron round, twist the hexahedron round) Start the white cross on the top, then the corners round to match Edges in the middle please, then the yellow cross and thatch Was this all an accident, or is he a genius? (Ernő is a genius, Ernő is a genius) Ernő - twist that hexahedron round (We love Ernő's Magic Cube) Forty-three quintillion - two five two quadrillion Just the three of trillion - two seven four billion Four eight and nine million - eight five six thousand times Combinations blow my mind - greatest toy of all mankind
8.
Speaking to you from beyond the stars This is the voice of Ashatar Galactic High Command All of those lights you’ve seen in the sky Those were a sign: we bring you peace and wisdom from on high Please listen close to our warning words The course you’re on will soon wipe out all life upon your world We know it might seem quite frightening Come join with us, it’s time for mankind’s great awakening It’s the dawning of the new age of aquarius A time of great peace and revolution for your race Keep your mind wide, the chance won’t come again The dawning of the new age of aquarius Stand up and face down the evil Don’t be afraid of the weevil This is the end of war’s long reign You must step forward into a higher evolution plane Now is the time to learn to love Peace and goodwill will help extend your reach to stars above We look to you to advance mankind Come venture forth and leave your violent savage ways behind (we will return) We will return in one earthly year (we’ll see the change) We’ll see the change, or else we’ll cause you all to disappear It’s the dawning of the new age of aquarius A time of great peace and revolution for your race Keep your mind wide, the chance won’t come again The dawning of the new age of aquarius Stand up and face down the evil Don’t be afraid of space weevils The people wait, but they wait in vain They never hear from Ashatar Deep Space Command again Do they still watch from far away? Do they despair? As earth descends to deeper disarray And all the while we continue invent Yet more subtle ways to destroy ourselves Ghost Train (part 5) Now that you’ve heard these tales of such horror, you’ve come to the end of the ride Now it is time to open the doors and see who has come out alive Now you’ve encountered these harrowing questions that must have inverted your brain Why did you ever decide to get on this train? Come on down - you’re looking quite green, are you feeling okay? Come on down - I’m sensing you don’t want to go round again Clamber off - we took you to places your mind couldn’t bear Stagger off - you’re a gibbering wreck, you’re wracked with despair The end is nigh - but we saved the dreadfullest story ‘til last The end is nigh - we can never change, never learn from the past The end is nigh - when faced with extinction, don’t seem like we can... The end is nigh - curb man’s inhumanity to fellow man

about

The idea for this album came from a dusty old book, the Boys’ Life Book of Mystery Stories (Boys’ Life Library, 1963) discovered by Michael in a creepy second hand bookshop in 1993. Although somewhat dated in its worldview, the stories within and the accompanying images nevertheless conjured up an atmosphere at once both exciting and disturbing, but also with a thick dose of nostalgia, especially when revisited thirty years on. Whilst we have not adapted any of the stories from the book directly into song, we have drawn inspiration for each piece of music from various mysterious stories and circumstances, some from real life, some pure invention, some based on folklore, some based on other works of fiction. Will you join us on this tour through these terrifying tall tales? Climb aboard the Ghost Train… if you dare, hold tight and let us take you on an extraordinary journey through several chilling, unearthly, ghostly worlds of mystery, wonderment, excitement and adventure!

credits

released July 7, 2023

I Am The Manic Whale are: Ben Hartley, Michael Whiteman, John Murphy and David Addis
Also featuring the musical talents of: Sally Minear, Ryo Okumoto, Ella Lloyd and Simon Whiteman
Recorded and produced by Michael Whiteman at White Noise Music
Mixed and mastered by Rob Aubrey at Aubitt Studios
Artwork, graphics and layout by Sarah Joy at Random Panda

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I Am The Manic Whale Reading, UK

We are a progressive rock band from Reading & London, UK. 3rd album out now.

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