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*Song Description By Noles*

There are some songs that are seemingly destined to close out albums. Having that appropriate type of feel for a final chapter. "Rule Of Thumb" captures the atmosphere of an album closer. Which is why it's the final track from the Primitive Normative album. I wrote the music for "Rule Of Thumb" from June 10-18, 2013. Around this time, I was also writing fellow Primitive Normative song "Team Of People". Having finished Plaid On Flannel's 2nd album Mission Of Mercy a month earlier, this is where I started to plan out the Primitive Normative concept album. But I knew it would take awhile for me to begin recording Plaid On Flannel's 3rd album.

The lyrics for "Rule Of Thumb" were written on July 3, 2013. I was inspired by the lyricism of Matt Berninger from The National for the tune. "Hallelujah, I'll out-do ya" seemed to me like it would be a lyric he would write. In actuality, the entire song was inspired by The National. I'm a big fan of that band and have seen them in concert twice. "Rule Of Thumb" was written a month after The National's 6th album Trouble Will Find Me was released. Although my style of music is quite different from theirs, they still influence my music with their artistry. "Rule Of Thumb" is one of those tunes where I don't even know the meaning behind it. It's written in 1st, 2nd and 3rd person. A consistency behind the lyrics to "Rule Of Thumb" would have to be the subject of change. But I don't know what the "Rule Of Thumb" actually is in the song. Lmao! "Passion lingers on my fingers, don't forget about the rule of thumb" might have to do with me being passionate about guitar playing. And the fact that I use my thumb on the fretboard a lot on the low string. Which is a rare technique used by Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton that inspired my playing style early on as a guitarist.

After I moved to Toronto from Peterborough in September of 2013, the Plaid On Flannel band started on February 15, 2014 as a 3-piece. We played monthly shows around Toronto into 2014 as I was writing more material for POF's 3rd album. I began producing the Primitive Normative album on August 31, 2014. After the new year, keyboardist Jen Doyon joined the Plaid On Flannel band on February 22, 2015. That's when we finally became a 4-piece band with backup harmony vocals. The next day, I started recording "Rule Of Thumb" on February 23, 2015. It was the 7th song recorded for the Primitive Normative album, and the 40th Plaid On Flannel song recorded in total at that point.

"Rule Of Thumb" starts and finishes with lead guitar. The melodic leads really capture the major-based qualities of the tune. "Rule Of Thumb" is decorated with organ and piano throughout the track. I finished recording "Rule Of Thumb" on March 13, 2015. It's a song I've never played with a band, but I've played it as a solo acoustic act. Check out this acoustic version of the tune here... youtu.be/48OrghHPvSQ The song would require a lot of backup vocal harmonies, but I'd love to play "Rule Of Thumb" with a Plaid On Flannel band in the future.

lyrics

Words and music by Nolan Randall

In a world that doesn’t understand
Only in our minds we can expand
It all depends on what you can withstand
Somehow we will find the promised land

Hallelujah, I’ll out-do ya
If you think about where you’re coming from
Passion lingers on my fingers
Don’t forget about the rule of thumb

Rule of thumb, rule of thumb
Rule of thumb, rule of thumb

For what he has said, he hasn’t done
But he still admits he’ll have some fun
All the battles that he’s lost and won
Not for slowing down, he has to run

Hallelujah, I’ll out-do ya
If you think about where you’re coming from
Passion lingers on my fingers
Don’t forget about the old rule of thumb

Rule of thumb, rule of thumb
Rule of thumb, rule of thumb

Fading out into another kind of lifestyle
Wondering if it all is gonna be worthwhile
Moving away from what you’re used to
Nothing to say and nothing to do

Never followed footsteps of the man
Finishing the things we once began
Throwing clutter in the garbage can
Is it all part of the master plan?

Hallelujah, I’ll out-do ya
If you think about where you’re coming from
Passion lingers on my fingers
Don’t forget about the old rule of thumb

Rule of thumb, rule of thumb
Rule of thumb, rule of thumb

Fading out into another kind of lifestyle
Wondering if it all is gonna be worthwhile
Moving away from what you’re used to
Nothing to say and nothing to do

credits

from Vol. III: Primitive Normative, released December 31, 2015

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Plaid On Flannel Toronto, Ontario

Plaid On Flannel is an alternative indie blues rock act from Toronto, Canada. With 80+ original songs recorded since 2011, singer-songwriter Nolan Randall has remained the sole constant member of the band. POF's music is known for guitar riffs/solos, memorable hooks, catchy melodies/harmonies, evocative lyrics, & superb musicianship. While keeping a focus on originality and songwriting quality. ... more

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