The Continental summer process largely involved Tyler and Conner recording rhythm tracks on the fly, Tyler doing most of the overdubs himself, and then Tyler and me, usually late at night doing backing vocals and additional keyboards. I just wasn't there for most of it. I was busy obsessing over Sideshow and transcribing string parts.

This past weekend involved more horns and melodica and whatever, and even more layers upon layers of vocals, adding to existing album tracks, finishing unfinished B-sides (newly graduated to album status). Where the original Continental showed a restraint uncharacteristic of James Rabbit, Continental the double album has slightly more of the trademark mess. Tyler forced Conner to "unmaster" the album, taking the sheen off. Conner wasn't too happy. The final mixing process was Tyler and Conner redoing some levels, asking me what I thought while I watched Sin City on mute. I stayed till three in the morning and drove to Berkeley six hours later.

I feel good about the end product, and even about my contributions to it.

-Max