Hah, I'd given up on any response here--prematurely, clearly. At this point, though, this is gonna get knocked off the front page with the next post, so I don't mind telling you:
I've actually used a pattern here. Most of the tracks are in pairs, 1 Nume, 1 Ilraen, for 7 pairs, each with a common theme or topic (more or less); but there are also four instrumental tracks that are just for mood, basically, and that also have distinct "point and counterpoint" sounds that seem to work for the pair; they could also stand for missions, I guess. And then there's the last track, which is the conclusion.
1 & 2. You got it. I meant this first pair to introduce them, so these songs are the ones that most strongly say "this is Nume/Ilraen, this is what best describes him."
3. First instrumental track. This one to me basically says "we're here and we kick ass, so stand back," but it also sounds like an argument. It sets the stage for the rest of the mix and hints at the eventual conclusion.
4. This song can mean pretty much anything you want it to, but I meant it for Nume. Down the rabbit-hole describes his "recruitment" experience.
5. Absolutely. {= )
6. This isn't the strongest track, but to me this is basically about accepting things the way they are, because what the heck, all good things come to an end anyway. Time, of course, is always screwy in HQ.
7. Again, not the strongest, but meant more for Ilraen. The fact that it shares a title with the classic sci-fi novel about an alien visitor tipped the scales.
8. Second instrumental track. There's chaos, crazy things are happening, but it all pulls together somehow.
9. Close! Specifically, Nume's view of badficcers. You know the ones--"it's my fanfic, so I can do what I want!" They're playing the God game.
10. This is Ilraen. Like the narrator, he has a struggle with identifying with his distant origins or his present circumstances, and trying to find a balance between the two.
11. Third instrumental track. They change roles, though Ilraen is definitely more of a hero than Nume.
12 & 13. Bingo!
14. Nume is the guy with the temper. Most of the time, anyway.
15 & 16. These two changed places at the last minute, so what you've said actually aligns with what I had originally. ^^; That didn't fit the pattern as far as how I used instrumental tracks, though, so I decided "Shadow Stabbing" could do for Ilraen's pair with "The Hundred Song." It sort of works if you take them each to be the one's general reaction to the other... >.>
As for "Home Again," it provides breathing space and a transition to the general acceptance of the next three tracks.
17 & 18. These two changed places a couple of times, so there are a couple of equally valid interpretations. I eventually settled on "Feelin' Alright" in Nume's spot because of the repeated insistence that everything's fine in spite of not being fine, 'cause that's kinda how he gets by.
"You Can't Always Get What You Want" is overall more optimistic, with the message that although things may not always go the way you might expect or want, they'll come out all right in the end. That's very Ilraen.
19. As the first two tracks introduce the two as individuals, this is the track that most strongly presents them as a team. And that's that. {= )
You did great for someone who hasn't been obsessing over it and fine-tuning for months. {= D Thanks for playing! ^^
~Neshomeh