Manifest of the Eccentric

"Manifest of the Eccentric" was meant to be a collaborative single by American singers Elice Claire and Helena Rossi. Set to be released as the second single from Claire and Rossi's second albums Carpe Diem and Four of Hearts respectively. The song was written by Elice Claire and was produced by British Alternative-rock singer/songwriter Isabella Summers. Musically, "Manifest of the Eccentric" is a contemporary alternative rock song and is backed by grinding synths and electronic drums. Its lyrics refer to homosexuality, and the idea that the topic is still taboo to some people. On 22 July 2012, Vitz announced that the release was cancelled due to lack of promotional time.

Background and composition
In an interview with English music magazine NME, writer Elice Claire described "Manifest of the Eccentric" as one of "those tracks [...] that really take an influence from contemporary alternative rock, and a little bit of dance in a way with – heavy beats, syncopation, very melodic, rhythmic vocals," adding that "lyrically I transformed myself as an one-hundred percent homosexual, with feelings towards this girl [Helena Rossi] that I just could not contain." Billboard magazine added, on the topic of the lack of piano and classical symphony, that "the song [is] built around electric drum patterns and some strong bass." In Elice's album EPK, the singer expressed her love and pride for the song, which she describes as one of the highlights of the album [Carpe Diem]. Furthermore, "Manifest of the Eccentric" basically defines the notions presented on Carper Diem Starting with the baroque style lyrics, which is full of metaphors and symbolism to the rhyme style of ABBA. The song is about Claire's and Rossi's "suppose" lesbian love affair, which made headlines in 2009 and even sparked controversy. The song has a message about homosexuality and how the entire notion is still taboo to some people in our society. On her website, Claire revealed some of the symbolism presented on the song: "Acquaint yourself with the devil's shadow at night / Find love and hope it lasts before goodbye / Judgement day's here along with lady twilight" Claire describes the shadows of the night as the individuals who find homosexuality a disgrace to society, and explain that homosexuals should take one day at a time and just live without giving too much thought to that notion. The song continues and gives an idea of an imperfect paradise, much like the idea of Adam and Eve when they eat the forbidden fruit: "Sin disguises as a divine apple shinning in the light / Desire surrenders to temptations out of sight." Throughout the song, Claire uses song and album titles used by herself and Rossi. On the first hook: "Fiction manifests in strict confidentiality" titles taken from Rossi's albums Fiction and Manifesto and her own debut album Strictly Confidential. On the second hook: "Burning, / Broken bridges that will leads us to no fairytale / Freezing, / This love thug before someone else derails" includes Claire's debut single title "Broken Bridge" and Rossi's fourth single "No Fairytale" on the second. On the fourth line includes Rossi's single "Love Thug" and Claire's second single "Someone Else". In the last hook: "Breaking, / Nothing will destroy this physical attraction between us / Making, / This unrestricted love will overcome this world's filth and disgust" it contains the title "Physical Attraction" from her second studio album Fiction and Claire's song title "Unrestricted" from her debut album Strictly Confidential.

Release and reception
"Manifest of the Eccentric" was first performed live by Elice at her Carpe Diem Live tour on 29 June 2012. One 2 July 2012, Elice revealed the first mystery poster that hinted clues about her second single. The poster featured a nude woman wearing a gas-mask with the following text "In the end sins must burn" and a QR code that revealed the release date to be August 2012. The single was officially revealed by Claire and Rossi's team on 4 July 2012.

Production
The music video was shot by Floria Sigismondi with the help of photographer Terry Richardson. Production for the video began in New York City on July 6 and 7. Elice and Helena shot their parts of the video in London on 9 July 2012 with guests Arianna DiCorso and Regina Harper. On 9 July, an anonymous tip was sent to TMZ and Just Jared, reporting behind the scenes fighting between DiCorso and Harper, Rossi and Claire and between Claire's label Bumblebee Records and Rossi's label Next Generation Records. Reports that Dicorso, was unhappy with the idea of shooting a music video with Harper, who just a few weeks prior to the video shoot, announced she hated Gay and Lesbians surfaced online. More reports that Rossi was fuming over the fact her role in the music video was not as important as Claire and DiCorso, also made headlines. Furthermore, labels Bumblebee Records and Next Generation records were arguing over who had more control over the production of the video, although music videos site Video-Static reported Bumblebee Records had commissioned the video. Director Sigismondi posted on her twitter on 9 July that the video was going to be "mind blowing" adding "it's set to become one of the most talked about clips this year". On 12 July 2012, models who took part of the video shoot in New York City posted personal behind the scenes pictures. Picture showing female in sex bondage outfit and in gas-masks also leaked online. Under Bumblebee Records demand, gossip blogs were forced to take down pictures. On 26 July 2012, in her last show from her Carpe Diem Live Tour that although the single was cancelled the video was complete. Vitz said that the video will be release sometime in the near future. On 25 August 2012, Elice revealed that a clip of the making off the video and a sneak peek of the finished music video would be a special feature on the Bluray edition of her Carpe Diem: Live at the Royal Albert Hall concert video. Although speculated to receive a full online release, Elice revealed on 16 September 2012 that the video would not be released to the public. On 21 May 2013, Elice made the video available on her official website. The video was heavily criticized for its explicit content.