I can understand that, but we all have different perspectives of what sounds right. Would I hire a vocalist that sounded like that? No, because we do progressive, melodic metal/rock, it just won't fit.
I do realize it has it's place in the music world, look at Amy Winehouse.. I thought she had a horrible voice but she had quite a following.
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If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music. Albert Einstein
Thoroughly enjoyed that, lots of echoes in there of Verve, Oasis, Thrills, but had its own thing going too. Love the hook line (I'm also a northern man, even though I now live in Canada). Bet it was fun to play live.
Here's a version for people who have that version blocked in their country:
Thank you! It was great fun to play. We opened with it to play Glastonbury last year, which has to be my favourite moment in music ever!
It was actually written with Neil Young's Southern Man in mind, so there's a bit of a Canadian nod in there! Where about's are you from originally?
And yeah, The Verve man, I love them!
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Good luck, and happy recording!
I can understand that, but we all have different perspectives of what sounds right. Would I hire a vocalist that sounded like that? No, because we do progressive, melodic metal/rock, it just won't fit.
I do realize it has it's place in the music world, look at Amy Winehouse.. I thought she had a horrible voice but she had quite a following.
Absolutely. I dint think anyone would hire a singer that sounded like BDB!!! His voice suits his songs. Just like Tom Waits voice suits his style of music.
By the way, mixed by the mixing legend Cenzo Townshend. Any criticism on sounds or mix can be sent to him. But by your logic, you wont be allowed to do that, seen as neither as as good or successful as him
I've listened to all of the music on this thread, and I hope it is okay to say that except for perhaps one song, I have replied to all of the songs thus far I really liked quite a bit - however the other songs, I couldn't consider many of the others even fully developed song ideas. . .
Anyway, some of you might need to develop better taste in art, food, and music before your music will reach the next level. This is just an honest reminder to think of everything you do, and try your best to listen to the best, and appreciate the best.
But anyway, I wish you all the best and look forward to hearing more music!
Cheers,
__________________ The Album as an Art Form
Writings on album production, songwriting, engineering, arranging, and more.
I've listened to all of the music on this thread, and I hope it is okay to say that except for perhaps one song, I have replied to all of the songs thus far I really liked quite a bit - however the other songs, I couldn't consider many of the others even fully developed song ideas. . .
What would be helpful is for you to explain why you think the songs aren't fully developed; after all that's why the demos were submitted for critique - I'm sure your thoughts would be valuable and perhaps enable some improvement.
Quote:
Originally Posted by monsieur x
Anyway, some of you might need to develop better taste in art, food, and music before your music will reach the next level...
I don't understand this? Again it would be really helpful if you could please explain which types of art, food and music you think we should be consuming. Thank you
I don't understand this? Again it would be really helpful if you could please explain which types of art, food and music you think we should be consuming. Thank you
I've listened to all of the music on this thread, and I hope it is okay to say that except for perhaps one song, I have replied to all of the songs thus far I really liked quite a bit - however the other songs, I couldn't consider many of the others even fully developed song ideas. . .
Im sorry but that's gotta be the strangest thing I've ever read on gearslutz... Amy Winehouse - horrible voice?????????
I mean BDB is definitely an acquired/ specialist taste but AMY? That's scary....tutt
It's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. I watched her live on Palladia on Comcast cable, it was a big outdoor concert somewhere and her voice was horrible. Very flat and monotone, and not even close to the quality of other female artists in that genre. You need to face the fact that everyone has their own opinion.
The vocal is absolutely the best thing about that track! Do not touch a sample of it! The vocoder FX are great, and I LOVE the fact that I cannot make out a single word.
I'd like to hear more variation in the rhythm track -- sounds like a single loop at the moment -- and I was hurting for a big bass line to drop in towards the end.
It's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. I watched her live on Palladia on Comcast cable, it was a big outdoor concert somewhere and her voice was horrible. Very flat and monotone, and not even close to the quality of other female artists in that genre. You need to face the fact that everyone has their own opinion.
You're welcome to your opinion, of course, but we can question your judgement.
It's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. I watched her live on Palladia on Comcast cable, it was a big outdoor concert somewhere and her voice was horrible. Very flat and monotone, and not even close to the quality of other female artists in that genre. You need to face the fact that everyone has their own opinion.
If the only thing you've heard was one outdoor live gig, then fair enough. She was pretty gone in the last year of her life. But please do yourself a favour though and listen to 'Back to Black' (on spotify or whatever). One of the worlds greatest vocalists.
That's a shame you're getting defensive, I only mean the best for you guys. Please don't take what I am saying the wrong way.
I believe everyone who has posted on here has already gotten at least a new idea or two about their songs. Overall it's been constructive in that way. I suggest you go ahead and post another song. Surely we all can't be judged on just ONE song.
I would love to hear more superior songwriting with good concepts, I have a very difficult time finding new music.
If the only thing you've heard was one outdoor live gig, then fair enough. She was pretty gone in the last year of her life. But please do yourself a favour though and listen to 'Back to Black' (on spotify or whatever). One of the worlds greatest vocalists.
I'll give it a fair chance, though I generally judge all bands by how good they sound live.
So if you don't like everything I listen to then I can question your judgement? sounds fair to me.
Of course you can question my judgement! It's the internet!
If you tell me someone is a poor singer who is self-evidently a very talented singer, I'm definitely going to be skeptical about your opinions, just as if I tried to tell you that William Hung was a virtuoso tenor. That's all.
Anyway I'm going to post another demo so we can argue about that instead of Amy Winehouse.
This is a one-take acoustic demo of a sad little song I wrote in the fall. I'm still kind of pondering how it should be arranged, or if it should just stay as a simple G&G track. Opinions welcome.
This is a one-take acoustic demo of a sad little song I wrote in the fall. I'm still kind of pondering how it should be arranged, or if it should just stay as a simple G&G track. Opinions welcome.
I liked that, quite a lot. Really nice.
It is difficult to suggest anything different, it is nice as a just a guitar. Maybe add an organ somewhere, low in the mix, towards to end maybe to lift it a little. The only thing with an arrangement like that is that there is a danger of it getting a little boring by the end, to be honest though this didn't, not to me anyway. The chorus is a nice melody and tends to keep it moving forward nicely.
I can't decide whether I think your verse needs something a little different. Each time, on the last line I had the feeling it was too repetitive, it was the same melody as the line before it. But then the chorus came and I decided it worked, but weirdly every time it came back to the verse i had the same feeling.
Dunno, the only thing I can take from that is that it is a bloody good chorus I guess.
It is difficult to suggest anything different, it is nice as a just a guitar. Maybe add an organ somewhere, low in the mix, towards to end maybe to lift it a little. The only thing with an arrangement like that is that there is a danger of it getting a little boring by the end, to be honest though this didn't, not to me anyway. The chorus is a nice melody and tends to keep it moving forward nicely.
I can't decide whether I think your verse needs something a little different. Each time, on the last line I had the feeling it was too repetitive, it was the same melody as the line before it. But then the chorus came and I decided it worked, but weirdly every time it came back to the verse i had the same feeling.
Dunno, the only thing I can take from that is that it is a bloody good chorus I guess.
Nice job.
Well, thanks. I guess there are two directions I could take it. Or three, if you count just leaving it like that and recording it better. The other two are
1. Bringing in a second acoustic guitar, maybe capoed at the 5th or 7th fret, and maybe a single harmony a third above the main vocal, towards the end. I also wondered about a harmonica or pump organ somewhere.
2. Going in the direction of Wilco's FAR, FAR AWAY, which I do think is a fantastic song and wonderful example of roots/country/pop arrangement. I particularly love the switch from 4/4 into 3/4 for the bridge.
Edit -- Oh yeah, and that is an interesting idea about the melody on the last line of the verse. It could go up, or there could be harmony that went up there to lead you into the next section. Good idea.
Of course you can question my judgement! It's the internet!
If you tell me someone is a poor singer who is self-evidently a very talented singer, I'm definitely going to be skeptical about your opinions, just as if I tried to tell you that William Hung was a virtuoso tenor. That's all.
Anyway I'm going to post another demo so we can argue about that instead of Amy Winehouse.
That video above sounds pretty good, it's jazzy and nothing like the concert I watched, it was so bad I assumed it was like that Hyphy crap that's so popular with kids.
This is a one-take acoustic demo of a sad little song I wrote in the fall. I'm still kind of pondering how it should be arranged, or if it should just stay as a simple G&G track. Opinions welcome.
I think your vocals go well with the acoustic, and it creates a somber mood, but I guess that's what you were going for? it reminds me of Paul Simons 9/11 version of Sounds Of Silence.
This song could use some pre-choruses with dynamic contrast. Drop out the drums before the choruses or something perhaps and add fills?
The harmonic rhythm is too confusing, I have a tough singing a melody from memory even though I've just listened to it a few times in a row trying to understand what it's lacking. :/
I know we're not supposed to talk about production, but I want to mention the production is acceptable for a songwriting demo, but perhaps you should strip it all back to drums, chords, and some notes on the piano for just the melodic voice. It sounds like you don't know what the melody should be, very confusing for me as the listener, and your performance also suffers because of it I believe.
Wishing you the best, hope this helps somehow,
Quote:
Originally Posted by pinkheadedbug
Huge props to the Gearslutz Gods for providing this forum!
This is a thread to post rough demos of songs, for critique NOT of production but of composition. So out-of-tune vocals or crappy recordings are totally fine -- this is about the song, not the performance.
Here's a song I just finished but am still noodling on. What I like about it so far is the chordal structure, the way the chorus kicks in, and the way it keeps on modulating. Not sure about the lyrics yet.
OK- this one's really rough. Just a structure, really. No melodies/lyrics yet - these will likely be worked on by all three members of a band I'm in.
In the interest of discussing process:
- I really like ZZ Top's "Just Got Paid". I wanted something kinda sorta like it. Listened to the song once as a refresher, aped the overall vibe/structure as quickly as I could, obviously not being too precious about it.
- I programmed the basic drum beat using samples I recorded years ago
- Put down the guitar track. I had the riff/verse/chorus ideas, but I improvised the middle section.
- Put down the bass.
- Put down the Juno "lead" (haha)
- Put in the crashes, did a few edits in the drums
- Did the little "mute/stutter" edits toward the end
The writing/demoing process, so far, is at about 45 minutes.
Feel free to chime in, I'd love to hear opinions about the process and the music.
Not exactly sure what you're trying to go with this. . . It doesn't sound like much of anything yet to be honest. Perhaps use a synth or guitar to at least write the melodies for now though. . . And figure out a way with the chords to create more contrast between sections? (Are there chords going on here?)
Also, again, I know we're not supposed to speak of production. But those sounds are all very "small", having been to Austin plenty, I know you nice folks like what I might think of as weird rock 'n roll stuff, but why this very low-fi sound?
Just thoughts, don't let me get in the way of you doing what you're into, don't second guess yourself if it's not necessary to do so,
OK- this one's really rough. Just a structure, really. No melodies/lyrics . . to hear opinions about the process and the music.
Oh, and, why do you call your song "bullshit"?? Could that really be a good energy to start with? It sounds like you are injecting your music with a bad energy from the very beginning. . .
And do you really need "three guys" or whatever to write this? I bet you could do this solo, easily, record an album and hire musicians for live.
@pinkheadedbug - great tune, really upbeat...reminds me of Lennon-McCartney. By way of positive feedback I should say that for me the track sounded 'too full' in the first section and IMO a more laid back intro would allow you to bring in the fullness later as an effect. Great track tho.
@evangelista - really cool vibe...the fullness works here from the outset as it's hooky...great guitar tone...maybe a dB at 230Hz on the snare would add definition/punch to the mid-low. Great sound though...classic sounding.
I'd appreciate feedback on this track which was written and recorded in a few hours as part of the ShareCloud Sunday group on SoundCloud:
It's a bit rough but I'd appreciate any advice on composition (or anything else). Thanks
Nothing grabbed me about this. . . however I definitely feel that at one minute you could have a few extra bars to allow the music to breath, and the listener reflect.
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