My first post for your critique

[Maxwolf]

Greetings!

I have been reading and learning from the Gearslutz forum for some time now. I figured I'd post something so the tree doesn't keep falling over without anyone hearing it. Like too many of us, I have been working in solitary confinement in my apartment bedroom- playing all the instruments, engineering, mixing, & "mastering."

Aside from the obvious deficiencies - (1) compromised drum sounds in a tiny apartment with neighbors and (2) absurd lyrics - what do you think I could do better?

Check the first track "Omelet":
http://www.maxwolfmusic.com/

Thanks,
Max

Soundelux U-195 - Great River ME1NV - Delta 1010 (aka Weak Link) - Cubase (ditto) - plugins - Dynaudio BM5A monitors.

[djavid15]

I think you're a genius! This is pure genius! It made me smile, it made me laugh, it made me wet myself a little bit! I'm saving these! I'm definitely a fan. Mixes sounded pretty good too. WAY better than most home studios!

Rhyme Zone--Orange

[Maxwolf]

djavid15-

Wow, thanks for the praise! It's gratifiying to know that someone digs something- it makes all the effort worthwhile.

I am very self-conscious about the sheer stupidity of the lyrics, but pants-wetting is a great endorsement.

Peace,
Max

[djavid15]

The song omlette is the best song of all time! What a great first line. What a great second line. This is the best song of all time. That was the best first verse in history. I could never have thought of that. I have all your songs saved to my hard-drive. Is the s'ok commercial a spoof, because i remember seeing that commercial and i don't remember that song in there. I could be wrong though. Keep doin' what you're doin' man!

[Maxwolf]

Yes, a friend of a friend of mine works at an ad firm, and he heard that song "S'OK" and wanted to put it in a real Oil of Olay TV ad. With the money they gave me to license that recording for one year, I bought the aforementioned gear (S'Ok was done when I only had an Audix OM-5, "Audio Buddy" pre-amp, and Mac G3. I think the low sonic quality actually works for that song).

By the way, I will probably post this link as a new thread, but you may also dig some "real" songs that my friend wrote and sang. I played most of the music (with another friend on drums) and engineered:
http://www.thewhatband.com/music/

Thanks again for listening and commenting!

[dim light]

Yeah damn good stuff baby!

The vocals are really cool - and the instruments sounds awesome - I also really dig the prod and feel of this sucker!

Great stuff!

[bcgood]

S'ok is a GR8 track! I love the guitar work, good playing. Sonically I think I like it the best out of everything. The recordings sound good. Maybe a little de-essing on your vocals at times and a little less verb. Very They Might be Giants, Jack Black vibe, good stuff man.

bcgood

[eyesore]

Originally Posted by Maxwolf

I am very self-conscious about the sheer stupidity of the lyrics

What do you mean?! They are the best part of the song. I only listened to "Omelette", but the lyrics there did rock, and kept catching me offguard as it went.

Actually, the guitars in there are nice, too, and my favorite is that other instrument in there(sorry for being too ignorant to be sure what it is). I like the backup vox but not the lead vocal that much, but I think you wanted the guy to sound kind of annoying and it fits to the song.

The worst thing about this song? - it's too short.

[bcgood]

I'm watching the live 8 concert on MTV and during the commercials the Olay add came up along with your track in the background. That is so inspirational to me to hear that. Now I want a song on a t.v. add! I'm going the distance baby!

bcgood

[Maxwolf]

I'm watching the live 8 concert on MTV and during the commercials the Olay add came up along with your track in the background. That is so inspirational to me to hear that. Now I want a song on a t.v. add! I'm going the distance baby!

Yeah, if you told me when I recorded that song "S'OK" that it would end up on television, I would have just laughed. But lo and behold I received a random phone call a few months ago, offering me some loot to license the recording in the US and Canada for one year. I sold out without hesitation!

It just goes to show that bottom-feeder gear (and MP3 format, no less!) can get the job done.

Thanks y'all for the critiques. The song Omelet IS too short at 1:36. And the vox COULD use more de-essing on my stuff in general. Advice much appreciated!

Max