UK Country Rock!? comments welcome.

Messiah · 7th November 2005

I had a lot of positive feedback from the last track I posted, so thought I'd have a go with this one.

It's by a band called The Burn, from Blackburn, Lancashire (10,000 holes...). I started working (producing) with them a couple of years ago and it's turned into a cool little project where I now also play guitar with them too.

I'd just like opinions on any aspect of it, as we're about to start work on the record. It's all very low budget too, btw!

john caldwell · 7th November 2005

I dig this very much. A few thoughts based upon two plays through good cans.

1) Overall the mix feels pretty wet. Reverbs are prominent on lead and bg vox, and there's something on the arpeggiated guitars on the verses - delay possibly. At times this adds up to something a bit more swimmy than I'd expect for the genre.

2) The uppermost harmonies, especially on the call & answer segments at the last quarter of the song are suspicious for autotune artifact. The same vocal part is also eq'd too shimmery for my taste.

Overall the sensibility is very appealing, and the artists' work is intact technically. The double-time Gretch'y guitar solo interval is really nice as well.

Very nice, here, Messiah.

John-

Messiah · 7th November 2005

Thanks for the comments John.
I understand what you're saying about it being wet. I think I just got to the point where I felt comfortable with the amount on the vox. I didn't add anything to the guitar, that's exactly what was coming out of the Twin, and I like to commit to things like that early on...
I know what you mean about the BV's and AutoTune, fact is, you're right they were AT'd because they were slightly out...

I am intending to mix it again to get the track in context with the rest of the record, so your comments are noted. Cheers.

Messiah · 11th November 2005

Quite a few views, only one comment...

Anyone else?

Farmerbrown2200 · 11th November 2005

Carl,

Nice technical job on both the playing and mixing! I don;t know anything about this kind of market (alt contry) either side of the pond, but if I had to name my favourite UK alt-country-ish artist it would be Nick Lowe. This sounds nothing like NL, but still he is my yardstick.

I would have to say that the whole thing comes off very tame to me. The mix and the material. It takes few if any chances and that, for me, is what distinguishes something as being 'alt'. I need more excitment in both the mix and the music. But that's just me. This reminds me a little of Blue Rodeo (Canuk alt country) but at the same time doesn't have the hooks that would draw me to this kind of material.

Don't hear the AT on the BV. The stacking of voices before the last chorus is nice but a little cliched and the hand claps sound alittle too drum machine like.

FB

Messiah · 12th November 2005

Thanks for the comments, FB.

Interestingly, the claps that sound like a drum machine are actually 4 guys clapping in a fairly reflective stairwell with my old 414EB about 20 feet away (and up)...

I'm going to check out Blue Rodeo though. Anything in particular I should listen out for?

I understand your comments about excitement, but the guys in the band are wanting smoothness, mellowness, etc. They're really into The Band and sounds and songs of that ilk.

Farmerbrown2200 · 12th November 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Messiah

Thanks for the comments, FB.

Interestingly, the claps that sound like a drum machine are actually 4 guys clapping in a fairly reflective stairwell with my old 414EB about 20 feet away (and up)...

I'm going to check out Blue Rodeo though. Anything in particular I should listen out for?

I understand your comments about excitement, but the guys in the band are wanting smoothness, mellowness, etc. They're really into The Band and sounds and songs of that ilk.

Don't know Blue Rodeo? They are major gear sluts and were the impetus behind Ron Sexsmith's earliest recordings. Very big here in english Canada. They got the alt country edge man! I love The Band too (songs from Big Pink... talk about your home studio album!) but don't consider their sound to be smooth but rough and with attitude.

Peace ,
FB

http://www.bluerodeo.com/br/gear.html

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7th November 2005	#2
john caldwell Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 1,169	I dig this very much. A few thoughts based upon two plays through good cans. 1) Overall the mix feels pretty wet. Reverbs are prominent on lead and bg vox, and there's something on the arpeggiated guitars on the verses - delay possibly. At times this adds up to something a bit more swimmy than I'd expect for the genre. 2) The uppermost harmonies, especially on the call & answer segments at the last quarter of the song are suspicious for autotune artifact. The same vocal part is also eq'd too shimmery for my taste. Overall the sensibility is very appealing, and the artists' work is intact technically. The double-time Gretch'y guitar solo interval is really nice as well. Very nice, here, Messiah. John-

7th November 2005	#3
Messiah Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2002 Location: North West Coast, UK. Posts: 603 Thread Starter	Thanks for the comments John. I understand what you're saying about it being wet. I think I just got to the point where I felt comfortable with the amount on the vox. I didn't add anything to the guitar, that's exactly what was coming out of the Twin, and I like to commit to things like that early on... I know what you mean about the BV's and AutoTune, fact is, you're right they were AT'd because they were slightly out... I am intending to mix it again to get the track in context with the rest of the record, so your comments are noted. Cheers.

11th November 2005	#4
Messiah Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2002 Location: North West Coast, UK. Posts: 603 Thread Starter	Quite a few views, only one comment... Anyone else?

11th November 2005	#5
Farmerbrown2200 Gear maniac Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 196	Carl, Nice technical job on both the playing and mixing! I don;t know anything about this kind of market (alt contry) either side of the pond, but if I had to name my favourite UK alt-country-ish artist it would be Nick Lowe. This sounds nothing like NL, but still he is my yardstick. I would have to say that the whole thing comes off very tame to me. The mix and the material. It takes few if any chances and that, for me, is what distinguishes something as being 'alt'. I need more excitment in both the mix and the music. But that's just me. This reminds me a little of Blue Rodeo (Canuk alt country) but at the same time doesn't have the hooks that would draw me to this kind of material. Don't hear the AT on the BV. The stacking of voices before the last chorus is nice but a little cliched and the hand claps sound alittle too drum machine like. FB

12th November 2005	#6
Messiah Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2002 Location: North West Coast, UK. Posts: 603 Thread Starter	Thanks for the comments, FB. Interestingly, the claps that sound like a drum machine are actually 4 guys clapping in a fairly reflective stairwell with my old 414EB about 20 feet away (and up)... I'm going to check out Blue Rodeo though. Anything in particular I should listen out for? I understand your comments about excitement, but the guys in the band are wanting smoothness, mellowness, etc. They're really into The Band and sounds and songs of that ilk.