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Feedback on Finished songs / Re: You (are not broken)

« Last post by Nick Ryder on Today at 10:06:17 AM »

Hey. @Dorian

I really like this. There's lots of ear candy in the production and it creates a scene it my mind.

Have you ever seen the TV show Twin Peaks the Return? This song would work perfectly in the end Roadhouse sections.

Feedback on Finished songs / Re: This is Not a Test

« Last post by Nick Ryder on Today at 09:50:52 AM »

Quote from: Paul V on May 18, 2024, 01:41:47 PM

A lovely classical intro that draws us into a melody and production fitting of a Bond theme. It's got that Bond-like guitar sound too.
The lyrics are very well written. I love the pause before the chorus. This song benefits from the inclusion of a real drummer. Moving into the middle-eight section, we're into Robbie Williams territory when he partnered with Guy Chambers. As always, you go the extra mile with really cool backing vocals and they don't overcrowd the production with their inclusion. I love saxophone but I'd lift it above the instrumentation. At the moment, the piano is more prominent. There's a big reward to you as a songwriter for continuously flexing your writing muscles. Kudos to you!

Paul

Thank you again, @Paul V and so nice to see you back.

Yes, noted about the Sax and it will be addressed befoer the final mix is released.

Feedback on Finished songs / Re: This is Not a Test

« Last post by Nick Ryder on Today at 09:49:23 AM »

Quote from: PaulAds on May 18, 2024, 10:07:01 AM

Great song!

I thought your vocals sounded a lot like Elvis Costello on this.

Piano timing seemed to drift a little towards the end and I wondered if the sax was a little flat here and there? Or it was perhaps just a little distant? Might just be my ears…

Some great chord changes. I wasn’t quite so keen on the bit where it changes time signature…it made me think of a bloke with a walking cane tucked under one arm high-kicking and theatrically wobbling his straw-boater in his other outstretched hand like Frankie Vaughan…but it was very well done, provides a cool change to keep interest levels up and will be many people’s favourite part, no doubt.

I read one of your other threads about maintaining interest by introducing and taking away different elements here and there and changing things around, etc…and I think although they are perfectly valid and generally sound advice, I think it sometimes can be slightly overwhelming. After listening to this, I wasn’t sure I remember much about the song, apart from the fact that it was really good and exceptionally well done.

A thoroughly excellent job though.

Many thanks, @PaulAds

Your unique reviewing style has been sorely missed on this forum

This song was recorded bang on the grid and originally I used the eZdrummer. It was only after that my friend recorded the real drums and as they weren't bang on to the grid, some of the existing instruments sounded off. I did try to correct it as much as I could but there's still bits which are slightly out.

The time signature and tempo remain the same throughout the song. I just use different rhythms to make it sound like they're changing. I feel a bit of a fraud really as it sounds way cleverer than it actually is!!

Feedback on Finished songs / Re: You

« Last post by Dorian on Today at 09:32:48 AM »

@subvibe

It seems we both released a song at the forum called “You” just a few minutes from each other. Yours is much more fit for commercial release off course

As always it sounds pretty professional in all aspects. Nothing to add to that.

There’s not much information with your songs, which makes it hard for me to picture how your work comes into existence. Do you sing, play instruments and mix all of your songs yourself? Or do you hire folks to do parts (like mixing, hiring session players/singers, etc).

ps: Hope I’m not too straightforward with my asking. It's just curiosity, since I think your songs sound great overall. (After all I’m from The Netherlands; we’re known for being waaaay too straightforward

Feedback on Finished songs / Re: How We Feel Inside (warning, includes strong language)

« Last post by Dorian on Today at 09:08:58 AM »

@Paul V
Beautiful and gentle vibe with the guitar, strings and accordeon! Also, your voice fits perfectly with the dreamy atmosphere.

If I’m allowed to make a suggestion: I would love to hear this without the (somewhat harsh) bassdrum and snare at the beginning. Later on in the song (when these are gone or replaced by toms) it suddenly sounds more dreamy, refined and open.

My two copper

Cheers, Dorian

Feedback on Finished songs / Re: Midnight Utopias

« Last post by Dorian on Today at 08:57:26 AM »

@moraamarolaloba
Such a hypnotising pulse! There’s a lot of suspension. Love it. I think your unique voice works very well here.

Some highlights for me:
• The start of the song with the low BPM pulse and the eerie FM (frequency modulation) sounds
• The mysterious lead synth/guitar at 1:15 (and the solo at the end of the song)
• The echo break and drop in brightness at 1:45

Cheers, Dorian

Feedback on Finished songs / Re: You (are not broken)

« Last post by Dorian on Today at 08:43:21 AM »

@PaulAds
I think in previous times youngsters were just as diverse as nowadays; they just didn’t dare to express themselves as such, keeping a lid on being too different from the rest, for all the reasons you mentioned. Nowadays, there’s more knowledge on neurodiversity, psychology and queerness and such. Nevertheless, there’s still the bullies and small minded folks, who ruin the good vibes for a lot of kids. If it were up to me, everyone could express themselves in all the unique ways they want.

@rightly
You sir, are an interesting artist as well. Love the 70s vibe in lots of your songs. I’ll be looking forward to your new productions.

@Elvis Nash
Well, it IS released… on Soundcloud that is haha

Will upload it to Spotify and such later this year.

@pompeyjazz
My intention with mixing is to make my songs sound clear and punchy, without becoming overproduced (which I think sucks all the life out of recordings). It’s wonderful to read that you recognise just that

@moraamarolaloba
At first, I wasn’t entirely confident if the song would work if it started with my voice and a bass guitar only, later adding the melodies. Reading your comment, it seems it all works just fine

Thanks for listening and commenting so thoroughly.

Feedback on Finished songs / Re: Do You Want To Get A Taxi ?

« Last post by pompeyjazz on Today at 08:30:59 AM »

Great suggestion @Dorian I've changed the ending now - Thank you

Feedback on Finished songs / Re: Do You Want To Get A Taxi ?

« Last post by Dorian on Today at 07:54:07 AM »

@pompeyjazz

This swings! Really dig that groove, makes me want to dance.
The vibe is somewhere in the middle of 70s disco, 80s pop, 90s club and rock.

My only comment would be that it stops somewhat abrupt with a pretty short fade out. A more extended fade out (picturing the taxi finally driving away in the night) would probably be more appropriate.

Cheers, Dorian

Feedback on Finished songs / Re: Hearts Mend

« Last post by Elvis Nash on Today at 12:05:32 AM »

Quote from: PaulAds on May 18, 2024, 09:16:07 AM

Howdy @Elvis Nash

Lovely song.

I’ve caught a few listens to your stuff and it’s universally excellent. I thought this was a slightly curious mix of old and new, in that the production gave the piano and organ a very contemporary sound and feel and the vocals seemed to be from a bygone era. Not in the sound of the recording or mixing, but just that it sounded like the singer was somewhat adrift in a shiny, modern, youthful environment.

Maybe the production and what-have-you is too slick and modern for an old-fashioned chap like myself…I don’t know…and I’m not entirely sure that I know what you’re aiming at with your music.

The lyrics are great and it’s a lovely sentiment…and it’s very well done. Those layered vocals are fascinating although I wasn’t sure whether they were necessary to elevate the song (as I ultimately decided) or whether they were a distraction (probably not)

It’s bound to have broad appeal, because it’s so well done…particularly to people whose hearts have mended, or those who think it’s possible.

Overall, I just wonder whether, as we get older, we should try to move with the times or stick to our rusty old guns…each to their own, I guess.

Excellent song, though…and I hope you don’t mind me offering my expanded thoughts on it.

10,000 views amazing

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