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Songwriter Forum => Feedback on Finished songs => Topic started by: digger72 on May 08, 2020, 01:40:14 PM

Title: Brutalise
Post by: digger72 on May 08, 2020, 01:40:14 PM
Hi All,

This started life as a bit of a dance groove track, but quickly returned to type. Dance drums do have a nice depth to them though - great for layering with a more natural kick drum sound.
We've used this as the opener for our recent "album" - sort of a scene setter for the tracks that follow.

Is it a a song about chocolate addiction? Well I do like the odd Cadbury Crunchie every now and then.  :D
And it can make a mess of the waistline. 6lbs gained so far during the lockdown. Nightmare.

All the best,

Digger


https://soundcloud.com/digger-72/brutalise

Brutalise

Your mouth it tastes like honeycomb
Speak your words in acid tones
Copper blood and broken bones
Bringing down your hammer on the metronome

Sing Hey
Hey

Your scars I bear with bang and blame
Hold me down with ball and chain
Sweet the sound you call my name
Falling is so easy when you play the game

Sing Hey
Hey

There’s a fine a line
Between pleasure and pain
What you love and hate
Can feel the same
It can speak the truth
While it whispers lies
What feels good
Can brutalise


I’m an angel
Of a fallen prayer
You got a song to sing
For the weak to share
And you say it’s you
And you say it’s me
I’m gonna follow
So you lead the way

Sing it
Sing it
Sing it
Sing it

There’s a fine a line
Between pleasure and pain
What you love and hate
Can feel the same
It can speak the truth
While it whispers lies
What feels good
Can brutalise

You lead
I’ll follow
Title: Re: Brutalise
Post by: Grubstar on May 08, 2020, 03:25:48 PM
Another realy good Goth? type song from you guys.Great production, arrangement, lyrics and singing,and I really like the drums.  My only comment would be, IMO  that the  bottom end seems to be a bit weak and that the bass needs to come up in the mix and lock in with the kick. Still a fine offering though.
Title: Re: Brutalise
Post by: Sebandme on May 09, 2020, 05:27:57 AM
The production is awesome, love the singer. The drums sound amazing. I thought it's a great song. Dark.and atmospheric. :)
Title: Re: Brutalise
Post by: PaulyX on May 09, 2020, 10:08:58 AM
Brill stuff Digger.  The drums are super cool - those toms that open it really build the tension.  Some great lines lyrically - 'copper blood' / 'hammer on the metronome' in particular... I didn't think it was about chocolate - it sounds vaguely 'kinky' to me but that's cool - certainly works for other bands...  Your singer as ever has a great voice for this kind of Goth  ice queen delivery.  I must admit I would have loved another 30 seconds with a 'big finish' payoff (massive fuzz guitars leaping in again suddenly  after the last 'I follow' would have given me guaranteed goose bumps I think) - maybe that is an option for the 12" remix.  Great work.  Is the album out and if so can you post a link?
Title: Re: Brutalise
Post by: PaulAds on May 09, 2020, 03:53:55 PM
Aw...I can't eat chocolate...it gives me migraine so I haven't had any for about 25 years or more. I used to love chocolate too...life can be cruel.

Great sound to this. Brilliant vocals give it a real star quality sound. Enjoyed the layers of guitar sound and the bass and drums support it all superbly.

I don't think I could every really hope to achieve as much as this does...playing, singing, choice of sounds and production-wise...it's bang on the money.

Really excellent!
Title: Re: Brutalise
Post by: pompeyjazz on May 09, 2020, 06:03:05 PM
Another super track from you guys @digger72 (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=9823) Love the bleakness and the great big thumping drum pattern and the vulnerable vocals, together mixed with moody guitar and some interesting synth stuff makes this an excellent listen
Title: Re: Brutalise
Post by: Bostonfan2 on May 09, 2020, 06:26:51 PM
Those vocals sound fantastic and your production overall sounds great!
Drums are killer as well, great job on this !!
Title: Re: Brutalise
Post by: LostBoy on May 10, 2020, 12:43:38 AM
Yeah! Not really anything more to add than what’s already been said. It’s a great track! executed brilliantly. Nice one guys. U even had “crunchie” guitars to keep with the choc theme! 🤪😆
Title: Re: Brutalise
Post by: cowparsleyman on May 10, 2020, 09:36:22 AM
@digger72 (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=9823) - Dig this one Digger/Katja - I liked the Title, draws one in to it, the vibe matches the title.

Lots of space in here, liked it very much, just listening and writing as I go...like the pads, and gtr work.

Really like held back drums, not really my genre, but very accomplished, you two go very well together.

Title: Re: Brutalise
Post by: MichaelA on May 10, 2020, 01:47:00 PM
Great mood to this. The vocal is so stunning that it easily stands alone in the quieter bits. That means when the build comes it makes even more difference. The dynamics created by the composition skills, then topped off by a fine production are really something to behold.

You should get a sponsorship from Cadburys for this. Top work, lusciously dark.  ;)
Title: Re: Brutalise
Post by: Skub on May 10, 2020, 05:36:17 PM
Love that slow burning Curved Air feel engendered by Katja's vocals.

Always enjoyable to hear new tracks from you two.
Title: Re: Brutalise
Post by: Jamie on May 11, 2020, 01:40:50 PM
@digger72 (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=9823)
Hi guys, brilliant. Love the vocals on this one 8).Also like the guitars when they burst on the scene. Excellent production, plenty of 'air'.
Nice one!

Cheers
Jamie
Title: Re: Brutalise
Post by: adamfarr on May 11, 2020, 01:56:41 PM
Hi Digger - yes, those drums are fab. Bit of a Coldplay-stadium moment with the chorus. Guitars really enter with a bang as well. Lyrics are kind of impressionist and malleable, always interesting.
I wonder if it's maybe a little serious to be the first track on the album? Though I haven't listened to the rest yet so that is not based on any science.
Really great sounds from you as ever.
Title: Re: Brutalise
Post by: montydog on May 12, 2020, 02:23:48 PM
Hi Peeps,
I read the lyrics before I listened and I thought they were superb then that voice started and I was falling head over heels. Love the American Indian type hey yeah bit. The musical setting is a little heavy in places for my taste, darling but it doesn't spoil the overall yuminess of this track. This is a rather exceptional and very imaginative piece of music. A definite thumbs up from the South Devon jury.
M
Title: Re: Brutalise
Post by: MonnoDB on May 12, 2020, 10:45:19 PM
This is just stunning @digger72 (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=9823) .. 

There's not a thing I can fault.. the drums are particularly wonderful among so many fantastic elements - Vox awesome, guitars fabulous, great lyrics.. Maybe the drums are doubly impressing me as I'm strangling a drum track at the moment myself (or maybe it's the other way around :) )...

Just stunning!!!! I think I might say this quite often as you post more tracks but I think this might be my favourite of yours and I'm already a huge fan...

K
Title: Re: Brutalise
Post by: IronKnee on May 13, 2020, 07:09:13 AM
At first sound....sounded like a soundtrack from a vampire movie.
sexy...scary.....Ozzie would be proud!
Great production!! Love the performances....very Pro!
                                   -Tom
Title: Re: Brutalise
Post by: digger72 on May 18, 2020, 06:27:19 PM
Hi All,

First of all - apologies for the very slow response. Things have been manic at work and as most of my day is tied up on computers I've had to unplug in the evenings for my own sanity.
Many thanks for the kind words. I did boost the bass on the back of Grubstar's observation and will look at a beefed up ending, though in the album setting was supposed to introduce the tales that followed.

Rest of the album is here - but I think I've already posted most of the tracks.
https://thecomfortablystrange.bandcamp.com/album/the-silent-theatre

I've checked out Curved Air - can't say I'd ever heard of them. I do hear some of Katja's delivery in there - especially if you heard her singing songs that are more her style; Katja like artists like Joan Baez, My Brightest Diamond, Katie Melua.

Drums I use Addictive Drums - it's old, but you can get some good sounds out of them. It was bit easier when my daughter was dating a drummer who could give pointers. Lol.

I will catch up with the new postings over the weekend - just wanted to respond so my post can sink away.

Cheers,
Digger
Title: Re: Brutalise
Post by: PopTodd on May 18, 2020, 08:38:16 PM
Starts off with a great drum groove and that droning synth -- remind me a little bit of Rush. But only for a minute because it moves very quickly into kinda darkwave territory.
Reminds me a little bit of Garbage, but even darker -- probably a result of the slower grooves.
Something about the mix, I think the vocals are a little too separate from the rest of the instruments. If you could find a way to get those more on the same plane, that would be my biggest comment.
Nice stuff though, thanks for posting.
Title: Re: Brutalise
Post by: moraamarolaloba on May 24, 2020, 04:12:15 PM
Happy to discover you @digger72 (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=9823)
I enjoyed your song, its repetitive beat so tribal for me with its strength of the earth under the feet... Lyrics are fantastic, a language that I like because it is modern but written in a way that makes urban poetry of bad emotions!!


Title: Re: Brutalise
Post by: Binladeda on May 24, 2020, 07:02:54 PM

 Hey Digger,  ;D ;D

 Hope you are well my friend. Well, I love those drums. I love the guitars, the bass, and the way it builds to a very satisfying wall of sound ;D ;D
 Katja voice is as mesmerising as always.  Top class song old chap ;D

 How's Forest doing ?  Hope you get a refund on your season ticket ;D ;D

 Take care...Stay Safe ;D



Title: Re: Brutalise
Post by: Unclenny on May 25, 2020, 04:49:13 PM
Wow! Great production with fantastic vocals.....both in performance and presentation.

Very dynamic arrangement. This song is jumping out of my studio monitors.
Title: Re: Brutalise
Post by: Cawproductions on May 25, 2020, 06:24:44 PM
Hi Digger
this track has a super cool vibes, the vocal style really gives it an edge too, also loved the dynamics you have, great energy then dropped back sections, keeping us interested

Top work Guys n girls
Title: Re: Brutalise
Post by: shadowfax on May 26, 2020, 11:36:39 AM
When and how did I miss this awesome track?..just luv it 8) like the air of 60's/70's psychedelia it has, (sort of Jefferson airplane White rabbit feel) singing is wonderful, in a spooky wasted kinda way.. 8)

11/10 for this guys... :) 8)

best, kevin :)