[Neil C]

Hi,

Here's a stripped back tune i put to some intriguing lyrics from STC.

I've tried to keep a really simple backing to allow the words and melody to be at the centre. I think there's some occasional rough edges to the vocals but I like the demo-like feel and currently got a cold..
 
Anyway look forward to your comments and suggestions.
 
Neil

https://soundcloud.com/neilconnor-2/no-angels-heart-2-mix

No Angels Heart

Leaning against....a blood red wall
The stain of brick dust, and the smell of the street
Reflections of faces in pools of rainwater
A girl looks through you, like the kiss of a daughter

And there ain`t no ending I care to see
What will be ....will be
Take a long hard look inside me
There ain't no angels heart, no angels heart

Dark is the shadow that no longer falls
In the corners and alleys, on cars half parked
More like abandoned, to the people's surprise

Dark is the shadow that no longer falls
In corners and alleys, on cars half parked
More like abandoned to the people's surprise
Keys in the gutters, cold stare in their eyes

Cos there ain`t no ending I care to see
What will be ....will be
Take a long hard look inside me
There ain't no angels heart, no angels heart

It`s all or nothing, in this city scape
The love that I lain, the innocent raped

Smoke from the factories blackens dark skies
Say all of, all your goodbyes
Say all your whens and say all your whys
Who cares when you die?

Angels hide behind haunted spires
Watching us closely, full of desire

Ain`t no ending i care to see
What will be ....will be
Take a long hard look inside me
There ain't no angels heart

Ain`t no ending I care to see
What will be ....will be
Take a long hard look inside me
There ain't no angels heart, no angels heart

c 2016 STC/Connor

[pompeyjazz]

Love the stripped-down feel of this Neil. Think it works very well. The chorus in particular is very catchy. Nice little bass run you've dropped in there as well. Lyrics are great as well

[Skub]

Yo Neil.

A sterling job on the song. I too find the lyrics intriguing,some fine imagery there. I love words that paint a picture and yet remain ambiguous,so much more depth to explore and interpret.

[LukeDaltonMusic]

I agree about the stripped back sound and it sets a great tone. Big fan of this style keep the good stuff coming!

[TimCurtis]

Like the way the airy guitar makes it sit back in the the mix, allowing the vocals stand out.  I'm guessing the guitar was a little way back from the mic when you recorded?  Or have I got that one wrong?

I do like unpolished backings as they sound more spontaneous, though having said that, it does sound well recorded/produced/mixed.

[Jamie]

Hi Neil, good collaboration.like the acoustic guitar sound its nicely recorded, and a really nice singing performance, made me think a little of tom petty! Nice laid back sound with a nice open production.
Good one guys!
Cheers
Jamie

[kevysc]

Good song, the vocals deliver well and the backing is solid if stripped down. Some interesting lyrics and would be interested to know the inspiration.

Kevin

[S.T.C]

Good song, the vocals deliver well and the backing is solid if stripped down. Some interesting lyrics and would be interested to know the inspiration.

Kevin

The inspiration was ,i thought to myself ,what would a dark Bruce Springsteen  song be like ! i think i gave Neil a less descriptive lyric  as well , but he liked the full version, if it would be used for something more commercial ,it would a verse or two stripping down..but thanks for taking note...i think Neil did a good interpretation .

[Neil C]

John, thanks for that encouraging feedback

Skub, intriguing lyrics indeed, thats why I asked to have write to it

Luke, pleased the stripped style worked

Tim, the guitar and vocals were recorded seperately but g;ad you like the production

Jamie, neat feedback, managed to get a good mic on acoustic for once and Tom Petty reference - I've got tickets for his gig this summer :-)

kevin, thanks lyrics we'll need to ask STC

[CaliaMoko]

Intriguing song--lyrics and melody work well together. Those who know me, know I'm picky about prosody, so I have a couple little nits in the first verse. The rhythm feels awkward to me here: "The stain of brick dust," and here: "in pools of rainwater", due to strong syllables in the words not falling on the strong beats of the melody. So we have "brick DUST" instead of the expected "BRICK dust" and likewise "rainWATer" instead of "RAINwater".

That's the only negatives I noticed. The song piques my interest...sounds like it could be a commentary on current events or the "human condition" or even something more personal. It could be something different for each listener.

In general, it mostly works well for me.

[IronKnee]

Hey there Neil.....good song, Man! The lyric and melody fit well......and the production is swell 
Who is STC
Good collab............it's not so easy to actually collab on a song....you two did pretty good!
                                                                   -Tom

[S.T.C]

Hey there Neil.....good song, Man! The lyric and melody fit well......and the production is swell 
Who is STC
Good collab............it's not so easy to actually collab on a song....you two did pretty good!
                                                                   -Tom

I'm STC....used to go as, songs that cry..but got abbreviated , i also go by OLDSONGSNEW else where....Neil and I , have done 3 songs now i think..basically , i give him a written out lyric and he ,lays a melody on top of it , in his style..

[digger72]

Hi Neil,

If I'm honest this didn't totally grab me like some of your more recent songs - but it did grow as the song progressed
It does have a very earthy, unfussy nature to it - which is cool.

The lyrics for me suggested a darker sounding song, so it's interesting the way you've used them - less obvious maybe.

Digger

[Oldbutyet]

Without a doubt Neil you found your vocals your own style, great lyrics STC, im lost for words here and that probably means on first listening its a grower, i will listen to this more, really great collab guys 

[Neil C]

Vicki, re prosody I get your point but sometimes I don't want to interfere with the lyrics so it's down to how I sing them. sometimes uncomfortable words can actually make it memorable imho

Tom, STC had answered your point..

Digger, thanks for your comments. I agree the lyrics have a darkness and starkness to them, and the tune came whilst I was reading Bruce's Autobiography so I was trying to keep it honest and earthy.

Old but yet, thanks for comments pleased you liked it
 
Neil