Thanks everyone for great comments. Funnily, I don't actually consider myself that unconventional. Though I do have a phobia against generic and pointless songs, so I'd much rather get those comments than "Nice but heard it all before".
@pompeyjazz thanks a million, especially re the solo (not my strong point!). Cherry Red and as someone said C86 are really in my music DNA.
@shadowfax I kind of know what you're saying re the phrasing but this was really the only way it sounded right to me. Thanks for listening!
@skub thanks for being always supportive - I think now I am not only getting more confident in doing things my way, but also more competent at making them sound that way too.
@PaulyX thanks for the detailed listen. On the sounds, I'm not being deliberately different, I just play until things sound right to me. It's definitely true that this works better if you know that the non-avian dinosaurs are supposed to have died out from an asteroid strike (do not assume, right?). If not, it still works but then seems even more "out there".
@MonnoDB glad you liked it, especially the lyrics which are my only talent (well, possibly BVs as well). Many thanks!
@cowparsleyman - thanks for the input. The pre/chorus vocals are quite "wet" but I deliberately tried to get a "closer" sound on the verses. Maybe too dry. Anyhow, thanks for the encouragement.
@MichaelA glad you appreciated - those verse chords are my Everything but the Girl wannabe sounds, many thanks for listening.
@mickyplankton - thanks for the really detailed review. Galaxie 500 is a good call - not deliberate but I think they were referred to as sounding like Jonathan Richman backed up by the Velvet Underground which sounds about right. I definitely come from the Dean Wareham school of vocals i.e. "making the best of what you have". The first demo for this was made in July 2018, and this is the 3rd vocal version (thankfully I replaced the Spandau Ballet foghorn version) comped together from a million takes. I don't know whether I've got the heart to go back to it! Maybe I will. Thanks for the support.
@Rightly - thanks for listening and commenting. I am strange in a more confident way these days.
@Scottlevi - thanks for the detail. Yes, noone seems to do insecure angst-ridden songs like I do! Interesting that you liked the verses best. I kind of liked stretching out the first section and having a quick revisit, just enough to end the story. Many thanks!
@PaulAds - not so long ago I would have hated being unique and unpolished but nowadays that's what I am happiest doing. (Except for lyrics, I have to polish those). Thanks for the encouragement. I'm still evolving, but probably not changing much any more.
@Martynrich thanks so much. Fair comment re the bass, I enjoy it but find it tough.
@Montydog I think our things will never really be each others' things, if you know what I mean! Thanks for taking a listen and finding some positives.
@SonnyandtheDark many thanks for the detailed comments. I'll check that cut. I did have a Strokes vibe in mind at one point. Glad you appreciated, anyhow.
@LostBoy thanks for that. I have to agree that it takes quite a long time to get to the pre/chorus - but I couldn't leave the story half way... Spot on re the final chorus, originally it was all like that and I redid them - except the last one as that worked better for and after the acapella. Thanks!
@Paulski Quirky, moi? Thanks for taking a listen - more to come for sure.