[Jambrains]

Yet another collab with MonnoDB, we are turning into a great team  
This time Karen wrote the song and did the vocals and I provided arrangement/playing and production.
As always we had great fun doing it.  

https://soundcloud.com/monnodb/dont-play-that-card

Don't Play that Card

Verse 1
Do you remember the words you said
The hurt they caused, and the fears they fed
When nobody mattered to you but you
My best deeds would never do

Verse 2
Do you remember the casual way
You passed off insults that would stay
Embedded in my self esteem
They served their purpose it seems

Chorus
Now your smiles belie the truth
This current version is a kinder you
I loved you then though you made it hard
Don't play it now don't play that card
Don't play that card, don't play that card

Verse 3
Do you remember the way you pushed
For what you wanted in name of us
Justification an excuse away
Just an excuse away

Verse 4
Do you remember how you stole my pain
Took my story made it yours and then
Came for comfort to my grieving head
Refused to hear the words I said

Chorus
Now your smiles belie the truth
This current version is a kinder you
I loved you then though you made it hard
Don't play it now don't play that card
Don't play that card, don't play that card

Bridge
Make me understand
Why so underhand
Does it make a better tale
If dishonesty prevails

Chorus
Now your smiles belie the truth
This current version is a kinder you
I loved you then though you made it hard
Don't play it now don't play that card
Don't play that card, don't play that card

[pompeyjazz]

Brilliant colab JB and MDB. Loved the slide geeetar and the vocals. Acoustic interlude brings it down really nicely as well. Quality stuff guys

[Yodasdad]

Hi both,

Loved everything about this, the whining guitars and the whole laid back brooding vibe. The vocals are good to, they sit nicely in the mix.

The only thing I didn't like was the final little drum fill right at the end. It sounded out of place to me, possibly because it was louder than the drums throughout the track, or at least it came across that way without the other instruments there. Maybe mixing it down would help.

Yodasdad

[Movin Flavour]

Another great collab.

Your style complement each other's well.

Great topic...excellent lyrics and guitars up to their usual standard.

Sandeep

[boolio]

Hi,

I'm liking this... vocal sits perfectly in the mix and is strong. Production and instrumentation superb. Melody is kind of atmospheric and the whole song nestles nicely on the rock-folk spectrum to me which is right up my street!

Good job going to listen again 

Phil

[shadowfax]

always cool stuff..always, really good song enjoyed it awesomely!! not a nit in site my friend..

very well done you guy's...

[igg]

Hi Jam,

I really like the way the vocals emerge, lotus like, from the huge gritty texture....That counterpoint of the smooth vocal against the crying guitars is very effective... 
To my ears, it seems that the vocal could use a touch more verb to bring it into the guitar space....or maybe the other way around ....depending on your preference...  Another excellent tune!

igg

[tina m]

You have a great thing going with monodb & all the songs youve done together are  realy good..
this has a fab backing track & the slide guitar was a nice touch...tho I kept wanting you to do more with it instead of being a bit cautious ( not that I can play slide)
it was very catchy & the words & rhymes were hooky & made a great song

now as you complained about my terrible modern drum sound! I had a good listen to yours
& im going to suggest that your drums always sound the same! ..its that big 'playing to 1000s' full on rock kit every time & as monodb hasnt got a full on rock voice  what about trying something more modern for her?
I can send you the one I used on my song if you want

[MartynRich]

Love it Jambrains. Lovely full slide guitar - it´s always satisfying playing slide isn´t it? Great melody and lyrics as well - Karen does a great job on the vocals. The whole piece has a more original melody and chord structure than you hear normally, which is refreshing stuff. Someone mentioned heavy drums...they are a little in places, but that´s a minor nitpick. Really like it...

[TheButcher]

first thing.

You have loud drums and loud and distorted guitars; and the mix is great.
That s really sth i m struggling with all the time.

the vocals sound superb.

The songwriting is great; a really really good rock song. WOW!!

B

[Jambrains]

@pompeyjazz: thanks!

@yodasdad: I see what you mean about the final drum fill. The intention was to create an illusion of a "live" session but I guess it could be turned down a bit.

@Movin Flavour: thanks for the kind words 

@boolio, @shadowfax: thanks for taking the time to listen and comment!

@igg: I get the point about the guitars vs vox, my intention was to make the vox stand out from the rest by keeping it pretty dry so it was "by design" even though it may not have worked out the way I intended...

@tinam: thanks! I knew that drum comment would back fire    But you are quite right about the drum sound being more or less the same in my songs but I guess that is just the way I like them. Searched long and hard to find a kit that gave me that sound and even more time figuring out how to mix it. 

@MartynRich: thanks for the nice comments, I get the point about the drums but I guess that is the way I like them

@TheButcher: hey, long time since I saw you around, good to have you back.  Thanks for listening and the positive feedback

[rightly]

that was a fun listen.
I might have missed your other collaborations
I hope they re-surface.

Thanks for the upload.

[AnitaFox]

I like this guys. Nicely put together.  Well done.

Will go in search of your other collabs tonight!

Cheers
A

[montydog]

To be honest, I don't like distorted guitars and loud drums - it's just not pleasant to these old ears. The song itself is a bit lacking melodically but again I'm maybe looking for something which you're not selling

I think the lyrics are the strongest part of this and it's clearly played and sung to a high standard but it's just not my cup of tea.

M

[Jambrains]

@Rightly & @AnitaFox: thanks for the kind words. All my collabs with MonnDB can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/jambrains/sets/collabs-with-monnodb

@montydog: yeah, I know this is not your cup of tea but I'm happy you took the time to check it out anyway. Too bad you missed our previous collab, I'm pretty sure that one would have been more enjoyable for you: http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=11939.15