[TheAmericaCentury]

Hey guys,

The American Century: http://soundcloud.com/ykwya

Is my profile. Ive been lurking for a bit, and decided to register. If anyone fancies checking out my stuff (Electronic influenced) that would be great.

[Schavuitje]

Hello Welcome to the forums.

I had a listen to the first one, Nobody Knows.

First I need to say that this kind of electronic music is not my cup of tea at all, but I listened the whole way

through which says something 

There's normally only Dutchbeat who can make this kinda stuff and that I actually enjoy listening to, so that's a compliment.

I won't comment on the lyrics because I don't think I'm very good at reviewing lyrics and to me here and there they didn't

seem quite right although I wouldn't be able to say why. Maybe if you posted them?

You've got some good sounds going on there though, although some of them sound a little too synthetic for my own personal taste.

I think in some places the vocals could do with a tad more oomf. But again a minor critisism.

Nice one

Just a little note - It's probably better to post just one song at a time and not TOO often. You'll get a much more in-depth response

posting just one at a time

[nooms]

hi mr century
listened to loved and lost
reminds of talk talk on the piano, lovely change at @ 6.30 mins in..
good chill out track but for me its much too long till that change ..
cant get a lot from your vocal, not sure if you want me to either, all about the atmosphere
but a very nice vibe..
all the best
nooms

[Dutchbeat]

I enjoyed that a lot, beautiful vocal
and tht great synthesizer feel


yes, this is my cup of tea!

[nooms]

i must be enjoying these tracks, i reviewed it 45 mins ago and its still playing..
im truly chilled

[Songsmith]

Hi & welcome aboard,
                              I really liked the intro on this, although not really my bag I enjoyed this. For me I thought it was a bit one dimensional after a bit, that maybe it could have had more depth of sound further in, but that is just a personal thing. Nice one

[TheAmericaCentury]

Thank you very much for taking a listen and your feedback guys.

Im aware that it isnt for everyone, but for me, I would rather really connect with a handful of people than thousands. My main influences have always been the likes of Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, to Throbbing Gristle and Sisters of Mercy. I remember Andrew Eldritch saying exactly that about his writing style. But I am pleased that you guys were able to sit through some of it - it not being your thing. At least it isnt too offensive!

Here are some lyrics:

http://soundcloud.com/ykwya/nobody-1

Nobody by The American Century

I go to places
Where nobody knows my name and
I see the faces of the people
Passing by
I sometimes wonder
Do they notice me?
Im just another face that slowly fades away

Nobody knows me
Nobody sees me
Nobody knows my name
Nobody believes it
Nobody sees it
Nobody knows how I feel

I go to places
Where nothing is real
Just an illusion of a power
We all feel
When we're given choices
That none of us need
We spend our lives asking others
How WE should feel

Nobody Knows me
Nobody sees me
Nobody knows my name
Nobody believes it
Nobody sees it
Nobody knows how I feel

I end up walking
I could walk for miles and miles to
Escape this feeling
Of loneliness......

Nobody knows me
Nobody sees me
Im on my own

Nobody believes it
Nobody sees it
Im on my own.....

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://soundcloud.com/ykwya/feels-like-rain

This is a song about an Elephant in the room......

Feels Like Rain

Everyone knows about it
But no one dares to speak its name
Its secret we all live with
No one dares to ask it
The question that we should ask ourselves
The search for truth just turns up lies

There was a moment back then
Buried among the 'yesterdays'
You nearly had me believe it
Everything seemed just fine then
But then all your faces fell away
I was scared by what we were left with

Its like Rain
When the Night falls
It always leaves me cold
Its like Rain
When the Night falls
It always leaves me cold.....

Now Ive got this feeling
Everything else begins to fade
Nothing will ever take me back there
But when Im reminded
Of the things you used to say
It feels like falling Rain

Now I've got this this feeling
And the night turns into day
I see why you're afraid
There are things unspoken
But the light will show the way
No more hiding in the shade

Its like Rain
When the Night falls
It always leaves me cold
Its like rain
When the Night falls
It always leaves me cold

Everyone knows
But nobody sees
They make a choice
Not to believe
Weve been decieved
All of this time
We bought the illusion
We lived the lie......

Its like Rain
Its like Rain
It always leaves me cold......

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Loved and Lost

http://soundcloud.com/ykwya/loved-and-lost

All these moments
Lost in time
I never thought we'd be saying
Goodbye
You are the answer
To all my prayers
How can you leave me going
Nowhere?

Loved and Lost
It happened to us.....

How can two people
Just drift apart?
When sometimes it feels like we are sharing
The same heart
Is this the moment?
Is this goodbye?
The moment it feels like Ive been living
A lie...

Ive loved and lost
It happened to us
Loved and Lost
It happened to us....

Everything can change
But if you need me call my name
And I'll be there.....

I'll always love you
I'll always care
Tell me that you need me and I'll be there
I never thought we'd
Go seperate ways
But nothing lasts forever
So they say.....

Ive Loved and Lost
It happened to us
Loved and Lost
The hardest part

Everything can change
I know that I will see you again
Anywhere you go
Whenever you need me
Know
I'll be there......

Loved and Lost
A memory for everyone
Seperate ways
But whatever path you take
I'll be there....

Dont say goodbye
Dont say goodbye
Never say goodbye....

[Dutchbeat]

AmericanCentury,

i enjoy your music, and your influences are so clear in your music (e.g. Depeche mode in your voice)

well done!
and i am very glad that there is another forum member that appreciates, loves and respects that sort of 'frozen' retro synthesizer and electronic sound (it can be lonely sometimes when you are a songwriter in the synthesizer category....
but this forum is the best place to get good and respectful feedback from people that have very different musical preferences

but, please post one song per topic, that will make the input more useful and the discussion betweenmembers more focussed

[James Nighthawk]

I concur with dutchbeat...one song per forum thread. I didn't know where to start on the list so just closed the window! (Harsh, but true!)

[TheAmericaCentury]

OK, apologies folks, Im used to doing i the other way around! And not 'spam' the forum.

[Kafla]

Depeche Mode are one of my all time favourite bands so you have my attention

It sounds like you are singing over a backing track and taping the whole thing through a mic on a ghetto blaster - the way my Granny used to record tapes - seriously you could hear us all playing in the background 

Whilst this kind of lo-fi approach can be quite endearing with a acoustic guitar it completely destroys electronic music

I was quite impressed with the first song but felt the second song was almost identical but then loved & lost

This song has some serious potential - serious You haven't got the Dave Gahan baritone but in this song you are all high and fragile and it works beautifully - its spellbinding and captivating

If you can record your songs better I think you are onto something really beautiful

Welcome aboard

[jim morrison]

I like your stuff, very retro , i think some doubling up on the vocals would with a small amount of delay would help the ambience of the song, great work!

[Paul]

Great intro with real purpose.  Good clear vocals.  I 'd like to hear a few more instruments in this mix but it's still well written and I enjoyed listening a great deal.  I'd also echo what Kafla said about trying to achieve a better recording as I agree, this song does have a great deal of porential and it would be good to see that potential fulfilled.  Well done!

Best wishes

Paul