[PopTodd]

Here's the solo take:
https://hoponpop.bandcamp.com/track/new-years-eve

I was thinking of re-doing it with a bluegrass-type arrangement: mandolin, string bass, banjo, fiddle, and guitar. But I'm concerned that my rhythm guitar part is just too busy for something like that. With the crazy Skruggs-style banjo, and chiming mando, there would be too much going on.
So, maybe a rock band?
But, I wanna do something a little different with it and not the standard guitar/bass/drums thing.

Or, do you think we can pull off the bluegrass thing (without changing the rhythm guitar part, which I'm kinda married to)?
Thoughts?

[Marrianna]

Were there any lyrics for this?

I would have liked to have followed them while listening.

I like the style but agree the guitar is just a bit too busy for the vocals. Like two trains, one going slightly faster than the other. I love the performance despite the two trains analogy and would hope that if the other instruments are added, that doesn't change. Maybe some drums and mandolin but too much block sound would detract from the vocals and energetic guitar already there.

Still hard to judge without the lyrics but enjoyed it.

Marrianna

[PopTodd]

Thanks so much, Marianna!
There are lyrics:

Eight hours away
From a brand new start
And I'm gonna ring it in
On the clock
Making hard-won cash to fritter away on the rent
New Year's Eve
And a whole lot's changed
Things haven't happened in cycles
But octagons
Making hard, sharp turns and I couldn't see what was coming next

And every New Year's Eve is the same
And even those who don't believe invoke his name
"God, make this one better than the last"

Three smokes away
From an empty pack
I would buy a new one
But I've got no cash
So I guess I'll just quit and live a few more miserable years
New Year's Eve
And nothing's changed
Things just haven't gone
The way I've planned
Well I still don't have a job that can pay the rent

And every New Year's Eve is the same
And even those who don't believe invoke his name
"God, make this one better than the last"

Yeah, every New Year's Eve is the same
And even we who don't believe invoke his name...

I've dropped the ball

[Marrianna]

Listened to it, followed all the words and it's great. I really love it. You deliver the song so well
and although the words are a bit depressing for New year's Eve, that's what the message is (as I hear it). I liked the way you quietened down the last lines 'make this one better than the last'. Just made a break and bringing out the plea in that line. Then you brought me back to the edge of my seat for the last part and the startling, louder note on the word 'better'. :-)

Two things I thought of were that the intro could have a couple of notes of voice over it (or maybe like the startling one at the end).
The other thing was that I felt that some of the endings of each line could have turned downwards musically. I thought they all ended on the same notes except one??

But that is just how I was hearing it but will still be going back to listen again  ... and again.

Marrianna

[PopTodd]

Thank you so much Marianna!
Yeah, it is a depressing song. I wrote it one night (New Year's Eve), right after I had graduated college. I was waiting tables, looking for a "real" job (one where I could use my degree).
I had just lost my loon-time girlfriend. I was drinking too much. I was even smoking… the only period of my life when I did.
Yeah, so that's where that came from.

It's okay. I'm much better now!
Thanks for the kind words and for lending an ear. I really appreciate it.