Night Driving
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Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/17 21:26
This thread, if successful, will serve the purpose of being a public forum to both dish out and receive honest critiques of our work from those we know or, possibly, complete strangers. But at least those who understand RPM as we do.
Whether it's:
"You have a truly unique singing style,"
"Your voice is not your strongest suit,"
"The mix is a bit off,"
"Oh my god you're recording my next cd."
the goal here is for a healthy dialogue containing potentially helpful opinions from other musicians around the world. It doesn't need to be a lovefest, but it surely shouldn't be a place for people to be snarkilly disrespectful goons.
Here's how it works. Simply have a listen to a track or two (or eighty) of the person above you in the thread who has just posted about someone else's music. Then give a comment or two (or eighty) and the next in the thread should do the same, and so on. C'mon, RPM. Let's become a perpetual ego machine!
Importantly, try to comment only on the music of those who have just commented on another's music, so we don't have people showing up to say "hey guys" and expect all sorts of feedback.
(this may get a bit confusing as people start posting at the same time, but we'll work it out. We're creative people, remember?)
But, more seriously, if all goes according to plan, we'll be able to:
-spread our music to others, especially those who may never have had otherwise listened
-learn what we do well, what hits home, what stands out to new listeners
-learn what we may need to improve upon or consider for the future
-talk about music, learn how people listen, what interests others
and perhaps most importantly:
-learn how accept criticism. it is NOT easy, not too fun, but a particularly crucial lesson in the step to becoming a better artist.
Now lets see if this works.
Post edited by: Night Driving, at: 2008/03/17 21:50
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Joshua Wentz
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/17 21:31
One note... because these forums have a tendency to get muddy, make sure that you clearly state in your response WHAT WORK YOU ARE CRITIQUING. Keep the confusion to a minimum.
Also, are we assuming this starts when the jukebox is available? Or will people be providing links to their work?
Post edited by: Joshua Wentz, at: 2008/03/17 21:31
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Night Driving
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/17 21:38
I wasn't even thinking of the jukebox, to be honest. Was thinking more about the tracks people have posted on their profile pages. Jukebox would work as well, when that is running. This is my first RPM, so I forgot about the jukebox entirely, whereas many probably dream of frolicking through fields with it!
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Raleigh
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/17 22:49
I'm calling dibs on Paula. Who wants to be Simon? Oh, wait...
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tangmo
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/17 23:42
Well...I love the idea, and at the risk of appearing to be a complete egomaniac offer myself as bait.
Few have heard my complete rpm 07 album due to jukebox problems. I'm unable to stream music on my internet machine. And I'd love to see this take off.
For those reasons, I volunteer to be 'critiqued' first. I will join the thread for any I find that provide download links..that's physically the only way I can be on the giving end. (I HAVE provided some level of critique already as well).
RPM '07 Jukebox. Artist Tangmo. Album "Thou Shalt..." Preferred track is "Her Own Museum" although any of the first ten are available for bashing. (The last four are gamey bonus tracks and only there mainly to make 14).
Post edited by: tangmo, at: 2008/03/17 23:46
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mparker
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/18 01:44
Tangmo Critique
I'm only going to critique the first 10.
First Impressions - Production quality is good. Voice will be an acquired taste thing, a bit like Neil Young. Not that the voice is like Neil Young, oh you know what I mean....
The Lord Your God
Vocals have maybe a bit too much echo. Instrumentation sounds a bit fake. Great tune and songwriting, although not one I'd come back to.
Her Own Museum
Funny, quirky. Love the "hot pants" line. Voice fits the song better. I prefer the chorus effect to the echo effect. Reminds me of Kev 'Bloody' Wilson, but without the profanity. Definitely a keeper.
The Dog's Name
Oooh, Leonard Cohen is in the house - even down to the Bontempi style backing track. Good tune. "Craps his weight in groceries". LMAO. Another keeper.
Costa Rica
Hmmm. Not sure about this one. 6/8 time, big strings and brass. Cheesy. Very cheesy. A bit too cheesy for my taste.
I Was Raised
20s style. Scat vocals. Now this one is good. The accordion on the off beat really gives the song a great groove. Reminds me a bit of Gogol Bordello, but without the loud guitars. The is the obvious single from the album in my opinion. I will be playing this one a lot I think.
Have You Ever Killed A Man?
Straight up acoustic song. A very White Stripes chord progression and strumming technique in the verse. Chorus flows very well. It's hard to do that in an acoustic song, especially when there is no other instrumentation. Could do with another instrument on the third verse to build up towards the ending climax.
Not Some Other Man
Another acoustic song, but picked rather than strummed. Vocal echoes are back. The echoes really need to be pegged back a bit. Song doesn't really grab me. Sounds a bit like Cat Stevens, and I never really got on with his stuff. Humming now. No, sorry, I don't like this one.
Julie Calamari
The Bontempi is back. The vocal line is real rhythm & blues. Sadly the backing track doesn't match it. Could really do with a big Les Paul gritty blues line going through it. Lyrics are quite inventive. Never heard a song about a bounced cheque before. But ultimately the instrumentation lets this one down.
Lies
This one has a much better hook than the last two. (Were the previous two the last ones done? I know the time constraints well!!). The echoes on the vocals fit the music better this time and don't interfere with the song. Oh, it's ended. Shame, I wanted that one to carry on. The chorus is infectious.
Doing Fine
Woody Guthrie has entered the building. I'm a huge Guthrie fan, and I love this one. Songwriting-wise, this is the best on the album IMO. I'd pay for this one.
Conclusion
A fine album that doesn't have too much filler, which given the time constraints is quite a feat (I know I'm guilty of adding filler to my release).
The songs start out quite frivolous, but become more serious towards the end leading the listener on a nice journey - the joviality drags the listener in and forces them to listen to the lyrics which are really well done throughout. The instrumentation is the weakest point of the album for me, a lot of the keyboard sounds like it was done with "auto-chords" - whether or not this is true or not, the impression is the same. The guitar work is good though. Simple, yet effective.
All in all, the good outweighs the bad, and the album is well worthy of a listen.
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mparker
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/18 01:49
There we go. I've tried to be objective and constructive in my criticism, as well as praising where it's due. I'm not one who believes in giving the kind of false criticism that you see on other sites such as iCompositions. Hope I haven't offended with the review.
That said, I now open my own work to review (truthful only please, I want what you really think).
You can stream it here - http://www.last.fm/music/Honeycomb/Once+Bitten...+%28RPM+2008%29
Or download it here - http://www.mpcontracting.co.uk/Honeycomb.zip
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moschell
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/18 01:54
Guess I misunderstood the rules. Sorry.
Post edited by: moschell, at: 2008/03/18 13:38
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tangmo
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/18 02:17
mparker wrote:
There we go. I've tried to be objective and constructive in my criticism, as well as praising where it's due. I'm not one who believes in giving the kind of false criticism that you see on other sites such as iCompositions. Hope I haven't offended with the review.
That said, I now open my own work to review (truthful only please, I want what you really think).
You can stream it here - http://www.last.fm/music/Honeycomb/Once+Bitten...+%28RPM+2008%29
Or download it here - http://www.mpcontracting.co.uk/Honeycomb.zip
Haven't offended at all. I think you were spot on..even recognized the ones hurt worse by time constraints and recognzied MY least favorite tune as well.
As I understand the concept, this link is next. If you want one from here, ya gots to give one.
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BrokenPromiseKeeper
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/18 04:16
OK, I’ll play. Good thread idea. First off, to MParker, don’t take this too personally (impossible, right?), it probably comes across harsher than I intend because I’m not real familiar with this style of rock (Love And Rockets-esque?). So with that caveat:
Behind the Moon – Cool throbbing keyboards, nice stereo effect. Melodic, almost spoken vocal. Liked the guitar when it came in and the riff was good. Nice silence break between verses. Overall, was a little long, could have been tightened up.
Hustle – I liked the swirly keys or rhythm guitar, went well with the guitar riff. Liked the guitar solo, too. Vocals and melody were weaker, though, but liked the pissed off lyrics.
The Final Act – Cool guitar starts it off. Good build into chorus. Good lyrics. I liked this one, but wanted it faster - tempo too close to the first two songs and it could have been tighter/shorter.
An Ingenious Confession Of The Truth – I liked the guitar riff right off, very cool. Vocal performance could have been stronger (more forceful and/or tighter), that’s the only thing I can say not completely positive, it’s my favorite track. Cool keys again, great stereo production. Very nice, melodic break.
Ex Animus – Good bass line over power chords kick it off. Chugged along but didn’t build to anything that really grabbed me. Vocals were a little spotty. Not sure what the lyrics were about but what I got seemed a little scary. Which fit the song’s mood. Very long; overall not a favorite of mine.
The Rot Won't Show – A welcome change of pace with piano and different drum beat. Vocal melody wasn’t as strictly tied to the beat as on the rest, which was also welcome. Nice building chorus and guitar solo. My second favorite.
One Too Many – Liked the strummy guitar that starts it up. Liked when the drums came in, too. Perfect guitar solo, really liked the tone and echo (and length – like the song, just right). More upbeat overall than most.
Hours And Days – Acoustic rhythm guitar here. Liked the processed vocals on the chorus. Seemed pretty similar to some of the others in tempo and drum patterns/fills, though.
Forgotten Youth – A little faster tempo, nice. Liked the guitar solo best. Otherwise it didn’t do much for me.
The End – Short acoustic guitar and keys piece. I liked the abrupt ending.
Overall, I liked it but again, it’s not the type of music I go out searching for or that makes me scream “YEAH!” If I should have waited for that style of music, I’d be waiting a long time, as I love power pop (a pretty unpopular genre, I think), and this was pretty far from it. But if you like this style of music, you’ll probably think I’m an idiot, and this is awesome. And you’d be right.
In summary, I think the production was very good, the performance of the live instruments darn good, the vocals a little too “held back” and possibly should have been touched up on spots. Could have used some editing in terms of length, but I’m from the school of “keep it short and so sweet, they’ll want to listen again right away.” Not a fan of drum machines, a real drummer would have brought this up a full notch or two in my book.
OK, take your best shot. http://www.brokenpromisekeeper.com/
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Oz Squared
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Re:Critique Thread - Broken Promise Keeper Review - 2008/03/18 06:12
Okay, here goes. Very much a sixties folkish feel to the CD, which I liked. I would like a copy of the CD. That said,
1. Welcome to the Circus
Weak opening kinda of dragged abit. I thought the crash of guitars and drums was good. A very upbeat song. The vocals were good, but a bit soft. The production on this song was quite good. I could hear all the instrumentation. Nicely done.
2. I Know You Know
Good electric line. Bass was a bit over pronounced in the mix. Lyrics were a bit nonsensical, I didn't get what the song was about. I like the instrumental break, very good. Again the vocals were a bit too soft. I think this song would actually work better as an instrumental.
3. Not There
Good 60's feel to the song. The mix was a bit too muddy, though it has a very good bass line.
4. Innocent
Very nice beginning. Again the bass line too big in the mix. The electric guitar is very good, nice feel to it. The song has a great live feel to it and sounds like it was recorded live. Great job.
5. Then She Turns the Radio Down
Good call and response on the vocal. Very nicely done. Good drums. In fact all the drumming on the CD is very good, sounds live. Good guitar work and vocals.
6. Light on the Snow
On this one the bass line is killler and really makes the song. Great Job. The keyboards are good but could have been a little louder. Vocal is a bit weak. Lyrics actually work well with feel of the song. Great groove. Great electric guitar solo, didn't expect it. One of my favorites.
7. No Choice
Good lyric. Best vocal on the CD, though again could be louder. Good mix on the instruments. Reminded me of Bob Dylan  . I like the kid part saying '..and vote often' nice touch. Very good election year song.
8. Done everything
Bass is too Big. Though it has a very good vocal. The electric guitars should be brought out a bit more in the mix. Backing vocals were very good. Overall a good song.
9. And Life Goes On,
My favorite of the CD. Great intro and cool guitar lick. I really enjoyed this one. Lyrics are very good, vocal is good. Really nice song. I will listen to this one again and again.
10. St Simons
I like the lyric on this one, but it felt like the beat was off at times in the song. It had the weakest bass line of all the songs on here which really surprised me. The sound of the bass was OK, but the line was a bit off. I think if you re-visit this one it could be a really good song.
Overall I give it a 7. A very good job. Nicely done!
Oz
Post edited by: Oz Squared, at: 2008/03/18 06:13
Post edited by: Oz Squared, at: 2008/03/18 06:14
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mparker
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Re:Critique Thread - Broken Promise Keeper Review - 2008/03/18 10:23
I think that was a fair review. You spotted the main flaw with the album straight away - I don't normally sing. And the second, due to time constraints some of the drum patterns were re-used/left very basic. There were also a few songs on there that wouldn't normally make the cut.
Thanks for the listen.
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KevinEmmrich
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/18 14:59
Outstanding idea for a thread -- and will take some serious work. I'll try to do this ASAP. When I get ready to jump in, I'll post saying which one I am doing, so two of us don't review the same group.
Kevin
cville ramblings
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Night Driving
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/18 17:16
glad to see this is working out so well. seems like its on the way to helping a lot of people. when i get my stuff uploaded to last.fm or another site, ill definitely do an extensive album review for one of you.
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strummindude
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/18 23:43
I'm doing a review of Oz Squared now. Just so no-one else starts one...
S. Dude
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mparker
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/19 00:17
I dunno, don't see why multiple people can't review the same thing. For me personally, I'm gonna review as many albums as possible because, just like the challenge itself, it gives me the kick I need - in this case to listen to other people's stuff.
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mick
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/19 00:20
I got strummin dude.
But I'm like Matt. Why not do more then one?
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strummindude
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/19 00:42
Father and Son - As above, so below - Oz Squared reviewed
I confess. Lo-Fi is not my cup of tea. And the charmful efforts of this Alabama ancestral team-up cannot be described in any other terms.
However. Just completing the challenge is such a great feat. Many pro or semi-pro artists didn't, or nearly didn't, I suspect. I know I despaired at times myself, and suffered serious doubt. So, completion counts for something. Everything, really. We all know what it takes.
So, to whatever else I may say, I'd like to add - Be proud of what you've achieved!
1. So I Can Believe
A shuffle introduces the album. Shuffle usually means pumping a lot of energy into a song. But in this song the rhythm track, the bass and drums, is way back in the mix, which makes for kind of a frustration as you're missing a lot of the natural forward drive. The song also features a guitar solo by 14 year old Alan. Great stuff! The lyrics are about honesty and trust, I believe. I never quite figured out what "it" represents, though.
2. I've Seen The Light
Lyrically, this song is vague. Like in the previous song, pronouns are introduced and discussed but never really explained what they represent. Or maybe they're taken for granted (and I'm being stupid). Interpreted in a certain manner, this song could be taken to represent the worst kind of "holier than thou"-mentality of born again christians. I really hope I'm wrong. Anyway, musically, it is an improvement from the first song. The lyrical/melodical hook "I've seen the light" is quite powerful.
3. All The Days of My Life
An honest song about standing firm in your faith. Great! Like the first song, this one would have gained a lot of momentum by having the rhythm section a bit more in the foreground. A comment on the composition: The chorus of this song might need to stand out more, depending on what you were aiming for. Either a slight change of melody or some harmonic novelty, like maybe some harmony vocals or something. In the present form it kind of feels like a procession of verses that never have their conclusion in a releasing chorus.
4. No One Is Good
Very nice melody on this one. I don't get the lyrics, but that's fine, I'm assuming they mean well. The best so far - a singalong! Excellent!
5. Sing Praise To God
Some bluesy lead guitar by young Alan introduces this song. Shows a lot of promise. This song aims to be the kind of tune that gets the audience to its feet and join in the chorus with clapping hands. What it needs to achieve that is basically dynamics. Everyone can't be playing the same drone throughout every part of the song, because that deadens any melodic effort. Here, less is more.
I am going to skip doing individual reviews for the rest of the songs. I listened through them all, and my feeling is that I would not be able to add to the large scale constructive criticism that I've already been trying to share.
I realize I've been blunt, and maybe even harsh at times already, and going down to detail for each song really wouldn't help things along. What you do good production-wise is in the stereo separation. You got that down. The individual sounds of the instruments is also pretty good. Regarding the vocal efforts, I wish you'd try some harmony vocals at times. That really helps a tune in my book. And work, work, work on your melodies.
All in all, you did good. Take this as encouragement, you're on the right track. Rock on!
The Strummin Dude
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bkoz
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/19 00:53
Thanks Strummin Dude, you are most kind. Good, honest, feedback is hard to find!
If someone wants to do Geezer please feel free. The whole album is at www.virb.com/ohho. Some of it is on the player but not all of it.
Oz
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mparker
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/19 01:25
Night Driving
Just because you started the thread don't think you escaped....
Don't Worry I'll Bring Sunglasses And Bottled Water
Starts off with acoustic guitar picking (very nice tone BTW). Sounds a bit Stairway To Heaven at the beginning, but this segues nicely into a very well played piano part. Vocals are some of the best I've heard from any RPM album yet - the only negative is that the singer seems to have forgotten his pop-shield. Think I would have preferred the song without the drums, until the loud bit at the end - maybe the loud bit should have gone around twice - would have provided for a better climax. Perhaps I'm being overly picky. This is a great song, professionally recorded and written, including some fantastically poetic lyrics.
The View From Up Here
This reminds me of something, not sure what though, but whatever it is it's good. Everything melds together beautifully, guitar, vocals, bass, drums and harmonies. Really catchy little pop song. I know what it reminds me of - The Oysterband - and that's a huge compliment BTW.
Tangled Hairs
More acoustic picking to start off with, still Jimmy Page like in style. A verse about a sink blocked with hair, nice. Bass is too loud. Like the sparse shaker for the rhythm, it fits really well with the overall groove. One of those songs full of observations that doesn't seem to go anywhere but is still strangely satisfying.
The Looking Back
Ahh, the ex-girlfriend song. I knew it was going to be a sad song the minute the trumpet started. I can feel the angst from here, 3000 miles away!!! Oh my God, you sound like you're in real pain. Are you alright? That ending was on a par with Ian Curtis' rendition of New Dawn Fades for sheer emotion. Hope you feel better soon.
Into The City Lights
Rhodes, waves breaking, moody atmospheric start. Minimalist beat again. I wonder if it could be dropped a key or two as the voice is really straining on some of the high notes. Have you heard the band "My Life Story"? If not I'd highly recommend them.
Conclusion
I could only find these tracks on your profile. Searched Virb, Last.FM, Alonetone, threads on this board etc. I want more. Where's the rest of it?
As these are from your profile I don't know if they're finished versions or still demos. The reason I say that is that these songs would really shine if there was a little more time spent on the mixing and mastering. Not that it's bad, just that the songwriting is so good you want the production to be equally good.
All in all, a great collection of indie-pop with closely observed lyrics looking at the minutiae of life as part of the bigger picture in the same way the best story tellers do. I can't recommend this highly enough.
Post edited by: mparker, at: 2008/03/19 01:28
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kavin
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/19 01:57
Strummindude "The Sauna Tapes"
I know these reviews aren't supposed to turn into a love fest, but I'll say right from the start, there's not much I can find wrong with Strummindudes album, other than my own genre likes and dislikes, which shouldn't be allowed to interfere with critical comment (but I can't help it!). Over all the production and playing are top-notch, but here goes anyway:
Overture - A beautiful steel string classical-flavored instrumental, that, if you listen quietly will make you float. Hearing stuff like this makes me wanna burn my guitars. I wish there was more of this kind of stuff on the recording.
Homecoming - How did a dude from Sweden write and record a barn-burning Texas country/rock tune like this? It's even got the twang in the vocal. My favorite song on the album.
Would That I Could/Try Again/Do What You Wanna Do/Taste Love Again - Again, my genre dislikes come into play here. They are all well executed, well written songs with good hooks. But I don't care for this pop style, approaching Eagles territory here and I must agree with another "Dude" (Big Lebowski) about THAT band. I really like the slide solo on Taste Love Again, tho.
You and I - A very slow, somnambulistic (in a good way) love song with some very cool effects on the background vocal. Maybe a bit too long.
Going Home - Nice song. Beautiful background harmonies.
Good Night Daddy - The album closes with this beautiful, slow tempo acoustic/electric guitar instrumental. Very nice.
This has to be one of the best I've heard this year on RPM production-wise. The Strummindude's voice and guitar playing are great, but I think I would have liked to have heard more instrumentals, but this is purely personal preference.
Ok, 'dude what's with the album title?
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templaar
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/19 02:03
OK - Had a listen to MParkers "Behind the moon" and "An Ingenious Confesion of Truth" on the profile demo spot...
Behind the moon;
The opening keyboard and the opening vocals had me thinking Pink Floyd (One of these days) which is no bad thing! The instrumental that ends at 2m15s is fab and had me looking form more. I think the vocals are a little quiet in the mix. Like me, I guess you are a little self conscious of your singing voice!
An Ingenious Confesion of Truth;
The guitar riff that opens the track is very listenable and I was a little dissapointed that it's just used as an intro to the verses. The verses didn't grab me but the sweeping keyboards on the chorus section work very well - I did find myself waiting for the guitar riff to come back, perhaps use it in conjunctions with some vocals? Once again the vocals are a bit quiet.
Better than what I've done anyway!
Post edited by: templaar, at: 2008/03/19 02:05
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Night Driving
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/19 03:51
mparker wrote:
Night Driving
Just because you started the thread don't think you escaped....
Conclusion
I could only find these tracks on your profile. Searched Virb, Last.FM, Alonetone, threads on this board etc. I want more. Where's the rest of it?
As these are from your profile I don't know if they're finished versions or still demos. The reason I say that is that these songs would really shine if there was a little more time spent on the mixing and mastering. Not that it's bad, just that the songwriting is so good you want the production to be equally good.
All in all, a great collection of indie-pop with closely observed lyrics looking at the minutiae of life as part of the bigger picture in the same way the best story tellers do. I can't recommend this highly enough.<br><br>Post edited by: mparker, at: 2008/03/19 01:28
heh. first of all, thanks VERY much for the review. all very very good points, and ill re-read this over and over to consider.
one thing, however, will either make me seem like an idiot, or explain why these, as you said, sort of sounded like demos. i recorded scratch vocals for many of them with intention to re-do them, and then got struck with the flu, with the voice never returning in february. so...while these are technically the RPM versions (i think they're the finals?), i decided i didnt want a sickness and a loss of voice to have such an impact on the lyrics and music i worked so hard on. so...herein lies the dilemna. i have decided to re-record some of the vocals on the album, you know, to bring it to where it should, ideally, have been at the end of february.
perhaps some of you will be anti-this idea, that what i eventually release will not be 100% what was completed in february, but as will be explained in the liner notes, a version the way it would have been had the fever not attacked me, 97% of which was completed in february. the purists may spite me, but for my first recording, to introduce myself to the world, i'm pretty happy with the 97%, and something that accurately represents what i do.
this being said, the post i made earlier that said glad to see this is working out so well. seems like its on the way to helping a lot of people. when i get my stuff uploaded to last.fm or another site, ill definitely do an extensive album review for one of you. was perhaps a bit too subtle of a way to say "wait on me, folks, so i can give you a whole record to listen to!" but in any case, thanks so much mparker.
i will gladly review yours, and will let everybody else know when ive finally gotten my entire cd uploaded with the 4 or 5 tracks of actual-voice-instead-of-horrible-sickness-induced-flatness re-trackings in tact.
and mparker, i love how you said "the singer sounds like he forgot his pop-shield."
there's no "singer." it's all me, my brother!
it would have been great if you said something like "the bassist seems full of himself but and the guitarist is a bit of a show off, but the vocalist seems to know what he's doing.
although, if i did have band mates, that might have been how it would have gone.
again, thank you mparker, for the honest and heartwarming review. made my night.
and thank you guys for continuing this thread. good things coming. i feel like ghandi.
Post edited by: Night Driving, at: 2008/03/19 03:55
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mparker
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/19 10:56
Night Driving wrote:
one thing, however, will either make me seem like an idiot, or explain why these, as you said, sort of sounded like demos.
It's mostly in the final presentation and in the mixing. The ending of The Looking Back is a bit of a cacophony, I'm sure the instruments could be more balanced, even with you screaming. The bass is very, very loud in Tangled Hairs especially when it first comes in, to the point where it almost drowns out some of the other instruments. There's 15 seconds of silence at the end of Tangled Hairs with a bit of random shaker in the middle. Sounds like it should have been edited off.
Having said that, the reasons above wouldn't have made me think automatically of "demo" if I hadn't got the songs from your profile. The combination of the profile and problems together made me think they might be early versions.
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oldemimickry
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/19 12:40
I'm ready for a critique. I'm curious what you rockers think of my background music. Bonus points for comments on production values. My album is at http://mvollrath.net/static/noise/mva.zip
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sister_savage
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/19 13:19
I think this has gone off track slightly. I could be wrong but I think Templaar needs to review Kavin next, and then Oldemimickry reviews Templaar. Then the next person wanting feedback will review Oldmimickry and so on!
*BUTTS OUT* 
Post edited by: sister_savage, at: 2008/03/19 13:20
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kavin
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/19 13:26
Thanks, Sis!
Let's review the rules, shall we? From Night Driving's original post:
Importantly, try to comment only on the music of those who have just commented on another's music, so we don't have people showing up to say "hey guys" and expect all sorts of feedback.
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Night Driving
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/19 15:35
Correct!
Kavin's album should be the next to be reviewed.
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strummindude
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/19 15:36
kavin wrote:
Ok, 'dude what's with the album title?
Heh! OK, first of all, thanks a lot for that stunning review, Kavin, I only wish half of it were true...  And you're spot on about "You and I" being a bit on the long side. Two things factored in: First, I actually stretched it out about a minute to meet the running time of 35 minutes for the album. And second, I had planned to ornament it a bit more with a soaring solo guitar, but there just wasn't enough time.
The album name? Well, to be able to work on the project at all hours, I moved all of the instruments and recording equipment out of my office, which is next to the bedrooms, and into our sauna, which is located in a separate wing of our house. Yes, it's fairly large for a sauna, we've even used it as a guest bedroom on occasion. I guess I'll have to post some pictures.
Looking forward to reading someones take on your album. I've listened to it a lot, and enjoy it immensely, as you know.
Cheers!
Jana
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oldemimickry
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Re:Critique thread...want opinions on your music? - 2008/03/19 16:02
okok! I can wait.
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