Authors of-This is very busy and unbalanced mix wise. Lots of good notes. The vocal recordings are the worst. Singing is adequate but awkward in the timing. Sounds like you’re forcing lyrics into the space. The strings were nice to hear at the beginning. Sounds like you are self aware of all the shortcomings. I think as you dial in your recording techniques you’ll sound much better. I think this is way too long.
Banging Betty- Wow this is boring. I like the guitar tone. The blues riff is tired. Your voice is just fine. The mumble of your delivery reminds me of “Going to the Country” from Canned Heat. Where’s the bass? Where’s the solo?
Berkeley Social Scene- We actually had a BSS core session on that 1st Tuesday during this challenge. We managed to write this song and get a crumby recording of it. I should say Ken and Lunkhead sounded awesome, but Martyr and myself needed some help. So the week progressed, Ken made a midi version for us to record to. Lunkhead offered up his rhythm track. BTW the main riff and song grew from Lunkhead. Ken later put down some fantastic drums. That Monday night before the deadline, Martyr and myself got together for my guitar, my solo, Vocals, and bass. We have families and small kids, so we got together at like 10:30pm and went on ‘til 4:00am. Martyr nailed the bass line early on. I coached Martyr through the vocals, acting like a total asshole, “pitchy, do it again”, “I didn’t believe you, do it again”, “Now with some semblance of timing, do it again”, “try a melody that doesn’t suck, do it again”. Anyway, I enjoy doing that, and I like the result. It was getting really late when my solo finally came together. We threw around a few ideas for the final chorus to make it interesting. The final result has grown on me and I love it now. It was nice to do a song in 4/4. My band mates are awesome! VOTE
Brandoni Carluchi- Nice and loud. This REALLY needs drums. I know the acoustic is rather persussive, but I miss drums. Blah blah blah you sing. I haven’t an idea what you’re talking about. Cool voice, melody could vary and explore more. I love the acoustic playing, it’s got excellent conviction, you’re strumming the hell out of it and it sounds great. I wish there were more guitar melodies, more vocal melodies, and especially some drums.
Corduroy Gangsta- trying out some gear at a music store?
Crank Radio- I have some Dust Pipe recordings where we got the cops showing up captured on tape. Anyway, your neighbor Nancy is just as excellent a catch on (tape?). this is a cool pop song. The recording leaves a lot to be desired. Perhaps this is too long. I like the harmony chorus and the drums. The lead guitar is pretty good too.
Doscientos- Very cool song. I like the distorted bass. The organ is cool. I wish the vocals were less affected and more clear. Nice short and sweet song.
Du To Va- The vocals are excellent. The bass sounds great. Drums are cool. The lyrics are a bit painful. I had to fast forward through the 2nd verse and chorus because it musically sounded the same as the 1st verse and chorus. No solo? Not much variety in the bridge either. Great solid performance. I think if the music evolved more as the song progressed would make it stronger. Uck fade out. Write an ending!
Gooey Caramel Centaur- Great vocals! The spare drums work really well. I appreciate them far more than a drum machine! Bass is nice but not very adventurous. This has a lot of tasty things going on. Although, nothing is grabbing me. Needs a stronger hook, needs a solo, the counterpoint vocals for the last 40 seconds is my favorite part. Excellent ending!!!!
i.p. – Where have you guys been? You know I don’t think the chorus is very strong. But this is sooooooo atmospheric and pleasant to listen to. I always love your vocals. The drums and bass and fantastic. The rhythm acoustic is perfect. This is a keeper and a mix cd track. VOTE
James Owens- Bass sounds great! Are these all midi sounds? The string plucks have a good timbre to them, there’s something awkward about the line though. Your voice sounds great. This is a good listen, I’m enjoying it. It’s pretty mellow, almost sleepy.
Jeff Robertson and the Neo-Candylanders- E, D, A done! Well, I like your voice, I like the acoustic noodling when it happens. I think the claps were a mistake. I hope you didn’t spend much time on this. There’s not much to it.
Kasper- This is pretty. You guys need some drums. The flute sounded a bit pitchy to me. Perhaps you need to tune to it? I’m not blown away by this, but it’s a fine song.
King Arthur- Facebook has kicked my ass with ghosts and friends of ghosts. Man that guitar sounds good, and the bass sounds super good. I freaking hate that vocal synth patch thing. Your lead vocals are very prominent, but done very well. This is too much story and not enough music for my tastes. Done well. I wish there was some natural sounding piano rather than that awful keyboard patch. Good stuff.
The Lord of Oats- I like this. Your brought your vocals into key
I like the way this song progresses. Nice juicy long intro. Some good melotron sounds. I like the dynamics a lot. Good stuff!
Paco del Stinko- Always good. The punches in the verses are my favorite parts. Backing vocals are wonderful as usual. This is just BAD ASS! VOTE!
Pathetic Wannabees- Nice and hissy and energetic. Short and fun!
Pigfarmer Jr.- This is rather song by numbers. Drum machine is dull. I think you took it too slow. Perhaps a much higher tempo would spark some interest. It just sounds stoned.
Ross Durand- I love the harmonies! I love the guitar recording. This is done so well I have to vote for it. Not very adventurous, but rather beautiful. Good lyrics. Quite the time capsule. This reeks of 2009. Very Well done! VOTE
Roymond- Lydian! You had me at the sharp 4 in the chorus. Hot damn this is cool! Great chords! The lead guitar reminds me of George Harrison. Wow this is good! This is my favorite of the fight! Very impressed! VOTE
Swilington- The music is great! I think you need a couple more takes on the vocals. They are in key, but a little unsure on the timing. I love the little Zappa runs. Too damn short. So much goodness going on, I must vote for it.
Very Gentle Knives- Tuesday night is our jam night. We (Berkeley Social Scene) ended up with a new configuration . My long time friend Leif joined us. You may recognize his awesome vocals from our Zinkline album Bending the Worlds- he sings lead on Prom Night and co-lead vocals on Hot Peppers. Also we did a Martyrless Zipline with Leif called Ziplief for Georgia’s Hand. So Kens friend Steve has jammed with us a few times now and he’s on this recording playing bass. He was part of the Dry Spell writing session also. We got yours truly on guitar and Ken on drums. So this was Tuesday night and the song was due Wednesday morning. We wrote the song rather collectively. We took several takes to get all the music. Each take got better and better.. the take we used we were seeking “The Zone” and we found it. It was one of those, we all gelled, we were thinking as one, I got chills. We over dubbed the vocals. I had “noted” down some lyrics on my iPhone earlier in the day once I realized we had a full band for the evening. (remember I was up until 4am the night before working on the BSS track. So I’m rather proud of the solo, it is live and not overdubbed, in this “in the zone” take. The amazing thing was Lief and how awesome a vocalist he is. He made Ken and me feel like we’re a bunch of amateurs. I mean he pulled out that melody and timing and harmonies immediately upon 1st read of lyrics. He’s got a big strong voice and he’s super talented. It’s always a pleasure to play with Leif. So an anagram for Lief Steve Glen Ken was Feel Gentle Knives, but I wanted to be farther away from Berkeley (alphabetically), so Very Gentle Knives was the agreed upon name. I really didn’t want to return to the chorus. With more time I think we would have developed that ending. However, I love the groove so much, it’s fun to hear it for a while. VOTE
Wages- Timing issues, recording issues. That solo is painful. Cool voice, still needs a good song and a decent recording.
The Weakest Suit- This is not as inspired as some of your recent work.
The gems that really grabbed me and got my vote are:
Roymond
Swilington
Ross Durand
Paco del Stinko
i.p.
Very Gentle Knives
Berkeley Social Scene
Phillipso, Older Brothers, Semolina Pilchards, Zipline , Thank Glennny for the Frisbee, The Odoriferous Valley, The Worldly Self Assurance, Berkeley Social Scene, Very Gentle Knives, Daddy Bop Swing Set, GUNS, The Kraken Lives, Cavedwellers
