Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
- wages
- Claude
- Posts: 987
- Joined: Sun Sep 25, 2005 3:16 pm
- Instruments: Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- Recording Method: Zoom h4n, Audacity
- Submitting as: Wages
- Location: The place that never tasted so good
- Contact:
Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
Me!
Wages - Hoglen & Wages - The Affirmative Mention - Gawking Urethras - The EAF - and more
- glennny
- DALL-E
- Posts: 2243
- Joined: Sat Mar 04, 2006 2:39 am
- Instruments: Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Dobro, Banjo, E-Bow, Glock
- Recording Method: Garageband
- Submitting as: Berkeley Social Scene
- Location: Castro Valley, California
Re: Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
Excellent job everyone! This is one of the most enjoyable and cohesive fights I've ever heard. This is the perfect soundtrack to the tedious paperwork I've been doing for the last 8 hours with a whole lot to go. nearing 1AM , Who Needs Sleep!!!
Many votes will be given, I hope to review soon. Great batch of songs!
Many votes will be given, I hope to review soon. Great batch of songs!
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
- LML
- Alpaca
- Posts: 187
- Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2007 5:53 pm
- Instruments: Epiphone Electric Guitar, Ibanez Acoustic/Electric, Casio/Yamaha Electric piano, Yamaha DD-65 Drums
- Recording Method: Garage Band, Blue Snowball, Griffin Line In Cable, hopes and dreams
- Submitting as: LML
- Location: In Houston somewhere
- Contact:
Re: Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
These reviews are kinda vague but I'm not a good reviewer. Overall nothing was absolutely horrid. I think lots of these songs are cute, and I don't mean that in a bad way. I mean they're charming. I wish I could vote for everyone, but that would be stupid.
Rone Rivendale- 3/5 Hmmm, I can't tell if this sound is done on purpose or if this is genuinely how you sound. You can tell you put effort into this, but I feel like too much is on the left channel and it's not balanced completely. But it's cute.
The Red Cow Society 5/5 I like this one. Very melodic and paced well. I like the way you used synth in the background. All in all a well done song. Vote.
Todd McHatton- 4/5 a little too focused on vocals, which is what I did too in my entry. It's not really my cup of tea genre wise, but I can appreciate it.
Panna Cotta Army 5/5 Good guitar in this song. The vocals are kind of washed out but it's obviously part of the song's tone. Vote.
Jonathan Mann- 5/5 Funny lyrics. Very smooth.
Vote.
The Weakest Suit- 3/4 I wanted to get into this, but I'm not much for love songs. I dunno, it's my intimacy issue.
Doscientos- 3/5 A little off key, but another female songfighter! is nice to hear. A little too autotuned.
Johnny Cashpoint- 4/5 Nice piano lyrics are slightly aggressive sounding which kinda confuses my ears because the music is gentle.
Gooey Caramel Centaur- 5/5 I just like this. Reminds me of The Long Winters. Vote!
The Elephant Choir-5/5 woah it sounds like that song from that commercial. You know the one. I can't remember. Vote.
Signboy- 4/5 Well this time around there are more female performers. I'm glad about this. Stick around so in the future I'm not the only female songfighter.
LML- I put the vocals too high in the mix. I don't know how to equalize my songs. So kill me. I don't vote for myself or rate myself.
Odoriferous Valley- 3/5 I just can't get into the vocals. Sorry.
Berkeley Social Scene- 5/5 Good drums guys. Vote.
Paco del Stinko- 4/5 Very interesting. I just don't like the genre you're going for too much.
Ice The Man- 2/5 I like the piano, but *sigh* more nerdcore.
Wages- 2/5 It's almost there. But it loses me somewhere with the strained vocals.
Cain- 3/5 I enjoy the guitar in this one and the drums go well with the song. Vocals are pleasant but this isn't my genre of music. I listen to too much indie music I guess.
Erin K & Tash- 5/5 This is cute. Should be in a Prius or Apple commercial. Vote.
Rone Rivendale- 3/5 Hmmm, I can't tell if this sound is done on purpose or if this is genuinely how you sound. You can tell you put effort into this, but I feel like too much is on the left channel and it's not balanced completely. But it's cute.
The Red Cow Society 5/5 I like this one. Very melodic and paced well. I like the way you used synth in the background. All in all a well done song. Vote.
Todd McHatton- 4/5 a little too focused on vocals, which is what I did too in my entry. It's not really my cup of tea genre wise, but I can appreciate it.
Panna Cotta Army 5/5 Good guitar in this song. The vocals are kind of washed out but it's obviously part of the song's tone. Vote.
Jonathan Mann- 5/5 Funny lyrics. Very smooth.
Vote.
The Weakest Suit- 3/4 I wanted to get into this, but I'm not much for love songs. I dunno, it's my intimacy issue.
Doscientos- 3/5 A little off key, but another female songfighter! is nice to hear. A little too autotuned.
Johnny Cashpoint- 4/5 Nice piano lyrics are slightly aggressive sounding which kinda confuses my ears because the music is gentle.
Gooey Caramel Centaur- 5/5 I just like this. Reminds me of The Long Winters. Vote!
The Elephant Choir-5/5 woah it sounds like that song from that commercial. You know the one. I can't remember. Vote.
Signboy- 4/5 Well this time around there are more female performers. I'm glad about this. Stick around so in the future I'm not the only female songfighter.
LML- I put the vocals too high in the mix. I don't know how to equalize my songs. So kill me. I don't vote for myself or rate myself.
Odoriferous Valley- 3/5 I just can't get into the vocals. Sorry.
Berkeley Social Scene- 5/5 Good drums guys. Vote.
Paco del Stinko- 4/5 Very interesting. I just don't like the genre you're going for too much.
Ice The Man- 2/5 I like the piano, but *sigh* more nerdcore.
Wages- 2/5 It's almost there. But it loses me somewhere with the strained vocals.
Cain- 3/5 I enjoy the guitar in this one and the drums go well with the song. Vocals are pleasant but this isn't my genre of music. I listen to too much indie music I guess.
Erin K & Tash- 5/5 This is cute. Should be in a Prius or Apple commercial. Vote.
LML: As heard on Guantanamo Bay Radio.
Re: Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
Thank you, I think...Ice The Man- 2/5 I like the piano, but *sigh* more nerdcore.
I appreciate your thoughts, and respect them. This is my first song fight entry and I love hip hop, more so old school but its me. I watched a film called Nerdcore Rising and they referenced this site. I found my self looking here daily, addicted to this "build a song from a few words" format. I found myself writing songs and never posting them, scared I guess. Im not very creative but I like the challenge. Not sure If I was really going for the nerdcore effect, maybe I just suck at writing but Im ok with that.
Again thank you for listing and at being honest.
Ice The Man..
- LML
- Alpaca
- Posts: 187
- Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2007 5:53 pm
- Instruments: Epiphone Electric Guitar, Ibanez Acoustic/Electric, Casio/Yamaha Electric piano, Yamaha DD-65 Drums
- Recording Method: Garage Band, Blue Snowball, Griffin Line In Cable, hopes and dreams
- Submitting as: LML
- Location: In Houston somewhere
- Contact:
Re: Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
You made a nice effort and all in all it wasn't awful to listen to, it's just hard to review a song in a genre that you're really not a fan of. I recognize your style as being nerdcore, but since I'm not a fan of anything like it, I'm sure it could be classified as another name. I'm glad you're finally entering your songs, because Songfight! is a great place to get honest reviews of your work.
LML: As heard on Guantanamo Bay Radio.
- Erin&Tash
- A New Player
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sat Oct 24, 2009 2:50 pm
- Instruments: Guitar, ukelele
- Recording Method: Macbook built-in microphone
- Submitting as: Erin K & Tash
- Location: London, United Kingdom
- Contact:
Re: Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
HI Lyn,
Thanks for your review of our song! We had a lot of fun making it and we're looking forward to doing more. I actually ended up having to whistle because I lost my voice on Friday night and couldn't make a squeak. I think it came out ok though. Music is generally a new thing for me, as I started writing/playing less then a year ago. We have more funny songs on our myspace: www.myspace.com/erinkmusic. Let me know what you think. (PS - I live in London but am originally from Houston like you. I miss the sun.) Thanks again! Erin xx
Thanks for your review of our song! We had a lot of fun making it and we're looking forward to doing more. I actually ended up having to whistle because I lost my voice on Friday night and couldn't make a squeak. I think it came out ok though. Music is generally a new thing for me, as I started writing/playing less then a year ago. We have more funny songs on our myspace: www.myspace.com/erinkmusic. Let me know what you think. (PS - I live in London but am originally from Houston like you. I miss the sun.) Thanks again! Erin xx
We'll take the nicoise, hold the capers.
- signboy
- Mixtral
- Posts: 712
- Joined: Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:33 pm
- Instruments: things that make noise
- Recording Method: lots of stuff plugged into lots of other stuff
- Location: hillbillyland
- Contact:
Re: Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
LML wrote:Signboy...Stick around so in the future I'm not the only female songfighter.
thanks for the review!
Sorry I haven't done any in forever, but work is now hectic.
Irwin: I'd sell my soul to jesus to program drums like signboy.
- reve
- DeepMind
- Posts: 273
- Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 10:54 am
- Instruments: Soldering iron.
- Recording Method: Reaper.
- Submitting as: R., Chth*.*, etc.
- Location: San Diego
Re: Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
Happy kittens go to the Elephant Choir, Panna Cotta Army, and Tep for the sweet awesome artwork.
Erin & Tash would have gotten a kitten had you not lost your voice. Instead you get a degu. So does Signboy (but mello on the melodyne and turn the drums up!). I'm glad Ice was there there to do the Freddy thing for us. And I'm happy to see another contribution from Mr. Cashpoint so soon.
Todd, your voice is oversaturated to the point of it being difficult to listen to.
Everybody else, good job!
Erin & Tash would have gotten a kitten had you not lost your voice. Instead you get a degu. So does Signboy (but mello on the melodyne and turn the drums up!). I'm glad Ice was there there to do the Freddy thing for us. And I'm happy to see another contribution from Mr. Cashpoint so soon.
Todd, your voice is oversaturated to the point of it being difficult to listen to.
Everybody else, good job!
-- reve mosquito.
-
- A New Player
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:08 am
- Instruments: Guitar, bass guitar, percussion of all kinds, software synths
- Recording Method: Macbook Pro, Presonus Inspire, Line6 Pod, Garageband, Cubase LE
- Submitting as: Walnut Ranch
- Location: Atlanta area
Re: Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
Huh, for some reason I got the idea that you could vote for up to 3 songs. Is there a limit to how many you can vote for? Could one conceivably vote for ALL the songs? Or would that just cause an error message? If not, it should.
Funny how people seem to subconsciously coordinate on a musical theme for each fight. Last week there seemed to be a bit of a Pixies theme in some of the songs. This week it seems to be more dark, creepy, kitschy, like Tom Waits, Nick Cave, that sort of thing, and elsewhere kind of a pop classicist vibe.
If I'm not mistaken, everybody used the phrase "who needs sleep" as a question, rhetorical or otherwise. The idea I had (but didn't have time to record ) used it as a descriptive phrase - "an angry, squalling child who needs sleep…" /shrug
-----------------
Berkeley Social Scene - Vocals sound a bit unsure. Like the bass and drum sounds. Lyrics don't thrill me but they don't make or break the song. The rhythms in the verse are a bit jarring. Good pacing to the arrangement. Solo could have had a bit more fire.
Cain - Vocal pitch has improved but still a few bum notes and note choices. What's the deal with the little percussive noises at the beginning - was that supposed to sound like vinyl? Don't really like the lyrics in the chorus, but I'm probably not in the target audience. The verses are quite creative, the chorus fall a bit into the emo trap. Like the solo/breakdown section, especially the electronic noises.
Doscientos - Nice indie-dance vibe, like the backwards-percussion effects. Would have liked the vocal better without the double-tracking, just makes the shaky notes and slight sync issues stand out. Would've liked the guitar a bit further forward in the mix. The vocals didn't carry the lyrics, or vice versa. Felt a bit flat over all after the inspired surrealism of "Monkeys On My Back".
VOTE - Elephant Choir - Very evocative and absorbing, the variety of lead voices holds the listener's attention. Simultaneously very folksy and very sophisticated. Like the harmony vocals, kinda Alice in Chains-like. The minimalism of the arrangement works, especially on repeated listens. Like the banjo, would have given it a bit more bottom end in the mix though.
Erin K & Tash - This one confused me. Charming, but a bit conceptually incoherent and almost a bit… calculatedly precious? Might have come off as a bit more genuine without the count-in and the random cymbal at the end, which felt like self-conscious trope invocation, but maybe I've just listened to too much commercial stuff and not enough indie music and I'm too cynical. That said, nice playing and singing.
Gooey Caramel Centaur - The dropped beats are a bit off at the beginning, but the song gains momentum as it goes on. Creative lyrics - "Surely the Internet will not move on without me" - bwahah, nice! Could've used a bit more bottom end on the drums. Nice melodic sense. Nice, pleasant song.
Ice the Man - Count me as a fan of nerdcore, although I'm not sure this song is REALLY nerdcore in that I didn't hear any really obscure vocabulary and I could totally imagine one of the less uptight mainstream rappers doing a song about horror movies. Would have like to hear the rhythms and stresses in the rap mixed up more. Fun production, well engineered. Lyrics good except for a weak phrase here and there.
J-Cash - Nice melody and arrangement, lyrics made me chuckle. Actually getting kind of an Elvis Costello vibe this time. Do I *want* to know what's meant by "playing Touch the Truck"? Good mix, nice piano playing, like the bass and the effects on the vocal.
LML - Nnnnrrgh, sorely tempted to, for my own gratification, go and overdub heavy drums and a guitar part onto this myself - this song would have really caught fire if the production had thickened up more after the intro. Perfect voice for this kind of music - adds personality to what can be a sterile genre. Could have done with another chorus, maybe with another solo over it, after the breakdown. Really good ideas in here.
Jonathan Mann - A solid take on an established musical paradigm. Nice atmosphere and mix, especially the drums - like the deep, muffled sound, nicely counterpointed by the trebly electric guitar, which opens things up nicely. I heard a bit of uncertainty in the vocals about whether you had the right note. Fun lyrics. I could easily have listened to some jamming on the end for a while.
Odoriferous Valley - Probably late to the party on this, but I really don't care for the name. Makes me thing of… hygiene issues. Ugh. Anyway, the song is campy and I'm not sure if it connects. Don't care for the low-register vocals. The vocals in the B-section are better, and I like the chord changes as well. The proggy breakdown is cool, but then the low vocal comes back and suddenly the whole thing sounds silly. The song is too silly to work as a conventional pop song and too diffuse to work as comedy. Well produced and performed (except for the vocals, which are a bit pitchy even when they're not silly), though. The prog fan in me wants to like this, I hear a lot of King Crimson in the breakdowns and fills.
Paco del Stinko - Feels forced at first, especially the "a-cha-cha-cha", but takes more chances as it goes on. Nice arrangement and performance, feels like a full band jamming. I like all the solos - if you've got it, flaunt it. A fun song over all. I'm torn on the mix, whether it should be "shinier" or not.
VOTE - Panna Cotta Army - Good song, vivid lyrics, classicist but has personality. Like the accordion, ukelele and the piano tremolos - all the instruments, in fact. Nice chorus melody. Don't like how it goes DEAD silent during the pauses in the breakdown - the silence should be filled by reverb from the instruments.
The Red Cow Society - The song is good, but the performance doesn't QUITE make it grab the listener. Well-engineered and mixed for the most part. The vocals don't quite pop, the whole song could have used just a bit more energy. Could have used just a touch of reverb. Maybe a breakdown with an arpeggiating electric guitar or something…
Ron Rivendale - 808! Recording is primitive, but that could've actually worked in the track's favor if the song had just been more developed. The mic noises and ungated guitar actually add a bit of charm. Like the small-box guitar tone. By "developed" I don't necessarily mean more polished - it might, in fact, have been better to go the other way and embrace the goofiness even a little bit more, play up the singsongy vocals, that kind of thing. But are you complaining about difficulty getting a song together in the lyrics? o_O
VOTE - Signboy - Sounds almost like it could have been on a recent Radiohead album. Like the slightly on-edge harmonic feel. The atmosphere would've benefited from a *slightly* more immersive stereo picture, but the mix was actually most of the way there.
VOTE - Todd McHatton - Grabbed me right away. Very Beatle-esque. A bit derivative, but propulsive and assumed. Good understanding of what does and doesn't work with your voice. Nice vintage feel to the recording, manages to stay fairly organic. The vocal parts in the bridge are just a BIT much. Shades of Tears for Fears and Mansun.
Wages - Shaky time feel. A bum note here and there in the vocals. The song itself kinda falls into grunge tropes. Some nice chord voicings in the rhythm guitar. Can't quite tell whether this song is supposed to rock or not. Guitars sound very direct-y.
The Weakest Suit - For this type of song, the vocals need to be REALLY strong - not loud or forceful, but solid - and they aren't quite there in terms of tone and pitch. Works as G&G, though a little reverb and a little arpeggiation breaking up the strums would have been nice. A few nice lyrical hooks; don't really like the humming at the end.
Funny how people seem to subconsciously coordinate on a musical theme for each fight. Last week there seemed to be a bit of a Pixies theme in some of the songs. This week it seems to be more dark, creepy, kitschy, like Tom Waits, Nick Cave, that sort of thing, and elsewhere kind of a pop classicist vibe.
If I'm not mistaken, everybody used the phrase "who needs sleep" as a question, rhetorical or otherwise. The idea I had (but didn't have time to record ) used it as a descriptive phrase - "an angry, squalling child who needs sleep…" /shrug
-----------------
Berkeley Social Scene - Vocals sound a bit unsure. Like the bass and drum sounds. Lyrics don't thrill me but they don't make or break the song. The rhythms in the verse are a bit jarring. Good pacing to the arrangement. Solo could have had a bit more fire.
Cain - Vocal pitch has improved but still a few bum notes and note choices. What's the deal with the little percussive noises at the beginning - was that supposed to sound like vinyl? Don't really like the lyrics in the chorus, but I'm probably not in the target audience. The verses are quite creative, the chorus fall a bit into the emo trap. Like the solo/breakdown section, especially the electronic noises.
Doscientos - Nice indie-dance vibe, like the backwards-percussion effects. Would have liked the vocal better without the double-tracking, just makes the shaky notes and slight sync issues stand out. Would've liked the guitar a bit further forward in the mix. The vocals didn't carry the lyrics, or vice versa. Felt a bit flat over all after the inspired surrealism of "Monkeys On My Back".
VOTE - Elephant Choir - Very evocative and absorbing, the variety of lead voices holds the listener's attention. Simultaneously very folksy and very sophisticated. Like the harmony vocals, kinda Alice in Chains-like. The minimalism of the arrangement works, especially on repeated listens. Like the banjo, would have given it a bit more bottom end in the mix though.
Erin K & Tash - This one confused me. Charming, but a bit conceptually incoherent and almost a bit… calculatedly precious? Might have come off as a bit more genuine without the count-in and the random cymbal at the end, which felt like self-conscious trope invocation, but maybe I've just listened to too much commercial stuff and not enough indie music and I'm too cynical. That said, nice playing and singing.
Gooey Caramel Centaur - The dropped beats are a bit off at the beginning, but the song gains momentum as it goes on. Creative lyrics - "Surely the Internet will not move on without me" - bwahah, nice! Could've used a bit more bottom end on the drums. Nice melodic sense. Nice, pleasant song.
Ice the Man - Count me as a fan of nerdcore, although I'm not sure this song is REALLY nerdcore in that I didn't hear any really obscure vocabulary and I could totally imagine one of the less uptight mainstream rappers doing a song about horror movies. Would have like to hear the rhythms and stresses in the rap mixed up more. Fun production, well engineered. Lyrics good except for a weak phrase here and there.
J-Cash - Nice melody and arrangement, lyrics made me chuckle. Actually getting kind of an Elvis Costello vibe this time. Do I *want* to know what's meant by "playing Touch the Truck"? Good mix, nice piano playing, like the bass and the effects on the vocal.
LML - Nnnnrrgh, sorely tempted to, for my own gratification, go and overdub heavy drums and a guitar part onto this myself - this song would have really caught fire if the production had thickened up more after the intro. Perfect voice for this kind of music - adds personality to what can be a sterile genre. Could have done with another chorus, maybe with another solo over it, after the breakdown. Really good ideas in here.
Jonathan Mann - A solid take on an established musical paradigm. Nice atmosphere and mix, especially the drums - like the deep, muffled sound, nicely counterpointed by the trebly electric guitar, which opens things up nicely. I heard a bit of uncertainty in the vocals about whether you had the right note. Fun lyrics. I could easily have listened to some jamming on the end for a while.
Odoriferous Valley - Probably late to the party on this, but I really don't care for the name. Makes me thing of… hygiene issues. Ugh. Anyway, the song is campy and I'm not sure if it connects. Don't care for the low-register vocals. The vocals in the B-section are better, and I like the chord changes as well. The proggy breakdown is cool, but then the low vocal comes back and suddenly the whole thing sounds silly. The song is too silly to work as a conventional pop song and too diffuse to work as comedy. Well produced and performed (except for the vocals, which are a bit pitchy even when they're not silly), though. The prog fan in me wants to like this, I hear a lot of King Crimson in the breakdowns and fills.
Paco del Stinko - Feels forced at first, especially the "a-cha-cha-cha", but takes more chances as it goes on. Nice arrangement and performance, feels like a full band jamming. I like all the solos - if you've got it, flaunt it. A fun song over all. I'm torn on the mix, whether it should be "shinier" or not.
VOTE - Panna Cotta Army - Good song, vivid lyrics, classicist but has personality. Like the accordion, ukelele and the piano tremolos - all the instruments, in fact. Nice chorus melody. Don't like how it goes DEAD silent during the pauses in the breakdown - the silence should be filled by reverb from the instruments.
The Red Cow Society - The song is good, but the performance doesn't QUITE make it grab the listener. Well-engineered and mixed for the most part. The vocals don't quite pop, the whole song could have used just a bit more energy. Could have used just a touch of reverb. Maybe a breakdown with an arpeggiating electric guitar or something…
Ron Rivendale - 808! Recording is primitive, but that could've actually worked in the track's favor if the song had just been more developed. The mic noises and ungated guitar actually add a bit of charm. Like the small-box guitar tone. By "developed" I don't necessarily mean more polished - it might, in fact, have been better to go the other way and embrace the goofiness even a little bit more, play up the singsongy vocals, that kind of thing. But are you complaining about difficulty getting a song together in the lyrics? o_O
VOTE - Signboy - Sounds almost like it could have been on a recent Radiohead album. Like the slightly on-edge harmonic feel. The atmosphere would've benefited from a *slightly* more immersive stereo picture, but the mix was actually most of the way there.
VOTE - Todd McHatton - Grabbed me right away. Very Beatle-esque. A bit derivative, but propulsive and assumed. Good understanding of what does and doesn't work with your voice. Nice vintage feel to the recording, manages to stay fairly organic. The vocal parts in the bridge are just a BIT much. Shades of Tears for Fears and Mansun.
Wages - Shaky time feel. A bum note here and there in the vocals. The song itself kinda falls into grunge tropes. Some nice chord voicings in the rhythm guitar. Can't quite tell whether this song is supposed to rock or not. Guitars sound very direct-y.
The Weakest Suit - For this type of song, the vocals need to be REALLY strong - not loud or forceful, but solid - and they aren't quite there in terms of tone and pitch. Works as G&G, though a little reverb and a little arpeggiation breaking up the strums would have been nice. A few nice lyrical hooks; don't really like the humming at the end.
- LML
- Alpaca
- Posts: 187
- Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2007 5:53 pm
- Instruments: Epiphone Electric Guitar, Ibanez Acoustic/Electric, Casio/Yamaha Electric piano, Yamaha DD-65 Drums
- Recording Method: Garage Band, Blue Snowball, Griffin Line In Cable, hopes and dreams
- Submitting as: LML
- Location: In Houston somewhere
- Contact:
Re: Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
Drums have always been my problem with my entries. Thing is, I'm about as good at generating beats as a blind person is at the batting cages. I guess one day I'll upgrade from drum machines but until then it's all I've got to work with. Thanks for the review though.
LML: As heard on Guantanamo Bay Radio.
- Paco Del Stinko
- Stable Diffusion
- Posts: 3545
- Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2006 11:20 am
- Instruments: Basic rock, at a basic level.
- Recording Method: Roland 2480
- Submitting as: Paco del Stinko
- Location: Massachusetts. God save the Commonwealth!
Re: Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
Berkeley Social Scene - I like the Morse code power pop intro that touches on Rush type material, but doesn't 'go there'. Martin's vocals are some of his best, wisely not overextending himself, a lesson I don't always follow. What a nice driving charge to this song, zooming along without losing control like some race car driver. Great playing, great sounding as well.
Cain - I like where this goes, if a bit too long by maybe a minute. Brooding and dark, the chorus vocal manages to get away with what it's doing without annoying, but it's close. I like the tremulous guitar on the left and the vocal delivery is post-punk intense. An open mix allows this to breathe w/o sacrificing it's mood. Also of note is the lighter approach, mood-wise, that you take out of the chorus. Nicely done.
Doscientos - There are some good lines in here, I like the dirty sleeve one especially. The easygoing vocal is nice, soothing with a hint of spooky gal underneath. Sounds a little processed and probably cut and paste as well, and reminds me of maybe Voice Of The Beehive or someone like that. Would love to hear some backing vocals. I keep thinking this is a husband and wife team, am I wrong? Nice nasty bass tones, a signature of yours in a way.
The Elephant Choir - Is this Mike Lamb and company? Anyway, nice tune with strong melodies and supporting vocals, all well and tastefully done. The clanging rhythm is nice but I was hoping for an under-processed snare either super crispy or rattling and loose. No matter, it's not needed, obviously. The abrupt feeling ending after the last lead vocal is saved by the chorus ones, standing off to the side and slightly elevated as the narrator struggles to nod.
Erin K & Tash - There's a bit of melody in here that is totally taken from a song I can't recall, thankfully, as it would interfere with the light pace and easy journey of this tune. I think that it's undercooked and underdeveloped, but the feel is enjoyable enough where it doesn't matter. I know that you said you lost your voice, but I'm wondering if you didn't just bail on the lyrics in favor of the pitch troubled whistle. Again, this is a comfortable listen. Come around again.
Gooey Caramel Centaur - Nice guitar hook and while stumbly a bit, the beat is effective. I like where the drums sit in the mix as well, me usually craving more of a face punch mix. Vocals are nice and delivered in a warm and pleasant manner, singing to your lover or whoever. They help with an airy feel to the song. Nice chord progression as well, I'd rather hear the ending go through the hook again instead of hang somewhat unresolved as it does. Nice tune, it wouldn't hurt to shine this one up with more work.
Ice The Man - Ha. There're some clear and chuckle-worthy lines in here, if not always delivered smoothly. The music track is simple and effective, could use another layer dropping in and out here and there or a bit of development. Fun little tune, timely for the season. Keep at it and be bold.
Johnny Cashpoint - I love how this starts off lullaby-ish and opens up to a minor chord feel, at the start, and then goes on this long journey before returning to the same section as the beginning. (did that come out right?) It's like an epic within two and a half minutes, taking you off to slumberland. Not because it's boring, but because it takes your hand and lets you leap tippy-toe over a rainbow of stars. Great tune with just the right amount of what it contains. It could maybe use a brief bridge to let the vocals settle for a moment, but works as is.
Jonathan Mann - What a nice start, trying to dance away to sleep, but feeling the frustration. I like the twangy guitar but hanker for the low rumble of a baritone. Maybe. Nice change right after into the syncopated jungle stomp, where the twangy guitar makes more sense. Although the bari would work as well. Maybe. The mood and feel here are wonderful, Tom Waitsian but not sounding like a rip-off or anything. I think you could have afforded another round of verse here, or even a brief end section that takes it away. Regardless, a great tune.
LML - This wants to swing, but the modern skip-beat suits it well. Nice layering when the tinkling and synth line comes in and drops back out. I keep waiting for the voice to get dry and slamming drums bash their way in, but the simple guitar (read: appropriate) line is welcome and fitting. There is certainly room to add this and that, but the sparse arrangement is wise and maintains the mood and late night feel. Very well done and hopefully encouraging for you to make more tunes.
Odoriferous Valley - I like the bluesy monster riff and panned guitars. The vocal trade-off is neat in that the two voices are so different, but both are a bit wobbly. The heady and dark bridges section is great, complete with good lick trading action. Weirdest part for me is the last verse, with both voices going at the same time. That's a weird duet, I'm glad it's not a love song. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Pretty adventurous tune that's a bit sloppy and lacking a strong melody. Like to hear more though, wink wink.
Paco del Stinko - A cheap, sleep as drug for sale concept. I disregarded the anti-wankers and did me some noodling. I like the bridge section with the sliding bass lines. Guitars are recorded through two amps. There are only two guitars, a rhythm and a lead, but each in stereo.
Panna Cotta Army - Nice. The crescending brass chord is delicious. Love the instrumentation here and all are played very well. The key change at the chorus isn't the one you hear coming, and it's all the better for it. Nice and dark, infectious and mysterious. The phrasing on all of the instruments is fantastic, from the swirl of the organ to the rounding tremolo licks on guitar. Great tune, could maybe benefit from another visit from the vocals before the end. This song doesn't feel as long as it says it is. Totally enjoyable.
The Red Cow Society - Made for college kids. Not a criticism, just seems like the appropriate audience. The near-Pixies vibe is accented nicely by the gentle beepy boops of the synth. Cute and well done, it sounds nice as well.
Rone Rivendale - Well, I'm glad that you took a break from trampo-wrasslin' to make a tune. The beat is pedestrian and somehow works, while I don't understand it being panned all the way over to a side. The guitar playing is primitive, which is certainly fine, but I love the skanky tone. Your vocals are the least muddy I've ever heard although the delivery is a bit stiff. The lean arrangement is the saving grace of this song. All packed with synths would have been overwhelming.
Signboy - Dark and brooding, the chord progression questioning and slightly odd. I like the chorus best, it feels less wandery than the verses occasionally get. Nice vocals and playing although your lack of time to spiff this up shows, I think. I'd love to hear this, and your others, when you have more time available to work. Anyway, the mood here is fitting, if a bit on the depressed side. Somewhere a crazed guitar solo kicks the sand for not being called into the game.
Todd McHatton - Right off of the White Album, with your stamp on it. I understand the comments on your vocal processing, as your voice is plenty nice and doesn't require so much squishage, at least not as a 'main feature'. Nice melodies and structure, although I am totally digging how great a guitar player you are. Nice that you don't stick it into peoples faces, as I try to do with my inferior playing (hey! worked for Ace Frehley!) just so tasteful in a supporting role. The song structure here is marvelous and will fit on your next concept album nicely. Let it breathe more, mix-wise.
Wages - Yeah, the band addition is nice, if a bit stiff and occasionally clunky. Add a few BPM, tighten it up, and you have a mid 70's Stones tune. In part, anyway. Vocals could use tightening, but as always, your voice delivers a bluesy feel that's hard to come by. Gotta focus on pitch, your mechanics knock points off of your soul score. Honestly, I mean this with good intentions and think your pipes are amongst the best here. Anyway, a good tune that wobbles but still finds the rock. Except for some distortion that pops up, sounds great as well.
The Weakest Suit - Nice lullaby, rocking to sleep feel. Or waltz in the arms of your love. Nice, simple and effective melody. The lyrical theme is clever and not all gushy, but still romantic. I think I'd like to hear this with a ton of reverb, which is a rare craving for me. And a snap of a snare, thumbed bass line wouldn't be out of place. Not getting all 'you need a band' on ya, like myself and others often do, as the intimate feel here is very nice. This is one of your strongest songs that I can easily recall. I wonder if it's too long, only because it might take away some of gentle weight of the lyrics by making them too familiar, or overused.
Cain - I like where this goes, if a bit too long by maybe a minute. Brooding and dark, the chorus vocal manages to get away with what it's doing without annoying, but it's close. I like the tremulous guitar on the left and the vocal delivery is post-punk intense. An open mix allows this to breathe w/o sacrificing it's mood. Also of note is the lighter approach, mood-wise, that you take out of the chorus. Nicely done.
Doscientos - There are some good lines in here, I like the dirty sleeve one especially. The easygoing vocal is nice, soothing with a hint of spooky gal underneath. Sounds a little processed and probably cut and paste as well, and reminds me of maybe Voice Of The Beehive or someone like that. Would love to hear some backing vocals. I keep thinking this is a husband and wife team, am I wrong? Nice nasty bass tones, a signature of yours in a way.
The Elephant Choir - Is this Mike Lamb and company? Anyway, nice tune with strong melodies and supporting vocals, all well and tastefully done. The clanging rhythm is nice but I was hoping for an under-processed snare either super crispy or rattling and loose. No matter, it's not needed, obviously. The abrupt feeling ending after the last lead vocal is saved by the chorus ones, standing off to the side and slightly elevated as the narrator struggles to nod.
Erin K & Tash - There's a bit of melody in here that is totally taken from a song I can't recall, thankfully, as it would interfere with the light pace and easy journey of this tune. I think that it's undercooked and underdeveloped, but the feel is enjoyable enough where it doesn't matter. I know that you said you lost your voice, but I'm wondering if you didn't just bail on the lyrics in favor of the pitch troubled whistle. Again, this is a comfortable listen. Come around again.
Gooey Caramel Centaur - Nice guitar hook and while stumbly a bit, the beat is effective. I like where the drums sit in the mix as well, me usually craving more of a face punch mix. Vocals are nice and delivered in a warm and pleasant manner, singing to your lover or whoever. They help with an airy feel to the song. Nice chord progression as well, I'd rather hear the ending go through the hook again instead of hang somewhat unresolved as it does. Nice tune, it wouldn't hurt to shine this one up with more work.
Ice The Man - Ha. There're some clear and chuckle-worthy lines in here, if not always delivered smoothly. The music track is simple and effective, could use another layer dropping in and out here and there or a bit of development. Fun little tune, timely for the season. Keep at it and be bold.
Johnny Cashpoint - I love how this starts off lullaby-ish and opens up to a minor chord feel, at the start, and then goes on this long journey before returning to the same section as the beginning. (did that come out right?) It's like an epic within two and a half minutes, taking you off to slumberland. Not because it's boring, but because it takes your hand and lets you leap tippy-toe over a rainbow of stars. Great tune with just the right amount of what it contains. It could maybe use a brief bridge to let the vocals settle for a moment, but works as is.
Jonathan Mann - What a nice start, trying to dance away to sleep, but feeling the frustration. I like the twangy guitar but hanker for the low rumble of a baritone. Maybe. Nice change right after into the syncopated jungle stomp, where the twangy guitar makes more sense. Although the bari would work as well. Maybe. The mood and feel here are wonderful, Tom Waitsian but not sounding like a rip-off or anything. I think you could have afforded another round of verse here, or even a brief end section that takes it away. Regardless, a great tune.
LML - This wants to swing, but the modern skip-beat suits it well. Nice layering when the tinkling and synth line comes in and drops back out. I keep waiting for the voice to get dry and slamming drums bash their way in, but the simple guitar (read: appropriate) line is welcome and fitting. There is certainly room to add this and that, but the sparse arrangement is wise and maintains the mood and late night feel. Very well done and hopefully encouraging for you to make more tunes.
Odoriferous Valley - I like the bluesy monster riff and panned guitars. The vocal trade-off is neat in that the two voices are so different, but both are a bit wobbly. The heady and dark bridges section is great, complete with good lick trading action. Weirdest part for me is the last verse, with both voices going at the same time. That's a weird duet, I'm glad it's not a love song. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Pretty adventurous tune that's a bit sloppy and lacking a strong melody. Like to hear more though, wink wink.
Paco del Stinko - A cheap, sleep as drug for sale concept. I disregarded the anti-wankers and did me some noodling. I like the bridge section with the sliding bass lines. Guitars are recorded through two amps. There are only two guitars, a rhythm and a lead, but each in stereo.
Panna Cotta Army - Nice. The crescending brass chord is delicious. Love the instrumentation here and all are played very well. The key change at the chorus isn't the one you hear coming, and it's all the better for it. Nice and dark, infectious and mysterious. The phrasing on all of the instruments is fantastic, from the swirl of the organ to the rounding tremolo licks on guitar. Great tune, could maybe benefit from another visit from the vocals before the end. This song doesn't feel as long as it says it is. Totally enjoyable.
The Red Cow Society - Made for college kids. Not a criticism, just seems like the appropriate audience. The near-Pixies vibe is accented nicely by the gentle beepy boops of the synth. Cute and well done, it sounds nice as well.
Rone Rivendale - Well, I'm glad that you took a break from trampo-wrasslin' to make a tune. The beat is pedestrian and somehow works, while I don't understand it being panned all the way over to a side. The guitar playing is primitive, which is certainly fine, but I love the skanky tone. Your vocals are the least muddy I've ever heard although the delivery is a bit stiff. The lean arrangement is the saving grace of this song. All packed with synths would have been overwhelming.
Signboy - Dark and brooding, the chord progression questioning and slightly odd. I like the chorus best, it feels less wandery than the verses occasionally get. Nice vocals and playing although your lack of time to spiff this up shows, I think. I'd love to hear this, and your others, when you have more time available to work. Anyway, the mood here is fitting, if a bit on the depressed side. Somewhere a crazed guitar solo kicks the sand for not being called into the game.
Todd McHatton - Right off of the White Album, with your stamp on it. I understand the comments on your vocal processing, as your voice is plenty nice and doesn't require so much squishage, at least not as a 'main feature'. Nice melodies and structure, although I am totally digging how great a guitar player you are. Nice that you don't stick it into peoples faces, as I try to do with my inferior playing (hey! worked for Ace Frehley!) just so tasteful in a supporting role. The song structure here is marvelous and will fit on your next concept album nicely. Let it breathe more, mix-wise.
Wages - Yeah, the band addition is nice, if a bit stiff and occasionally clunky. Add a few BPM, tighten it up, and you have a mid 70's Stones tune. In part, anyway. Vocals could use tightening, but as always, your voice delivers a bluesy feel that's hard to come by. Gotta focus on pitch, your mechanics knock points off of your soul score. Honestly, I mean this with good intentions and think your pipes are amongst the best here. Anyway, a good tune that wobbles but still finds the rock. Except for some distortion that pops up, sounds great as well.
The Weakest Suit - Nice lullaby, rocking to sleep feel. Or waltz in the arms of your love. Nice, simple and effective melody. The lyrical theme is clever and not all gushy, but still romantic. I think I'd like to hear this with a ton of reverb, which is a rare craving for me. And a snap of a snare, thumbed bass line wouldn't be out of place. Not getting all 'you need a band' on ya, like myself and others often do, as the intimate feel here is very nice. This is one of your strongest songs that I can easily recall. I wonder if it's too long, only because it might take away some of gentle weight of the lyrics by making them too familiar, or overused.
Bringin' the stink since 2006.
- Mike Lamb
- Alpaca
- Posts: 236
- Joined: Wed Dec 20, 2006 5:34 pm
- Instruments: Bass, Guitar, Tin Whistle
- Recording Method: Reason
- Submitting as: Mike Lamb|The Nutwalls|Kasper|The Narcaloungers|Die Toten Schlaghosen|IRCUSM
- Pronouns: he/him
- Location: Woodland, CA
Re: Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
Nope, we had nothing to do with this, but it's a great track, so thanks, I think? Nice job, Elephant Choir.Paco Del Stinko wrote: The Elephant Choir - Is this Mike Lamb and company?
-Mike Lamb
"Admittedly, I did not know what to expect with Kasper, but they, I think, just rocked our collective socks off." - GlennCase
- jast
- Grok
- Posts: 1329
- Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2008 7:03 pm
- Instruments: Vocals, guitar
- Recording Method: Cubase, Steinberg UR44
- Submitting as: Jan Krueger
- Pronouns: .
- Location: near Aachen, Germany
- Contact:
Re: Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
Before I listen to this fight I'll just go and post the song I didn't complete in time, because I was busy doing other things and *drumroll* sleeping.
http://jan-krueger.net/songfight/2009-1 ... -sleep.mp3
Perhaps part of the reason why I didn't finish it in time is that I don't thoroughly enjoy the song as much as others I've written, and consider it more of an experiment than anything else.
http://jan-krueger.net/songfight/2009-1 ... -sleep.mp3
Perhaps part of the reason why I didn't finish it in time is that I don't thoroughly enjoy the song as much as others I've written, and consider it more of an experiment than anything else.
- signboy
- Mixtral
- Posts: 712
- Joined: Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:33 pm
- Instruments: things that make noise
- Recording Method: lots of stuff plugged into lots of other stuff
- Location: hillbillyland
- Contact:
Re: Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
Sorry for any bad calls on sound, I'm listening on a laptop in the back of the work truck...
Berkeley Social Scene -vote
I like this track a lot. I think it's the guitar that does it. It sounds kinda like Billy Talent with a different singer. The chorus doesn't stick out from the verses much though. I think some thicker guitar layering may have helped.
Cain -vote
Damn, two great tracks in a row! Your voice is great. My only suggestion would be to add some background padding to fill it out and emphasize the atmospheric texture. The noises under the solo are fantastically fitting. Some vocal harmonies under the "all right" would have been awesome, too.
Doscientos
This is a crazy sound going on, with the combination of the hissing, reversed sounds, and doubled/effected vox. Overall, it sounds lacking in the low end though. Thicker bass, kick, and harmonies.
The Elephant Choir -vote
This one stays in my work truck. The vocals at 1:32 could use some eq, they're peaking a bit in the 700 hz range or so. I want more of the first verse singer.
Erin K & Tash
Whistling is loud and could use some eq cut in the high parts. Other than that, it's got a cool sound. A good choice to be right after the elephant choir in the playlist. You guys should collab.
Gooey Caramel Centaur
Way to make the lofi sound work for you! This reminds me of Arlo Guthrie. Structure wise, it could do with a more distinct bridge section.
Ice The Man
Is this Headshot? haha, this is totally inspired by the Fresh Prince's "Nightmare On My Street" eh? A little bit rip-offish for that, but the piano riff is great. I'm also digging the old school vocal rhythms.
Johnny $point feat. Andy Balham
The mix is loud enough to be distorting a bit, and some judicious eq might make things "gel" a bit better. Writing wise, it's a well done song though.
Jonathan Mann
This a really easy song to listen to. I'm trying not to call it "easy listening", honest. The vocals totally make the song. Kinda reminds me of that guy that used to be in House Of Pain, but I can't remember his name.
LML
Sweet! another chick songfighter! The minimalism works really well. That bass tone kicks ass. The vocals are boosted a little much around 300hz, and they're getting a bit muddy with the bass in places, despite the great performance. The bells are a great touch when they come in, but kinda loud & piercing.
Odoriferous Valley
Well done song. When the chorus kicks in, it's very definitive, the bridge is just unexpected enough to break things up perfectly. This one stays in the work truck, too.
Paco Del Steenko -vote
I love getting hit by a Paco track that oozes attitude. The intro vox rock. In fact, this has got to be one of your best. Very Work Truck Worthy. Also, remind me not to volunteer to collab on bass, I'm not worthy.
Panna Cotta Army
Once again, the playlist wins. This is an awesome track to follow Paco's. I really appreciate your chord progs & sense of cadence. Another one for the work truck.
The Red Cow Society
Vocal harmonies are really well placed & executed. Guitar could come down a "notch.3".
Rone
Autotune! Guitar Tuner! This would be about 200% better if the drums & vocals weren't panned hard L/R. A kick in only one ear is awkward.
Signboy
I sure wish this had turned out better. The clap sound wasn't supposed to be a clap at all, it's 4 gun cocking noises. A bit heavy handed on the melodyne. A bit. c'mon, it's not that bad, is it? heh.
Todd McHatton
Very Beatles-ish. I love how you say "chikka chikka" with the guitar. I'm a little scared, though, because the listed time shows as 24:51:18. I might skip through a bit.
wow. I can even skip ahead to 22 hours in. I'm guessing this is a glitch, and it's just repeating.
Wages feat. Michael Winter -vote
Awesome job on the vox. Could maybe use a bit of reverb or delay to wetten things up a bit. Glad to hear you found a collaborator, it turned out well.
The Weakest Suit
This feels like it wants to kick up a few notches. I won't slag you too bad for it, cuz we all know what it's like to run out of time. I like it the way it is, but I'd like it more with full instrumentation.
Berkeley Social Scene -vote
I like this track a lot. I think it's the guitar that does it. It sounds kinda like Billy Talent with a different singer. The chorus doesn't stick out from the verses much though. I think some thicker guitar layering may have helped.
Cain -vote
Damn, two great tracks in a row! Your voice is great. My only suggestion would be to add some background padding to fill it out and emphasize the atmospheric texture. The noises under the solo are fantastically fitting. Some vocal harmonies under the "all right" would have been awesome, too.
Doscientos
This is a crazy sound going on, with the combination of the hissing, reversed sounds, and doubled/effected vox. Overall, it sounds lacking in the low end though. Thicker bass, kick, and harmonies.
The Elephant Choir -vote
This one stays in my work truck. The vocals at 1:32 could use some eq, they're peaking a bit in the 700 hz range or so. I want more of the first verse singer.
Erin K & Tash
Whistling is loud and could use some eq cut in the high parts. Other than that, it's got a cool sound. A good choice to be right after the elephant choir in the playlist. You guys should collab.
Gooey Caramel Centaur
Way to make the lofi sound work for you! This reminds me of Arlo Guthrie. Structure wise, it could do with a more distinct bridge section.
Ice The Man
Is this Headshot? haha, this is totally inspired by the Fresh Prince's "Nightmare On My Street" eh? A little bit rip-offish for that, but the piano riff is great. I'm also digging the old school vocal rhythms.
Johnny $point feat. Andy Balham
The mix is loud enough to be distorting a bit, and some judicious eq might make things "gel" a bit better. Writing wise, it's a well done song though.
Jonathan Mann
This a really easy song to listen to. I'm trying not to call it "easy listening", honest. The vocals totally make the song. Kinda reminds me of that guy that used to be in House Of Pain, but I can't remember his name.
LML
Sweet! another chick songfighter! The minimalism works really well. That bass tone kicks ass. The vocals are boosted a little much around 300hz, and they're getting a bit muddy with the bass in places, despite the great performance. The bells are a great touch when they come in, but kinda loud & piercing.
Odoriferous Valley
Well done song. When the chorus kicks in, it's very definitive, the bridge is just unexpected enough to break things up perfectly. This one stays in the work truck, too.
Paco Del Steenko -vote
I love getting hit by a Paco track that oozes attitude. The intro vox rock. In fact, this has got to be one of your best. Very Work Truck Worthy. Also, remind me not to volunteer to collab on bass, I'm not worthy.
Panna Cotta Army
Once again, the playlist wins. This is an awesome track to follow Paco's. I really appreciate your chord progs & sense of cadence. Another one for the work truck.
The Red Cow Society
Vocal harmonies are really well placed & executed. Guitar could come down a "notch.3".
Rone
Autotune! Guitar Tuner! This would be about 200% better if the drums & vocals weren't panned hard L/R. A kick in only one ear is awkward.
Signboy
I sure wish this had turned out better. The clap sound wasn't supposed to be a clap at all, it's 4 gun cocking noises. A bit heavy handed on the melodyne. A bit. c'mon, it's not that bad, is it? heh.
Todd McHatton
Very Beatles-ish. I love how you say "chikka chikka" with the guitar. I'm a little scared, though, because the listed time shows as 24:51:18. I might skip through a bit.
wow. I can even skip ahead to 22 hours in. I'm guessing this is a glitch, and it's just repeating.
Wages feat. Michael Winter -vote
Awesome job on the vox. Could maybe use a bit of reverb or delay to wetten things up a bit. Glad to hear you found a collaborator, it turned out well.
The Weakest Suit
This feels like it wants to kick up a few notches. I won't slag you too bad for it, cuz we all know what it's like to run out of time. I like it the way it is, but I'd like it more with full instrumentation.
Irwin: I'd sell my soul to jesus to program drums like signboy.
-
- Gemini
- Posts: 5360
- Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 11:33 am
- Instruments: Bass, keyboards, singin', guitar
- Submitting as: Johnny Cashpoint
- Location: London, Engerllaaannnddd
- Contact:
Re: Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
AGray - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touch_the_Truck - apologies, I deliberately put in this line to 'Americanise' the lyric a little bit only to now discover it wasn't an American TV show the UK stole the franchise for. Who knew? Not me, obviously!
LML - yes, I was conscious the lyric came out a little aggressive - it was meant to be more insouciant but I wanted that contrast between the lullaby and the anger at needing a lullaby if you see what I mean?
Paco - no, an instrumental bridge would have been inappropriate in terms of the message, although doubtless it would have improved the song I have recently begun to suffer from insomnia at the most random of times, and I wanted to capture that anger / frustration / needing some-one or some-thing to blame / relentless self examination that the situation creates in my head, at least. It might have been a better listening experience but it wouldn't have been such an honest one, and you know my work enough to know that I've long since given up on trying to impress anyone
Also, there was a great strummy ukulele part to this song which I struggled with a long time before dropping in the piano part at the last moment as a replacement. It made the song more dynamic but it didn't capture the mood (and was also out of tune - fifth uke in less than a year that I have warped the neck of. I am doing something/everything wrong!)
Anyway, that's more than enough me! Reviews probably at the weekend when I get back from work trip where I am piggy-backing some poor yokel's wi-fi
j$
LML - yes, I was conscious the lyric came out a little aggressive - it was meant to be more insouciant but I wanted that contrast between the lullaby and the anger at needing a lullaby if you see what I mean?
Paco - no, an instrumental bridge would have been inappropriate in terms of the message, although doubtless it would have improved the song I have recently begun to suffer from insomnia at the most random of times, and I wanted to capture that anger / frustration / needing some-one or some-thing to blame / relentless self examination that the situation creates in my head, at least. It might have been a better listening experience but it wouldn't have been such an honest one, and you know my work enough to know that I've long since given up on trying to impress anyone
Also, there was a great strummy ukulele part to this song which I struggled with a long time before dropping in the piano part at the last moment as a replacement. It made the song more dynamic but it didn't capture the mood (and was also out of tune - fifth uke in less than a year that I have warped the neck of. I am doing something/everything wrong!)
Anyway, that's more than enough me! Reviews probably at the weekend when I get back from work trip where I am piggy-backing some poor yokel's wi-fi
j$
- irwin
- Mixtral
- Posts: 620
- Joined: Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:09 pm
- Instruments: insecurity
- Recording Method: scotch
- Submitting as: suckweasel, kasper, nutwalls
- Location: Woodland, CA
Re: Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
The American version was called Hands on a hard body, which- if anything- sounds even more like what I assumed "Touch the Truck" to mean.j$ wrote:AGray - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touch_the_Truck - apologies, I deliberately put in this line to 'Americanise' the lyric a little bit only to now discover it wasn't an American TV show the UK stole the franchise for. Who knew? Not me, obviously!
"Ouch. I wonder if this guy sounds like this when he speaks." -- Puce
-
- Gemini
- Posts: 5360
- Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 11:33 am
- Instruments: Bass, keyboards, singin', guitar
- Submitting as: Johnny Cashpoint
- Location: London, Engerllaaannnddd
- Contact:
Re: Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
Hands on a hard body? Really? Eeeww, americans are dirty
-
- Llama
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Sun May 17, 2009 6:05 pm
- Instruments: vocals, sax, guitar, keys, harmonica
- Recording Method: Logic Pro 8, iMac, motu 828, Art Pro VL2, Studio Project C3
- Submitting as: 2dogs, The Incredible Unknown
- Location: Ottawa, Canada
- Contact:
Re: Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
Thanks to all the participants for your contri. I had fun listening to each. Wages, I think you could really rock given enough production time. I look forward to hearing more from you.
My faves are:
Paco
Cain
Red Cow
ToddMcHatton
Elephant Choir
Vote:
LML - I absolutely LOVE your style and your awesome voice. The song really suited you and it was a grrrrrreat arrangement . I'd love to collaborate with you at some point...
Peace...
My faves are:
Paco
Cain
Red Cow
ToddMcHatton
Elephant Choir
Vote:
LML - I absolutely LOVE your style and your awesome voice. The song really suited you and it was a grrrrrreat arrangement . I'd love to collaborate with you at some point...
Peace...
- LML
- Alpaca
- Posts: 187
- Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2007 5:53 pm
- Instruments: Epiphone Electric Guitar, Ibanez Acoustic/Electric, Casio/Yamaha Electric piano, Yamaha DD-65 Drums
- Recording Method: Garage Band, Blue Snowball, Griffin Line In Cable, hopes and dreams
- Submitting as: LML
- Location: In Houston somewhere
- Contact:
Re: Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
Just pick a title and I'd be happy to work with you. Thanks for the nice review.I'd love to collaborate with you at some point...
LML: As heard on Guantanamo Bay Radio.
Re: Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
Not sure who Headshot is but thank you and yes this was totally inspired by Fresh Prince's "Nightmare On My Street". This time of year and the title of this weeks project, put the two together for me, my original version was over the original soundtrack instrumental of "Nightmare On My Street". I'm surprised you got exactly who inspired this weeks project. Your review put a smile on my face.Ice The Man
Is this Headshot? haha, this is totally inspired by the Fresh Prince's "Nightmare On My Street" eh? A little bit rip-offish for that, but the piano riff is great. I'm also digging the old school vocal rhythms.
Thanks
Ice
- LML
- Alpaca
- Posts: 187
- Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2007 5:53 pm
- Instruments: Epiphone Electric Guitar, Ibanez Acoustic/Electric, Casio/Yamaha Electric piano, Yamaha DD-65 Drums
- Recording Method: Garage Band, Blue Snowball, Griffin Line In Cable, hopes and dreams
- Submitting as: LML
- Location: In Houston somewhere
- Contact:
Re: Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
I don't see any reviewing going on. *sigh*
LML: As heard on Guantanamo Bay Radio.
- signboy
- Mixtral
- Posts: 712
- Joined: Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:33 pm
- Instruments: things that make noise
- Recording Method: lots of stuff plugged into lots of other stuff
- Location: hillbillyland
- Contact:
Re: Who Needs Coffee (WNS Reviews)
heh, can't put nuthin past me, man!Icetheman wrote: I'm surprised you got exactly who inspired this weeks project.
Irwin: I'd sell my soul to jesus to program drums like signboy.