Don't Pet Sweaty Things (...In Bed Reviews)

[deshead]

Dark Liberty: Whether or not you review other songs, it would be good form to register and thank the folks who've listened to your tunes evey week. As it is, I'm pretty sure you don't even know this message board exists.

Dollar Bill and the Inkpoints: Man, I'm glad I missed that acid trip. This is too dissonant for me, but I'll give you guys one thing: the music fits the lyrics perfectly. I mean, you couldn't sing those words over straight-up pop chords .. And with a toy sax (heh) and recorder, you'd best be singing about Quetzalcoatlus.

Gert:

This sounds like it was Deshead's baby

More like THC's baby, and I borrowed it for the afternoon so I could go to the park and meet women.

Luke Henley, featuring Madi: Conor Oberst meets Gillian Welch, or something like that. You got some production advice above, but honestly, I didn't notice those things. This song's all about the performances, and both yours and Madi's are perfect for the song. I really like this.

Michael Gum: I like this a lot. Reminds me of Ian LeFeuvre .. which probably means nothing to you. I'm sure this sounds exactly the way you want, but I find the guitar just a bit too biting. I often find that in songs with a single capo'd guitar. You could try adding a second guitar track, no capo, playing the same chords (which should be easy, 'cause you're capo'd V, right?), and mix it in the background, just to add warmth. Or not ... Just sayin'.

Rik Gerblick: Johnny Marr called, he wants his rhythm guitar tone back. Heh, no, not really. Actually, it was Sisters of Mercy. They want their producer back. Ha ha, no, I'm kidding. Really, it was 1985 who called. Heh .. uh ... (This was the second best track of the fight for me. I've listened to it half a dozen times, sweet. Two things I'd change about the mix: the bass guitar has no definition, and it's probably 2 or 3 dB too loud. I think that's where most of your mud comes from. So I'd give it a boost somewhere around 2Khz, and maybe push down the mids a bit. Also, the kick drum is barely audible. I'd bring up the kick and snare, and make sure the kick has a point on it. Somewhere around 4Khz, I'd guess.)

Steve Durand: Wow, this is really well done. It's kind of minimalist, which works perfectly, 'cause the emotion in your voice totally jumps out. And the harmonies are just about sublime! Nicely done.

The Sober Irishman: Great performance, especially your vocals. I wish the song did more for me ... I dunno, maybe I'm not familiar enough with the genre. I find the lyrics kinda throw-away (especially the "right now", which sounds like it's there just to fill space). Distracts me a little.

Tim Hinkle: Way too long for the joke.

Wally Harbinger: Holy crap I love this. Yeah, your voice doesn't fit the bossa nova, but it totally works. (Were you trying to sound like Right Said Fred? Or is that a happy accident? .. heh heh.) I've had your track and Rik's on repeat all morning, and I'm starting to hallucinate. Good stuff!!! Good enough for my vote, I'd say.

[Rik]

...I'm kidding. Really, it was 1985 who called. Heh .. uh ...

Let's face it, I'm kind of stuck in the 80's with all of my tracks. Maybe in 20 years my sound will evolve and be totally now! But still 20 years too late.

Seriously though, thanks for the great review. I really appreciate the production tips coming from someone with such a great sound.

[h]

dark liberty kicks ass...
and i like it that he doesn't show up on the forums... so very "punko nuevo" of him!

HAHAHAHA

=)

[Wally Harbinger]

"Dark Liberty could not be reached for comment because he was off somewhere being disaffected."

[Wally Harbinger]

Thanks very much for the comments, Des and everyone else who listened. As for sounding like Right Said Fred, I'm afraid nothing I do with my voice is intentional.

Jim, I think you may be looking too deeply for meaning in this one. As has been so helpfully pointed out to me, I foolishly misinterpreted the copious Joycean rules of Songfight! and thereby felt obliged to divine the Fightmasters' original intention and meaning in this week's title. It is too late for me to rectify this grievous lapse in judgment, but those who are concerned can perhaps take solace in my solemn promise to rend my clothes and flay the skin off my back later.

But as for meaning, the "one" you add to any "one" is the "in bed" you add to any fortune cookie, and the rest of it is coy double entendre, take-out containers get "strewn across the floor", the "number you can call" is your neighbourhood "Ho Lee Chow" or what have you. If there's subtext, and it's a real revisionist leap for me to even suggest it, it might be a playful diatribe against the facile panacea that we use to improve the appearance of our own potency, sexual or otherwise, even if only in jest, even if only in our own minds. But just typing that makes me feel pretty sophomoric.

[thehipcola]

Just wanted to say this fight is really great! I'm very much enjoying it whilst putting together my new JERKER.

Reviews will follow mid-week after a few more run-thru's... Lot's to be impressed by, but Luke...nice job man!

[j$]

ReviewX0rz.

The British, surely?

j$

[fluffy]

I like the bit at the end of Sober Irishman's where he makes the keyboard fall off the stand and thejazz gets all panicy and rushes to the stage to make sure it's okay.

[jack]

i wasn't that impressed with the luke henley track but then madi comes in and makes it really sweet. nice job.

[Sober]

I like the bit at the end of Sober Irishman's where he makes the keyboard fall off the stand and thejazz gets all panicy and rushes to the stage to make sure it's okay.

If I had the opportunity, I would go back and dub that into the studio version.

[HeuristicsInc]

now that the board is alive i can post this.

rik - i like the background guitar.... nice. i feel like the vocal needs something more to make it more exciting, sonically... the performance i think is fine. yeah, that rhythm guitar has an excellent tone.

michael - very pleasant. fun, unassuming song. i enjoy it. good vocal sound.

db&ti - it's us! i had a lyric concept and some rough stuff, but it wasn't working with my music, so i went to j$.... he had some music with lyrics he didn't seem totally sure of, so it was a nice combination. probably make a few changes for the 'album version' so any suggestions are welcome!

wally - that's a good opening. reminds me of king arthur. vocals are pretty good, definitely serviceable but maybe needs something. but man i do love the piano, and that guitar or whatever in the solo section is awesome.

steven - parts of this make me think you're going to sing ... ummm, some 70's popsong... can't remember what. "and i think i'm ... something." man, that's too distracting. hard to concentrate on the song. i want this to be more upbeat. nice horns, though.

gert - not as exciting as some others of yours. i find the vocal going into the chorus very interesting. "I'll try again" doesn't work for me. like that guitar, nice stuff. fun.

tim - weird sounds. lyrical content is apropos - it's the first thing i thought of gets a little monotonous ... ooh, man, it's only 1:45 into a 4:41, not a good sign. wow, i got the joke a while back and it hasn't changed. ummm... move on, please, these kind of joke songs aren't meant to be this long.

sober - heh, interesting. you have a nice range. the hi-hats might be a bit too loud. unless it's just these speakers, which is a big possibility. what's that horny thing? it's sober! hahahaha i made a joke. no, i mean the instrument you blow into. some sax? it's cool. i wanna hear it more. fun ending.

luke - i like your vocal doubling here. pretty cool. some wonky vocal bits, but those are getting fewer!

dark liberty - kinda rhythmically odd in places, but not too bad. wow you sound young, but that works perfectly with your lyrics. try singing out a bit more in places, if you can. i like the guitar part and drums, the bridge perhaps... good thing.

favorites: michael, db&ti, wally, sober
runners-up: rik, steven, gert, luke, dark

hmm... i kinda like our song the best... but i usually don't vote for myself. maybe i'll vote for the j$ half
-bill

[Wally Harbinger]

maybe needs something

laryngectomy

[thehipcola]

<b>Dark Liberty</b>
Dude...you kill me with your able music writing and production, but totally crap vox. 'Nuff said. Well, except that I especially liked this track due to it's resemblance to The Network. It needs a squelchy synth.

<b>Dollar Bill and the Inkpoints</b>
This has some frightening moments musically. Some great industrial sounding samples. The lilting keyboard main line is tiring on my ears after awhile. The mix is good. I like this for sheer quirk. Keepr. LIke the bridge breakdown alot.

<b>Gert</b>
Just like the space between your ears, I'm never full. Heh.

<b>Luke Henley, featuring Madi</b>
Very S&G. Not sure how I feel about that. But it's one of the nicer pieces you've done...like you tried for it to sound pretty-ish. Huge points for involving Madi, and a great part too. The mix is way noisy..but I'm guessing it's an equipment limitation of some kind... I kept this.

<b>Michael Gum</b>
How can anyone not be tapping their foot listening to this. Great movement, great lyrics, great hooky bits. Acoustic is a bit harsh and clicky..vox could use a bit more definition..but hey man, great voice! Nice guitar work. And sweet song. I'm keeping this for sure. It's rare to find a song with just guitar that's so effective. Keepering it fo sho. And I just might vote for this.

<b>Rik Gerblick</b>
Weird intro for you Rik...On my system there is a lot of vocal that could be rolled off around 150hz for clarity's sake. I like your retro-ish style...nice chorused guitar arpeggio's! I find this register to be a bit low for your voice to sing in. That said, as always, nicely played and programmed. Mix is pretty good too. I find myself singing along...it's got a thing to it.

<b>Steve Durand</b>
Nice horns, though I think I say that every time I review your stuff. This is quaint and nicely arranged. I like the chord progression. I find the backing tracks (percussion) to be a tad quiet, and come across more like time keepers for you to track with. Not much to say about this... Keepr.

<b>The Sober Irishman</b>
This is an easy insta-classic. Probably guaranteed a second place finish. Ouch! Dude...great harmonies...sweet keys, if a little subtle..but I'm sure that's true to something your were striving for. Like the lyrics and take on the title. Mix is great. Definitely a keeper and very serious contender.

<b>Tim Hinkle</b>
This is phunty. Careful with the pitchshifting, you might Wreckdom the mix. It stinks in here, did someone Lightening Ear Fart?

<b>Wally Harbinger</b>
That's some mean keys playing. Quite smart and smarmy. Great mix..nice lyrics and take on the title. Love the cheese. Keeping it for sure. Contention for my vote.


Hmm. I liked this fight alot. But the big V is heading to Michael Gum for sheer stickin-in-my-headness, and that he did that with just his guitar. Close calls from Sober, Wally, and Gert.

[tonetripper]

Quick Reviews before I leave for two weeks.

Dark Liberty - Sophomoric to the point of being kind of cool. Just think you have to give 'er on the voice.

Dollar Bill and the Inkpoints - Something darkly brooding about this that I like, but the thing I don't like is the hand claps. I think it would have been cooler with recorded hand claps. The breakdown is excellent. I like the multiple voices. Middle East Euro Techno. Cool.

Gert - I always think of one more with Gert. *hick*

Luke Henley feat. Madi - "P" each..... eeks. You cats coulda beat that. Sounds like Jim of Seattle more than Madi though. Am I missing something. Is it pitch-shifted..... I'm confused. Awesome song. Just awesome. Needs to be better recorded. I don't buy the noise floor, but with the proper type of noise floor that thing would be hanging around. Nice.

Michael Gum - This is an excellently written song. I wish there was better production. But that's not really the point. My favourite song of the fight.

Rik Gerblick - This song sounds so much like the Pretenders especially the verses. I'm not sure of the tune, but it is very similar. The chorus is alright, but generally doesn't really hang on to me. Good performances. Didn't really get to me for the title.

The Sober Irishman - This is a great blues song, but for the title doesn't really do it for me. The vocals coming in are a nice touch and I especially enjoyed the seperation of the instruments in terms of other things I've heard in the past being TSI. Good job on that. Great jam and captured well. Maniac.

Steve Durand - The clave is a strange tone in this tune. The horn stuff is great sounding. I like a lot of the harmonies of this song. It always sounds like you could go a lot further rhythmically in your tunes. It might help in making the songs you write sound less traditional, IMHO. Didn't really make it for me for the title.

Tim Hinkle - Like LSD induced visions into my psyche.

Wally Harbinger - The salsa feel is tight. The lyrics are alright, but I don't like "In Your Bed". It's kind of the hook. And the title is In Bed. I know you re-cap it, but it's not enough to make me feel it for the title. Good performances. Could have used a little more treble over-all on the mix.

[HeuristicsInc]

...the thing I don't like is the hand claps.

I'd been listening to a lot of Fischerspooner having just got their new album and their infectious handclaps got into my brain...
-bill

[Leaf]

Micheal Gum:

I am reluctant when I hear an accoustic guitar/vocal tune. This one is great. A very good song, great guitar playing, good vocals. Really well done. I'd also love to hear it with a rockin bass line and a good solid drum part to kick it up a notch...maybe a hammond too... but it's just totally fine on it's own. I don't really have anything negative to say about it...it's a keeper.

Luke Henley:


Not doing it for me. Too mellow...sounds like a mumbly conversation where you gotta keep asking the speaker "what? what did you say? can you speak up...." It would be ok for background music on "where the red ferns grow part 2.... big dan and little ann rise from the grave". Anyway, not something I'll keep.

Gert:

The only things I'll say about this is that THE HIP COLA started off the tune with a musical seed, but his computer crashed, so he was unable to lay down tracks for it... so I cannibalized his original mp3 "rough" track to create a part for him to be in on it... that was fun. Then Small Town Mike was unable to participate due to an unfortunate and very serious family emergency... so I took some stuff of his from another tune that fit the theme so I could get him in there...and finally, I did about 8 mixes that evening...and this is number 8. Numbers 4-6 were better..but as the night wore on... I started making more of those crappy decisions that tired ears will bring about... a shame...but fotunately, it's still good enough I suppose. I really like the lyrics. I love everyone's vocal stylings in Gert. Gert has been alot of fun.

Dark Liberty:

I sure like this band. I got another tune of yours..when it comes in shuffle, I dig it... it's not the best playing, it's not the best production, it's not the most original, but it really doesn't matter. It's fun punk ...still reminds me of MDC. A LOT. I really like that ending progression... I'm not sure if it's in the rest of the tune, it really stood out the end... rockin. ah...restart says that it's the same riff...I like. A keeper.


Steve Durand:

Mellow. Cheesy drum sounds. This so reminds me of Polka Dot door or something. I can't relate to this kind of music. I like horns... but this is just too sappy for me. I can't even say if it's a good song or not, because I don't relate. For me, it's not a keeper or vote worthy. Nice horn lead though.

Tim Hinkle:

Really not doing it for me. Not that great. A lot of ecclectic things going on... but just not a fun listen. I feel like I 'm playing a boring video game.
Sorry, but next. (did not finish it).

Rik Gerblick:

This is a very dark sounding mix. Your voice reminds me of Tom Jones or something. Kinda has a stone temples pilot thing going on too... There are things I like about this, and things that sound like they just could have been better. I think a superior mix would make it more better.... more better, nice. It's a bit quiet...and to me (and I'm really no expert here) it lacks some highs or something. I think what I like about it is the intent and the energy and the personality, but the song itself isnt' doing anything wonderful for me.

Wally Harbinger:

Your name reminds me of "crisis on infinite earths"... is that intentional?
I like the feel off the top, although the drum sounds just suck. Nice vocals. Nice keys... pretty fun. Makes one want to grab some maracas and do the "Mask" dance with a police force. I really enjoy the style...now if this has a shit hot solo in it, it's got it made... really enjoy it. ah...there's the solo... although it comes off more as a groove solo, which works just fine. Hmm.... some sexy female backups would and a real percussion section would put this over the top...but the song, as it self, is fun and entertaining. Right on. oh..nice montuno (sp bad on me) ending... a keeper.

the Sober Irishman:

Nice spacious mix. Dramatic vocals as to be expected. It seems a little empty down the middle... probably cause the bass is owning that spot with the vocals...and it 's a little hard to hear through speakers at work! Nice keys solo. You know...if the drums, as crisp and nice as they sound, were alittle more in the background, and the keys a touch more up front, I think it'd sound more like those Desmond...ah fuck, can't remember his last name, but anyways, those old hto jazz recordings.. right now, it sounds like I'm sitting in the middle aisle, but the drummer is up front in front of the band. The rock out vocal style is cool..but it gives it a more modern tone..which makes me wonder if it needs a hotter comping role...maybe a guitar or something. This is cool, I like it. You have so many ideas when you work... and they are eccelectic, so it makes for some fun listens. Still think it needs another element to beef up the middle though. A keeper.

Dollar Bill and the Ink Points:

Nice weird intro. sometimes casio keyboard sounding parts can suck, but this is great...it's creepy and ..hey..is that johnny? Oh yeah, that's Johnny. Like not a chance it's not. Creepy stuff... I like it. The bass line is great. I think that one lead part is ...I dunno, it's the total right idea, but its maybe too loud or something...sticks out abit. It has this controlled chaos to it. Ok, I get it ... talk about slow...dollar bill (heuristics right?) and the ink POINTS. duh. Pretty good. A keeper.

[HeuristicsInc]

yeah, that's us, leaf
i agree on the lead thing, gotta lower its volume a bit.
thanks!
-bill

[Wally Harbinger]

thanks leaf

yah i hate soloing over major changes. i was playing a solo over brown eyed girl on a gig last weekend and the guitar player came over and yelled "got any steel drums in there?"

i'm glad someone recognized that as a montuno. i thought i'd screwed it up.

and are you comparing sober to paul desmond? that might explain why you couldn't think of his last name.

oh yah and the "infinite earths" reference is lost on me, sadly.

[Leaf]

in DC comics...they had a "crisis" that was this huge comic book saga...one of the characters was "harbinger"...who fortold the upcoming doom... and their was Wally West... the kid flash who played a key role in the series..so I actually was wondering if you made some amalgamated name based on that book... but obviously not!

[Ross]

Sorry these are so brief, but I need to get back in the review groove.

Dark liberty – The groove works, I’m not feeling the vocals, though. Overall this isn’t doing so much for me .

Dollar bill…. – as usual I like $ sound. Nice contrasts around 2:20 or so with the acoustic guit. and stuff. The lyrics are just a bit obtuse for me, but credit for thinking outside the box.

Gert – Rockin’, but the lyrics aren’t really going anywhere for me on this one.

Luke Henley – Nice simon and garfunkel sound, the violin is a nice touch, although the playing sounds a little out-of-shape. Put together very well, I think.

Michael Gum – nice 12-string chops. Good song overall – contender.

Rik Gerblick – ok, hard to hear the words, but thanks for posting them. I think you did nice job on the fortune cookie theme.

The Sober Irishman – Ok start – I think the instrumental section is a bit long. This sounds like it wants to be Louis Prima, but it doesn’t quite get to that level.

Steve Durand – Pretty nice song, good structure. The horns are good as always. I like that a whole story seems to unfold.

Tim Hinckle – a creative solution to the fortune cookie problem posed by the “…â€

[michael gum]

Michael Gum – nice 12-string chops. Good song overall – contender.

Actually it's just your average six-string, but thanks.

[thehipcola]

well, maybe slightly above average, hey? Congrats Mr. Gum..a solid victory for a great song!!!