august contest - GOSSIP

[1-2-Many]

Thanks you , I did actually come very close to scrapping this song and starting again, but then thought it would be a shame to waste all the time i'd spent recording all the bits and orchestrating. I think my dissatisfaction is because this song is not something that I would really listen to myself, but was more an exercise in improving my production skills...

Ben

Don't give up on it man! - I heard real potential there! A hint of TFF - which is one of my fav bands.

I'd personally take it more into the TFF or U2 direction and add some edgy guitar in spots (1:36 screams for some heavy guitars), pull that damned bass down, re-prog the drums for a smoother feel(definately drop the snare stutter when you enter the chorus 0:22 & 0:58 ), and polish/bring up some vocals parts - loved the gated/echo fx at 1:20 BTW - nice ... What'd you use for that??

Might start it off with some soft tabla drums as well to match the ending

[respirator]

thomasc_dk - Heh - the singing I can live with, but the melodica I like the weird percussion & samples.

I'll haunt your dreams with my melodica... playing christmas carols out of tune (and breath). So beware...






thx

[Cheeso]

Cheeso-

Can't D/L sorry

Really? I've downloaded from two different places with no probs...thanks anyway!

[Cheeso]

Nice stringy type sounds, and some interesting textures but - a little plain as far as overal sonic variety goes.

There was more variety before final mix-down. I'm not sure what I did wrong there, but it really flattened out the sound and I lost all the dynamics.

Oh well...next time!

Thanks

[vishals]

hello i posted my entry!

this is a song The_KVR
soory i have to sing it bcoz of
no singer friend!

just check it

[respirator]

Here's my comments. Not nice, but I think the level of these competitions is so high, that blablabla. Here goes:

GuitarJeff: Nice tune, wrong decade... Production is good, musically I’m flatlined…

Pheeleep: Nice vibe, but the drums sound off. When the bass line comes in, I’m out. Sorry.

Shane Sanders: Very good. Needs some dirt (IMHO). But ++good.

Paradiddle: Hm. Likes. Don’t know why. Not much development, but nice 

Haghi: Good production! Dismembered… Nice 70’s guitar.

Bagungie: Cheesy. Does me no good. Sorry.

Sepheritoh: Lush, but I don’t get the idea? Very interesting string arrangement. And – oh – good guitar!

Koorby: See Bagungie

Erki: See Bagungie

Col.G.: You got me. Don’t like the ultra sequenced rhythm, but still: You got me. Nice work! (1:03-!!!)

Nikp2000: Is this a case of loops not matching? Or is the not-quite-right rhythm intentional? Hm. Still: Left me a bit cold…

Markleford: ! . . . ! . . ! Yeah … ! Next month we’ll see a lot of anti-Markleford-songs. GREAT.

Barnadine: Intimate. Not sure that I’m buying it. But many points for honesty and a nice tune. Don’t like the fade out.

Rsmus7: I guess you’re name is Rasmus. Mine should have been, but my parents got cold feet in the last moment. Thus I didn’t make this track. In fact I wouldn’t. Nice enough, but not my cuppa…

Fell: Sounds like this century: Very good. Production’s sweet. Likes + +

Knockman: Corny. And that’s a good thing. You’ve got me. Very good sounds. VST’s all? (Is the Cello a soundfont?)

Sonic Six: Nice but I don’t get involved.

Jebudas: See Sonic Six

Thomasc_dk: Doh..

Tristeza Orange: Technically this is very good (very, very! good). Musically it’s not for me.

Plunge: As always you’re among the very best of KvR. This is no exception. But I can’t stop thinking: This is too easy for a guy this talented. This is like Joni Mitchell 20 or more years ago. Not *new*. Not *original*. Just exceptionally well done. Make some new, original music, please. I’ll by your CD (promise…).

AndreasE: You’re clearly developing faster than most (certainly faster than me). This is nice, but I don’t hear much of you (and the reverb on the snare is way too much). But good effort!

Glooper: Something’s wrong with the rhythm? Points for melody and production… Like the break at 1:28.

Mystahr: Yeah. No real sounds in sight. Do you even own a mike? Really good++

El Baggio: Drums suck (programmed?) The rest is blissful! (But not quite contemporary).

Dave Spiers: Easy listening. Very good production. Vocal’s great. But the infantile parts is - well, infantile. Don’t need them, Why? I can get irony without being burped at. I’ll detract a point for each…

Lady J: Kraftwerk. Very pro! Not my style, but still I’m impressed.

Earth Tones: Vince Clarke? I’m sure this is good, but I don’t get it. Doesn’t make me happy.

Ceyecal: Like this. Soundtracky, but sweet…

Spyro / Emerald: Good, grooving. Not my kind of music, but high quality. +++

Kriminal: As always no flaws. (But a bit dull – sorry).

Richie Bee: Wow. You’re away from the pack. Whether you’re in front or behind or driving sideways – who cares. Points for making me listen!

Bastian Phelps: This I like. Though no real sounds it’s dark and interesting. Nice.

Fst: Good production. Enjoyed this! Is any of the guitars real?

Dt-loosing: Another good production, though musically this does nothing to me (what’s with the handclaps??). Is a remix from the forum okay in the contest? (I’m voting no).

Beardedone: Still don’t get this - very skilled - midi-piece. Come out! Do some music of your own!

Mr.me: Likes! …. Yeah.

Wopelka: Don’t get it, sorry. Is this some kind of irony?

DuncanParsons: Get it. He. And that’s it.

Donkey: Heard you. Bastard. You’re good…

[Wopelka]

Raindance - Wolpeka

Very interesting. Almost polka-like. Your singing is really cool on this. It fits it well.

thanks ! glad you like it

Wopelka: Don’t get it, sorry. Is this some kind of irony?

now this is interesting... why do you think it might be some kind of irony? my music has probably never been more 'genuine' in a kvr contest. thanks for the feedback, anyway

[respirator]

now this is interesting... why do you think it might be some kind of irony? my music has probably never been more 'genuine' in a kvr contest. thanks for the feedback, anyway

Well I'm so sorry. I didn't get it in the first listen. Your track is very well done, but the vocal *did* sound "ironic" to me. Don't know why...

[Sepheritoh]

Thanks to all who listened and comented to my song. Thanks for liking the guitar. It seems to be the general feeling that the recording was not too shabby.

The idea was basically a march to freedom (without the traditional marching drum beat which I hate) and thanks yes, I suppose it could fit ncely as a movie sound track somewhere in the background, although not specifically done with any movie in mind.

[Markleford]

Markleford: ! . . . ! . . ! Yeah … ! Next month we’ll see a lot of anti-Markleford-songs. GREAT.

One of these months I'm going to sponsor some prizes for a "Markleford's Hubris" contest, in which contestants would have to create an entry that sounds like it could've been written by me. My brother would be the judge and he'd have to listen to them all "blind".

Perhaps for my three-years of monthly contest anniversary?

- m

[You™]

I'm going to sponsor some prizes for a "Markleford's Hubris" contest, in which contestants would have to create an entry that sounds like it could've been written by me. My brother would be the judge and he'd have to listen to them all "blind".

Perhaps for my three-years of monthly contest anniversary?

- m

That sounds interesting but if your brother judges, how many months will we have to wait for his decision?

[Wopelka]

Markleford: ! . . . ! . . ! Yeah … ! Next month we’ll see a lot of anti-Markleford-songs. GREAT.

One of these months I'm going to sponsor some prizes for a "Markleford's Hubris" contest, in which contestants would have to create an entry that sounds like it could've been written by me. My brother would be the judge and he'd have to listen to them all "blind".

Perhaps for my three-years of monthly contest anniversary?

- m

i'm in !

not that i haven't a certain advantage...

[fst]

Is any of the guitars real?

The big 'chunky' powerchords are samples/fake, the rest is real inc. the 'playout' chords.

What did you use for your lead guitar sound?

An extremely beaten up and customised Korean strat copy + an equally old Korg Pandora PXII.

I think this is actally pretty cool. Guitar power chords don't quite fit in with the rest soundwise, but otherwise It's A-OK

Good stuff. The man can certainly play the geeetar.

Cheers to all for the comments

[Guitarjeff]

Quote:
Great singing too.

Now that's something I never thought I'd hear but I suppose I did agonize over the vox long enough for it to pay off: I imagine I had upwards past 30+ takes of the vocals that I had to choose between, when usually I just take my first guide track as "close enough".

Well the singing fits the spirit of the song perfectly. I'm not going to accuse you of sounding like Steve Perry or anything but your sort of sarcastic, and somewhat goofy edge (for lack of a better term) and the fact that you are on key make it the perfect vocal for the tune.

Upon further listen it almost reminds me of a Wierd Al Yankowicz type of tune. I DO mean that as a compliment.

BTW, 30 takes is NOTHING

Thanks much Guitarjeff! Really glad you liked it. Sorry but I don't know these guitarist but I did feel like I should have added some real guitar but was not able to find the right vibe.

Your welcome.

www.normanbrown.com

www.brettgarsed.com

I think you'd like Norman Brown at least. Picture George Benson on steriods or something. Garsed is more of a Jazz/Rock shredder, but you might dig that too.

I know what you mean about finding the right feel for a tune like that. I would probably have trouble playing over those changes without figuring out the chords and planning something in advance.

Thanks for the nice review, Guitarjeff.
So, you´re NOT right:Guitarjeff wrote:
I am an opinionated asshole

Your welcome. Not everyone who got my reviews will agree with you there!

Guitarjeff, thanks too for your review...
Yes the pops and clicks are here to simulate an old vinyl record. (Izotope Vinyl plugin)

I kind of suspected that, but I am really sensitive to pops and clicks because I just recently finished mixing my bands new cd and we were getting sporadic (unintended)pops and clicks when exporting our mixes so I've recently been through about a month of listening closely for that stuff!


In that case, it is fitting in a way.

Thanks Guitarjeff for your input.

I was saying to a good friend that sometimes we need to force ourselves to take a new approach in our music, so I thought I'd try an avante garde' time sig. of 9/8 (is that spelt right)?

Anyway, when I decided to enter in the comp and get the song up for Monday past, I ran out of time to add much colour into the drum track (if I was a drummer, I suppose I would have concetrated on this first)!

By the way, I thought your track was outstanding!
I could easily imagine being down the pub on a Friday night sucking on a cold one with some mates and enjoying the energy and ambience. Great vocal effects too!

There's more to come I hope

Your welcome. I do like the time signature it just seemed like it could flow a little better. Not a huge thing though. I still like the track a lot.

Thanks for the nice comments on my track. Glad you liked it!

From one right-winger to another, thanks for the reviews. Entertaining to read. I don't think I've had a Counting Crows comparison, yet. They rock though, so that's cool. I was hoping the song would bring the dads out of the woodwork.

I knew I wasn't the only one here We are just not as loud about it most of the time as the other side.

Yeah, I immediately thought of CC when I heard the track. I'm typing this in between helping my girl with Math homework. Fatherhood is truly a blessing!

Hehe, dunno about the Journey song, never heard it, but thats a very common chord proggie for sure ain't it! (I'm sure it's in about 50% of Oasis's songs! ). The old ones are the best though!

Your entry reminds me of The Darkness, fun, over the top metel-pop,daft overdubs coolio! I did a sort of similar daft vocal overdub madness thing in a punky indie style once - Kant - sometimes only 16 part harmonies and gratutitous swearing will do!

You've never heard that tune?!! What planet have you been living on?

Actually, I guess I've never really heard an Oasis tune (at least not knowingly) either, so there you are.

The Darkness..... heh heh Great music, but with Tiny Tim reincarnated on vox.

I'm glad you liked my tune though. I'll check out your link in a bit here.......

Thanks for the comments!
I finished it up in one long marathon session and probably should have waited and listened again the next day. I think I could have pulled a better mix out. It was about 3.5 minutes that I pared down.
Maybe I'll do a remix

Your welcome. You should work on the tune because I think it does have good potential. I'd revisit the guitar takes and check for timing and tuning issues. Particularly at 0:10 and 0:30 where it really feels like it drifts. Also something sounds a little out of tune at the 30 second mark. Nothing a couple of re-takes or a little cut and paste can't take care of though!!

GuitarJeff: Nice tune, wrong decade... Production is good, musically I’m flatlined…

Wrong decade? And here I thought I had until " the deadline (6pm BST (GMT+1) on tuesday 24th august)" 2004 To get the entry in.

Oh well, it's a Free For All

Thanks for the compliment on the production!!

[plunge]

Plunge: As always you’re among the very best of KvR. This is no exception. But I can’t stop thinking: This is too easy for a guy this talented. This is like Joni Mitchell 20 or more years ago. Not *new*. Not *original*. Just exceptionally well done. Make some new, original music, please. I’ll by your CD (promise…).

Thanks. I understand what you're saying, but I think some stuff is more effective simple. Maybe I was wrong on this piece, but I tried. I wanted to do something fun and accessible to a four year old, but I didn't want to do "Sesame Street" for everyone at KVR. Plus I couldn't resist when Rob said "no jaaath" in the rules. And thanks, of course, for the glowing comments otherwise.

@guitarjeff: Blessing is a good word for it. It would be good to swap stories with folks around here over beer. So much life happens offline....