The Wagtunes Corner
- KVRist
- 477 posts since 30 May, 2018
Very nice...
I think we'll all be writing a cathartic piece before too long.
Some good chord progressions, I can hear you spend a little more time on vocal treatment and mixing.
Liked the end, 20-20-20 delay thing.
Liked the lyrics "china doll..." some nice wordplay there.
Although "Stock up on Depends" I guess means things you depend on for everyday living.
I did expect "toilet rolls" to make an appearance somewhere though!
Can I ask, what the chord progression on the 1st line-1st verse, especially at the end of the line, when you say "do"?
I think we'll all be writing a cathartic piece before too long.
Some good chord progressions, I can hear you spend a little more time on vocal treatment and mixing.
Liked the end, 20-20-20 delay thing.
Liked the lyrics "china doll..." some nice wordplay there.
Although "Stock up on Depends" I guess means things you depend on for everyday living.
I did expect "toilet rolls" to make an appearance somewhere though!
Can I ask, what the chord progression on the 1st line-1st verse, especially at the end of the line, when you say "do"?
Reaper (win), i7-7700k, 16GB
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 21196 posts since 8 Oct, 2014
I'll try ti answer your questions.MasterTuner wrote: ↑Fri Apr 03, 2020 11:13 pm Very nice...
I think we'll all be writing a cathartic piece before too long.
Some good chord progressions, I can hear you spend a little more time on vocal treatment and mixing.
Liked the end, 20-20-20 delay thing.
Liked the lyrics "china doll..." some nice wordplay there.
Although "Stock up on Depends" I guess means things you depend on for everyday living.
I did expect "toilet rolls" to make an appearance somewhere though!
Can I ask, what the chord progression on the 1st line-1st verse, especially at the end of the line, when you say "do"?
1. Depends is actually a brand of adult diaper. Probably don't have them where you are.
2. Toilet paper was too obvious so I skipped it.
3. And now the chord progression:
Abm/D - E7 - C#m6 - F#
That's the whole first verse.
Thanks for the listen and the feedback. In a perverse sort of way, I had fun doing this one.
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- KVRist
- 388 posts since 20 Mar, 2019
Mr Wagtunes. I really like the music in some of these tracks. One had a great paul mccartney vibe. ...the guitar solo and arrangement changes flow nicely. You already know how I feel about the vocals. However, I did notice how dry they sound. They feel mixed well, but maybe a tad in the background. I think your vocals could use more reverb. Listen to this track. Hear the reverb ? Chorus? L/R Panning? Frequency distribution of the reverb?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKuFyHwG188
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKuFyHwG188
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 21196 posts since 8 Oct, 2014
Okay, who are you and what have you done with Mindstuff? LOLmindstuff wrote: ↑Sun Apr 05, 2020 6:27 am Mr Wagtunes. I really like the music in some of these tracks. One had a great paul mccartney vibe. ...the guitar solo and arrangement changes flow nicely. You already know how I feel about the vocals. However, I did notice how dry they sound. They feel mixed well, but maybe a tad in the background. I think your vocals could use more reverb. Listen to this track. Hear the reverb ? Chorus? L/R Panning? Frequency distribution of the reverb?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKuFyHwG188
All kidding aside, thank you for the listen and thoughtful response.
About my singing. First off, I know I can't sing for shit, which is why I used Vocaloid for so long. But, given the negative reaction that received and everyone telling me that my voice, good or bad, would still be better than Vocaloid, I started singing again. That does not mean I am still not self conscious about my singing, which is the main reason I tend to bury my voice in the mix, though you have to admit that compared to my early efforts, it is more up front than it was.
But that's not the only reason i tend to bury my vocals. I tend to favor instrumental tracks in general. Some of my favorite songs of all time are songs where the singing isn't up front in the mix. Listen to Dan Fogelberg's "Netherlands." In fact, his mix engineer said to him that the vocals were mixed down too low. Dan didn't care. He said that's the way he wanted it because he wanted the music to be the focal point.
That's the era I grew up in and that's what I tend to gravitate towards.
As for "My Love", was never one of my favorite Paul McCartney songs, but I do hear what he did with the vocals. If that's what you consider properly processed vocals, I'm sure I can duplicate it. I'm not quite sure I'll like it, but, as an experiment, I can give it a shot to see how it turns out.
Anyway, thank you for your very insightful critique. I will keep it in mind for my next project, whenever I start it. Right now, I'm taking a short break. These last 4 months have been exhausting.
PS - Hopefully we can start getting along like civilized people. I'm willing to give it a shot if you are.
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- KVRist
- 48 posts since 30 Mar, 2020
Glad I finally got a chance to listen to some of your stuff. I like it. For someone who’s self conscious about their vocals you certainly challenge yourself vocally and take risks others would be afraid to take. Myself included. I think you’re a better singer than you give yourself credit for. That said, I noticed a few of your songs didn’t have much in the way of backup vocals which can help fill out some of those challenging vocal parts, and sweeten the chorus. Your vocals sound very clean, maybe just a little more delay and/or reverb would be worthwhile tweak.wagtunes wrote: ↑Tue Mar 31, 2020 1:51 amPicking 5 out of hundreds of songs is kind of tough.
Maybe start with these?
Hold On To Your Guns
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... -your-guns
Just Like Jimmy Neutron
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... my-neutron
Hold You Like There's No Tomorrow
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... o-tomorrow
Losing My Mind (All Over You)
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... l-over-you
Three Minutes To The End
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... lead-vocal
I like your throwback style and sound, and you’re a very good songwriter, which is a massively underrated trait among many posting in forums such as this. I appreciate that your songs are well constructed, using relatively traditional instrumentation, with interesting and unpredictable solos, changes, etc as opposed to simply staggering loops. Good stuff and not what I expected, in a good way.
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 21196 posts since 8 Oct, 2014
Thank you for the listen and the feedback. It is very much appreciated. Yes, my songwriting goes back to old school because I'm old, having grown up in the 60s. Ironically, I have a more difficult time doing the kinds of things that are normally posted around here.Scanloni wrote: ↑Mon Apr 06, 2020 12:25 pmGlad I finally got a chance to listen to some of your stuff. I like it. For someone who’s self conscious about their vocals you certainly challenge yourself vocally and take risks others would be afraid to take. Myself included. I think you’re a better singer than you give yourself credit for. That said, I noticed a few of your songs didn’t have much in the way of backup vocals which can help fill out some of those challenging vocal parts, and sweeten the chorus. Your vocals sound very clean, maybe just a little more delay and/or reverb would be worthwhile tweak.wagtunes wrote: ↑Tue Mar 31, 2020 1:51 amPicking 5 out of hundreds of songs is kind of tough.
Maybe start with these?
Hold On To Your Guns
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... -your-guns
Just Like Jimmy Neutron
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... my-neutron
Hold You Like There's No Tomorrow
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... o-tomorrow
Losing My Mind (All Over You)
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... l-over-you
Three Minutes To The End
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... lead-vocal
I like your throwback style and sound, and you’re a very good songwriter, which is a massively underrated trait among many posting in forums such as this. I appreciate that your songs are well constructed, using relatively traditional instrumentation, with interesting and unpredictable solos, changes, etc as opposed to simply staggering loops. Good stuff and not what I expected, in a good way.
- KVRAF
- 2955 posts since 31 Jan, 2020
I enjoyed the first song. It reminded me of Morrissey solo, but with an 80s/70s accompaniment. Do you agree that this song is a bit surreal?wagtunes wrote: ↑Tue Mar 31, 2020 1:51 amPicking 5 out of hundreds of songs is kind of tough.
Maybe start with these?
Hold On To Your Guns
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... -your-guns
Just Like Jimmy Neutron
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... my-neutron
Hold You Like There's No Tomorrow
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... o-tomorrow
Losing My Mind (All Over You)
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... l-over-you
Three Minutes To The End
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... lead-vocal
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 21196 posts since 8 Oct, 2014
You're not the first person who has compared me to Morrissey, though I really don't hear it.Spring Goose wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2020 5:35 pmI enjoyed the first song. It reminded me of Morrissey solo, but with an 80s/70s accompaniment. Do you agree that this song is a bit surreal?wagtunes wrote: ↑Tue Mar 31, 2020 1:51 amPicking 5 out of hundreds of songs is kind of tough.
Maybe start with these?
Hold On To Your Guns
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... -your-guns
Just Like Jimmy Neutron
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... my-neutron
Hold You Like There's No Tomorrow
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... o-tomorrow
Losing My Mind (All Over You)
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... l-over-you
Three Minutes To The End
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... lead-vocal
The song itself was for a contest where you had to come up with a sci fi and time travel theme while referring to a movie. So yeah, I guess the tune is a bit surreal, or something. lol
- KVRAF
- 2955 posts since 31 Jan, 2020
- KVRAF
- 2955 posts since 31 Jan, 2020
Well his (Morrissey) voice has different qualities, and your voice has different qualities. I think it must be a similar type of song.wagtunes wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2020 5:48 pmYou're not the first person who has compared me to Morrissey, though I really don't hear it.Spring Goose wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2020 5:35 pmI enjoyed the first song. It reminded me of Morrissey solo, but with an 80s/70s accompaniment. Do you agree that this song is a bit surreal?wagtunes wrote: ↑Tue Mar 31, 2020 1:51 amPicking 5 out of hundreds of songs is kind of tough.
Maybe start with these?
Hold On To Your Guns
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... -your-guns
Just Like Jimmy Neutron
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... my-neutron
Hold You Like There's No Tomorrow
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... o-tomorrow
Losing My Mind (All Over You)
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... l-over-you
Three Minutes To The End
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... lead-vocal
The song itself was for a contest where you had to come up with a sci fi and time travel theme while referring to a movie. So yeah, I guess the tune is a bit surreal, or something. lol
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 21196 posts since 8 Oct, 2014
Ah, okay. Thanks.Spring Goose wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2020 6:05 pmWell his (Morrissey) voice has different qualities, and your voice has different qualities. I think it must be a similar type of song.wagtunes wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2020 5:48 pmYou're not the first person who has compared me to Morrissey, though I really don't hear it.Spring Goose wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2020 5:35 pmI enjoyed the first song. It reminded me of Morrissey solo, but with an 80s/70s accompaniment. Do you agree that this song is a bit surreal?wagtunes wrote: ↑Tue Mar 31, 2020 1:51 amPicking 5 out of hundreds of songs is kind of tough.
Maybe start with these?
Hold On To Your Guns
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... -your-guns
Just Like Jimmy Neutron
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... my-neutron
Hold You Like There's No Tomorrow
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... o-tomorrow
Losing My Mind (All Over You)
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... l-over-you
Three Minutes To The End
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... lead-vocal
The song itself was for a contest where you had to come up with a sci fi and time travel theme while referring to a movie. So yeah, I guess the tune is a bit surreal, or something. lol
- KVRAF
- 2955 posts since 31 Jan, 2020
I was interested about Gilbert & Sullivan, then one day i found a record by Gilbert O' Sullivan. This is something which came to mind after listening to your song.
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 21196 posts since 8 Oct, 2014
I'm listening to "Everyday Is Like Sunday" by Morrissey now and I really don't hear it. Hell, I wish I could sing as well as he does.Spring Goose wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2020 6:09 pm I was interested about Gilbert & Sullivan, then one day i found a record by Gilbert O' Sullivan. This is something which came to mind after listening to your song.
Gilbert O'Sullivan has that accent thing going that makes him unmistakable. Another guy I wish I could sing as well as.
- KVRAF
- 2955 posts since 31 Jan, 2020
I don't have my Morrissey cds to hand, but when i do i'll look which songs.wagtunes wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2020 6:12 pmI'm listening to "Everyday Is Like Sunday" by Morrissey now and I really don't hear it. Hell, I wish I could sing as well as he does.Spring Goose wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2020 6:09 pm I was interested about Gilbert & Sullivan, then one day i found a record by Gilbert O' Sullivan. This is something which came to mind after listening to your song.
Gilbert O'Sullivan has that accent thing going that makes him unmistakable. Another guy I wish I could sing as well as.
- KVRAF
- 2955 posts since 31 Jan, 2020
Ok so i tried the second song. I liked the eighties entrance, straight to the point. I thought its an interesting song, the eighties accompaniment but do you agree that the vocal is a bit seventies? I'm no expert about seventies, maybe i'm wrong. I take it you play your own guitar as well as singing? Some impressive synth/keyboard at about 1.00. Nice chord changes. Nice finish.wagtunes wrote: ↑Tue Mar 31, 2020 1:51 amPicking 5 out of hundreds of songs is kind of tough.
Maybe start with these?
Hold On To Your Guns
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... -your-guns
Just Like Jimmy Neutron
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... my-neutron
Hold You Like There's No Tomorrow
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... o-tomorrow
Losing My Mind (All Over You)
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... l-over-you
Three Minutes To The End
https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... lead-vocal
I like eighties. I listen to eighties. Your song isn't what i'd usually choose to listen to. It is very film soundtrack. I like film soundtracks but not this one! Not my cup of tea, but impressive song nonetheless.