Song of the Month Club - November

JeffChasteen

gburks:
"First class. A beautiful tribute. I really like your singing" was meant for you.

richardyot

@Bluepunk ;

Jocphone

Ok jumping into December, I may have commented on some of these already but seasonal festivities and ructions have started so the last month is a bit of a blur.

@Matt_Fletcher_2000 - Swiftly:

Matt I've listened to this a few times over the month and I didn't comment because everyone seemed so complimentary towards it and I didn't get it. I'm afraid to say I still don't. Of course your production skills keep getting better and better and it's probably one of the prettiest tracks you have submitted, great sound design, tastefully done but, beyond the technical prowess, it says nothing to me. You do understand that I generally enjoy your tracks, I was dissappointed this month. Everyone else loved it. What can I say?

@SimonAcetone - Wilful Misrepresentation Of The Truth:

The voice could have been a bit more edgy it was pretty authentic sounding 

The big bass when it first comes in is a bit bland and overpowering although it gets a bit more lively when everything kicks in.

Nice Kraftwerky style synth parts but the whole track could have been edited to be a bit tighter as there were a few sections where it felt like filler. Luckily they were only a few and it's a good sounding track overall and massively enjoyed the content. Also put me in mind of the Cassette Boy vidoes I found on the guardian website yesterday.

@gburks - No Fear To Bleed:]

Lovely dynamics and feel on this track. There stereo/tracking effects were very effective especially on the vocals and the uke at the start. Nice tune too which was catchy without getting over repetitive. Well done, a fitting tribute.

@touchconspiracy - The Infinity flames project demo

Bloody hell, that's loud when it comes in! After listening to the previous softer track yours came in with a real kick. That rumbling bass in the middle is really something as well. I think the I enjoyed this one the most of all I have heard from you touch. If I can make two little comments though: The first part of the track sounds very 'gadgety' but that does dissipate when you you get more adventurous with the sounds later. And the last third I felt could have been higher energy. It builds really nicely and is quite aggressive for the first two thirds and it just felt like it needed to go into overdrive for the last sections. Great stuff though.

@NoiseHorse - Fall Downbeat:

You've got a lot going on in there Noise! Quite enjoyed some of the bits I picked out but it felt more like a jam than something constructed. Not necessarily a bad thing but when there all the events happen all at the same time, all the way through it can turn into noise and it's easy, as a listener, to switch your attention elsewhere. Ask anyone who's had to listen to my stuff! Nice material but I would have like more story.

@LostBoy85 - Aim to please:

Top notch singing again Lost. I really enjoyed this one. The introduction of some proper dynamics in the music worked wonders I think. Reminded me a little of Cosmo Jarvis, you familiar with his work? Kinda cheeky, like your songwriting. Were you trying to weird it up with the slight out of tune-ness at the end?

@Igneous1 - Catalan Box:

Not much I can say here Igneous, nice enough tune. Everything in the right place, fairly upbeat. Not sure I could remember anything happening.

@richardyot - Buzzards:

Great intro Richard, really like the direction you're going with the music overall, the blending of your guitar work and more off-the-wall textures/atmospheres. Dunno why but the singing reminded me of the stone roses a little this time. Something about how it sat in the mix. You did struggle with singing over the intro but that's not surprising when there is less melodic content and it got better as the song progressed. You do take a while to find the right note sometimes (me too) and I find it helps if you can mentally commit to a note early rather than having your voice wander into tune. Great track though, really top work. 

Jocphone

Had to post in two halves as it appears to have a post limit length now.

@mrufino1 - Greyer Than at Shutterwax

Wow, really great radio friendly production on this mr. Really dynamic/exciting sound. Catchy song and I loved that backing vocal with the tremolo or whatever it was. Might have to nick that idea sometime  

@Matt_Fletcher_2000 - Sliding Into Tomorrow

Ah I didn't see you had another track (is this becoming song of the week club?) Must say I found a lot more to like with this one as it strays further away from your 'signature' and those deep strings and that long lasting lead synth drone is great. This one seems much more 'significant' to my ears.

@JeffChasteen - Kabuki Makeup Syndrome

Enjoyed this very much Jeff. It can be difficult to make guitar synths (if that is what the lead is) sound anything but inauthentic but it seemed to work in this context and I the slightly eastern feel to it. 

@monzo - Meat Based Snack

That call to arms/prayer/whatever sound at the start is great! I had a hard time latching on to much else within the track and it didn't seemed to have quite the joy and excitement of some of your other tracks. There was some kind of resonant filter thing happening which seemed very familiar but I couldn't quite place it. Hope you're alright after those Crispin Blunts baiting you the other day. The forum seems a duller place when the more lyrical people aren't around.

@Bluepunk - So what

Top comedy value Bluepunk. Nice change of pace in the middle too. Can't quite work out whether this is supposed to be theatrical/comedic but your voice and the music do work well together even if it gives me visions of Eric Idle as Fagin doing the singing. 

@BvsMV - The Lights Go Passing By

Nice, very subtle again, especially the undercurrent of short guitar snippets which I missed the first couple of listens. Your songs seem to surprise me somehow. They take a long time to reveal themselves but I usually end up enjoying them after a couple of listens. 

@rkmonkey - she (devil)

Great guitar track rkmonkey. Didn't get on with the verses at all. The singing on those sounded rushed and the timing was all over the place which let down the track. I really the liked the chorus though, with the falsetto singing. Then, on soundcloud it played another version with a slightly better sung verse so that was a bit confusing. Still think the vocals on the verses need a bit of rethink. Maybe the riff itself is guiding the vocals too much. Music was good as well.

@JohnnyGoodyear - Just Passing Through

Is that your own artwork for the cover? You talented bugger, using the bushel to disguise that light. Not going to go on about the transitions, they melted away after a few listens anyway. Your voice is going from strength to, well you know.. Can hear you actually starting enjoy singing and letting go a little near the end of the middle section.You are also getting more confidence with the mix but I still think there it needs some more work on the vocals. I found a really simple tip on one of those recording websites where it suggested that you also listen to your mixes at almost inaudibly low volume (I remember an interview a long time ago where I think the Cocteaus said they used to monitor at really low volumes too). Your mix works well when loud but I tried listening really quietly and it is a struggle to pick out words again. I listened to a few other vocal songs on SOTMC the same way and it was quite interesting to hear the obvious bastards getting it right. Anyway a good listen provided even with your excuses..

JohnnyGoodyear

@Jocphone said:

Had to post in two halves as it appears to have a post limit length now.

Thanks for the review/your thoughts. Good stuff to consider there, I really appreciate your nudge BUT I loved your review of @Bluepunk it gives me visions of Eric Idle as Fagin doing the singing. Absolutely spot on

touchconspiracy

@Jocphone said:

Ok jumping into December, I may have commented on some of these already but seasonal festivities and ructions have started so the last month is a bit of a blur.

@Matt_Fletcher_2000 - Swiftly:

Matt I've listened to this a few times over the month and I didn't comment because everyone seemed so complimentary towards it and I didn't get it. I'm afraid to say I still don't. Of course your production skills keep getting better and better and it's probably one of the prettiest tracks you have submitted, great sound design, tastefully done but, beyond the technical prowess, it says nothing to me. You do understand that I generally enjoy your tracks, I was dissappointed this month. Everyone else loved it. What can I say?

@SimonAcetone - Wilful Misrepresentation Of The Truth:

The voice could have been a bit more edgy it was pretty authentic sounding 

The big bass when it first comes in is a bit bland and overpowering although it gets a bit more lively when everything kicks in.

Nice Kraftwerky style synth parts but the whole track could have been edited to be a bit tighter as there were a few sections where it felt like filler. Luckily they were only a few and it's a good sounding track overall and massively enjoyed the content. Also put me in mind of the Cassette Boy vidoes I found on the guardian website yesterday.

@gburks - No Fear To Bleed:]

Lovely dynamics and feel on this track. There stereo/tracking effects were very effective especially on the vocals and the uke at the start. Nice tune too which was catchy without getting over repetitive. Well done, a fitting tribute.

@touchconspiracy - The Infinity flames project demo

Bloody hell, that's loud when it comes in! After listening to the previous softer track yours came in with a real kick. That rumbling bass in the middle is really something as well. I think the I enjoyed this one the most of all I have heard from you touch. If I can make two little comments though: The first part of the track sounds very 'gadgety' but that does dissipate when you you get more adventurous with the sounds later. And the last third I felt could have been higher energy. It builds really nicely and is quite aggressive for the first two thirds and it just felt like it needed to go into overdrive for the last sections. Great stuff though.

@NoiseHorse - Fall Downbeat:

You've got a lot going on in there Noise! Quite enjoyed some of the bits I picked out but it felt more like a jam than something constructed. Not necessarily a bad thing but when there all the events happen all at the same time, all the way through it can turn into noise and it's easy, as a listener, to switch your attention elsewhere. Ask anyone who's had to listen to my stuff! Nice material but I would have like more story.

@LostBoy85 - Aim to please:

Top notch singing again Lost. I really enjoyed this one. The introduction of some proper dynamics in the music worked wonders I think. Reminded me a little of Cosmo Jarvis, you familiar with his work? Kinda cheeky, like your songwriting. Were you trying to weird it up with the slight out of tune-ness at the end?

@Igneous1 - Catalan Box:

Not much I can say here Igneous, nice enough tune. Everything in the right place, fairly upbeat. Not sure I could remember anything happening.

@richardyot - Buzzards:

Great intro Richard, really like the direction you're going with the music overall, the blending of your guitar work and more off-the-wall textures/atmospheres. Dunno why but the singing reminded me of the stone roses a little this time. Something about how it sat in the mix. You did struggle with singing over the intro but that's not surprising when there is less melodic content and it got better as the song progressed. You do take a while to find the right note sometimes (me too) and I find it helps if you can mentally commit to a note early rather than having your voice wander into tune. Great track though, really top work. 

Cheers for listening and the kind comments!

Igneous1

I'm trying to focus on technical issues / suggestions, rather than my musical preferences. I've notice a singular
lack of 'feedback on feedback' in months past, so this may well be my last 'full feedback'. Maybe my comments
aren't of any use to people ? Anyway, here's November's SOTMC feedbacks:


Matt_Fletcher_2000 - Swiftly:
(pasted from my earlier comment)
I very much like the main chordal figure and its great to hear some imaginative drum / percussives too. However,
the timing is a bit 'loose' in parts and the song doesn't build that significantly to me.

Simon Acetone - Wilful Misrepresentation Of The Truth:
I like this one, on one level - as a means to get a point across (a la 'cassette boy' soundbite mash-ups) and as an
electro track in it's own right, it works well for me. A tad too long, perhaps ?

gburks - No Fear To Bleed:]
Works well as a song with it's sparse instrumentation and the vocals are nicely done. Some timing issues, but that
could be the 'live' feel you wanted (?)

touchconspiracy - The Infinity flames project demo
Grooves along nicely, the section at 0.59 loses flow a bit for me, but it picks up after that again. The energy is
certainly there. The outro fade could be extended (?)

NoiseHorse - Fall Downbeat:
Timing issues in general and the drums not flowing in particular is my initial response. Some 'odd' notes in the
guitar playing as well. As a jam however, it has a naive charm nonetheless.

LostBoy85 - Aim to please:
A very well crafted song - I should say that this isn't my bag at all, musically or lyrically, but I can appreciate
the craft that has gone into it. The instrumentation as a backing track fits well and does the job.
Strong voice, for sure.

richard yot - Buzzards:
(pasted from my earlier comment)
Lots of potential with this one, the intro works very well as does the the clean rhythm guitar parts (and the
seagulls !)
On the downside, it's somewhat disjointed structurally (now you may think thats a bit rich coming for me, but there
you go ), the bass synth sweep isn't a substitute for a bass line, in my view and is strangely atonal. There's a a
particular 'hole' in the bass area in the chorus parts.
The double tracked vocals detract for me, which is a shame as the lyrics are pretty interesting.
I do think there is a lot of potential in the track nonetheless.

mrufino - Greyer Than at Shutterwax
I like the 'live' sounding drums and intro guitar melody. A well crafted pop song - reminds me of Utopia's more
poppy excursions.

Matt_Fletcher_2000 - Sliding Into Tomorrow
Quite brave to have an extended intro like this and I'd say it works. The kick is a bit bright / sharp (?), but the
atmospheric pads extend well, with the sparse melodic 'chirps'.

JeffChasteen - Kabuki Makeup Syndrome
This is my kind of thing, raw but intriguing - mad guitar, overly distorted drums, devilish vox. Certainly not
'hifi', but I think it works, perhaps some more dynamic change in the latter half ?

monzo - Meat Based Snack
The gas of a horse ! Wildy psychedelic, seemingly structureless, but fine with that. I have to say, I don't think I
could listen to it many times in succession If this is the radio friendly version...

Bluepunk - So what
As a punk song  it works well - angsty so. strange to think what the class of '77 would make of people using
something as futuristic as an ipad to make a modern punky noise The section at 1:47 is surprisingly
sophisticated (for the punk idiom).

BvsMV - The Lights Go Passing By
Down-tempo loveliness, not so keen on the 'universe' type sound at the intro, but the bass line is pretty inventive
and it keeps things going nicely. Good use of delays. Could use some kind of lift' in the latter half ?

rkmonkey - she (devil)
Tad muddy / overly compressed mix, to these ears. Bit incoherent in parts, but has a certain charm (a certain
cramps vibe ?)

Jocphone - disappointment life such crash twinset more upset roar
Very messy and lacking in any kind of flow. I think 'stygian' is an appropriate description. On the positive side,
the dubby bassline is pretty cool.

Jocphone - disappointment life such crash twinset more upset roar (vocal mix)
An improvement with the vocals, I'd say - especially the dubby echoes. Lucifer over Lancashire ?  

JohnnyGoodyear - Just Passing Through
Brave intro section leading into a nice voice led part. I like the vocals quite a bit, the instrumentation is a tad
boomy, when the keys come in, the 'country air' freshens things up nicely. Slight distortion on the louder vocals
(?) Not so sure about the final section.


Phew !

richardyot

Thanks everyone for posting the feedback - I know it's a lot of work, but it's also one of the reasons that the SOTMC works so well.

Personally I find it's much easier though to do this as the tracks are posted, doing everything in one go at the end of month must be a massive chore. Just a thought

JohnnyGoodyear

Phew! indeed. I don't generally  expect feedback on my feedback but my feedback on your feedback

@Igneous1 said:

JohnnyGoodyear - Just Passing Through
Brave intro section leading into a nice voice led part. I like the vocals quite a bit, the instrumentation is a tad 
boomy, when the keys come in, the 'country air' freshens things up nicely. Slight distortion on the louder vocals 
(?) Not so sure about the final section.

is that you nailed it. Which means I agree with you, especially as regards 'boomy', 'distortion' and uncertainty as to final section

Matt_Fletcher_2000

Just popping in to say that I will be posting feedback on every track early next week.

It's just been a killer month with work this month (and I've also been a bit distracted with learning MTS and AP if I'm honest!).

Bluepunk

@Jocphone  Thanks so much for your comments. Haha, yes, it has been mentioned to me. Both yourself & @JohnnyGoodyear have got it right! Eric Idle doing Fagan doing Punk Rock. I didn't plan it to sound that way & like you Jocphone, I'm not 100% sure myself what style I'm trying to write. But if it is liked for any reason, I'm a happy spike top. 

Maybe for the next one, I will try to sing  John Cleese (the Fawlty Towers mix) doing Bill Sikes (the Oliver Reed version) doing some hard core Prodigy mashup! Harmonies by Sikes dog Bullseye, would finish it off nicely.........and me!     Cheers again.

JohnnyGoodyear

@bluepunk I'm always good for a bit of Prunella Scales if you get caught short for some hot female backing vocals...

LostBoy85

@Igneous1 Thanks alot mate.I appreciate you taking the time to comment on everyone's songs.Thanks for your thoughts on mine,I love getting the feedback despite knowing that my stuff being as poppy as it is would be the least favourite of most people's,which is totally fine...different strokes for different folks and all that

Bluepunk

@Igneous1  Yes sir, your comments ARE of use & I appreciate your & everyone's thoughts on my throwaway stuff. I have learnt so much from the feedback I received from my first song in October, both in the technical advice kindly given & own personal views. It really helps & will continue to do so. 

Yes I'm probably 40 years too late with this 3 chord stuff but because I never learned to play guitar back then, now, through Guitarism, I can at least get all these riffs I have in my head down into "physical" music. I think the class of '77 would have been bemused by all this. I mean, how or where would you have pinned one of these iPad things?  I would've had the smartest bondage trouser iPad cover going. Now there's a thought!  Thanks again.

Bluepunk

@JohnnyGoodyear said:

@bluepunk I'm always good for a bit of Prunella Scales if you get caught short for some hot female backing vocals...

Ah thank you Sir John cos I was going down my list of possible "hot female backing vocals" to assist & the cupboard is bare. Could you stretch to a Cybil & Polly duet please? That would fit perfectly.  

JohnnyGoodyear

@Bluepunk said:

@JohnnyGoodyear said:

@bluepunk I'm always good for a bit of Prunella Scales if you get caught short for some hot female backing vocals...

Ah thank you Sir John cos I was going down my list of possible "hot female backing vocals" to assist & the cupboard is bare. Could you stretch to a Cybil & Polly duet please? That would fit perfectly.  

Ah, Polly....my young self thought she was what adult hotness looked like....maybe it was just the American in her my then west London boy was drawn to Some sort of gepgraphical chemistry...

Jocphone

@Igneous1 said:

I'm trying to focus on technical issues / suggestions, rather than my musical preferences. I've notice a singular lack of 'feedback on feedback' in months past, so this may well be my last 'full feedback'. Maybe my comments aren't of any use to people ? Anyway, here's November's SOTMC feedbacks:

OK, I understand it's quite an effort to put together a review of each and every submission and many don't check in that often. I know I find it difficult to keep up with them all but usually try even if pretty late. 

Jocphone - disappointment life such crash twinset more upset roar
Very messy and lacking in any kind of flow. I think 'stygian' is an appropriate description. On the positive side, the dubby bassline is pretty cool.

My working process is quite slow. I tend to place every beat and work on each sound for between 15-20 musical passages each month and then spend a few days stitching them together, moving things around until I get to something that I think progresses a little further than the last month's track. If it is messy to your ears then it probably is supposed to sound that way. As for 'lacking any kind of flow', I think it pootles along quite nicely in the second half.

I must admit I had to google Stygian and was a little surprised to find 'dark and gloomy' but then I guess it depends whether you are staring into the pit or in the pit looking out..

Jocphone - disappointment life such crash twinset more upset roar (vocal mix)
An improvement with the vocals, I'd say - especially the dubby echoes. Lucifer over Lancashire ?  

Couldn't hear any obvious associations with that particular Fall track. Care to elaborate.?

Jocphone

@Bluepunk said:

@Jocphone  Thanks so much for your comments. Haha, yes, it has been mentioned to me. Both yourself & @JohnnyGoodyear have got it right! Eric Idle doing Fagan doing Punk Rock. I didn't plan it to sound that way & like you Jocphone, I'm not 100% sure myself what style I'm trying to write. But if it is liked for any reason, I'm a happy spike top. 

Maybe for the next one, I will try to sing  John Cleese (the Fawlty Towers mix) doing Bill Sikes (the Oliver Reed version) doing some hard core Prodigy mashup! Harmonies by Sikes dog Bullseye, would finish it off nicely.........and me!     Cheers again.

I'm of the opinion that 'style' should be a by-product rather than a goal. 

Loving this plan for your next submission. Keep up the energy and you won't go far wrong!

Jocphone

@richardyot said:

Thanks everyone for posting the feedback - I know it's a lot of work, but it's also one of the reasons that the SOTMC works so well.

Personally I find it's much easier though to do this as the tracks are posted, doing everything in one go at the end of month must be a massive chore. Just a thought

I tried it that way but felt like I had missed people out or wasn't in the right mood at the right time to give each submission the listen(s) they deserve. It is quite a bit of work to do it at the end but it feels worthwhile too.

JeffChasteen

Jocphone

Thank you for your kind words. I 'm glad you enjoyed the track. Happy Holidays from Santa Claus (and myself, of course)!

JeffChasteen

Igneous1

Thank you for your kind words and I am really pleased that you enjoyed the track. Also, you guys are right about the need for more dynamics.
Happy Holidays from Santa Claus (and myself)!

rkmonkey

@Jocphone thanks for the comments. Verses were off on their timing. Second version was first posted and I lowered vocals and brought up drums per recs of others

rkmonkey

@Igneous1 thanks for the feedback. I did compress the mix more after I lowered the vocals and upped the drums. Tried to create a story with a sense of desperation.

LostBoy85

@Jocphone thanks for your comments mate.

Igneous1

@Jocphone said:

Couldn't hear any obvious associations with that particular Fall track. Care to elaborate.?

I know I was trying just to make primarily technical critiques, but that was a different response - the track conjured up that title.

Jocphone

@LostBoy85 said:
@Jocphone thanks for your comments mate.

No problem. Have had one listen to your next track. Sounds like you're having a ball with the new mic!

Jocphone

@rkmonkey said:
@Jocphone thanks for the comments. Verses were off on their timing. Second version was first posted and I lowered vocals and brought up drums per recs of others

To be fair that did sound like a tough riff to sing over. Wasn't trying to be rude it's just timing with singing can really tie people in knots.

Jocphone

@Igneous1 said:

@Jocphone said:

Couldn't hear any obvious associations with that particular Fall track. Care to elaborate.?

I know I was trying just to make primarily technical critiques, but that was a different response - the track conjured up that title.

I don't have a problem with giving or receiving emotional or subjective responses to songs, it's all good feedback.

Was just curious if anything in particular had triggered that association but I do understand that sometimes our responses aren't easy to explain. That's why I keep writing, the practice of listening and trying to put my response into words is an ongoing battle that I find equally rewarding and frustrating. Hopefully practive will make it a little easier/more useful.

BvsMV

@Jocphone just listening to the vocal mix, and I was trying to figure out who your vocals reminded me of and then I see the Fall: I love Mark E Smith, even though he's an asshole. The vocals are really good and a nice addition, I think they sit really well in the mix with just the right amount of effects. Good baseline throughout. This track could fit well in any forward thinking suspense drama. Your mixing is wonderful to my ears. I know this isn't everyone's cup of tea, but to make glitch, noise, etc that is original with song structure is a lot harder than verse chorus bridge. Good job.

rkmonkey

@Jocphone said:

@rkmonkey said:
@Jocphone thanks for the comments. Verses were off on their timing. Second version was first posted and I lowered vocals and brought up drums per recs of others

To be fair that did sound like a tough riff to sing over. Wasn't trying to be rude it's just timing with singing can really tie people in knots.

Didn't take at as rude at all, appreciate all honest feedback.