Nothing Left to Apologize For (demo) by the Geese

This is a little something I did (obviously unfinished) that I'd liek to get some reaction for. Any thoughts? It's a pretty straightforward power pop/rock song, complete with ahhs, claps, shakers, and tambourines. Rawk.

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posted by grubi (9 comments total)

Nice mix of several guitars without it getting too muddy. The shaker seems too far forward in the mix, while the vocals could come forward somehow. Good vocal performance though. This is a pretty good tune, even if maybe it sounds like it's from a decade or two ago.

I dig the guitar solo.
posted by edlundart at 10:14 PM on April 11, 2007

Yeah, I second everything edlundart said. First thing I noticed was the shaker. The drum sounds really fit the style, real nice job there, though I hated the hand-claps (but then I hate hand claps in general!). There's also a vocal track just under the lead vocal which doesn't quite fit right and is distracting at times ( that's a severe case of pot-and-kettle-ism on my part btw!), lead vocal and backing vocals are great!

Nicely done man!
posted by TwoWordReview at 4:12 AM on April 12, 2007

Much appreciation! I have a few kinks to work out, and it's always best to get a fresh set of ears (or several sets!) to help figure out what works.
posted by grubi at 6:13 AM on April 12, 2007

Unlike TwoWordReview, I usually don't mind hand claps but they don't work here. I'd like to hear this without the hand claps. Replace them with something dark and low that'd reverberate the rib cage. The shaker definitely works for me. Nice vocals, that could do with being brought forward a bit. The thunderstorm sound effect at the end needs to be given a chance to shine through the mix before it takes over, so that it has a better emotional effect. Aside from that, I got no complaints. =)
posted by ZachsMind at 6:14 AM on April 12, 2007

Replace them with something dark and low that'd reverberate the rib cage

Not to be flippant, but like what? It sounds like an interesting idea, but I'm not sure what I could add here.
posted by grubi at 8:12 AM on April 12, 2007

grubi: Rib cage shaker? How about this?

Also, thunderstorm!
posted by phrontist at 9:56 PM on April 12, 2007

Oy. That snare drum rules.

"Um, love the handclaps, baby... lose 'em." I really detest that canned clap patch -- just heard it too much on commercials, I guess. Definitely pull the shaker back 2 or 3 db. Did I mention that the snare drum rules?
posted by Devils Rancher at 4:35 PM on April 15, 2007

Heh. I will re-jigger the song a bit tonight and see what happens.
posted by grubi at 12:41 PM on April 16, 2007

I take back the hand claps thing. Another listen several months later and they worked okay. I think what might be the problem is the fact they're canned. They're artificial. It's a little jarring, but again they worked okay.
posted by ZachsMind at 5:47 PM on January 10, 2008