you've got a ring of radiation

you pretend to be me, I pretend to be you

You pretend to be a librarian, I pretend to be a vampire. You pretend to be online, I pretend to be against the wall. You pretend to burn easily, I pretend to lose my marbles. You pretend to take a picture, I pretend to smile for the camera. You pretend I am invisible, I pretend not to know you.

(Get Flash to see the track player.)
posted by February28 (14 comments total)

I have to admit, I saw the artrock tag and wanted to hate this. But actually I like it a lot--it's pretty neat. I do think that it would benefit from a more open and dynamic mix, though; there are a lot of interesting sounds in there that get buried and cluttered.
posted by uncleozzy at 6:54 AM on July 29, 2008

Mixing is a challenge. I listen to the song over and over and over to the point that I enter a hypnotic state where things sound . . . different. I wish I had a "fresh ears" switch on the back of my head. Thanks for your comments, uncleozzy, all tips, tools, suggestions are greatly appreciated.
posted by February28 at 7:44 AM on July 29, 2008

Good stuff.

First post to music, huh? Welcome! and keep em coming! And if you ever discover how to connect that "fresh ears" switch definitely mefimail me about it, I could use one of those.
posted by micayetoca at 2:14 PM on July 29, 2008

Yeah, this is great. more please.
posted by sleepy pete at 6:44 PM on July 29, 2008

Mixing is indeed a challenge. The only way I've found to get fresh ears is to put the music away -- and really put it away; no cheating -- for a period of months. As with prose (and I suspect all art), sometimes you need to let your work sit for a while to regain perspective.

This isn't really my cup of tea stylistically, but you did a nice job with it!
posted by danb at 7:26 PM on July 29, 2008

Interesting stuff. This seems structurally ambitious and it has a distinct voice that you've put a lot of thought into. I changed my mind about whether I liked it or not several times while listening. That's usually a good sign you're doing something right. I like the punchy drum sound and the attitude of the vocal, not to mention the inventive sound palette and twists and turns.
posted by edlundart at 10:54 PM on July 29, 2008

I like it, esp the changeup for hitting the wall. More, please!
posted by davejay at 11:10 PM on July 29, 2008

I think this is one of the most excellent songs ever.
posted by Astro Zombie at 11:41 PM on July 29, 2008

I think what makes this work so well is that both your voice and the guitars, drums and bleeps and blops all have this relaxed four beers sneer to them. I think its great.
posted by umbú at 8:07 AM on July 30, 2008

It's a little bleepy and blorpy for me, but I like the lyrics and in some weird way it reminds me of the Stooges. Also this, a little.
posted by jessamyn at 9:24 AM on July 30, 2008

Yea, I have to say, I'm diggin this, man. This is quirky enough to have fun with and punchy enough to play loud and make punker face! Welcome aboard!
posted by snsranch at 2:07 PM on July 31, 2008

That's a pretty kick-ass song you've got there, February28.
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 8:17 AM on August 1, 2008

I totally got that great 70's art-garage-pouty-sneery vibe. Excellent chorus, too.
posted by not_on_display at 11:55 PM on August 1, 2008

This is really great.
posted by sveskemus at 12:41 PM on August 8, 2008