You Promised

It's about those times when you realize the only one you can change is yourself. A new pop/rock tune I just released today.

I'm interested in hearing if this tune reminds you of another artist or song, style-wise. I'm always at a loss trying to explain "what I sound like" to others beyond "uh, it's got guitars," etc.

So: between what two known artists/songs would you file this tune? Thanks :)

(Get Flash to see the track player.)
posted by scottandrew (10 comments total)

Really nice. You've got a good sound and a great voice. Hard to classify though as I can't think of who you may sound like. If pushed, I'd say maybe a cross between Dave Mead and Josh Rouse?
posted by gfrobe at 8:04 AM on August 11, 2008

This is exquisitely mixed and produced, though I don't think the background vocal effect works. I'd much prefer it to just be your normal voice, or even better, another singer's voice -- maybe a woman.

Your vocal performance is excellent. Great control. The guitars sound beautiful as well.

As for where to file it... it sounds like radio-friendly singer-songwriter stuff to me. I may have previously mentioned David Berkeley, although he's not so well-known. Other than him, I'd maybe bring up Damien Rice?
posted by edlundart at 2:48 PM on August 11, 2008

Thanks for the feedback, guys :)
posted by scottandrew at 7:15 AM on August 12, 2008

I hear Michael Stipe in some of the vocal tones, but with more of a modern radio feel to it. I actually think that the background vocal effect does a neat effect; or at least matches the format pretty well. It might be worth trying a different singer instead of using the effect to differentiate it from the lead as edlundart recommends. The production is pretty top notch. This isn't the sort of music that I listen to but I think that it is very well executed. Good job.
posted by dobie at 11:35 AM on August 12, 2008

Chiming in to give a thumbs up to the background vox, seems to fit the style fairly well to me. This is very cleanly executed and could probably get some airplay. My only gripe is the bit where you say "and now I've learned to stand without you now": that's one now too many! NIce work all around.
posted by arcanecrowbar at 2:01 PM on August 12, 2008

@arcanecrowbar: good catch. I tend to use certain words too frequently. Need to be on the lookout for those.

@ed & @dobie: thanks for the thoughts on the backing vox. I definitely might have a woman sing those parts in a future revision. It would fit nicely with the idea that this song is sort of silently directed at the other person in the relationship, and it would hint that she's having the same secret thoughts. :)

Thanks for the comments on the mix quality. It's a skill I've been trying to improve...
posted by scottandrew at 3:30 PM on August 12, 2008

There are some unexpected melodic moments, when the melody plummets suddenly; it's only for instant, but it recalls Peter Gabriel's songwriting from the 80s. I hear it most on the line "You and I are working through something here."
posted by Astro Zombie at 7:12 PM on August 12, 2008

Impressive. 2nd the Josh Rouse hint, and I don't know why, it seems to me that the tune sounds a little bit like Travis (the scottish group) too.
posted by nicolin at 12:36 PM on August 13, 2008

This is very nicely done. I think the backing vocal is performed well, just too much effect on it. I see what you're going for, but it's still a little jarring compared to the rest of the mix. And maybe it's because it's over a guitar track with similar vibrato/trem happening. If you make that vocal track dry, or pick a much flatter phase effect, that might do it. Good stuff, though. Radio ready, IMHO.
posted by assoctw at 2:00 PM on August 13, 2008

@assoctw: excellent suggestion, thanks. I think the backing vox are suffering from the MP3 compression; they're not as sharp-sounding in the original WAV file.

@nicolin: thanks, I should go check out Mr. Rouse's stuff. I think I heard his 70s-style pop album from a few years back, but haven't paid much attention since. I hear he's frighteningly prolific...
posted by scottandrew at 8:45 AM on August 14, 2008