Comments on: You Promised

You Promised

scottandrew — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 01:09:41 -0800

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 :)

By: gfrobe

gfrobe — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 08:04:58 -0800

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?

By: edlundart

edlundart — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:48:07 -0800

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?

By: scottandrew

scottandrew — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:15:54 -0800

Thanks for the feedback, guys :)

By: dobie

dobie — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:35:06 -0800

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.

By: arcanecrowbar

arcanecrowbar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:01:06 -0800

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.

By: scottandrew

scottandrew — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:30:15 -0800

@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...

By: Astro Zombie

Astro Zombie — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:12:47 -0800

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."

By: nicolin

nicolin — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:36:43 -0800

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.

By: assoctw

assoctw — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:00:28 -0800

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.

By: scottandrew

scottandrew — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:45:36 -0800

@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...