Gila - CRITIQUES PLZ

All right - second track from my in-the-works EP. Constructive criticism appreciated!

I'm thinking about some changes to make, but won't mention them specifically, as to keep your minds clear...

Recording ingredients:

Drums (2xoverhead, kick, snare mics)
Bass (DI + 58 on Ampeg amp)
Guitar (Tele + Classic 30 + 58 + room condenser)
"Voice" (studio projects condenser, pop filter)

Logic (slight compression, parallel compression on drums, reverb)

(Get Flash to see the track player.)
posted by tmcw (7 comments total)

won't mention them specifically, as to keep your minds clear...

Wise choice. If you ask me, the song doesn't need much more. If I was part of the band I would suggest a subtle shaker track, just because there is enough space during the not-busy part and it's something that wouldn't be noticed, but would help sustain the song.

whatever you choose to do, don't mess with the solo, it's perfect as it is.
posted by micayetoca at 12:35 PM on May 5

This is a great song--your vocal performance is terrific. I like how it orbits around a Cure/Gang of Four era vibe, and there is lots of space in the mix.

I don't know if I'd change much at all. This is a tricky call, but I do admit that I wavered between thinking that the chicken-scratch guitar part was good-sloppy, or whether it was slightly outside the pocket in certain spots.
posted by umbú at 12:47 PM on May 5

Thanks for the input! umbu: you mean near the end of the song? There's one bit in between chords that I felt was really borderline even though it falls back on the right beat.
posted by tmcw at 12:57 PM on May 5

Yeah, this is picky, micro-level stuff, and your playing does end up falling back on the right beat, but I think 1:01-1:11, and certain moments in the last 30 seconds could be a little more in the pocket and still sound scruffy in the way that you want.
posted by umbú at 1:51 PM on May 5

Man, I really liked this. I agree with micayetoca about the solo being awesome, although the noisy bit before the solo (at 1:30 or so) I don't care for -- I feel like there's such a good, i don't know, image of the room created by the mix of the drums and bass and I feel like the noise kind of shatters the illusion and reminds me I'm listening to a recording? But maybe that's the reason for it, which would be valid. I would also say maybe change the name -- when I saw it, I was expecting a cover of the Beach House song, which obviously this isn't. But the instrumental and vocal interplay is awesome.
posted by raisindebt at 8:02 PM on May 6

This is a really great song and your vocals knock me out! Definitely one of the best vocal recordings I've heard here. I had to listen to this a few times to sort out my, very minor, nit picks. (And I'm only critiquing because you ask.)

The guitar solos, when compared to the bass, seem to lack authority. And that's just because the bass rocks so damn much in this song. I love the solos, they rock, but because everything else already has a certain feel and flow, they seem a little disjointed.

Now this is REALLY nitpicky, I would add just a tiny bit of treble to the bass. That's not to say bring it up in the mix, it's already there and rock solid, but a little treble might incorporate it and blend it in more.

Overall, this song kicks ass and is very well done. I hope you'll share some more tracks from the EP!
posted by snsranch at 4:54 PM on May 7

@raisindebt: Haha, you're right. Renaming... again! I might just call it 'Untitled' or a number or something. You're right about the noise, I think I'll replace it with extra percussion and a more natural-sounding guitar.

@snsranch: Yeah, the guitar solos have a tendency to sound a little thin here. I'm going to re-record the guitar and it might make sense to automate the guitar to be bass-eq'ed or just louder when it's on its own. I'm trying to bring up the bass's treble and general presence, possibly with an exciter. I have a feeling it was just mostly neck-pickup and the amp was cutting out any nice fretting noises, etc.

Still two tracks to go on the EP (and they've GOTTA get done, I won't have time to record much after I graduate :( )
posted by tmcw at 12:31 PM on May 10