You Still Look Like You Did Before

I don't know what this is; kind of a pseudo-jugband, neo-bluegrass-ish, Hee-Haw with a whiney singer.

I asked ORthey to play some banjo on it.
And he did!

(Get Flash to see the track player.)
posted by chococat (23 comments total)

This is terrific. I like the melody, all melancholy and catchy. Sam Beam better watch out. If the world was just, and the right people hear this tune, you would do an end run on his market share.

I like how ORthey's playing is focused on the lower register of the instrument, and that the mix emphasizes the mid-frequencies of the banjo.
posted by umbú at 1:46 PM on May 28

I can't be the only one that gets a strong early Wilco vibe from this, can I? I loved it. The washboard was a nice touch...crunchy, but subdued. It's a great mix on the recording, itself, too.
posted by askmeaboutLOOM at 2:20 PM on May 28

Man, this is ass kicking, foot stompin' and has more heart than a dude should be allowed to have!

It's just really awesome to hear you with ORthey too. Damn.

I LOVE how this is kind of contemporary bluegrass/old timey. The ring of authenticity is so totally there, but I don't have to be some kind of aficionado to really dig this.

It's been a LONG time since a song has made me feel this good! Damn again!
posted by snsranch at 4:42 PM on May 28

I almost forgot: "collaboration" tag? I mean, jeez!
posted by snsranch at 4:46 PM on May 28

Another gem from the gem factory that is chococat!
posted by Effigy2000 at 4:59 PM on May 28

I'm glad you decided to post this, because it is Totally Awesome. Great mix, too. 'Twas great fun to collaborate and we oughtta do it again!

Love the slide solo.
posted by ORthey at 6:44 PM on May 28

This has got to be the best one man production on MeFi I've ever heard. Very well done. And collaboration always makes my toes tingle!
posted by abc123xyzinfinity at 8:47 PM on May 28

I'm a fan of the deeply layered vocals on this one. It gives it a really ethereal feel, especially in the chorus, which melts nicely over the plucky banjo and rat-tat of the snare. Smooth, silky overcoat embodied by a crisp, light spirit. It's a lot like chocolate-covered nilla wafers, really.
posted by self at 8:59 PM on May 28 [1 favorite]

Yay! Came out great. I like how when I started singing harmonies along at home here you were actually singing the same damn thing on track.
posted by cortex at 10:01 AM on May 29 [1 favorite]

That's rockin. Really nice work. The slide solo, yeah, is fantastic, and the banjo. All the vocal doubling and harmonizing is really nice. Hell, everything is nice and clean and rockin.

I got the sense that there was something wrong with the mix, though. I can't put my finger on it, especially in these tiny headphones I've got at work. Maybe too much hair in the bass frequencies? Something was unsettling. Maybe it's just me.
posted by uncleozzy at 10:48 AM on May 29

Wow, that was great! I already loved it, and then the damn slide guitar came in and exploded my brain with enjoyment.
posted by Rock Steady at 10:51 AM on May 29

Nice one - reminds me of Crosby, Stills etc. It made me laugh out loud that I heard the hook and thought "Christ that needs some CSNY-style harmonies" and then.........you delivered. Cool track.
posted by MajorDundee at 2:38 PM on May 29

This is great. Wonderful picking ORthey. Heck, wonderful picking all around!
posted by The White Hat at 9:09 PM on May 30

The ring of authenticity is so totally there, but I don't have to be some kind of aficionado to really dig this.

And nail meets head. Great song. Where is the tip jar?
posted by YoBananaBoy at 12:51 AM on May 31

This song has been stuck in my head for the past few days- an utterly fantastic composition. However, that kick bass drum feels "plop"-y, if that makes sense. It sticks out from the mix, and really clashes with the overall vibe. It's such a little thing, but this track is so spot on in every other way that it sticks out.
posted by potch at 1:53 AM on May 31

This is really great! Those vocal harmonies are knockouts.
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 2:48 AM on June 2

Are these real drums?
posted by dobie at 8:32 PM on June 2

Perfect example of my ineptitude/impatience with mixing and mastering. Snare is real, kick is a Moog kick which sounded fine on my crappy Yorkville monitors and my headphones but now that I play it on a different computer in a different room it's too much, as several people have noted.
Anyhow, thanks.
posted by chococat at 8:55 PM on June 2

I was just curious about how you got the drum sound. The precise bass drum really tightens everything and contributes to how damn listenable it is. I really like mixing electronic and live drums because of this effect. Probably a bias common among listeners of modern music.
posted by dobie at 11:44 AM on June 3

I just realized I didn't comment on this song and I don't know why. I really like that "can't believe how fast/all this time has passed". Lovely song and lovely ambiance. ORthey's part is, of course, beautifully played and perfectly mixed in with the rest. Also, I don't know you are banging your head against the wall for that kick drum, it doesn't sound phony or out of place to me.
posted by micayetoca at 4:17 PM on June 3

Lovely song with such a perfect wistful feel. I really enjoyed this, thank you.
posted by Georgina at 3:02 AM on June 4

Very lovely
posted by american caesar at 8:22 PM on June 8

I'm super-late to the party as usual... but this track is STELLAR. It's so ridiculously catchy, and the musicianship is top-notch. One of your best! Great, great work by ORthey too.
posted by edlundart at 10:16 PM on June 8 [1 favorite]