Pulling Teeth

Another song in the 'I'm trying my hand at writing and recording rock music single-handedly in my bedroom' project. Looking for criticism, suggestions, tips, etc. - on mixing especially.

Drums are just garage band loops plus a little editing. Piano and sax are both me, vocals by JaiMahodara. I have a very modest recording set-up, and I'm using garage band for the time being.

Also if anyone in the Portland area plays drums and is looking to collaborate...

• play
• pause
• min volume
• max volume

posted by Lutoslawski (2 comments total)

I'd like the vox a little further up, but that's me.

I like the herky-jerkiness in general, although it really sounds like it's about to fall apart here and there -- I'll assume that's purposeful.

The sax could drop out for the verses and I wouldn't mind. It's cool but it'd be cooler if it came and went.
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 4:42 AM on October 1, 2010

Hey thanks for the feedback Karlos! Much, much appreciated.

I actually agree with you on the vox, and I've since gone back and given it a little remix to bring the voice up a bit. Haven't been at this for long, and getting the voice to sound right in general in addition to being in the right balance is the hardest thing, I've found.

There's a tricky spot about 3/4 of the way through that was an unintended 'about to fall apart' moment, but yeah, I was sort of going for the herky-jerky, not-too-boringly-in-the-pocket sound.

Yeah, the sax was a last minute addition. I'm not sure how I feel about the sax track - there are times, like from the bridge to the end, that I really like it - but I see your point about the verses.

Again, thanks for the feedback. I'm trying to get better at this.
posted by Lutoslawski at 10:08 AM on October 1, 2010