Where I'm From

Strident acoustic guitar rhythm and some vocal harmonies.

I recorded the first half of the chorus randomly on my phone a few weeks ago, decided it was worth fleshing out. I attempted bass and extra guitar parts, ended up backing off.

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posted by erikgrande (8 comments total)

This is great. I really like the arrangement, agree that you don't need any more for it to be "finished" - the electric adds subtle sparkle, it's lovely paired down like this. Reminds me of Beck when he's not being too self-indulgent.

If I was going to add anything to this, it would be a hammond organ. But I've taken flack for suggesting that here before, and I will again. I LOVE A GOOD ORGAN OK.
posted by greenish at 8:42 AM on February 8, 2017

Thanks, I always appreciate your feedback. I think your organ proposal has merit!
posted by erikgrande at 6:45 PM on February 8, 2017

It's a magical and underrated instrument
posted by greenish at 7:08 AM on February 9, 2017

Nice work! I love the balance of precision and compositional structure/rawness and looseness in the arrangement. It seems to strike right in that sweet spot between raw and over the top and polished and restrained.
posted by saulgoodman at 7:15 AM on February 9, 2017

The melody is simple and straightforward but not shallow. Same with the chord progression: you use that minor-in-one-key/major-in-the-other ambiguity deftly but not heavy-handedly. Agreeing with greenish about the Beck vibe. A little of that offkey growliness cobain style during one line, and then a clear, ringing voive the next, you sound like you're having a call-and-response with yourself. And the exiting harmonies are messy and beautiful.
posted by not_on_display at 9:58 PM on February 10, 2017

AND WHOEVER DOESN'T LIKE THE HAMMOND ORGAN CAN MEET ME OUTSIDE AFTER LUNCH BY THE DUMPSTERS
Paul Shaffer's got my back.
posted by not_on_display at 9:58 PM on February 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Love that chorus call and response and the electric guitar at the end. This song had a bit of a surprising punch for me.
posted by Corduroy at 10:59 PM on February 10, 2017

And the exiting harmonies are messy

"Messy" is very generous. Thanks.
posted by erikgrande at 3:20 PM on February 12, 2017 [1 favorite]