Face of an Angel (new song)

[icystorm]

Here is a new demo I'm working on right now. I am awaiting a new microphone, pre-amp, mixer, and soundcard, so there is some minor clipping on the song. I'll re-record it later. Anyway, comments about the mix or song beyond the EQ problems are appreciated.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=787980&songID=6881381

http://www.box.net/shared/fc06b88fmv

Cheers,
Joseph (icystorm)

- - - l y r i c s - - -

Face of an Angel

Words and music by: Joseph Spain
Created with Jamstudio.com 2.1 and Acoustica Mixcraft 4.1

Verse 1
The road and journey are fought with fear
Afraid to love but inspired to reach you
I know everything I am and everything I'll be
Depends on if your heart will still love me
There's so much more to say
So much left to do
It's written in the stars designed for you
Remember in your mind
Each lonely night you cry
Every day I live for you inside

Chorus
What's mine is yours
What's yours is mine
We brave the world
Overcome the shadows
I'll fall for you
I'll stand in line
Just to see your face in time
The truth I seek is by your side
underneath your love each night
Before my eyes what do I see
The face of an angel smiles at me

Verse 2
Through hell or fire I'll find no fear
To embrace your love I desire to touch you
I know everything you are is everything I need
The truth between the lines will set you free
There's nothing more to say
Nothing left to do
It's written in my eyes through dreams of you
Remember me inside
Each lonely tear you cry
Every day I live to see you shine

Chorus
What's mine is yours
What's yours is mine
We brave the world
Overcome the shadows
I'll fall for you
I'll stand in line
Just to see your face in time
The truth I seek is by your side
underneath your love each night
Before my eyes what do I see
The face of an angel smiles at me

Chorus
What's mine is yours
What's yours is mine
We brave the world
Overcome the shadows
I'll fall for you
I'll stand in line
Just to see your face in time
The truth I seek is by your side
underneath your love each night
Before my eyes what do I see
The face of an angel smiles at me

(repeat chorus through fade)

 

[ido1957]

Good tune Joseph...

The vocals seem to have some kind of in/out sound to them. They alternate between soft and loud. I'm not sure if it's compression/effect or the way you're singing it. Perhaps it needs more compression, not sure..... It makes the recording sound kinda wavy....Little sibilence going on too...

Perhaps when you get the new equipment you can try a retake...

Really got a familiar sound to the vocals - darned if I can remember the singer's name though...I'll probably wake up in the middle of the night and it'll come to me...lol...

The bass seems to be the predominant instrument in the mix. It sounds nice but I would like to hear more punch out of the backing tracks.

Well after three listens it stills sounds fresh...that's a good thing

 

[icystorm]

Thanks for listening and your comments, ido1957! I like your suggestions for improvements and agree. When I get my new gear soon, I'll re-record it.

Cheers,
Joseph (icystorm)

 

[Subanez]

I agree with ido...the vocals go in an out, even line to line. It would be tough to know what you are saying if I didn't have the lyrics right there.

Also, I agree with the fact that most of the instruments are waaaay in the background (except for bass and drums).

Personally I think the vocals are a bit heavy in the processing, but if that's the sound you are going for, then so be it. Perhaps if you dry them up a bit, and re-record with new mic/preamp, the lyrics and all would come out much clearer, and give more definition to the song.

For a first hack/working copy, I'd say you have a pretty good draft to work with.

 

[VomitHatSteve]

I agree, the vocal effects seem to be a problem.

The instrumentation seems a little tedious. It doesn't seem like the song really goes anywhere musically. I'd recommend changing things up as the song progresses (layering in new parts, removing old ones, etc.)

 

[Seafroggys]

I like the songwriting, the musicianship is spot on, but the vocals are really annoying with the popping in and out. Just add a bit more compression or pencil in volume automation.

Some nice chord progressions in there.

Oh and I think the fadeout is too fast/abrupt.

 

[icystorm]

I agree, the vocal effects seem to be a problem.

The instrumentation seems a little tedious. It doesn't seem like the song really goes anywhere musically. I'd recommend changing things up as the song progresses (layering in new parts, removing old ones, etc.)

Aw c'mon, Steve. Didn't you ever hear of "album filler"?

Just kidding! Thanks much for taking the time to listen and provide feedback. You made some very good points. Some of my friends also made similar comments. I am planning some more variety on the next demo of the song when my new gear arrives and I finish building my new computer.

Cheers,
Joseph (icystorm)

 

[icystorm]

I like the songwriting, the musicianship is spot on, but the vocals are really annoying with the popping in and out. Just add a bit more compression or pencil in volume automation.

Some nice chord progressions in there.

Oh and I think the fadeout is too fast/abrupt.

Thanks for taking the time to listen and provide feedback, Seafroggys. I agree with your comments about the vocal volume discontinuity and the fadeout. I plan to try to fix those issues.

Cheers,
Joseph (icystorm)

 

[icystorm]

I agree with ido...the vocals go in an out, even line to line. It would be tough to know what you are saying if I didn't have the lyrics right there.

Also, I agree with the fact that most of the instruments are waaaay in the background (except for bass and drums).

Personally I think the vocals are a bit heavy in the processing, but if that's the sound you are going for, then so be it. Perhaps if you dry them up a bit, and re-record with new mic/preamp, the lyrics and all would come out much clearer, and give more definition to the song.

For a first hack/working copy, I'd say you have a pretty good draft to work with.

Thank you for listening and commenting, Subanez. You made some excellent points. I'll work on it. Hopefully, my new gear will make a positive difference.

Cheers,
Joseph (icystorm)

 

[Myx62]

You get real clean rhythm guitars. Nice song. I agree about the vox going in and out and they are also tinny sounding. Do you compress your vocal tracks at all? Even with a marginal mic it would help. I still use an SM57 and get ok results. I would also maybe add some layered guitar parts that are melodic. For a rough draft this is still exceptional.

Myx

 

[icystorm]

You get real clean rhythm guitars. Nice song. I agree about the vox going in and out and they are also tinny sounding. Do you compress your vocal tracks at all? Even with a marginal mic it would help. I still use an SM57 and get ok results. I would also maybe add some layered guitar parts that are melodic. For a rough draft this is still exceptional.

Myx

Thanks for listening and commenting, Myx. I am building a new computer for the express purpose of improving my demos. Thanks for the good recommendation on a mic.

Cheers,
Joseph (icystorm)

 

[CIRO]

Mix sounds pretty well balanced , seems like you have a good treatment in the room and/or great ears.

Everything sounds good, problem is with the excess of dinamics on vox sometimes, is clear on 0:23.Try a volume envelope first to put the things under control.Compression or even hard limiter can helps a lot.

Congrats!

Ciro

 

[icystorm]

Mix sounds pretty well balanced , seems like you have a good treatment in the room and/or great ears.

Everything sounds good, problem is with the excess of dinamics on vox sometimes, is clear on 0:23.Try a volume envelope first to put the things under control.Compression or even hard limiter can helps a lot.

Congrats!

Ciro

Thanks for listening and commenting. I agree with you about the vox EQ. I'm working on it. Thanks for the kind words.

Cheers,
Joseph (icystorm)

 

[CIRO]

Really got a familiar sound to the vocals - darned if I can remember the singer's name though...I'll probably wake up in the middle of the night and it'll come to me...lol...

And...?

Barry Gibb, Ido.

Ciro

 

[icystorm]

And...?

Barry Gibb, Ido.

Ciro

Barry Gibb has always been my greatest musical inspiration. He's pure genius. My meager recordings and songs will never do justice to imitating the master's excellent work, but thanks all the same for noticing the effort and attempt.