This is a FANTASTIC work of art.
Just wanted to be the first to tell you.
I'm gonna find a pen, and come back and tell you exactly why I think that. Especially to help our cadre of newbs identify and apply all the devices you used.
OK, reading from my notes and transcribing: "Many of the important reasons this is a great song." A showcase!!!
The recording, panning, levels, performances: top notch; Using your own true voice.
There's a universally human theme. The composition reflects the mood of the lament.
I think the bass could rise 3db. The flange guitar in the chorus, standing in for vocal @:44, up 3db.
UNISON!!!! POWER!!! At :45-47 sec......that unison line with the bass and guitar is KILLER. Hook, counter-melody.....something to grab onto. A sub-theme. Excellent intuition there.
Getting right back to the verse @ :50 is genius...when you could have laid on that nice chorus. Unexpectedly brief...and back to work! Interesting. Left me wanting more chorus...couldn't wait for it to happen again. No fatigue.
Love the clean execution and mesh of the guitar R playing 2/4 figure against the piano R. Space, certitude, direction: and the off-beat ride cymbal is GREAT TEXTURE and FILLIGREE!!!
The harmony vox @ 1:38. NEW TURN!!!!! Dynamic build. NICE!!! ...but , wait: is that....
HORNS!!!!! YES!!!!!. A clean, funky, organized, punchy line to add to the mesh and build dynamics and more interest!!!! The picture is now a movie.
Change in feel @1:25. More goodness!!
And the eighth-note, two note angst-inducing, machine-like unison line ...piano R and guit L. Freakin' perfect...organized. Two notes, in UNISON, punching an EMOTION. To the point. !!!!
Shift down dynamics @ 1:38.....poignant bridge. More interest!!!!!
[would suggest the horns accompany last four bars of guitar solo]
Then...a fast, presto-chango from the pity=party in the bridge to REALITY...unexpectedly thrown in my face @ 1:54...like startlingly waking up from a daydream...which I think is what was intended!!!!!
At 3:23...while all the good groove continues to groove...there's this neat little communication between horns R and guitar L: unison for the first cycle...then a call-and-answer in the second. Just perfect enough to add to the groove, without calling excessive attention to itself.
I'm thrilled to hear this. This is high-quality imagination, composition, and arranging. And an effin' great recording.
Zowie Batman!!!!!!