1nce Again "First Lesson Learned"

[mixmkr]

i didn't see you say anything about the lyrics?i can only assume you didn't pay enough attention and that in my opinion is what makes this song...

with that said, I didn't mention anything about the kick sound or the patch you chose for your keyboard either, but whether I paid enough attention to the song or not is not really the issue. Maybe, the lyrics were bland enough that they didn't keep my attention over the production I wasn't so crazy about.

But, I will be honest and say, I couldn't repeat any of the lyrics back to you now withOUT a 2nd listen...which I don't plan to do.
I agree that lyrics can make a break a song, but this is music, and not a *poem.* I just happened to comment on the ideas that struck me first and most important. Obviously, people have different priorities when it comes to order of importance when it comes to music. Actually, in a complete review, there would be MUCH more to discuss, and it was too bad that I omitted comments regarding lyrics...as I have seemed to miss the boat that they are more important to the *quality* of this song than I realize. However, modern day rap style lyrics seem on the "crude" side of creativity to me, but that's me. I don't have the knowledge or training to recognize quality rap style music and differentiate the differences between the different sub genres.
That said...I also tend to shy away from the songwriting, harmonizations, and lyrics of most responses. I feel that is more an "artistic" thing, and would rather offer suggestions on mixing, production, recording quality, sonic quality and stuff like that.... even though this is JUST the "MP3 mixing clinic". I feel that telling you to change lyrics is not what people are looking for, but instead "how does this sound?". also..without rewriting the song "what would you do to make it better?". That's the angle I am coming from.

btw... keep 'em coming, and maybe I can learn something.

 

[guitarjesus]

The singing or rapping doesn't really sit well with me along with that beat.


The beat is good. But the rapping doesn't do it with that beat.

You need to flow better with the beat.


Just like if I was to play guitar over a beat, and if I had a totally different groove then the beat that I was playing over. It wouldn't sound as good as if I was to groove to the beat I was playing over. If that makes any sense.


Your singing faster then the beat. And your not using the beats as points of reference. Like a guitar player would use toms, or snares as points of reference and do a riff at that point. Do you know what I mean?

 

[Prag_B]

After reading most of these comments, I was ready to hear trash, but after listening to the song and paying attention to the lyrics and the message this song is conveying, I gotta say it's pretty good... yes the beat is basic, but look at "dirt on my shoulder" basic beat, "grindin'" basic beat, etc... as long as the beat is catchy it can work. I personally prefer more complex "music", but a basic beat here or there doesn't hurt.... I can't really say anything about sound quality because I listened to this at work on crappy speakers, not on my monitors at home, but it didn't sound any worse than when I play cds on here... the vocals need a little punch here and there but nothin major... well keep workin' on stuff and dont focus on negativity, and remember Aesop Rock is arguably one of the best emcees and no one knows who he is, but everyone knows Nelly, one of the worst emcees, so that just goes to show you how much people actually "comprehend" lyrics...

 

[Massive Master]

Listening...

Dark - Could use a bit of air and space. Downbeat is very broad... Verb on upbeat is mono, no? Not that there's anything wrong with that...

Guitar around 1:00 (& 2 & 3) is nice & subtle...

Clearing the downbeat up would let the vocals through a bit more without increasing volume any more...

Otherwise, sounds pretty good.

John Scrip - www.massivemastering.com